Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 22, 2013

1933 Act Registration File No. 333-182417

1940 Act File No. 811-22718

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  [ X ]


[  ] Pre-Effective Amendment No.                                     

[ X ] Post-Effective Amendment No. 17                                                                                                                        

and/or


REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   [ X ]


[ X ] Amendment No. 20

                                                                                                                              

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, NE  68130

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code:

402-895-1600


The Corporation Trust Company

1209 Orange Street

Wilmington, DE  19801

(Name and. Address of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

Aisha J. Hunt

Dechert LLP

One Maritime Plaza, Suite 2300

San Francisco, CA  94111

(415) 262-4594 (phone)

(415) 262-4555 (fax)

James Ash

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110

Hauppauge, NY  11788

(631) 470-2619 (phone)

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

[X]  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

[   ]   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

[   ]   60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(l)

[   ]   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(l)

[   ]  75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

[   ]   on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

[   ]   as soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement

If appropriate, check the following box: [  ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.








[WESTSHORE002.GIF]


West Shore Real Return Income Fund



PROSPECTUS


November 1, 2013


Class A   AWSFX

Class I   IWSFX

Class N   NWSFX

Class R    RWSFX






www .westshorefunds. com

1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637)



This Prospectus provides important information about the Fund that you should know before investing. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.


These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) nor has the SEC passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.






 






TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page

FUND SUMMARY

1

Investment Objective

1

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

1

Portfolio Turnover

2

Principal Investment Strategies

2

Principal Investment Risks

2

Performance

4

Investment Adviser

4

Portfolio Managers

4

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

4

Tax Information

5

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

5

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

5

Investment Objective

5

Principal Investment Strategies

5

Principal Risk Factors

6

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

10

MANAGEMENT

10

Investment Adviser

10

Portfolio Managers

11

HOW SHARES ARE PRICED

11

HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES

12

Share Classes

12

Class A Shares

12

Class I Shares

16

Class N Shares

17

Class R Shares

17

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Share Class

17

Purchasing Shares

17

Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts

18

When Order is Processed

18

Good Order

18

Retirement Plans

18

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

18

Redeeming Shares

18

Good Order

19

When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees

20

Retirement Plans

20

Low Balances

20

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

20

TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

21

DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES

22

Distributor

22

Distribution Fees

22

Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries

22

Householding

22

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

22

PRIVACY NOTICE

23



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FUND SUMMARY


Investment Objective: The West Shore Real Return Income Fund (the “Fund”) seeks a combination of capital growth and current income.


Fees and Expenses of the Fund:  This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on purchases of Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in the Fund.  More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and the section entitled How to Purchase Shares in this Prospectus.


Shareholder Fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A

Class I

Class N

Class R

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases

(as a % of offering price)

5.75%

None

None

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

(as a % of original purchase price)

1.00%

None

None

None

Redemption Fee

(as a % of amount redeemed within 180 days of purchase)

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage

of the value of your investment)

 

 


 

Management Fees

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

0.40%

None

0.25

0.50%

Other Expenses (1)

1.25%

1.25%

1.25%

1.25%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (1)

0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

2.90%

2.50%

2.75%

3.00%

Expense Waiver

(0.50)%

(0.50)%

(0.50)%

(0.50)%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Waiver (2)

2.40%

2.00%

2.25%

2.50%

(1) Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

(2) The Fund’s Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce the Fund’s fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund until at least February 28, 2015 to ensure that total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and reimbursement (exclusive of any taxes, short selling expenses, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, indirect expenses, expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund may invest, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) will not exceed 2.15%, 1.75%, 2.00% and 2.25% of average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class I, Class N and Class R shares, respectively.  This agreement may be terminated by the Fund’s Board of Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three year basis (within the three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits.

 

Example :  This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  


The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:


 

1 year

3 years

Class A

$804

$1377

Class I

$203

$731

Class N

$228

$806

Class R

$253

$880



1







Portfolio Turnover: The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. No portfolio turnover rate is provided for the Fund because the Fund has not completed its first fiscal year as of the date of this Prospectus.


Principal Investment Strategies: To pursue its investment objective, the Fund utilizes three core investment strategies: domestic income, global income and alternative investments. The Adviser will select and determine the appropriate allocation of Fund assets to each strategy based on its evaluation of market opportunities, economic trends, and relative values. Although the Fund’s allocation to each strategy may vary over time, the Fund will typically allocate 30-50% of its total assets to domestic income investments, 30-50% of its total assets to global income investments, and up to 20% of its total assets to alternative investments.

Domestic Income .   The Fund’s domestic income strategy focuses primarily on equity securities of established U.S. issuers believed to offer attractive dividend yields, the potential for capital appreciation and dividend growth, and lower relative risk.   The types of equity securities in which the Fund typically invests include common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities, depositary receipts, warrants, and rights. The Fund may also invest in other types of equity securities, including real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and master limited partnerships.   The Fund may invest in securities of companies in any market sector and with market capitalizations of any size. The Fund may also invest directly or indirectly in debt securities issued by corporate and government issuers, including inflation-protected securities and asset-backed securities.

Global Income. The Fund’s global income strategy seeks to provide current income and preservation of capital through investments in foreign securities that the Adviser believes will provide returns that exceed the rate of inflation. The Fund may invest without limit in U.S. and non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities of U.S. and foreign issuers, including issuers located in emerging market countries.  The Fund’s global income strategy primarily invests in equity securities and fixed income securities, including common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities, warrants, rights, REITs, asset-backed securities, inflation-protected securities, and securities issued by foreign governments. The Fund’s global income strategy typically invests in securities in a number of different countries.

Alternative Investments.   The Fund’s alternative investments strategy seeks to provide exposure to investments that have low to moderate correlation to traditional equity and fixed income investments.   The Adviser also selects investments for the Fund’s alternative investments strategy to manage or hedge the Fund’s exposure to individual issuers and general market risk.   The Fund typically gains exposure to alternative investments through investments in underlying funds, including private equity funds and hedge funds.   The Fund may invest in underlying funds that provide exposure to a variety of investment styles, including market neutral and long/short strategies, and investment types.   These underlying funds may invest, either directly or indirectly through derivatives (which may include swaps, futures, and options), in securities and instruments that may include, among others, raw materials, precious metals, other commodities, and other types of investments.   In executing the Fund’s alternative investments strategy, the Adviser may allocate Fund assets among one or more underlying funds.

In evaluating potential investments for the Fund, the Adviser takes into account quantitative and qualitative factors, including fundamental quality, earnings growth, dividend yield, relative value, and anticipated price appreciation. The Adviser may draw upon both internal and external resources to identify potential investments.   Quantitative factors are identified through a proprietary computerized system that analyzes potential investments based on numerous criteria.   Eligible securities are identified and further sorted by industry, region and country.   The Adviser then measures each eligible security’s qualitative factors to determine the security’s target price.   The Adviser will continue to apply this quantitative and qualitative analysis to monitor a security’s value relative to other portfolio securities to determine whether to continue to hold or sell a security held by the Fund. The Adviser seeks to identify investments that provide returns that exceed the rate of inflation (“real return”) and have the ability to maintain or enhance real value during periods of inflation.

 

Principal Investment Risks: As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program but rather one component of a diversified investment portfolio. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value and performance.


Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The risks of investing in asset-backed securities, including prepayment risk, extension risk, interest rate risk, market risk and management risk.

Commodities Risk .  Exposure to commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory



2







developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture, and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, and events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

Credit Risk.  The risk that the Fund could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of a fixed income security is unwilling or unable to make timely payments to meet its contractual obligations.

Currency Risk.  The risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, or in derivatives that provide exposure to, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies.

Derivatives Risk. The derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest either directly or through an underlying fund, may be more volatile than other instruments.  The risks associated with investments in derivatives also include liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, mispricing or improper valuation. Changes in the market value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested. In addition, if a derivative is being used for hedging purposes there can be no assurance given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged, or that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by the portfolio manager.

Emerging Markets Risk.  The risk of investing in emerging market securities, primarily increased foreign (non-U.S.) investment risk.

Equity Risk . Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. Preferred stocks are subject to the risk that the dividend on the stock may be changed or omitted by the issuer, and that participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited.

Fixed Income Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities or derivatives, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities or derivatives owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default) and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk.  Foreign (non-U.S.) securities present greater investment risks than investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than the securities of U.S. companies, due to less information about foreign companies in the form of reports and ratings than about U.S. issuers; different accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements; smaller markets; nationalization; expropriation or confiscatory taxation; currency blockage; or political changes or diplomatic developments. Foreign securities may also be less liquid and more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers.

Hedge Fund Risk.   The Fund may invest in private investment funds, or “hedge funds,” which pursue alternative investment strategies. Certain investment instruments and techniques that a hedge fund may use are speculative and involve a high degree of risk. Because of the speculative nature of a hedge fund’s investments and trading strategies, the Fund may suffer a significant or complete loss of its invested capital in one or more hedge funds. A shareholder will also bear fees and expenses charged by the underlying funds in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses.  In addition, interests in a hedge fund are likely to be illiquid.

Hedging Transactions Risk . The Adviser from time to time employs various hedging techniques. The success of the Fund’s hedging strategy will be subject to the Adviser’s ability to correctly assess the degree of correlation between the performance of the instruments used in the hedging strategy and the performance of the investments in the portfolio being hedged. Because the characteristics of many securities change as markets change or time passes, the success of the Fund’s hedging strategy will also be subject to the Adviser’s ability to continually recalculate, readjust, and execute hedges in an efficient and timely manner. For a variety of reasons, the Adviser may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Such imperfect correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving the



3







intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. In addition, it is not possible to hedge fully or perfectly against any risk, and hedging entails its own costs.

Investment Companies and Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk. When the Fund invests in other investment companies, including ETFs, it will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata share of the other investment company’s or ETF’s operating expenses, including the potential duplication of management fees. The risk of owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying investments the ETF holds. The Fund also will incur brokerage costs when it purchases and sells ETFs.

Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market as a whole.

Limited History of Operations . The Fund has a limited history of operation. In addition, the Adviser has not previously managed a mutual fund.

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations.  In the past, in stressed markets, certain types of mortgage-backed securities suffered periods of illiquidity if disfavored by the market. The Fund is also exposed to liquidity risk through its investment in underlying funds that hold illiquid securities.

Management Risk. The risk that investment strategies employed by the Adviser in selecting investments for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other similar investment vehicles having similar investment strategies.

Market Risk. Overall equity market risk may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities markets. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) Risk. The Fund is subject to risks related to investment in REITs, including fluctuations in the value of underlying properties, defaults by borrowers or tenants, lack of diversification, heavy cash flow dependency, self-liquidation, and potential failure to qualify for tax-free pass through of income and exemption from registration as an investment company.

Sovereign Debt Risk . Sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt.

U.S. Government Securities Risk. Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. In addition, the value of U.S. Government securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government.

Performance: Because the Fund has less than a full calendar year of investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time.  In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of this Prospectus.  Updated performance information will be available at no cost by visiting www .westshorefunds. com or by calling 1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637).


Investment Adviser: West Shore Group, LLC (“West Shore” or the “Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.


Portfolio Managers:   The portfolio managers of the Fund are Steve Cordasco, President and Portfolio Manager, Michael Shamosh, Portfolio Manager, and James G. Rickards, Portfolio Manager. Messrs. Cordasco, Shamosh and Rickards have managed the Fund since its inception.


Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares:   You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading by written request, by telephone at 1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637), or through your broker.  Redemptions

4







will be paid by automated clearing house funds (“ACH”), check or wire transfer.  The Fund or its Adviser may waive any of the minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts.


Class

Minimum Investment

Initial

Subsequent

A

$2,500

$500

I

$100,000

$1,000

N

$2,500

$500

R

$2,500

$500


Tax Information: Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund, whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash, are taxable to you at either ordinary income or capital gains tax rates unless you are investing through a tax-deferred plan such as an IRA or 401(k) plan.  


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


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS


Investment Objective:  The Fund seeks a combination of capital growth and current income. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees upon 60 days, prior written notice to shareholders.


Principal Investment Strategies:   To pursue its investment objective, the Fund utilizes three core investment strategies: domestic income, global income and alternative investments. The Adviser will select and determine the appropriate allocation of Fund assets to each strategy based on its evaluation of market opportunities, economic trends, and relative values. Although the Fund’s allocation to each strategy may vary over time, the Fund will typically allocate 30-50% of its total assets to domestic income investments, 30-50% of its total assets to global income investments, and up to 20% of its total assets to alternative investments.

Domestic Income .   The Fund’s domestic income strategy focuses primarily on equity securities of established U.S. issuers believed to offer attractive dividend yields, the potential for capital appreciation and dividend growth, and lower relative risk.   The types of equity securities in which the Fund typically invests include common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities, depositary receipts, warrants, and rights. The Fund may also invest in other types of equity securities, including real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and master limited partnerships.   The Fund may invest in securities of companies in any market sector and with market capitalizations of any size. The Fund may also invest directly or indirectly in debt securities issued by corporate and government issuers, including inflation-protected securities and asset-backed securities.

Global Income. The Fund’s global income strategy seeks to provide current income and preservation of capital through investments in foreign securities that the Adviser believes will provide returns that exceed the rate of inflation. The Fund may invest without limit in U.S. and non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities of U.S. and foreign issuers, including issuers located in emerging market countries.  The Fund’s global income strategy primarily invests in equity securities and fixed income securities, including common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities, warrants, rights, REITs, asset-backed securities, inflation-protected securities, and securities issued by foreign governments. The Fund’s global income strategy typically invests in securities in a number of different countries.

Alternative Investments.   The Fund’s alternative investments strategy seeks to provide exposure to investments that have low to moderate correlation to traditional equity and fixed income investments.   The Adviser also selects investments for the Fund’s



5






alternative investments strategy to manage or hedge the Fund’s exposure to individual issuers and general market risk.   The Fund typically gains exposure to alternative investments through investments in underlying funds, including private equity funds and hedge funds.  The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in hedge funds and may invest additional amounts in other types of underlying funds and private equity funds. The Fund may invest in underlying funds that provide exposure to a variety of investment styles, including market neutral and long/short strategies, and investment types.   These underlying funds may invest, either directly or indirectly through derivatives (which may include swaps, futures, and options), in securities and instruments that may include, among others, raw materials, precious metals, other commodities, and other types of investments.   In executing the Fund’s alternative investments strategy, the Adviser may allocate Fund assets among one or more underlying funds.

In evaluating potential investments for the Fund, the Adviser takes into account quantitative and qualitative factors, including fundamental quality, earnings growth, dividend yield, relative value, and anticipated price appreciation. The Adviser may draw upon both internal and external resources to identify potential investments.   Quantitative factors are identified through a proprietary computerized system that analyzes potential investments based on numerous criteria.   Eligible securities are identified and further sorted by industry, region and country.   The Adviser then measures each eligible security’s qualitative factors to determine the security’s target price.   The Adviser will continue to apply this quantitative and qualitative analysis to monitor a security’s value relative to other portfolio securities to determine whether to continue to hold or sell a security held by the Fund. The Adviser seeks to identify investments that provide returns that exceed the rate of inflation (“real return”) and have the ability to maintain or enhance real value during periods of inflation.


In response to market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive purposes. Such a strategy could include investing up to 100% of the Fund’s assets in cash or cash equivalent securities such as U.S. Treasury securities and money market mutual funds.  Defensive investing could affect the Fund’s performance and the Fund might not achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.  


Principal Risk Factors :


Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Associated with asset-backed securities is prepayment risk. If interest rates fall, the underlying debt may be repaid early, reducing the value of the Fund’s investments. On the other hand, if interest rates rise, the duration of the securities may be extended, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates.  Furthermore, fewer prepayments may be made, which would cause the average bond maturity to rise, increasing the potential for the Fund to lose money. The value of asset-backed securities may be considerably affected by changes in interest rates, the market’s perception of issuers, declines in the value of collateral, and the creditworthiness of the parties involved. The ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend on the ability of the Fund’s Adviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly.

Commodities Risk. Exposure to commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The energy sector can be significantly affected by changes in the prices and supplies of oil and other energy fuels, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other government regulations, policies of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and relationships among OPEC members and between OPEC and oil importing nations. The metals sector can be affected by sharp price volatility over short periods caused by global economic, financial and political factors, resource availability, government regulation, economic cycles, changes in inflation or expectations about inflation in various countries, interest rates, currency fluctuations, metal sales by governments, central banks or international agencies, investment speculation and fluctuations in industrial and commercial supply and demand. The commodity-linked securities in which the Fund invests may be issued by companies in the financial services sector, including the banking, brokerage and insurance sectors. As a result, events affecting issuers in the financial services sector may cause the Fund’s share value to fluctuate.

Credit Risk. The risk that issuers or guarantors of a fixed income security cannot or will not make payments on the securities and other investments held by the Fund, resulting in losses to the Fund. In addition, the credit quality of securities held by the Fund may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes, which may lower their value and may affect their liquidity.



6






Currency Risk.   The risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, or in derivatives that provide exposure to, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies. Currency risk may be particularly high to the extent that the Fund invests in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or engages in foreign currency transactions that are economically tied to emerging market countries.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest, either directly or through an underlying fund, in derivatives, which are financial instruments whose value is typically based on the value of a security, commodity or index. These instruments include options, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements, including total return swap agreements, and similar instruments. Derivatives may also include customized baskets or options (which may incorporate other securities directly and also various derivatives including common stock, options, and futures) structured as agreed upon by a counterparty, as well as specially structured types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities whose value is often linked to commercial and residential mortgage portfolios. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments, and certain derivatives may create a risk of loss greater than the amount invested.

Investing for hedging purposes or to increase the Fund’s return may result in certain additional transaction costs that may reduce the Fund’s performance. The Fund may use a variety of currency hedging techniques to attempt to hedge exchange rate risk or gain exposure to a particular currency. When used for hedging purposes, no assurance can be given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged. Because the markets for certain derivative instruments are relatively new, suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes and there can be no assurance that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by the Adviser or that such techniques will be utilized by the Adviser.

The market value of derivative instruments and securities may be more volatile than that of other instruments, and each type of derivative instrument may have its own special risks, including the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates, and indices. Many derivatives, in particular privately negotiated derivatives, are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the Fund. The value of derivatives may not correlate perfectly, or at all, with the value of the assets, reference rates or indices they are designed to closely track.

Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, including liquidity risk (the possibility that the derivative may be difficult to purchase or sell and the Adviser may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price), leverage risk (the possibility that adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in loss of an amount substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative), interest rate risk (some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations), and counterparty risk (the risk that a counterparty may be unable to perform according to a contract, and that any deterioration in a counterparty’s creditworthiness could adversely affect the instrument). In addition, because derivative products are highly specialized, investment techniques and risk analyses employed with respect to investments in derivatives are different from those associated with stocks and bonds. Finally, the Fund’s use of derivatives may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments. Derivative instruments are also subject to the risk that the market value of an instrument will change to the detriment of the Fund. If the Adviser inaccurately forecast the values of securities, currencies or interest rates or other economic factors in using derivatives, the Fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, but they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other investments held by the Fund. The Fund may also have to buy or sell a security at a disadvantageous time or price because regulations require funds to maintain offsetting positions or asset coverage in connection with certain derivatives transactions.

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides a more detailed description of the types of derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest and their associated risks.

Emerging Markets Risk . To the extent the Fund invests in emerging market securities, the risks associated with foreign (non-U.S.) investment risk may be particularly high. These risks include a greater likelihood of economic, political or social instability, less liquid and more volatile stock markets, foreign exchange controls, a lack of government regulation and different legal systems, and immature economic structures.



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Equity Risk. Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. Preferred stocks are subject to the risk that the dividend on the stock may be changed or omitted by the issuer, and that participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited.

Fixed Income Securities. Fixed income securities held by the Fund are subject to interest rate risk, call risk, prepayment and extension risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk, which are more fully described below.

o

Call Risk. During periods of declining interest rates, a bond issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. The Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in its income.

o

Credit Risk . Fixed income securities are generally subject to the risk that the issuer may be unable to make principal and interest payments when they are due. There is also the risk that the securities could lose value because of a loss of confidence in the ability of the borrower to pay back debt. Lower rated fixed income securities involve greater credit risk, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy.

o

Interest Rate Risk . Fixed income securities are subject to the risk that the securities could lose value because of interest rate changes. For example, bonds tend to decrease in value if interest rates rise. Fixed income securities with longer maturities sometimes offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price shifts as a result of interest rate changes than fixed income securities with shorter maturities.

o

Liquidity Risk. Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment grade or are not widely held. These features make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on its performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility. Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that the Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out an investment contract when it wants to. If this happens, the Fund will be required to hold the security or keep the position open, and it could incur losses.

o

Prepayment and Extension Risk. Many types of fixed income securities are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment occurs when the issuer of a fixed income security can repay principal prior to the security’s maturity. Fixed income securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features on the price of a fixed income security can be difficult to predict and result in greater volatility. On the other hand, rising interest rates could cause prepayments of the obligations to decrease, extending the life of mortgage- and asset-backed securities with lower payment rates. This is known as extension risk and may increase the Fund’s sensitivity to rising rates and its potential for price declines.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk .  Foreign (non-U.S.) securities present greater investment risks than investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than the securities of U.S. companies, due to less information about foreign companies in the form of reports and ratings than about U.S. issuers; different accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements; smaller markets; nationalization; expropriation or confiscatory taxation; currency blockage; or political changes or diplomatic developments. To the extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in a specific geographic region, the Fund will generally have more exposure to regional economic risks associated with foreign investments. Foreign securities may also be less liquid and more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers.

Forward and Futures Contract Risk. The successful use of forward and futures contracts draws upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the Adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be



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disadvantageous to do so.  The Fund could be unable to recover assets held at the futures clearing broker, even assets directly traceable to the Fund from the futures clearing broker in the event of a bankruptcy of the broker.  A futures clearing broker is required to segregate customer funds pursuant to the Commodities Exchange Act and the regulations of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).  However, in the unlikely event of the broker’s bankruptcy, there is no equivalent of the Securities Investors Protection Corporation insurance as is applicable in the case of securities broker dealers’ bankruptcies.

Hedge Fund Risk.   The Fund may invest in private investment funds, or “hedge funds,” which pursue alternative investment strategies. Certain investment instruments and techniques that a hedge fund may use are speculative and involve a high degree of risk. Because of the speculative nature of a hedge fund’s investments and trading strategies, the Fund may suffer a significant or complete loss of its invested capital in one or more hedge funds. A shareholder will also bear fees and expenses charged by the underlying funds in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses.  In addition, interests in a hedge fund are generally subject to restrictions on withdrawal or transfer and are likely to be illiquid.

Hedging Transactions Risk . The Adviser may employ various hedging techniques. The success of the Fund’s hedging strategy will be subject to the Adviser’s ability to correctly assess the degree of correlation between the performance of the instruments used in the hedging strategy and the performance of the investments in the portfolio being hedged. Since the characteristics of many securities change as markets change or time passes, the success of the Fund’s hedging strategy will also be subject to the Adviser’s ability to continually recalculate, readjust, and execute hedges in an efficient and timely manner.

Hedging against a decline in the value of a portfolio position does not eliminate fluctuations in the values of those portfolio positions or prevent losses if the values of those positions decline. Rather, it establishes other positions designed to gain from those same declines, thus seeking to moderate the decline in the portfolio position’s value. Such hedging transactions also limit the opportunity for gain if the value of the portfolio position should increase. For a variety of reasons, the Adviser may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Such imperfect correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. In addition, it is not possible to hedge fully or perfectly against any risk, and hedging entails its own costs. The Adviser may determine, in its sole discretion, not to hedge against certain risks and certain risks may exist that cannot be hedged. Furthermore, the Adviser may not anticipate a particular risk so as to hedge against it effectively. Hedging transactions also limit the opportunity for gain if the value of a hedged portfolio position should increase.

Investment Companies and Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk. When the Fund invests in other investment companies, including ETFs, it will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata share of the other investment company’s or ETF’s operating expenses, including the potential duplication of management fees. The risk of owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying investments the ETF holds. The Fund also will incur brokerage costs when it purchases and sells ETFs.

Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of a specific security or option can be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market as a whole. The value of large cap securities, as represented by the S&P 500 Index, can be more volatile than smaller cap securities due to differing market reactions to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments.

Leveraging Risk. The use of leverage, such as that embedded in derivatives, will magnify the Fund’s gains or losses. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations.

Limited History of Operations. The Fund has a limited history of operation. Mutual funds and their advisers are subject to restrictions and limitations imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code that do not apply to the adviser’s management of individual and institutional accounts. As a result, investors cannot judge likely mutual fund performance of the Adviser by its track record of managing non-mutual fund assets and the Adviser may not achieve its intended result in managing the Fund.

Liquidity Risk. The Fund is subject to liquidity risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, non-U.S. securities, Rule 144A securities, derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk



9







tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund is also exposed to liquidity risk through its investment in underlying funds that hold illiquid securities.

Management Risk . The net asset value of the Fund changes daily based on the performance of the securities and derivatives in which it invests. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities and derivatives in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.

Market Risk. Overall equity market risk, including volatility, may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities markets. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) Risk . REITs are issuers that invest in interests in real estate, including mortgages. Investing in REITs may subject the Fund to risks similar to those associated with the direct ownership of real estate, including fluctuations in the value of underlying properties and defaults by borrowers or tenants. REITs may not be diversified and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency and self-liquidation. REITs are also subject to the possibilities of failing to qualify for tax-free pass through of income under the Internal Revenue Code, and failing to maintain their exemptions from registration under the 1940 Act. REITs may have limited financial resources, trade less frequently and in a limited volume, and be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than more widely held securities. In addition, the organizational documents of a REIT may give the trust’s sponsors the ability to control the operation of the REIT even though another person or entity could own a majority of the interests of the trust. These trusts may also contain provisions which would delay or make a change in control of the REIT difficult.

Sovereign Debt Risk . Sovereign debt instruments are subject to the risk that a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal on its sovereign debt, due, for example to cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy or the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies. If a governmental entity defaults, it may ask for more time in which to pay or for further loans. There may be no legal process for collecting sovereign debt that a government does not pay nor are there bankruptcy proceedings through which all or part of the sovereign debt that a governmental entity has not repaid may be collected.

U.S. Government Securities Risk . Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. In addition, the value of U.S. Government securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure: A description of the Fund’s policies regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Fund’s SAI. Shareholders may request portfolio holdings schedules at no charge by calling 1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637).

MANAGEMENT


Investment Adviser


West Shore Group, LLC (“West Shore” or the “Adviser”), with principal offices at 21 East Euclid Avenue, Haddonfield, New Jersey  08033, serves as the investment adviser for the Fund. The Adviser was formed in 2013 for the purpose of advising the Fund and has no other clients. Subject to the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s investments, executing transactions and providing related administrative services and facilities under an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser.


The Adviser has entered into an advisory agreement with the Fund, whereby the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual fee equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. In addition to investment advisory fees, the Fund pays other expenses including costs incurred in connection with the maintenance of its securities law registration, printing and mailing prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information to shareholders, certain financial accounting services, taxes or governmental fees, custodial, transfer and shareholder servicing agent costs, expenses of outside counsel and independent accountants, preparation of shareholder reports and expenses of trustee and shareholders meetings.



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The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce the Fund’s fees and/or to make payments to limit Fund expenses until at least October 22, 2014, so that the total annual operating expenses (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, dividend expense on securities sold short, underlying fund fees and expenses or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Fund do not exceed 2.15% for Class A shares, 1.75% for Class I shares, 2.00% for Class N shares, and 2.25% for Class R shares. Waivers and expense payments may be recouped by the Adviser from the Fund, to the extent that overall expenses fall below specified limits, within three years of when the amounts were waived or recouped. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement will be available in the Fund’s first annual or semi-annual shareholder report.


Portfolio Managers


Steve Cordasco


Mr. Cordasco is the President and Owner of West Shore and an investment adviser representative of Cordasco Financial Network, LLC (“Cordasco”), West Shore’s sister company. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Temple University of School of Engineering and a weekly contributor to several news publications, and hosts a weekly radio program for CBS.  Prior to founding Cordasco in 2012, Mr. Cordasco was an adviser at RBC Wealth Management since 2002, where he advised high-net-worth individuals.  Mr. Cordasco holds a Bachelor’s degree in finance and real estate from Temple University’s Fox School of Business.  He is an SEC-registered broker-dealer and a member of FINRA, and holds Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses and an insurance license.


Michael Shamosh


Mr. Shamosh is a Portfolio Manager of West Shore.   Mr. Shamosh joined West Shore in  2013. Mr. Shamosh is the founder and President of Compound Strategies, an investment firm he founded in 2006. From 2002 until 2012, he served as Chief Strategist at Tucker Anthony (now Royal Bank of Canada), where he developed the theoretical basis for his compounding approach to investing. Mr. Shamosh holds an MBA from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree in physics from Farleigh Dickinson University.


James G. Rickards


Mr. Rickards is a Portfolio Manager of West Shore, where he focuses primarily on alternative investing and derivatives in global markets.  He is also a visiting lecturer in finance at Johns Hopkins University and the School of Advanced International Studies and is an advisor on capital markets to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.  Prior to joining West Shore in 2013, Mr. Rickards served in the previous five years as Senior Managing Director of Omnis, Inc., a research and consulting firm based in McLean, VA; Senior Managing Director of Tangent Capital Partners LLC, an investment bank based in New York, NY; and Chief Operating Officer of JAC Capital Management, an alternative asset management firm based in New York, NY. Mr. Rickards also served as a consultant and advisor to the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.  Mr. Rickards holds an LLM in taxation from the New York University School of Law, a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, an MA in international economics from the School of Advanced International Studies, Washington DC, and a Bachelor’s degree with honors from the School of Arts & Sciences of The Johns Hopkins University.


The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.


HOW SHARES ARE PRICED


The NAV and offering price (NAV plus any applicable sales charges) of each class of shares is determined at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business.  NAV is computed by determining, on a per class basis, the aggregate market value of all assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets liabilities)/number of shares = NAV).  The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account, on a per class basis, the expenses and fees of the Fund, including management, administration, and distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of NAV for a share class for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received by the Fund (or an authorized broker or agent, or its authorized designee) before the close of trading on the NYSE on that day.  


Generally, the Fund’s securities are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the



11







absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the last bid on the primary exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price.  If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and evaluated by the Board as to the reliability of the fair value method used.  In these cases, the Fund’s NAV will reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair value rather than their market price.  Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available.  


The Fund may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the fair market value of the Fund’s securities.  In addition, market prices for foreign securities are not determined at the same time of day as the NAV for the Fund. Because the Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of some of the Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares.  In computing the NAV, the Fund values foreign securities held by the Fund at the latest closing price on the exchange in which they are traded immediately prior to closing of the NYSE.  Prices of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates. If events materially affecting the value of a security in the Fund’s portfolio, particularly foreign securities, occur after the close of trading on a foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares, the security will be valued at fair value.  For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV, the Adviser may need to price the security using the Fund’s fair value pricing guidelines. Without a fair value price, short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short term traders. The determination of fair value involves subjective judgments.  As a result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the prices used by other mutual funds to determine net asset value, or from the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security.


With respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, the Fund’s net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.


HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES


Share Classes: This Prospectus describes three classes of shares offered by the Fund: Class A, Class I, Class N and Class R. The Fund offers these three classes of shares so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. Refer to the information below to help you make your investment decision.  The main differences between each class are sales charges, ongoing fees and minimum investment requirements. In choosing which class of shares to purchase, you should consider which will be most beneficial to you, given the amount of your purchase and the length of time you expect to hold the shares. For information on ongoing distribution fees, see the section entitled Distribution Fees in this Prospectus.  Each class of shares in the Fund represents an interest in the same portfolio of investments within the Fund.  There is no investment minimum on reinvested distributions, and the Fund may change investment minimums at any time.  The Fund reserves the right to waive sales charges, as described below.  The Fund and the Adviser may each waive investment minimums at their individual discretion. All share classes may not be available for purchase in all states.


Class A Shares:    Class A shares are offered at their public offering price, which is NAV plus the applicable sales charge and is subject to 12b-1 distribution fees of up to 0.40% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares.  The minimum initial investment in Class A shares of the Fund is $2,500 for all accounts.  The minimum subsequent investment in Class A shares of the Fund is $500 for all accounts.  The sales charge varies, depending on how much you invest.  There are no sales charges on reinvested distributions.  The following sales charges, which may be waived in the Adviser’s discretion, apply to your purchases of Class A shares of the Fund:



Amount Invested

Sales Charge as a % of Offering Price(1)

Sales Charge as a % of Amount Invested

Dollar Reallowance

Under $25,000

5.75%

6.10%

5.00%


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$25,000 to $49,999

5.00%

5.26%

4.25%

$50,000 to $99,999

4.75%

4.99%

4.00%

$100,000 to $249,999

3.75%

3.83%

3.25%

$250,000 to $499,999

2.50%

2.56%

2.00%

$500,000 to $999,999

2.00%

2.04%

1.75%

$1,000,000 and above(2)

0.00%

0.00%

See below

(1)Offering price includes the front-end sales load.  The sales charge you pay may differ slightly from the amount set forth above because of rounding that occurs in the calculation used to determine your sales charge.

(2) A selling broker may receive commissions on purchases of Class A shares over $1 million calculated as follows: 1.00% on purchases equal to or greater than $1 million but less than $3 million, 0.50% on amounts equal to or greater than $3 million but less than $5 million, and 0.25% on amounts equal to or greater than $5 million. The commission rate is determined based on the purchase amount combined with the current market value of existing investments in Class A shares.


As shown, investors that purchase $1,000,000 or more of the Fund’s Class A shares will not pay any initial sales charge on the purchase.  However, purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) on shares redeemed during the first 18 months after their purchase in the amount of the commissions paid on the shares redeemed.  The Class A CDSC does not apply if you are otherwise eligible to purchase Class A shares without an initial sales charge or are eligible for a waiver of the CDSC.  See “Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges” below.


How to Reduce Your Sales Charge


You may be eligible to purchase Class A shares at a reduced sales charge.  To qualify for these reductions, you must notify the Fund’s distributor, Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), in writing and supply your account number at the time of purchase.  You may combine your purchase with those of your “immediate family” (your spouse and your children under the age of 21) for purposes of determining eligibility.  If applicable, you will need to provide the account numbers of your spouse and your minor children as well as the ages of your minor children.


Rights of Accumulation: To qualify for the lower sales charge rates that apply to larger purchases of Class A shares, you may combine your new purchases of Class A shares with Class A shares of the Fund that you already own.  The applicable initial sales charge for the new purchase is based on the total of your current purchase and the current value of all other Class A shares that you own.  The reduced sales charge will apply only to current purchases and must be requested in writing when you buy your shares.



Shares of the Fund are held as follows and cannot be combined with your current purchase for purposes of reduced sales charges:


Shares held indirectly through financial intermediaries other than your current purchase broker-dealer (for example, a different broker-dealer, a bank, a separate insurance company account or an investment advisor);

Shares held through an administrator or trustee/custodian of an Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (for example, a 401(k) plan) other than employer-sponsored IRAs;

Shares held directly in the Fund account on which the broker-dealer (financial advisor) of record is different than your current purchase broker-dealer.

Letter of Intent:  Under a Letter of Intent (“LOI”), you commit to purchase a specified dollar amount of Class A shares of the Fund, with a minimum of $25,000, during a 13-month period.  At your written request, Class A shares purchases made during the previous 90 days may be included.  The amount you agree to purchase determines the initial sales charge you pay.  If the full-face amount of the LOI is not invested by the end of the 13-month period, your account will be adjusted to the higher initial sales charge level for the amount actually invested.  You are not legally bound by the terms of your LOI to purchase the amount of your shares stated in the LOI.  The LOI does, however, authorize the Fund to hold in escrow 5% of the total amount you intend to purchase.  If you do not complete the total intended purchase at the end of the 13-month period, the Fund’s transfer agent will redeem the necessary portion of



13







the escrowed shares to make up the difference between the reduced rate sales charge (based on the amount you intended to purchase) and the sales charge that would normally apply (based on the actual amount you purchased).


Repurchase of Class A Shares:  If you have redeemed Class A shares of the Fund within the past 120 days, you may repurchase an equivalent amount of Class A shares of the Fund at NAV, without the normal front-end sales charge.  In effect, this allows you to reacquire shares that you may have had to redeem, without repaying the front-end sales charge.  You may exercise this privilege only once and must notify the Fund that you intend to do so in writing.  The Fund must receive your purchase order within 120 days of your redemption.  Note that if you reacquire shares through separate installments (e.g., through monthly or quarterly repurchases), the sales charge waiver will only apply to those portions of your repurchase order received within 120 days of your redemption.


Sales Charge Waivers


The sales charge on purchases of Class A shares is waived for certain types of investors, including:  

Current and retired directors and officers of any Fund sponsored by the Adviser or any of its subsidiaries, and their families (e.g., spouse, children, mother or father).

Employees of the Adviser and their families, or any full-time employee or registered representative of the Distributor or of broker-dealers having dealer agreements with the Distributor (a “Selling Broker”) and their immediate families (or any trust, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan for the benefit of such persons).

Any full-time employee of a bank, savings and loan, credit union or other financial institution that utilizes a Selling Broker to clear purchases of the Fund’s shares and their immediate families.

Participants in certain “wrap-fee” or asset allocation programs or other fee-based arrangements sponsored by broker-dealers and other financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Distributor.

Clients of financial intermediaries that have entered into arrangements with the Distributor providing for the shares to be used in particular investment products made available to such clients and for which such registered investment advisers may charge a separate fee.

Institutional investors (which may include bank trust departments and registered investment advisers).

Any accounts established on behalf of registered investment advisers or their clients by broker-dealers that charge a transaction fee and that have entered into agreements with the Distributor.

Separate accounts used to fund certain unregistered variable annuity contracts or Section 403(b) or 401(a) or (k) accounts.

Employer-sponsored retirement or benefit plans with total plan assets in excess of $5 million where the plan’s investments in the Fund are part of an omnibus account.  A minimum initial investment of $1 million in the Fund is required.  The Distributor in its sole discretion may waive these minimum dollar requirements.

Any government entity that is prohibited from paying a sales charge or commission to purchase mutual fund shares.

Any purchases by clients of the Adviser or purchases referred through the Adviser.

The Fund does not waive sales charges for the reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of shares of a different fund where those shares were subject to a front-end sales charge (sometimes called an “NAV transfer”).


When an investor purchases $1,000,000 or more of the Fund’s Class A shares and does not pay an initial sales charge, a CDSC may be imposed on the amount of the redemption which causes the current value of your account for the particular class of shares of the Fund to fall below the total dollar amount of your purchase payments subject to the CDSC.

The following rules apply under the method for calculating CDSCs:



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Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions will be redeemed first and will not be subject to any CDSC.

For the redemption of all other shares, the CDSC will be based on either your original purchase price or the then current NAV of the shares being sold, whichever is lower. To illustrate this point, consider shares purchased at an NAV per share of $10. If the Fund’s NAV per share at the time of redemption is $12, the CDSC will apply to the purchase price of $10. If the NAV per share at the time of redemption is $8, the CDSC will apply to the $8 current NAV per share.

CDSCs will be deducted from the proceeds of your redemption, not from amounts remaining in your account.

In determining whether a CDSC is payable, it is assumed that the shareholder will redeem first the lot of shares which will incur the lowest CDSC.

The following example illustrates the operation of the Class A CDSC:

Assume that an individual opens an account and makes a purchase payment of $1,000,000 for 100,000 Class A shares of the Fund (at $10 per share) and that six months later the value of the investor’s account for that Fund has grown through investment performance to $1,100,000 ($11 per share). If the investor should redeem $22,000 (2000 shares), a CDSC would be applied against $20,000 of the redemption (the purchase price of the shares redeemed, because the purchase price is lower than the current NAV of such shares ($22,000)). At the rate of 1%, the Class A CDSC would be $2,000.

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

The initial sales charges on Class A shares and the CDSCs on Class A shares may be reduced or waived under certain purchase arrangements and for certain categories of investors.   The CDSC applicable to Class A shares is currently waived for:

Any partial or complete redemption in connection with (a) required minimum distributions to IRA account owners or beneficiaries who are age 70 1/2 or older or (b) distributions to participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans upon attaining age 59 1/2 or on account of death or permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e) of the Internal Revenue Code) that occurs after the purchase of Class A shares.

Any partial or complete redemption in connection with a qualifying loan or hardship withdrawal from an employer sponsored retirement plan.

Any complete redemption in connection with a distribution from a qualified employer retirement plan in connection with termination of employment or termination of the employer’s plan and the transfer to another employer’s plan or to an IRA.

Any partial or complete redemption following death or permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e) of the Internal Revenue Code) of an individual holding shares for his or her own account and/or as the last survivor of a joint tenancy arrangement (this provision, however, does not cover an individual holding in a fiduciary capacity or as a nominee or agent or a legal entity that is other than an individual or the owners or beneficiaries of any such entity) provided the redemption is requested within one year of the death or initial determination of disability and provided the death or disability occurs after the purchase of the shares.

Any redemption resulting from a return of an excess contribution to a qualified employer retirement plan or an IRA.

Up to 10% per year of the value of the Fund account that (a) has the value of at least $10,000 at the start of such year and (b) is subject to an Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

Redemptions by Trustees, officers and employees of any of the Trust and by directors, officers and employees of the Distributor, the Adviser or its affiliates.

Redemptions effected pursuant to the Fund’s right to involuntarily redeem a shareholder’s Fund account if the aggregate net asset value of shares held in such shareholder’s account is less than a minimum account size specified in such Fund’s prospectus.

Involuntary redemptions caused by operation of law.



15






Redemptions of shares of the Fund that is combined with another investment company, or personal holding company by virtue of a merger, acquisition or other similar reorganization transaction,

Redemptions by a shareholder who is a participant making periodic purchases of not less than $50 through certain employer sponsored savings plans that are clients of a broker-dealer with which the Distributor has an agreement with respect to such purchases.

Redemptions effected by trustees or other fiduciaries who have purchased shares for employer-sponsored plans, the trustee, administrator, fiduciary, broker, trust company or registered investment adviser for which has an agreement with the Distributor with respect to such purchases.

Redemptions in connection with IRA accounts established with Form 5305-SIMPLE under the Internal Revenue Code for which the Trust is the designated financial institution.

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares who purchased $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares (and therefore did not pay a sales charge) where the participating broker or dealer involved in the sale of such shares waived the commission it would normally receive from the Distributor pursuant to an agreement with the Distributor.

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares where the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived all payments it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase ( i.e. , commissions or reallowances of initial sales charges and advancements of service and distribution fees).

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares where, by agreement with the Distributor, the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived a portion of any payment it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase (or otherwise agreed to a variation from the normal payment schedule) in connection with such purchase.

The Distributor may require documentation prior to waiver of the CDSC for any class, including distribution letters, certification by plan administrators, applicable tax forms, death certificates, physicians’ certificates (e.g., with respect to disabilities), etc.

Exempt Transactions; No CDSCs or Payments to Brokers

Investors will not be subject to CDSCs, and brokers and dealers will not receive any commissions or reallowances of initial sales charges or advancements of service and distribution fees, on the transactions described below (which are sometimes referred to as “Exempt Transactions”):

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares where the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived all payments it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase ( e.g. , commissions and/or reallowances of initial sales charges and advancements of service and distribution fees.

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares, by agreement with the Distributor, the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived a portion of any payment it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase (or otherwise agreed to a variation from the normal payment schedule) in connection with such purchase.

Class I Shares

Class I shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge and are not subject to 12b-1 distribution fees, but have a higher minimum initial investment than Class A shares.  This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund.  Class I shares require a minimum initial investment of $100,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $1,000.

Class I shares are available to certain institutional investors, and directly to certain individual investors as set forth below:

Institutional Investors may include, but are not limited to, corporations, retirement plans, foundations/endowments and investors who purchase through a wrap account offered through a selling group member that enters into a wrap fee program agreement with the Distributor.



16






Individual Investors include trustees, officers and employees of the Trust and its affiliates, and immediate family members of all such persons.

Clients of the Adviser.

For accounts sold through financial intermediaries, it is the primary responsibility of the financial intermediary to ensure compliance with eligibility requirements such as investor type and investment minimums.

Class N Shares

Class N shares of the Fund are offered at their NAV without an initial sales charge.  This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund.  Class N shares pay 0.25% on an annualized basis of their average daily net assets as reimbursement or compensation for service and distribution-related activities with respect to the Fund and/or shareholder services.  Class N shares may not be available to all shareholders and have differing distribution and/or shareholder serving fees that reflect variations in distribution channels.  Over time, fees paid under this distribution and service plan will increase the cost of a Class N shareholder's investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges.  The minimum initial investment in Class N Shares is $2,500 and the minimum subsequent investment is $250.

Class R Shares

Class R shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge and are subject to 12b-1 distribution fees of up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets of Class R shares.  This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. The minimum initial investment in Class R shares of the Fund is $2,500.  The minimum subsequent investment in Class R shares of the Fund is $500.

Class R shares are available only to certain employer-sponsored retirement, savings or benefit plans held in plan level or omnibus accounts. Class R shares are not available to non-retirement accounts, traditional or Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs, Simple IRAs, individual 403(b)s and most individual retirement accounts.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Share Class:  When deciding which class of shares to purchase, you should consider your investment goals, present and future amounts you may invest in the Fund, and the length of time you intend to hold your shares. To help you make a determination as to which class of shares to buy, please refer back to the examples of the Fund’s expenses over time in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section for the Fund in this Prospectus. You also may wish to consult with your financial adviser for advice with regard to which share class would be most appropriate for you.

Purchasing Shares: You may purchase shares of the Fund by sending a completed application form (the “Application”) to the following address:


Regular/Express/Overnight Mail

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68130


The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions, including the Fund, to adopt certain policies and programs to prevent money-laundering activities, including procedures to verify the identity of customers opening new accounts. As requested on the Application, you should supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. Mailing addresses containing a P.O. Box will not be accepted. This information will assist the Fund in verifying your identity. Until such verification is made, the Fund may temporarily limit additional share purchases. In addition, the Fund may limit additional share purchases or close an account if it is unable to verify a shareholder’s identity. As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct.


Purchase through Brokers: You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund’s distributor. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or its designee receives the order. The

 



17





broker or agent may set their own initial and subsequent investment minimums. You may be charged a fee if you use a broker or agent to buy or redeem shares of the Fund. Finally, various servicing agents use procedures and impose restrictions that may be in addition to, or different from those applicable to investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund. You should carefully read the program materials provided to you by your servicing agent.  


Purchase by Wire: If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637) for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund’s designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.   


Automatic Investment Plan: You may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts. You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at 1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637) for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan.


Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts: The minimum initial investment in Class A, Class N and Class R shares is $2,500; and $100,000 for Class I shares.  The minimum additional investment for Class A, Class N and Class R shares is $500; and $1,000 for Class I shares.  There is no minimum investment requirement when you are buying shares by reinvesting dividends and distributions from the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to waive any investment minimum requirement.


The Fund, however, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any application to purchase shares. Applications will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a check drawn on a U.S. bank, thrift institutions, or credit union in U.S. funds for the full amount of the shares to be purchased. After you open an account, you may purchase additional shares by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address. Make all checks payable to the Fund. The Fund will not accept payment in cash, including cashier’s checks or money orders. Also, to prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, U.S. Treasury checks, credit card checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares.


Note: Gemini Fund Services, LLC, the Fund’s transfer agent, will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder’s account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any check returned to the transfer agent for insufficient funds.   


When Order is Processed: All shares will be purchased at the NAV per share (plus applicable sales charges, if any) next determined after the Fund receives your application or request in good order. All requests received in good order by the Fund before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) will be processed on that same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) will be processed on the next business day.   


Good Order: When making a purchase request, make sure your request is in good order.


“Good order” means your purchase request includes:   


the name of the Fund;

the dollar amount of shares to be purchased;

a completed purchase application or investment stub; and

check payable to the “West Shore Real Return Income Fund.”

Retirement Plans: You may purchase shares of the Fund for your individual retirement plans. Please call the Fund at 1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637) for the most current listing and appropriate disclosure documentation on how to open a retirement account.  


HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

Redeeming Shares: If you hold shares directly through an account with the Fund, you may redeem all or any portion of the shares credited to your account by submitting a written request for redemption to:  


Regular/Express/Overnight Mail

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

 



18







c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68130


Redemptions by Telephone: The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new accounts except retirement accounts.  If you do not want the telephone redemption privilege, you must indicate this in the appropriate area on your account application or you must write to the Fund and instruct it to remove this privilege from your account. The proceeds, which are equal to number of shares times NAV less any applicable deferred sales charges or redemption fees, will be sent by mail to the address designated on your account or sent electronically, via ACH or wire, directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application. To redeem by telephone, call1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637). The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or electronically within three business days after receipt of your telephone instructions. IRA accounts are not redeemable by telephone.  


The Fund reserves the right to suspend the telephone redemption privileges with respect to your account if the name(s) or the address on the account has been changed within the previous 30 days. Neither the Fund, the transfer agent, nor their respective affiliates will be liable for complying with telephone instructions they reasonably believe to be genuine or for any loss, damage, cost or expenses in acting on such telephone instructions and you will be required to bear the risk of any such loss.  The Fund or the transfer agent, or both, will employ reasonable procedures to determine that telephone instructions are genuine. If the Fund and/or the transfer agent do not employ these procedures, they may be liable to you for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. These procedures may include, among others, requiring forms of personal identification prior to acting upon telephone instructions, providing written confirmation of the transactions and/or tape recording telephone instructions.  


Redemptions through Broker: If shares of the Fund are held by a broker-dealer, financial institution or other servicing agent, you must contact that servicing agent to redeem shares of the Fund. The servicing agent may charge a fee for this service.  


Redemptions by Wire: You may request that your redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account. The Fund’s transfer agent imposes a $15 fee for each wire redemption and deducts the fee directly from your account. Your bank may also impose a fee for the incoming wire.  


Automatic Withdrawal Plan: If your individual account, IRA or other qualified plan account has a current account value of at least $10,000, you may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money to your bank account from the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers. You may elect to make subsequent withdrawals by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established bank account. Please contact the Fund at 1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637) for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan.


Redemptions in Kind: The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders made by a shareholder during any 90-day period by making payment in whole or in part in portfolio securities (“redemption in kind”) if the amount of such a request is large enough to affect operations (if the request is greater than the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets at the beginning of the 90-day period).  The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued using the same procedures as used in calculating the Fund’s NAV. A shareholder may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.


When Redemptions are Sent: Once the Fund receives your redemption request in “good order” as described below, it will issue a check based on the next determined NAV following your redemption request. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in “good order.” If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank (usually within 10 days of the purchase date).


Good Order: Your redemption request will be processed if it is in “good order.”  To be in good order, the following conditions must be satisfied:


The request should be in writing, unless redeeming by telephone, indicating the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed;

The request must identify your account number;  

The request should be signed by you and any other person listed on the account, exactly as the shares are registered; and



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If you request that the redemption proceeds be sent to a person, bank or an address other than that of record or paid to someone other than the record owner(s), or if the address was changed within the last 30 days, or if the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000, the signature(s) on the request must be medallion signature guaranteed by an eligible signature guarantor.

When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees :  If you wish to change the bank or brokerage account that you have designated on your account, you may do so at any time by writing to the Fund with your signature guaranteed.  A medallion signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine and protects you from unauthorized account transfers. You will need your signature guaranteed if:


you request a redemption to be made payable to a person not on record with the Fund;

you request that a redemption be mailed to an address other than that on record with the Fund;

the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000;

any redemption is transmitted by federal wire transfer to a bank other than the bank of record; or

your address was changed within 30 days of your redemption request.

Signatures may be guaranteed by any eligible guarantor institution (including banks, brokers and dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations).  Further documentation will be required to change the designated account if shares are held by a corporation, fiduciary or other organization. A notary public cannot guarantee signatures.


Retirement Plans: If you own an IRA or other retirement plan, you must indicate on your redemption request whether the Fund should withhold federal income tax. Unless you elect in your redemption request that you do not want to have federal tax withheld, the redemption will be subject to withholding.  


Low Balances: If at any time your account balance falls below $2,000 ($1,000 for retirement accounts), the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to at least $2,000 ($1,000 for retirement accounts) within 30 days of the notice, your account could be closed. After the notice period, the Fund may redeem all of your shares and close your account by sending you a check to the address of record. Your account will not be closed if the account balance drops below $2,000 ($1,000 for retirement accounts) due to a decline in NAV.


FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES


The Fund discourages and does not accommodate market timing. Frequent trading into and out of the Fund can harm all Fund shareholders by disrupting the Fund’s investment strategies, increasing Fund expenses, decreasing tax efficiency and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended for market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Accordingly, the Fund’s Board has approved policies that seek to curb these disruptive activities while recognizing that shareholders may have a legitimate need to adjust their Fund investments as their financial needs or circumstances change. The Fund currently uses several methods to reduce the risk of market timing. These methods include:


Committing staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Fund’s “Market Timing Trading Policy”;

Rejecting or limiting specific purchase requests;

Rejecting purchase requests from certain investors; and

Charging a 1% redemption fee on shares sold within 180 days of purchase.

Though these methods involve judgments that are inherently subjective and involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to make judgments and applications that are consistent with the interests of the Fund’s shareholders.  


Based on the frequency of redemptions in your account, the Adviser or transfer agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to (i) reject or limit the



20






amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases into the Fund and/or (ii) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future exchanges or redemptions out of the Fund.


The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase requests for any reason, particularly when the shareholder’s trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser will be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase orders. The Adviser may also bar an investor who has violated these policies (and the investor’s financial advisor) from opening new accounts with the Fund.  


Although the Fund attempts to limit disruptive trading activities, some investors use a variety of strategies to hide their identities and their trading practices. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify or limit these activities. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the Fund.  While the Fund will encourage financial intermediaries to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers who invest indirectly in the Fund, the Fund is limited in its ability to monitor the trading activity or enforce the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy with respect to customers of financial intermediaries. For example, should it occur, the Fund may not be able to detect market timing that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or made difficult to identify in the omnibus accounts used by those intermediaries for aggregated purchases, exchanges and redemptions on behalf of all their customers. More specifically, unless the financial intermediaries have the ability to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers through such methods as implementing short-term trading limitations or restrictions and monitoring trading activity for what might be market timing, the Fund may not be able to determine whether trading by customers of financial intermediaries is contrary to the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy. Brokers maintaining omnibus accounts with the Fund have agreed to provide shareholder transaction information to the extent known to the broker to the Fund upon request. If the Fund or its transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent suspects there is market timing activity in the account, the Fund will seek full cooperation from the service provider maintaining the account to identify the underlying participant. At the request of the Adviser, the service providers may take immediate action to stop any further short-term trading by such participants.


TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS


The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income quarterly and net capital gains annually in December. Both types of distributions will be reinvested in shares of the Fund unless you elect to receive cash.  Dividends from net investment income (including any excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) are taxable to investors as ordinary income, while distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of your holding period for the shares. Because the Fund’s income is derived primarily from sources that do not pay “qualified dividend income,” dividends from the Fund generally are not expected to qualify for taxation at the long-term capital gain rates available to individuals on qualified dividend income. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash.  Certain dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December will be taxed to shareholders as if received in December if they are paid during the following January. Each year the Fund will inform you of the amount and type of your distributions.

 

When you redeem, sell or exchange Fund shares, you will generally realize a taxable gain or loss (unless you are a tax-exempt investor or your investment is in a qualified retirement account).  This gain or loss is measured by the difference between the proceeds of the sale and the tax basis for the shares you sold. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you generally should retain your account statements for the period that you hold shares in the Fund.  Due to recent legislation, the Fund (or its administrative agent) is required to report to the IRS and furnish to shareholders the cost basis information for sale transactions of shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012. Please see the SAI for more information relating to this legislation).


For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.


On the account application, you will be asked to certify that your social security number or taxpayer identification number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS.  If you are subject to backup withholding or you did not certify your taxpayer identification number, the IRS requires the Fund to withhold a percentage of any dividend, redemption or exchange proceeds. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that does not include a certified social security or taxpayer identification number.  If you do not have a social security number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending. The Fund may be required to withhold taxes if a number is not delivered to the Fund within seven days.



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The foregoing is only a brief summary of certain federal income tax consequences of investing in the Fund.  This summary is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund’s shares.



DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES


Distributor: Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, is the distributor for the shares of the Fund. Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis.


Distribution Fees: Each class of shares of the Fund, other than Class I shares, has adopted a Distribution Plan (“12b-1 Plan” or “Plan”), pursuant to which the Fund may pay the Distributor an annual fee for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses of up to 0.40% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares, up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class N shares, and up to 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares.


The Distributor and other entities are paid under the Plan for services provided and the expenses borne by the Distributor and others in the distribution of Fund shares, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of dealers and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses; printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with the offering of the Fund’s shares to other than current shareholders; and preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials. In addition, the Distributor or other entities may utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan to compensate dealers or other entities for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any un-reimbursed expenses.  


You should be aware that if you hold your shares for a substantial period of time, you may indirectly pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge allowed by FINRA due to the recurring nature of distribution (12b-1) fees.


Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries: The Distributor, its affiliates, and the Fund’s Adviser may, at its own expense and out of its own legitimate profits, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund, including affiliates of the Adviser. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments may be in addition to the Rule 12b-1 fees and any sales charges that are disclosed elsewhere in this Prospectus. These payments are generally made to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder or administrative services, or marketing support. Marketing support may include access to sales meetings, sales representatives and financial intermediary management representatives, inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or other sales programs. These payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders. The Distributor may, from time to time, provide promotional incentives, including reallowance and/or payment of up to the entire sales charge, to certain investment firms. Such incentives may, at the Distributor’s discretion, be limited to investment firms who allow their individual selling representatives to participate in such additional commissions.  


Householding: To reduce expenses, the Fund mails only one copy of the prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at 1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637) on days the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution. The Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS


Because the Fund has only recently commenced investment operations, no financial highlights are available for the Fund at this time. In the future, financial highlights will be presented in this section of the Prospectus.



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PRIVACY NOTICE


FACTS

WHAT DOES TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information.

Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing.
Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information.  Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

What?

THE TYPES OF PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND SHARE DEPENDS ON THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE THAT YOU HAVE WITH US. THIS INFORMATION CAN INCLUDE:

·

Social Security number and income

·

Account transactions and transaction history

·

Investment experience and purchase history

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business.  In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reason Two Roads Shared Trust chooses to share and whether you can limit this sharing.




Reasons we can share your personal information

Does Two Roads Shared Trust share?

Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

YES

NO

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

NO

We do not share

For joint marketing with other financial companies

NO

We do not share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

NO

We do not share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

NO

We do not share

For our affiliates to market to you

NO

We do not share



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For nonaffiliates to market to you

NO

We do not share


Questions?

Call 1-402-895-1600




What we do                                                                                            

How does Two Roads Shared Trust protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law.

These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.


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

How does Two Roads Shared Trust collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

·

open an account or give us contact information

·

provide account information or give us your income information

·

make deposits or withdrawals from your account

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

·

sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

·

affiliates from using your information to market to you

·

sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing



  Definitions                                                                                                                                               

Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control.  They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

·

Two Roads Shared Trust has no affiliates.

Nonaffiliates

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

·

Two Roads Shared Trust does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.



24









Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliates financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

·

Two Roads Shared Trust does not jointly market.




25







West Shore Real Return Income Fund


Adviser

West Shore Group, LLC

21 East Euclid Avenue

Haddonfield, NJ  08033

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C.

4 Becker Farm Road

Roseland, NJ 07068

Custodian

Union Bank, N.A.

350 California Street, 6th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94104

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP

One Maritime Plaza, Suite 2300

San Francisco, CA  94111

Distributor

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

17605 Wright Street

Omaha, NE  68130

Transfer Agent

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, NE  68130



Additional information about the Fund is included in the Fund’s SAI. The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference ( i.e. , legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Fund’s policies and management.  Additional information about the Fund’s investments will also be available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders.  In the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.


To obtain a free copy of the SAI and the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or other information about the Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Fund, please call 1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637). Information relating to the Fund can be found at www .westshorefunds. com.  You may also write to:


West Shore Real Return Income Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68130


You may review and obtain copies of the Fund’s information at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Please call 1-202-551-8090 for information relating to the operation of the Public Reference Room. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.



Investment Company Act File # 811-22718




26








[COVER002.GIF]



 






TABLE OF CONTENTS


 


 

  Page

 

FUND SUMMARY

1

Investment Objective

1

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

1

Example

1

Portfolio Turnover

1

Principal Investment Strategies

2

Principal Investment Risks

2

Performance

4

Investment Adviser

4

Portfolio Managers

4

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

4

Tax Information

4

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

4

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

5

Investment Objective

5

Principal Investment Strategies

5

Principal Risk Factors

6

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

9

MANAGEMENT

9

Investment Adviser

9

Portfolio Managers

9

Performance of Comparable Accounts

10

HOW SHARES ARE PRICED

11

Liquidity Program

12

HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES

12

Share Classes

12

Class I and Class Y Shares

12

Class N Shares

13

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Share Class

13

Purchasing Shares

13

Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts

13

When Order is Processed

14

Good Order

14

Retirement Plans

14

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

14

Redeeming Shares

14

Good Order

15

When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees

15

Retirement Plans

16

Low Balances

16

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

16

TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

17

DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES

17

Distributor

17

Distribution Fees

17

Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries

18

Householding

18

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

19

PRIVACY NOTICE

20


-i-

 








FUND SUMMARY

Investment Objective: The Redwood Managed Volatility Fund (the “Fund”) seeks a combination of total return and prudent management of portfolio downside volatility and downside loss.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund:  This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.


Shareholder Fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)

Class I

Class N

Class Y

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases

(as a % of offering price)

None

None

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

(as a % of original purchase price)

None

None

None

Redemption Fee

(as a % of amount redeemed within 30 days of purchase)

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage

of the value of your investment)

 


 

Management Fees

1.50%

1.50%

1.50%

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

None

0.25%

None

Other Expenses (1)

0.66%

0.66%

0.66%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (1)

0.60%

0.60%

0.60%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

2.76%

3.01%

2.76%

Expense Waiver

(0.17)%

(0.17)%

(0.66)%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Waiver (2)

2.59%

2.84%

2.10%

(1) Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

(2) The Fund’s Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce the Fund’s fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund until at least February 28, 2015 to ensure that total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and reimbursement (exclusive of any taxes, short selling expenses, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, indirect expenses, expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund may invest, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) will not exceed 1.99%, 2.24% and 1.50% of average daily net assets attributable to Class I, Class N and Class Y shares, respectively.  This agreement may be terminated by the Fund’s Board of Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three year basis (within the three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits.

 

Example:  This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  


The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:


 

1 year

3 years

Class I

$262

$840

Class N

$287

$914

Class Y

$213

$794

 

Portfolio Turnover: The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. No portfolio turnover rate is provided for the Fund because the Fund has not completed its first fiscal year as of the date of this Prospectus.

1






Principal Investment Strategies: To pursue its investment objective the Fund uses a proprietary trend-following model that seeks to identify the critical turning points in the markets for high yield bonds (also known as “junk bonds ”) and leveraged and bank loans.  The Fund’s advisor, Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“Redwood” or the “Adviser”) uses a quantitative program that seeks to invest in diversified high yield bond funds and leveraged and bank loan funds when the high yield bond and leveraged and bank loan markets are trending upwards and short-term fixed income securities when the high yield bond and leveraged and bank loan markets are trending downwards.  Depending on market conditions, the Fund may be invested: (i) primarily in high yield bond funds and leveraged and bank loan funds ; (ii) primarily in short-term fixed income securities; or (iii) a combination of high yield bond funds, leveraged and bank loan funds and short-term fixed income securities.  By tactically allocating its investments between high yield bond funds, leveraged and bank loan funds and short-term fixed income securities, the Fund seeks to reduce its exposure to declines in the high yield bond and leveraged and bank loan markets , thereby limiting portfolio volatility in down-trending markets (“downside volatility”) and downside loss.  


The Adviser’s quantitative model takes into account macro market data and other market-based inputs and metrics to seek to identify market trends.  When making investment decisions for the Fund the portfolio managers consider both the outputs of the model as well as an assessment of current market conditions and other factors.  To seek greater investment exposure to the Fund’s strategies the Fund has the ability to leverage its portfolio by borrowing money in an amount of up to one-third of its assets.


The Fund gains exposure to the high yield bond and leveraged and bank loan markets through investments in investment companies that invest in high yield bonds and leveraged and bank loans , including open-end mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), and closed-end funds, including business development companies. The investment companies in which the Fund invests may invest in securities of any maturity or quality, including securities rated below investment grade. The Fund may gain exposure to foreign (non-U.S.) securities, including emerging market securities, to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies that hold securities of foreign (non-U.S.) issuers. The short-term fixed-income securities in which the Fund invests may include corporate bonds and other corporate debt securities, asset-backed securities, securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, securities issued by non-U.S. governments or their agencies and instrumentalities, money market securities and other interest-bearing instruments or any derivative instrument meant to track the return of any such instrument, and cash.  The Fund may also invest in money market funds or other investment companies whose assets are comprised primarily of short-term fixed income securities.


The Adviser employs a total return and downside volatility management investment approach, which seeks to reduce exposure to losses in the high yield bond and leveraged and bank loan markets while capturing gains during up-trends in these markets.  The Adviser expects that the Fund’s performance generally will have a low correlation to the performance of the general global equity, fixed income, currency and commodity markets; however, the Fund’s performance may correlate to the performance of any one or more of those markets over short-term periods.   The Fund may invest directly or indirectly in various types of derivatives, including credit default swaps, total return swaps and repurchase agreements as a substitute for making direct investments in underlying instruments or to reduce certain investment exposures.


The Fund is “non-diversified” for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), which means that the Fund may invest in fewer securities at any one time than a diversified fund.


Principal Investment Risks: As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program but rather one component of a diversified investment portfolio. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value and performance.


Asset-Backed Securities Risk. The risks of investing in asset-backed securities, including prepayment risk, extension risk, interest rate risk, market risk and management risk.

Bank Loan Risk. The Fund’s investments in secured and unsecured participations in bank loans and assignments of such loans may create substantial risk. In making investments in such loans, which are made by banks or other financial intermediaries to borrowers, the Fund will depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest.

Borrowing Risk. Borrowing for investment purposes creates leverage, which may increase the volatility of the Fund. Additionally, money borrowed will be subject to certain costs, such as commitment fees and the cost of maintaining minimum average balances, as well as interest.  Unless the income and capital appreciation, if any, on securities acquired with borrowed funds exceed the costs of borrowing, the use of leverage will diminish the investment performance of the Fund.



2







Credit Risk.  The risk that the Fund could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of a fixed income security is unwilling or unable to make timely payments to meet its contractual obligations.

Currency Risk.  The risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, or in derivatives that provide exposure to, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies.

Derivatives Risk. The derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest either directly or through an underlying fund, may be more volatile than other instruments.  The risks associated with investments in derivatives also include liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, mispricing or improper valuation. Changes in the market value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested. In addition, if a derivative is being used for hedging purposes there can be no assurance given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged, or that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by the portfolio manager.

Emerging Markets Risk.  The risk of investing in emerging market securities, primarily increased foreign (non-U.S.) investment risk.

Fixed Income Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities or derivatives, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities or derivatives owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default) and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk.  Foreign (non-U.S.) securities present greater investment risks than investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than the securities of U.S. companies, due to less information about foreign companies in the form of reports and ratings than about U.S. issuers; different accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements; smaller markets; nationalization; expropriation or confiscatory taxation; currency blockage; or political changes or diplomatic developments. Foreign securities may also be less liquid and more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers.

High-Yield Fixed Income Securities Risk. The fixed income securities held by the Fund that are rated below investment grade are subject to additional risk factors such as increased possibility of default, illiquidity of the security, and changes in value based on public perception of the issuer. Such securities are generally considered speculative because they present a greater risk of loss, including default, than higher quality fixed income securities.

Investment Companies and Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk. When the Fund invests in other investment companies, including ETFs, it will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata share of the other investment company’s or ETF’s operating expenses, including the potential duplication of management fees. The risk of owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying investments the ETF holds. The Fund also will incur brokerage costs when it purchases and sells ETFs.

Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market as a whole.

Leveraging Risk. The use of leverage, such as borrowing for investment purposes, will magnify the Fund’s gains or losses.

Limited History of Operations . The Fund has a limited history of operation. In addition, the Adviser has not previously managed a mutual fund.

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations.  In the past, in stressed markets, certain types of mortgage-backed securities suffered periods of illiquidity if disfavored by the market.


3







Management Risk. The risk that investment strategies employed by the Adviser in selecting investments for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other similar investment vehicles having similar investment strategies.

Market Risk. Overall equity market risk may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities markets. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.

Model Risk. The Fund will use model-based strategies that, while historically effective, may not be successful on an ongoing basis or could contain unknown errors. In addition, the data used in models may be inaccurate.

Non-Diversified Portfolio Risk. The Fund is “non-diversified,” and thus may invest its assets in a smaller number of companies or instruments than many other funds. As a result, an investment in the Fund has the risk that changes in the value of a single security may have a significant effect on the Fund’s value.

U.S. Government Securities Risk. Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. In addition, the value of U.S. Government securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government.

Performance: Because the Fund has less than a full calendar year of investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time.  In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of this Prospectus.  Updated performance information will be available at no cost by visiting www.redwoodmutualfund.com or by calling 1-855-RED-FUND (733-3863).


Investment Adviser: Redwood serves as investment adviser to the Fund.


Portfolio Managers:   The Fund is jointly managed by Michael Messinger, Portfolio Manager and Principal of Redwood, and Bruce DeLaurentis, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist of Redwood. Messrs. Messinger and DeLaurentis have managed the Fund since its inception.


:Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares   You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading by written request, by telephone at 1-855-RED-FUND (733-3863), or through your broker.  Redemptions will be paid by automated clearing house funds (“ACH”), check or wire transfer.  The Fund or its Adviser may waive any of the minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts.



Class

Minimum Investment

Initial

Subsequent

I

$250,000

$1,000

N

$10,000

$500

Y

$20,000,000

$1,000


Tax Information: Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund, whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash, are taxable to you at either ordinary income or capital gains tax rates unless you are investing through a tax-deferred plan such as an IRA or 401(k) plan.  


Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies, including the Adviser, may pay the intermediary for



4






the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

Investment Objective:  The Redwood Managed Volatility Fund (the “Fund”) seeks a combination of total return and prudent management of portfolio downside volatility and downside loss. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees upon 60 days prior written notice to shareholders.


Principal Investment Strategies: To pursue its investment objective the Fund uses a proprietary trend-following model that seeks to identify the critical turning points in the markets for high yield bonds (also known as “junk bonds ”) and leveraged and bank loans.  The Fund’s advisor, Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“Redwood” or the “Adviser”) uses a quantitative program that seeks to invest in diversified high yield bond funds and leveraged and bank loan funds when the high yield bond and leveraged and bank loan markets are trending upwards and short-term fixed income securities when the high yield bond and leveraged and bank loan markets are trending downwards.  Depending on market conditions, the Fund may be invested: (i) primarily in high yield bond funds and leveraged and bank loan funds; (ii) primarily in short-term fixed income securities; or (iii) a combination of high yield bond funds, leveraged and bank loan funds and short-term fixed income securities.  By tactically allocating its investments between high yield bond funds, leveraged and bank loan funds and short-term fixed income securities, the Fund seeks to reduce its exposure to declines in the high yield bond and leveraged and bank loan markets, thereby limiting portfolio volatility in down-trending markets (“downside volatility”) and downside loss.  


The Adviser’s quantitative model takes into account macro market data and other market-based inputs and metrics to seek to identify market trends.  When making investment decisions for the Fund the portfolio managers consider both the outputs of the model as well as an assessment of current market conditions and other factors.  To seek greater investment exposure to the Fund’s strategies the Fund has the ability to leverage its portfolio by borrowing money in an amount of up to one-third of its assets.


The Fund gains exposure to the high yield bond and leveraged and bank loan markets through investments in investment companies that invest in high yield bonds and leveraged and bank loans, including open-end mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), and closed-end funds, including business development companies.   The investment companies in which the Fund invests may invest in securities of any maturity and quality, including securities rated below investment grade. The Fund may gain exposure to foreign (non-U.S.) securities, including emerging market securities, to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies that hold securities of foreign (non-U.S.) issuers. The short-term fixed-income securities in which the Fund invests may include corporate bonds and other corporate debt securities, asset-backed securities, securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, securities issued by non-U.S. governments or their agencies and instrumentalities, money market securities and other interest-bearing instruments or any derivative instrument meant to track the return of any such instrument, and cash.  The Fund may also invest in money market funds or other investment companies whose assets are comprised primarily of short-term fixed income securities.


The Adviser employs a total return and downside volatility management investment approach, which seeks to reduce exposure to losses in the high yield bond market while capturing gains during up-trends in the high yield bond market.  The total return sought by the Fund consists of both income earned on the Fund’s investments and capital appreciation, if any, arising from increases in the value of the Fund’s holdings.  The Adviser expects that the Fund’s performance generally will have a low correlation to the performance of the general global equity, fixed income, currency and commodity markets; however, the Fund’s performance may correlate to the performance of any one or more of those markets over short-term periods.   The Fund may invest directly or indirectly in various types of derivatives, including credit default swaps, total return swaps and repurchase agreements as a substitute for making direct investments in underlying instruments or to reduce certain investment exposures.


The Fund is “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means that the Fund may invest in fewer securities at any one time than a diversified fund.


In response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities, money market instruments and cash. These short-term debt securities and money market instruments include: shares of money market mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements. While the Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve upside return may be limited; however, the ability to be fully defensive is an integral part of achieving the Fund’s investment objective.



5







Principal Risk Factors :


Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Associated with asset-backed securities is prepayment risk. If interest rates fall, the underlying debt may be repaid early, reducing the value of the Fund’s investments. On the other hand, if interest rates rise, the duration of the securities may be extended, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates.  Furthermore, fewer prepayments may be made, which would cause the average bond maturity to rise, increasing the potential for the Fund to lose money. The value of asset-backed securities may be considerably affected by changes in interest rates, the market’s perception of issuers, declines in the value of collateral, and the creditworthiness of the parties involved. The ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend on the ability of the Fund’s Adviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly.

Bank Loan Risk. The Fund’s investments in secured and unsecured participations in bank loans and assignments of such loans may create substantial risk. In making investments in such loans, which are made by banks or other financial intermediaries to borrowers, the Fund will depend primarily upon the creditworthiness of the borrower for payment of principal and interest. If the Fund does not receive scheduled interest or principal payments on such indebtedness, the Fund’s share price could be adversely affected. The Fund may invest in loan participations that are rated by a NRSRO or are unrated, and may invest in loan participations of any credit quality, including “distressed” companies with respect to which there is a substantial risk of losing the entire amount invested. In addition, certain bank loans in which the Fund may invest may be illiquid and, therefore, difficult to value and/or sell at a price that is beneficial to the Fund.

Borrowing Risk. Borrowing for investment purposes creates leverage, which may increase the volatility of the Fund. Additionally, m oney borrowed will be subject to certain costs, such as commitment fees and the cost of maintaining minimum average balances, as well as interest. These costs may exceed the gain on securities purchased with borrowed funds, which will diminish the Fund’s investment performance. Increased operating costs, including the financing cost associated with any leverage, may also impact the Fund’s investment performance. The Fund may also be required to pay fees in connection with borrowings, including loan syndication fees or commitment and administrative fees in connection with a line of credit.  The Fund may be required to maintain minimum average balances with a bank lender, either of which would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate. Successful use of borrowing depends on the Adviser’s ability to predict interest rates and market movements, and there is no assurance that the use of borrowing will be successful. Under adverse market conditions, the Fund might have to sell portfolio securities to meet interest or principal payments.

Credit Risk. The risk that issuers or guarantors of a fixed income security cannot or will not make payments on the securities and other investments held by the Fund, resulting in losses to the Fund. In addition, the credit quality of securities held by the Fund may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes, which may lower their value and may affect their liquidity.

Currency Risk.   The risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, or in derivatives that provide exposure to, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies. Currency risk may be particularly high to the extent that the Fund invests in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies or engages in foreign currency transactions that are economically tied to emerging market countries.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest, either directly or through an underlying fund, in derivatives, which are financial instruments whose value is typically based on the value of a security, commodity or index. These instruments include options, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements, including total return swap agreements, and similar instruments. Derivatives may also include customized baskets or options (which may incorporate other securities directly and also various derivatives including common stock, options, and futures) structured as agreed upon by a counterparty, as well as specially structured types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities whose value is often linked to commercial and residential mortgage portfolios. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments, and certain derivatives may create a risk of loss greater than the amount invested.

Investing for hedging purposes or to increase the Fund’s return may result in certain additional transaction costs that may reduce the Fund’s performance. The Fund may use a variety of currency hedging techniques to attempt to hedge exchange rate risk or gain exposure to a particular currency. When used for hedging purposes, no assurance can be given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged. Because the markets for certain derivative instruments are relatively new, suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes and there can be no assurance that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by the Adviser or that such techniques will be utilized by the Adviser.



6







The market value of derivative instruments and securities may be more volatile than that of other instruments, and each type of derivative instrument may have its own special risks, including the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates, and indices. Many derivatives, in particular privately negotiated derivatives, are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the Fund. The value of derivatives may not correlate perfectly, or at all, with the value of the assets, reference rates or indices they are designed to closely track.

Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, including liquidity risk (the possibility that the derivative may be difficult to purchase or sell and the Adviser may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price), leverage risk (the possibility that adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in loss of an amount substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative), interest rate risk (some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations), and counterparty risk (the risk that a counterparty may be unable to perform according to a contract, and that any deterioration in a counterparty’s creditworthiness could adversely affect the instrument). In addition, because derivative products are highly specialized, investment techniques and risk analyses employed with respect to investments in derivatives are different from those associated with stocks and bonds. Finally, the Fund’s use of derivatives may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments. Derivative instruments are also subject to the risk that the market value of an instrument will change to the detriment of the Fund. If the Adviser inaccurately forecast the values of securities, currencies or interest rates or other economic factors in using derivatives, the Fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, but they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other investments held by the Fund. The Fund may also have to buy or sell a security at a disadvantageous time or price because regulations require funds to maintain offsetting positions or asset coverage in connection with certain derivatives transactions.

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides a more detailed description of the types of derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest and their associated risks.

Emerging Markets Risk . To the extent the Fund invests in emerging market securities, the risks associated with foreign (non-U.S.) investment risk may be particularly high. These risks include a greater likelihood of economic, political or social instability, less liquid and more volatile stock markets, foreign exchange controls, a lack of government regulation and different legal systems, and immature economic structures.

Fixed Income Securities. Fixed income securities held by the Fund are subject to interest rate risk, call risk, prepayment and extension risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk, which are more fully described below.

o

Call Risk. During periods of declining interest rates, a bond issuer may “call,” or repay, its high yielding bonds before their maturity dates. The Fund would then be forced to invest the unanticipated proceeds at lower interest rates, resulting in a decline in its income.

o

Credit Risk . Fixed income securities are generally subject to the risk that the issuer may be unable to make principal and interest payments when they are due. There is also the risk that the securities could lose value because of a loss of confidence in the ability of the borrower to pay back debt. Lower rated fixed income securities involve greater credit risk, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy.

o

Interest Rate Risk . Fixed income securities are subject to the risk that the securities could lose value because of interest rate changes. For example, bonds tend to decrease in value if interest rates rise. Fixed income securities with longer maturities sometimes offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price shifts as a result of interest rate changes than fixed income securities with shorter maturities.

o

Liquidity Risk. Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment grade or are not widely held. These features make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on its performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility. Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that the Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out an investment contract when it wants to. If this happens, the Fund will be required to hold the security or keep the position open, and it could incur losses.



7







o

Prepayment and Extension Risk. Many types of fixed income securities are subject to prepayment risk. Prepayment occurs when the issuer of a fixed income security can repay principal prior to the security’s maturity. Fixed income securities subject to prepayment can offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and similar or greater potential for loss in a rising interest rate environment. In addition, the potential impact of prepayment features on the price of a fixed income security can be difficult to predict and result in greater volatility. On the other hand, rising interest rates could cause prepayments of the obligations to decrease, extending the life of mortgage- and asset-backed securities with lower payment rates. This is known as extension risk and may increase the Fund’s sensitivity to rising rates and its potential for price declines.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk .  Foreign (non-U.S.) securities present greater investment risks than investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than the securities of U.S. companies, due to less information about foreign companies in the form of reports and ratings than about U.S. issuers; different accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements; smaller markets; nationalization; expropriation or confiscatory taxation; currency blockage; or political changes or diplomatic developments. To the extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in a specific geographic region, the Fund will generally have more exposure to regional economic risks associated with foreign investments. Foreign securities may also be less liquid and more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers.

High-Yield Fixed Income Securities Risk. High-yield fixed income securities or “junk bonds” are fixed income securities rated below investment grade by a NRSRO. Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than higher-rated securities, they are subject to a greater risk of loss of income and principal. Junk bonds are subject to greater credit risk than higher-grade securities and have a higher risk of default. Companies issuing high-yield junk bonds are more likely to experience financial difficulties that may lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than issuers of higher grade securities. Issuers of junk bonds are often highly leveraged and are more vulnerable to changes in the economy, such as a recession or rising interest rates, which may affect their ability to meet their interest or principal payment obligations.

Investment Companies and Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”) Risk. When the Fund invests in other investment companies, including ETFs, it will bear additional expenses based on its pro rata share of the other investment company’s or ETF’s operating expenses, including the potential duplication of management fees. The risk of owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying investments the ETF holds. The Fund also will incur brokerage costs when it purchases and sells ETFs.

Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of a specific security or option can be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market as a whole. The value of large cap securities, as represented by the S&P 500 Index, can be more volatile than smaller cap securities due to differing market reactions to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments.

Leveraging Risk. The use of leverage, such as borrowing for investment purposes, will magnify the Fund’s gains or losses. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations.

Limited History of Operations. The Fund has a limited history of operation. Mutual funds and their advisers are subject to restrictions and limitations imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code that do not apply to the adviser’s management of individual and institutional accounts. As a result, investors cannot judge likely mutual fund performance of the Adviser by its track record of managing non-mutual fund assets and the Adviser may not achieve its intended result in managing the Fund.

Liquidity Risk. The Fund is subject to liquidity risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, non-U.S. securities, Rule 144A securities, derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk.

Management Risk . The net asset value of the Fund changes daily based on the performance of the securities and derivatives in which it invests. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities and derivatives in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.



8







Market Risk. Overall equity market risk, including volatility, may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities markets. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.

Model Risk. The Fund will use model-based strategies that, while historically effective, may not be successful on an ongoing basis or could contain unknown errors. In addition, the data used in models may be inaccurate.

Non-Diversified Portfolio Risk. The Fund is “non-diversified,” meaning that may invest its assets in a smaller number of companies or instruments than many other funds. As a result, your investment in the Fund has the risk that changes in the value of a single investment may have a significant effect on the Fund’s NAV. Lack of broad diversification also may cause the Fund to be more susceptible to specific economic, political or regulatory events than a diversified fund. Although the Fund intends to satisfy the diversification requirements of a regulated investment company under section 851 of the Internal Revenue Code, those requirements are not as stringent as those required of a diversified fund under the 1940 Act .

U.S. Government Securities Risk . Treasury obligations may differ in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities are supported by varying degrees of credit but generally are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. No assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies and authorities if it is not obligated by law to do so. In addition, the value of U.S. Government securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating of the U.S. Government.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure: A description of the Fund’s policies regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Fund’s SAI. Shareholders may request portfolio holdings schedules at no charge by calling 1-855-RED-FUND (733-3863).

MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser

Redwood Investment Management , LLC (“Redwood” or the “Adviser”), with principal offices at 1117 S. Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 90035, serves as the investment adviser for the Fund.  Redwood was founded in 2010 and, in addition to advising the Fund, provides discretionary investment advice to high net worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable corporations and other investment advisory firms. Subject to the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s investments, executing transactions and providing related administrative services and facilities under an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser.


The Adviser has entered into an advisory agreement with the Fund, whereby the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual fee equal to 1.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. In addition to investment advisory fees, the Fund pays other expenses including costs incurred in connection with the maintenance of its securities law registration, printing and mailing prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information to shareholders, certain financial accounting services, taxes or governmental fees, custodial, transfer and shareholder servicing agent costs, expenses of outside counsel and independent accountants, preparation of shareholder reports and expenses of trustee and shareholders meetings.


The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce the Fund’s fees and/or to make payments to limit Fund expenses until at least October 22, 2014, so that the total annual operating expenses (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, dividend expense on securities sold short, underlying fund fees and expenses or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Fund do not exceed 1.99%, 2.24% and 1.50% for Class I, Class N and Class Y shares, respectively. Waivers and expense payments may be recouped by the Adviser from the Fund, to the extent that overall expenses fall below specified limits, within three years of when the amounts were waived or recouped. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement will be available in the Fund’s first annual or semi-annual shareholder report.


Portfolio Managers

Michael Messinger


Mr. Messinger is a Portfolio Manager and Principal at Redwood with thirteen years of experience in financial services. Prior to launching Redwood in 2010, he served as a Regional Vice President for RiverSource Investments (now known as Columbia  



9





Management) from 2007 to 2010 . Mr. Messinger also worked as a marketer with ING’s investment management and insurance divisions from 2003 to 2007. Mr. Messinger began his career with UBS Wealth Management in 2000. Mr. Messinger holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Arizona.


Bruce DeLaurentis


Mr. DeLaurentis is a Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist of Redwood.  Mr. DeLaurentis joined Redwood in November 2012.  He previously owned Bruce P. DeLaurentis d/b/a Kensington Asset Management from 1984 to 2012.  The firm specialized in developing quantitative models that apply to the equity and fixed income markets.  He currently serves as Managing Member of Kensington Analytics LLC since January 2013.   Mr. DeLaurentis holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Hofstra University.


The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.


Performance of Comparable Accounts

Because the Fund has less than a full calendar year of investment operations, limited performance information is available. Mr. DeLaurentis and Mr. Messinger have each individually managed client accounts with substantially similar objectives, policies and strategies as will be used to manage the Fund (the “Composite”). The performance information shown below represents the historical performance of the Composite.


The information for the Composite is provided to show its past performance as measured against the specified index. The performance of the Composite does not represent the historical performance of the Fund and should not be considered indicative of future performance of the Composite or the Fund. Future results will differ from past results because of differences in future behavior of the various investment markets, in brokerage commissions, account expenses, the size of positions taken in relation to account size and diversification of securities, and the timing of purchases and sales, among other things. In addition, the Composite was not subject to certain investment limitations and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code which, if applicable,



might have adversely affected the performance of the Composite during the periods shown. Performance of the Fund for future periods will vary, and some months, quarters, and years may result in negative performance.


The Adviser provided the information shown below and calculated the performance information. The composite performance from January 1992 through October 2012 represents the performance of actual managed accounts of Kensington Asset Management, owned by Portfolio Manager Bruce DeLaurentis.  The composite performance was examined by Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C., a registered public accounting firm.  In November of 2012, Mr. DeLaurentis joined Redwood.  The returns were computed by calculating the rates of return monthly, based on the beginning and ending values and time weighted cash flows during the month.  The annual returns were calculated by geometrically linking the monthly returns through compounded multiplication.  The performance results are presented in U.S. dollars and reflect the reinvestment of dividends and other account earnings, and are net of investment management fees, net of fees after transactions, and also net of any separate fees assessed directly by each unaffiliated mutual fund holding that comprised the account. Performance is net of the applicable management fee of 2.00% annually, paid monthly in advance. If the performance of the Composite had been restated to reflect the applicable fees and expenses of each class of shares of the Fund, the performance may have been higher or lower than the performance shown in the charts below.


The method for computing historical performance may differ from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s standardized method. Investors should also be aware that the use of a methodology different from that described above to calculate performance could result in different performance data.


The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-5 Year Treasury Index tracks the market for U.S. Treasury securities with maturities of three to five years.  The index does not reflect deductions for fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly in an index.




10







Annual Total Return for Periods Ended December 31


 

2012

2011

2010

 2009

2008

  2007

2006

  2005

2004

2003


Redwood Managed Risk Composite

13.20%

4.75%

8.48%

46.05%

8.03%

2.67%

9.29%

4.95%

4.92%

15.34%


Best Quarter/Worst Quarter


 

Return

 

Date

Best Quarter

19.30%

 

2 nd Quarter 2009

Worst Quarter

-2.55%

 

2 nd Quarter 2010



Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Since Inception

(01/01/1992)

Redwood Managed Risk Composite

13.20%

 

15.20%

 

11.20%

 

9.94%

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-5 Year Treasury

1.58%

 

4.90%

 

4.31%

 

5.85%


HOW SHARES ARE PRICED

The NAV and offering price (NAV plus any applicable sales charges) of each class of shares is determined at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange ( “NYSE”) is open for business.  NAV is computed by determining, on a per class basis, the aggregate market value of all assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets liabilities)/number of shares = NAV).  The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account, on a per class basis, the expenses and fees of the Fund, including management, administration, and distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of NAV for a share class for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received by the Fund (or an authorized broker or agent, or its authorized designee) before the close of trading on the NYSE on that day.  


Generally, the Fund’s securities are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the last bid on the primary exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price.  If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and evaluated by the Board as to the reliability of the fair value method used.  In these cases, the Fund’s NAV will reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair value rather than their market price.  Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available.  


The Fund may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the fair market value of the Fund’s securities.  In addition, market prices for foreign securities are not determined at the same time of day as the NAV for the Fund. Because the Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of some of the Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares.  In computing the NAV, the Fund values foreign securities held by the Fund at the latest closing price on the exchange in which they are traded immediately prior to closing of the NYSE.  Prices of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates. If events materially affecting the value of a security in the Fund’s portfolio, particularly foreign securities, occur after the close of trading on a foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares, the security will be valued at fair value.  For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV, the Adviser may need to price the security using the Fund’s fair value pricing guidelines. Without a fair value price, short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no



11







assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short term traders. The determination of fair value involves subjective judgments.  As a result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the prices used by other mutual funds to determine net asset value, or from the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security.


With respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, the Fund’s net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.


Liquidity Program

The Fund may participate in ReFlow Fund, LLC’s (“ReFlow”) liquidity program, which is designed to provide an alternative liquidity source for mutual funds experiencing net redemptions of their shares. ReFlow provides participating mutual funds with a source of funding to meet net shareholder redemptions through purchases of Fund shares up to the value of the net shares redeemed by other shareholders.  Following purchases of Fund shares, ReFlow then generally redeems those shares when the Fund experiences net sales at the end of a maximum holding period determined by ReFlow, or at other times at ReFlow’s discretion.


While ReFlow holds Fund shares, it will have the same rights and privileges with respect to those shares as any other shareholder. ReFlow may periodically redeem its entire share position in the Fund and request that such redemption be met in kind in accordance with the Fund's redemption in kind policies described below. Purchases of Fund shares by ReFlow are made without regard to the Fund’s objective, policies or anticipated performance, will not be subject to any investment minimums, and are not subject to the market timing limitation described below in “Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares.”  The Adviser believes that the Fund’s participation in ReFlow benefits Fund shareholders by stabilizing the Fund’s net assets. To the extent the Fund’s net assets do not decline, the Adviser may also benefit.  


HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES

Share Classes: This Prospectus describes three classes of shares offered by the Fund: Class I, Class N and Class Y. The Fund offers these three classes of shares so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. Refer to the information below to help you make your investment decision.  The main differences between each class are ongoing fees and minimum investment requirements. In choosing which class of shares to purchase, you should consider which will be most beneficial to you, given the amount of your purchase and the length of time you expect to hold the shares. For information on ongoing distribution fees, see the section entitled Distribution Fees in this Prospectus.  Each class of shares in the Fund represents an interest in the same portfolio of investments within the Fund.  There is no investment minimum on reinvested distributions, and the Fund may change investment minimums at any time.  The Fund reserves the right to waive sales charges, as described below.  The Fund and the Adviser may each waive investment minimums at their individual discretion. All share classes may not be available for purchase in all states.


Class I and Class Y Shares

Class I and Class Y shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge and are not subject to 12b-1 distribution fees. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund.  Class I shares require a minimum initial investment of $250,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $1,000. Class Y shares require a minimum initial investment of $20,000,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $1,000.

Class I and Class Y shares are available to certain institutional investors, and directly to certain individual investors as set forth below:

Institutional Investors may include, but are not limited to, corporations, retirement plans, foundations/endowments and investors who purchase through a wrap account offered through a selling group member that enters into a wrap fee program agreement with the Distributor.

Individual Investors include trustees, officers and employees of the Trust and its affiliates, and immediate family members of all such persons.

Clients of the Adviser.



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For accounts sold through financial intermediaries, it is the primary responsibility of the financial intermediary to ensure compliance with eligibility requirements such as investor type and investment minimums.

Class N Shares

Class N shares of the Fund are offered at their NAV without an initial sales charge.  This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund.  Class N shares pay 0.25% on an annualized basis of their average daily net assets as reimbursement or compensation for distribution-related activities with respect to the Fund.  Class N shares may not be available to all shareholders .  Over time, fees paid under this distribution and service plan will increase the cost of a Class N shareholder’s investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges.  The minimum initial investment in Class N Shares is $10,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $500.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Share Class:  When deciding which class of shares to purchase, you should consider your investment goals, present and future amounts you may invest in the Fund, and the length of time you intend to hold your shares. To help you make a determination as to which class of shares to buy, please refer back to the examples of the Fund’s expenses over time in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section for the Fund in this Prospectus. You also may wish to consult with your financial adviser for advice with regard to which share class would be most appropriate for you.

Purchasing Shares: You may purchase shares of the Fund by sending a completed application form (the “Application”) to the following address:

Regular/Express/Overnight Mail

Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68130


The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions, including the Fund, to adopt certain policies and programs to prevent money-laundering activities, including procedures to verify the identity of customers opening new accounts. As requested on the Application, you should supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. Mailing addresses containing a P.O. Box will not be accepted. This information will assist the Fund in verifying your identity. Until such verification is made, the Fund may temporarily limit additional share purchases. In addition, the Fund may limit additional share purchases or close an account if it is unable to verify a shareholder’s identity. As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct.


Purchase through Brokers: You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund’s distributor. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or its designee receives the order. The broker or agent may set their own initial and subsequent investment minimums. You may be charged a fee if you use a broker or agent to buy or redeem shares of the Fund. Finally, various servicing agents use procedures and impose restrictions that may be in addition to, or different from those applicable to investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund. You should carefully read the program materials provided to you by your servicing agent.  


Purchase by Wire: If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 1-855-RED-FUND (733-3863) for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund’s designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.   


Automatic Investment Plan: You may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts.


You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at 1-855-RED-FUND (733-3863) for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan.


Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts: The minimum initial investment for Class I shares is $250,000; $10,000 for Class N shares; and $20,000,000 for Class Y shares.  The minimum additional investment for Class N shares is $500; and $1,000 for Class I and Class Y shares.  There is no minimum investment requirement when you are buying shares by reinvesting dividends and distributions from the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to waive any investment minimum requirement. These minimum investment


13







requirements do not apply to investors who purchase shares through certain advisory programs offered by financial intermediaries.  Investors purchasing shares through these programs should consult their financial intermediary for information about any minimum investment requirements.


The Fund, however, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any application to purchase shares. Applications will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a check drawn on a U.S. bank, thrift institutions, or credit union in U.S. funds for the full amount of the shares to be purchased. After you open an account, you may purchase additional shares by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address. Make all checks payable to the Fund. The Fund will not accept payment in cash, including cashier’s checks or money orders. Also, to prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, U.S. Treasury checks, credit card checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares.


Note: Gemini Fund Services, LLC, the Fund’s transfer agent, will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder’s account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any check returned to the transfer agent for insufficient funds.   


When Order is Processed: All shares will be purchased at the NAV per share (plus applicable sales charges, if any) next determined after the Fund receives your application or request in good order. All requests received in good order by the Fund before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) will be processed on that same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) will be processed on the next business day.   


Good Order: When making a purchase request, make sure your request is in good order.


“Good order” means your purchase request includes:   


the name of the Fund;

the dollar amount of shares to be purchased;

a completed purchase application or investment stub; and

check payable to the “Redwood Managed Volatility Fund.”

Retirement Plans: You may purchase shares of the Fund for your individual retirement plans. Please call the Fund at 1- 855-RED-FUND (733-3863) for the most current listing and appropriate disclosure documentation on how to open a retirement account.  


HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

Redeeming Shares: If you hold shares directly through an account with the Fund, you may redeem all or any portion of the shares credited to your account by submitting a written request for redemption to:  


Regular/Express/Overnight Mail

Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68130


Redemptions by Telephone: The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new accounts except retirement accounts.  If you do not want the telephone redemption privilege, you must indicate this in the appropriate area on your account application or you must write to the Fund and instruct it to remove this privilege from your account. The proceeds, which are equal to number of shares times NAV less any applicable deferred sales charges or redemption fees, will be sent by mail to the address designated on your account or sent electronically, via ACH or wire, directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application. To redeem by telephone, call 1-855-RED-FUND (733-3863). The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or electronically within three business days after receipt of your telephone instructions. IRA accounts are not redeemable by telephone.  


The Fund reserves the right to suspend the telephone redemption privileges with respect to your account if the name(s) or the address on the account has been changed within the previous 30 days. Neither the Fund, the transfer agent, nor their respective affiliates will be liable for complying with telephone instructions they reasonably believe to be genuine or for any loss, damage, cost or expenses in acting on such telephone instructions and you will be required to bear the risk of any such loss.  The Fund or the transfer agent, or



14







both, will employ reasonable procedures to determine that telephone instructions are genuine. If the Fund and/or the transfer agent do not employ these procedures, they may be liable to you for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. These procedures may include, among others, requiring forms of personal identification prior to acting upon telephone instructions, providing written confirmation of the transactions and/or tape recording telephone instructions.  


Redemptions through Broker: If shares of the Fund are held by a broker-dealer, financial institution or other servicing agent, you must contact that servicing agent to redeem shares of the Fund. The servicing agent may charge a fee for this service.  


Redemptions by Wire: You may request that your redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account. The Fund’s transfer agent imposes a $15 fee for each wire redemption and deducts the fee directly from your account. Your bank may also impose a fee for the incoming wire.  


Automatic Withdrawal Plan: If your individual account, IRA or other qualified plan account has a current account value of at least $10,000, you may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money to your bank account from the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers. You may elect to make subsequent withdrawals by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established bank account. Please contact the Fund at1-855-RED-FUND (733-3863) for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan.


Redemptions in Kind: The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders made by a shareholder during any 90-day period by making payment in whole or in part in portfolio securities (“redemption in kind”) if the amount of such a request is large enough to affect operations (if the request is greater than the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets at the beginning of the 90-day period).  The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued using the same procedures as used in calculating the Fund’s NAV. A shareholder may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.


When Redemptions are Sent: Once the Fund receives your redemption request in “good order” as described below, it will issue a check based on the next determined NAV following your redemption request. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in “good order.” If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank (usually within 10 days of the purchase date).


Good Order: Your redemption request will be processed if it is in “good order.”  To be in good order, the following conditions must be satisfied:


The request should be in writing, unless redeeming by telephone, indicating the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed;

The request must identify your account number;  

The request should be signed by you and any other person listed on the account, exactly as the shares are registered; and

If you request that the redemption proceeds be sent to a person, bank or an address other than that of record or paid to someone other than the record owner(s), or if the address was changed within the last 30 days, or if the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000, the signature(s) on the request must be medallion signature guaranteed by an eligible signature guarantor.

When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees:  If you wish to change the bank or brokerage account that you have designated on your account, you may do so at any time by writing to the Fund with your signature guaranteed.  A medallion signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine and protects you from unauthorized account transfers. You will need your signature guaranteed if:


you request a redemption to be made payable to a person not on record with the Fund;

you request that a redemption be mailed to an address other than that on record with the Fund;

the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000;

any redemption is transmitted by federal wire transfer to a bank other than the bank of record; or



15







your address was changed within 30 days of your redemption request.

Signatures may be guaranteed by any eligible guarantor institution (including banks, brokers and dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations).  Further documentation will be required to change the designated account if shares are held by a corporation, fiduciary or other organization. A notary public cannot guarantee signatures.


Retirement Plans: If you own an IRA or other retirement plan, you must indicate on your redemption request whether the Fund should withhold federal income tax. Unless you elect in your redemption request that you do not want to have federal tax withheld, the redemption will be subject to withholding.  


Low Balances: If at any time your account balance falls below $2,000 ($1,000 for retirement accounts), the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to at least $2,000 ($1,000 for retirement accounts) within 30 days of the notice, your account could be closed. After the notice period, the Fund may redeem all of your shares and close your account by sending you a check to the address of record. Your account will not be closed if the account balance drops below $2,000 ($1,000 for retirement accounts) due to a decline in NAV.


FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

The Fund discourages and does not accommodate market timing. Frequent trading into and out of the Fund can harm all Fund shareholders by disrupting the Fund’s investment strategies, increasing Fund expenses, decreasing tax efficiency and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended for market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Accordingly, the Fund’s Board has approved policies that seek to curb these disruptive activities while recognizing that shareholders may have a legitimate need to adjust their Fund investments as their financial needs or circumstances change. The Fund currently uses several methods to reduce the risk of market timing. These methods include:


Committing staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Fund’s “Market Timing Trading Policy”;

Rejecting or limiting specific purchase requests;

Rejecting purchase requests from certain investors; and

Charging a 1% redemption fee on shares sold within 30 days of purchase.

Though these methods involve judgments that are inherently subjective and involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to make judgments and applications that are consistent with the interests of the Fund’s shareholders.  


Based on the frequency of redemptions in your account, the Adviser or transfer agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to (i) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases into the Fund and/or (ii) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future exchanges or redemptions out of the Fund.


The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase requests for any reason, particularly when the shareholder’s trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser will be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase orders. The Adviser may also bar an investor who has violated these policies (and the investor’s financial advisor) from opening new accounts with the Fund.  


Although the Fund attempts to limit disruptive trading activities, some investors use a variety of strategies to hide their identities and their trading practices. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify or limit these activities. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the Fund.  While the Fund will encourage financial intermediaries to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers who invest indirectly in the Fund, the Fund is limited in its ability to monitor the trading activity or enforce the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy with respect to customers of financial intermediaries. For example, should it occur, the Fund may not be able to detect market timing that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or made difficult to identify in the omnibus accounts used by those intermediaries for aggregated purchases, exchanges and redemptions on behalf of all their customers. More specifically, unless the financial intermediaries have the ability to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers through such methods as implementing short-term trading limitations or restrictions and monitoring trading activity for what might be market timing, the Fund may not be able to determine whether trading by customers of financial

16







intermediaries is contrary to the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy. Brokers maintaining omnibus accounts with the Fund have agreed to provide shareholder transaction information to the extent known to the broker to the Fund upon request. If the Fund or its transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent suspects there is market timing activity in the account, the Fund will seek full cooperation from the service provider maintaining the account to identify the underlying participant. At the request of the Adviser, the service providers may take immediate action to stop any further short-term trading by such participants.


TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income quarterly and net capit al gains annually in December. Both types of distributions will be reinvested in shares of the Fund unless you elect to receive cash.  Dividends from net investment income (including any excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) are taxable to investors as ordinary income, while distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of your holding period for the shares. Because the Fund’s income is derived primarily from sources that do not pay “qualified dividend income,” dividends from the Fund generally are not expected to qualify for taxation at the long-term capital gain rates available to individuals on qualified dividend income. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash.  Certain dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December will be taxed to shareholders as if received in December if they are paid during the following January. Each year the Fund will inform you of the amount and type of your distributions.

 

When you redeem, sell or exchange Fund shares, you will generally realize a taxable gain or loss (unless you are a tax-exempt investor or your investment is in a qualified retirement account).  This gain or loss is measured by the difference between the proceeds of the sale and the tax basis for the shares you sold. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you generally should retain your account statements for the period that you hold shares in the Fund.  Due to recent legislation, the Fund (or its administrative agent) is required to report to the IRS and furnish to shareholders the cost basis information for sale transactions of shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012. Please see the SAI for more information relating to this legislation).


For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.


On the account application, you will be asked to certify that your social security number or taxpayer identification number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS.  If you are subject to backup withholding or you did not certify your taxpayer identification number, the IRS requires the Fund to withhold a percentage of any dividend, redemption or exchange proceeds. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that does not include a certified social security or taxpayer identification number.  If you do not have a social security number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending. The Fund may be required to withhold taxes if a number is not delivered to the Fund within seven days.


The foregoing is only a brief summary of certain federal income tax consequences of investing in the Fund.  This summary is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund’s shares.


DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES

Distributor: Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, is the distributor for the shares of the Fund. Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis.


Distribution Fees: The Class N share class has adopted a Distribution Plan (“12b-1 Plan” or “Plan”), pursuant to which the Fund may pay the Distributor an annual fee for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class N shares.


The Distributor and other entities are paid under the Plan for services provided and the expenses borne by the Distributor and others in the distribution of Fund shares, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of dealers and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses; printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with the offering of the



17







Fund’s shares to other than current shareholders; and preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials. In addition, the Distributor or other entities may utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan to compensate dealers or other entities for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any un-reimbursed expenses.  


You should be aware that if you hold your shares for a substantial period of time, you may indirectly pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge allowed by FINRA due to the recurring nature of distribution (12b-1) fees.


Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries: The Distributor, its affiliates, and the Fund’s Adviser may, at its own expense and out of its own legitimate profits, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund, including affiliates of the Adviser. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments may be in addition to the Rule 12b-1 fees and any sales charges that are disclosed elsewhere in this Prospectus. These payments are generally made to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder or administrative services, or marketing support. Marketing support may include access to sales meetings, sales representatives and financial intermediary management representatives, inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or other sales programs. These payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders. The Distributor may, from time to time, provide promotional incentives, including reallowance and/or payment of up to the entire sales charge, to certain investment firms. Such incentives may, at the Distributor’s discretion, be limited to investment firms who allow their individual selling representatives to participate in such additional commissions.  


Householding: To reduce expenses, the Fund mails only one copy of the prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at 1-855-RED-FUND (733-3863) on days the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution. The Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.




18







FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Because the Fund has only recently commenced investment operations, no financial highlights are available for the Fund at this time. In the future, financial highlights will be presented in this section of the Prospectus.



19







PRIVACY NOTICE

FACTS

WHAT DOES TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information.

Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing.
Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information.  Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

What?

THE TYPES OF PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND SHARE DEPENDS ON THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE THAT YOU HAVE WITH US. THIS INFORMATION CAN INCLUDE:

·

Social Security number and income

·

Account transactions and transaction history

·

Investment experience and purchase history

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business.  In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reason Two Roads Shared Trust chooses to share and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

Does Two Roads Shared Trust share?

Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

YES

NO

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

NO

We do not share

For joint marketing with other financial companies

NO

We do not share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

NO

We do not share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

NO

We do not share

For our affiliates to market to you

NO

We do not share

20





Questions?

Call 1-402-895-1600


 

What we do

How does Two Roads Shared Trust protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law.

These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.


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

How does Two Roads Shared Trust collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

·

open an account or give us contact information

·

provide account information or give us your income information

·

make deposits or withdrawals from your account

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

·

sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

·

affiliates from using your information to market to you

·

sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing


 

Definitions

Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control.  They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

·

Two Roads Shared Trust has no affiliates.

Nonaffiliates

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

·

Two Roads Shared Trust does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliates financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

·

Two Roads Shared Trust does not jointly market.



21










Redwood Managed Volatility Fund


Adviser

Redwood Investment Management, LLC

1117 S. Robertson Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90035

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C.

4 Becker Farm Road

Roseland, NJ 07068

Custodian

Union Bank, N.A.

350 California Street, 6th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94104

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP

One Maritime Plaza, Suite 2300

San Francisco, CA  94111

Distributor

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

17605 Wright Street

Omaha, NE  68130

Transfer Agent

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, NE  68130



Additional information about the Fund is included in the Fund’s SAI. The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference ( i.e. , legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Fund’s policies and management.  Additional information about the Fund’s investments will also be available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders.  In the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.


To obtain a free copy of the SAI and the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or other information about the Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Fund, please call 1-855-RED-FUND (733-3863). Information relating to the Fund can be found at www.redwoodmutualfund.com.  You may also write to:


Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68130


You may review and obtain copies of the Fund’s information at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Please call 1-202-551-8090 for information relating to the operation of the Public Reference Room. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.



Investment Company Act File # 811-22718




22






Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund



PROSPECTUS


November 1, 2013


Class A   LPAUX

Class C   LPCUX

Class I   LPIUX

Class R    LPRUX






www .larkinpointfunds. com

1- 855-852-8998



This Prospectus provides important information about the Fund that you should know before investing. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.


These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) nor has the SEC passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.




 











1




TABLE OF CONTENTS


 

Page

FUND SUMMARY

1

Investment Objective

1

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

1

Portfolio Turnover

2

Principal Investment Strategies

2

Principal Investment Risks

3

Performance

4

Investment Adviser

5

Portfolio Managers

5

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

5

Tax Information

5

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

5

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

5

Investment Objective

5

Principal Investment Strategies

5

Principal Risk Factors

7

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

10

MANAGEMENT

10

Investment Adviser

10

Portfolio Managers

10

HOW SHARES ARE PRICED

12

HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES

12

Share Classes

12

Class A Shares

13

Class C Shares

17

Class I Shares

19

Class R Shares

19

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Share Class

19

Purchasing Shares

19

Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts

20

When Order is Processed

20

Good Order

20

Retirement Plans

21

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

21

Redeeming Shares

21

Good Order

22

When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees

22

Retirement Plans

22

Low Balances

22

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

22

TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

23

DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES

24

Distributor

24

Distribution Fees

24

Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries

24

Householding

25

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

26

PRIVACY NOTICE

27



FUND SUMMARY


Investment Objective: The Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund (the “Fund”) seeks capital preservation and capital appreciation with lower volatility than the broader equity market.


Fees and Expenses of the Fund:  This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on purchases of Class A shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in the Fund.  More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and the section entitled How to Purchase Shares in this Prospectus.


Shareholder Fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class R

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases

(as a % of offering price)

5.75%

None

None

None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

(as a % of original purchase price)

1.00%

None

None

None

Redemption Fee

(as a % of amount redeemed within 60 days of purchase)

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage

of the value of your investment)

 

 


 

Management Fees

1.05%

1.05%

1.05%

1.05%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

0.25%

1.00

None

0.50%

Other Expenses (1)

1.18%

1.18%

1.18%

1.18%

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (2)

0.10%

0.10%

0.10%

0.10%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

2.58%

3.33%

2.33%

2.83%

Expense Waiver

(0.53)%

(0.53)%

(0.53)%

(0.53)%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Waiver (3)

2.05%

2.80%

1.80%

2.30%




(1) Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

(2) Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect costs of investing in other investment companies.

(3) The Fund’s Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce the Fund’s fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund until at least February 28, 2015 to ensure that total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and reimbursement (exclusive of any taxes, short selling expenses, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, indirect expenses, expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund may invest, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) will not exceed 1.95%, 2.70%, 1.70% and 2.20% of average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R shares, respectively.  This agreement may be terminated by the Fund’s Board of Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three year basis (within the three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits.

 

Example :  This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  


The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:


 

1 year

3 years

Class A

$771

$1,284

Class C

$283

$975

Class I

$183

$677

Class R

$233

$827



1







Portfolio Turnover: The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. No portfolio turnover rate is provided for the Fund because the Fund has not completed its first fiscal year as of the date of this Prospectus.


Principal Investment Strategies: Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities or investments that are economically tied to equity securities.  The Fund is not managed relative to a particular index and has flexibility to allocate assets to different types of investments and sectors.  The principal investments of the Fund include exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), equity securities and related derivative instruments, including options and futures contracts.  The Fund’s investments in ETFs and derivative instruments will be counted toward the 80% policy discussed above to the extent such investments have economic characteristics similar to the equity securities.

  To pursue its investment objective, the Fund employs two strategies:

·

A Hedged Equity Strategy; and

·

A Hedged Income Strategy.


Hedged Equity Strategy


In general, the Fund will directly invest in ETFs that track broad-based indices such as the S&P 500 Index.   However, the Fund may also invest in ETFs that hold more narrow underlying investments such as high dividend stocks or investments in particular industry sectors. In addition, the Fund will invest in futures contracts that reference broad-based indices such as the S&P 500 Index in lieu of direct investments in ETFs.

In an effort to manage market and volatility risks associated with its equity strategy, the Fund will maintain a continuous and systematic investment in long-term put options. The Fund anticipates investing in long-term put options which may be tied to ETFs, equity securities or futures contracts held by the Fund. The Fund may also purchase “index put options” that are directly tied to the S&P 500 Index or other equity market indices.  If the market price for an ETF or equity security held by the Fund falls below the exercise price of a corresponding put option held by the Fund, the Fund may exercise the put option and sell such ETF or equity security at the put option exercise price, thereby setting a floor on the amount of depreciation the Fund may realize. When the Fund chooses to hedge its equity strategy investments through purchases of “index put options” not directly tied to ETFs, equity securities or futures contracts held by the Fund, the Fund’s performance may be adversely impacted by the lack of direct, negative correlation between the Fund’s direct equity investment and the put protection.  In addition, the Fund may lose the entire premium paid for a put option if the underlying security does not decrease in value, which may result in lower returns during certain periods than if the Fund had not hedged its equity portfolio by purchasing put options.

Hedged Income Strategy

To generate additional income, the Fund sells short-term (generally two or three month) put and call options on equity indices such as S&P 500 Index and other U.S. equity indices or ETFs. The Fund systematically sells short-term put and call options typically expiring on the same date and with the same strike price (referred to as “short straddles”) or different strike prices (referred to as “short strangles”).  The short straddle or strangle positions most often are purchased (covered) prior to expiration (or when the relative prices breach a pre-determined limit).  New short sales most often occur to reset the strike price closer to the current price of the underlying equity index or ETF price, or to lengthen the days to expiration. Short straddles and short strangles are economically similar strategies.  Using either short straddles or short strangles, the Fund will seek to profit during periods when market prices of the applicable reference asset(s) are relatively stable by taking on exposure to losses in the event of high market volatility or rapid decrease in price of the applicable reference asset(s).  

Furthermore, in an effort to reduce market and volatility risks associated with its income strategy, in all instances in which option straddles or strangles are sold short, the Fund simultaneously purchases or maintains additional put options, with a strike price at or below that on the puts sold short, and with a term to expiration equal to or greater than that of the corresponding short straddles or strangles.  The Fund executes this additional risk-mitigation in an effort to offset potential losses on written options from a rapid drop in underlying equity market prices.  

  

The Adviser further monitors the overall level of equity market volatility, and specifically, the level of volatility implied in option prices.  During periods where the Adviser assesses that the underlying equity market is too volatile or transactions costs are unfavorable, the Adviser may temporarily suspend the Fund’s income strategy while continuing with the Fund’s equity strategy.



2






The Fund actively trades options and other portfolio investments, which may lead to higher transaction costs that may affect the Fund’s performance. In addition, active trading of options and other portfolio investments may lead to higher taxes if Fund shares are held in a taxable account.

The Fund is “non-diversified” for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), which means that the Fund may invest in fewer securities at any one time than a diversified fund.

Principal Investment Risks: As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program but rather one component of a diversified investment portfolio. Many factors affect the Fund’s net asset value and performance.


Active Trading Risk . A higher portfolio turnover due to active and frequent trading will result in higher transactional and brokerage costs.

Credit Risk.  The risk that the Fund could lose money if the issuer or guarantor of a fixed income security is unwilling or unable to make timely payments to meet its contractual obligations.

Derivatives Risk. The derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest either directly or through an underlying fund, may be more volatile than other instruments.  The risks associated with investments in derivatives also include liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, mispricing or improper valuation. Changes in the market value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested. In addition, if a derivative is being used for hedging purposes there can be no assurance given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged, or that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by the portfolio manager.

ETF Risk. ETFs are subject to investment advisory and other expenses, which will be indirectly paid by the Fund. As a result, the cost of investing in the Fund will be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs and may be higher than other mutual funds that invest directly in stocks. ETFs are also subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the fund.

Equity Risk . Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. Preferred stocks are subject to the risk that the dividend on the stock may be changed or omitted by the issuer, and that participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited.

Futures Contract Risk. Futures contracts are subject to the same risks as the underlying investments that they represent, but also may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying investments. Investments in futures contracts involve additional costs, may be more volatile than other investments and may involve a small initial investment relative to the risk assumed. If the Adviser incorrectly forecasts the value of investments in using a futures contract, the Fund might have been in a better position if the Fund had not entered into the contract. Because the futures utilized by a Fund are standardized and exchange traded, where the exchange serves as the ultimate counterparty for all contracts, the primary credit risk on futures contracts is the creditworthiness of the exchange itself. Futures are also subject to market risk, interest rate risk and index tracking risk (in the case of stock index futures).

Hedging Transactions Risk . The Adviser from time to time employs various hedging techniques. The success of the Fund’s hedging strategy will be subject to the Adviser’s ability to correctly assess the degree of correlation between the performance of the instruments used in the hedging strategy and the performance of the investments in the portfolio being hedged. Because the characteristics of many securities change as markets change or time passes, the success of the Fund’s hedging strategy will also be subject to the Adviser’s ability to continually recalculate, readjust, and execute hedges in an efficient and timely manner. For a variety of reasons, the Adviser may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Such imperfect correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. In addition, it is not possible to hedge fully or perfectly against any risk, and hedging entails its own costs.

Index Risk . If a derivative is linked to the performance of an index, it will be subject to the risks associated with changes in that index.



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Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market as a whole.

Leveraging Risk . The use of leverage, such as that embedded in derivatives such as options, will magnify the Fund’s gains or losses.

Limited History of Operations . The Fund has a limited history of operation. In addition, the Adviser has not previously managed a mutual fund.

Liquidity Risk . Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations. The Fund is also exposed to liquidity risk through its investment in underlying funds that hold illiquid securities.

Management Risk. The risk that investment strategies employed by the Adviser in selecting investments for the Fund may not result in an increase in the value of your investment or in overall performance equal to other similar investment vehicles having similar investment strategies.

Market Risk. Overall equity market risk may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities markets. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.

Non-Diversification Risk. A non-diversified fund’s greater investment in a single issuer makes the Fund more susceptible to financial, economic or market events impacting such issuer. A decline in the value of or default by a single security in the non-diversified fund’s portfolio may have a greater negative effect than a similar decline or default by a single security in a diversified portfolio.

Options Risk .   Because the Fund employs options as a key component of the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund is subject to the risk that option prices change in ways not expected by the Adviser.  The effect of volatility is the most subjective and impacted by supply and demand factors. Volatility can have a significant impact on the time value portion of an option's premium. Volatility is a measure of risk (uncertainty), or variability of price of an option's underlying equity security. Higher volatility estimates reflect greater expected fluctuations (in either direction) in underlying price levels.  Because the Fund both buys and sells options, there is a risk that changes in volatility assumptions are not consistent or correlated for options of various terms to expiration.  

Put Option Risk . When the Fund purchases a put option with respect to an underlying portfolio equity security (or ETF, futures contract or broad-based index), in exchange for the payment of a premium, the put option holder runs the risk of losing the entire amount paid for the option in a relatively short period of time. The purchase of options also involves the risk that the counterparty to the option will not fulfill its contractual obligations.

Short Selling Risk. The Fund will engage in short selling and short position derivative activities using options, which are significantly different from the investment activities commonly associated with long-only stock funds. Positions in shorted equity securities and derivatives are speculative and more risky than "long" positions (purchases) because the cost of the replacement equity security or derivative is unknown. You should be aware that any strategy that includes selling equity securities short could suffer significant losses. Shorting will also result in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), which reduce the Fund's return, and may result in higher taxes.

Tax Risk. The Fund expects to generate premiums from its sale of call options. These premiums typically will result in short-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes. In addition, stocks that are hedged with put options may not be eligible for long term capital gains. The Fund is not designed for investors seeking a tax efficient investment.

Written Options Risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a sold option (also referred to as a short position) if the price of the sold option instrument increases in value between the date when the Fund writes the option and the date on which the Fund purchases an offsetting position. Written call options may limit the Fund's participation in equity market gains and written put options may magnify the Fund’s losses during periods in which the equity market experiences losses.

Performance: Because the Fund has less than a full calendar year of investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time.  In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of this Prospectus.  Updated performance information will be available at no cost by visiting www.larkinpointfunds. com or by calling 1-855-852-8998.



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Investment Adviser: Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC (“Larkin Point” or the “Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.


Portfolio Managers:   The portfolio managers of the Fund are Michael Winchell and Charlie H.C. Hon. Messrs. Winchell and Hon have managed the Fund since its inception.


Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares:   You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading by written request, by telephone at 1-855-852-8998, or through your broker.  Redemptions will be paid by automated clearing house funds (“ACH”), check or wire transfer.  The Fund or its Adviser may waive any of the minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts.



Class

Minimum Investment

Initial

Subsequent

A

$2,500

$500

C

$2,500

$500

I

$100,000

$1,000

R

$2,500

$500



Tax Information: Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund, whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash, are taxable to you at either ordinary income or capital gains tax rates unless you are investing through a tax-deferred plan such as an IRA or 401(k) plan.  


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


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS


Investment Objective:  The Fund seeks capital preservation and capital appreciation with lower volatility than the broader equity market. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees upon 60 days, prior written notice to shareholders.


Principal Investment Strategies: Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities or investments that are economically tied to equity securities.  The Fund is not managed relative to a particular index and has flexibility to allocate assets to different types of investments and sectors.  The principal investments of the Fund include exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), equity securities and related derivative instruments, including options and futures contracts.  The Fund’s investments in ETFs and derivative instruments will be counted toward the 80% policy discussed above to the extent such investments have economic characteristics similar to the equity securities.

  To pursue its investment objective, the Fund employs two strategies:

·

A Hedged Equity Strategy; and

·

A Hedged Income Strategy.




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Hedged Equity Strategy


In general, the Fund will directly invest in ETFs that track broad-based indices such as the S&P 500 Index.   However, the Fund may also invest in ETFs that hold more narrow underlying investments such as high dividend stocks or investments in particular industry sectors. In addition, the Fund will invest in futures contracts that reference broad-based indices such as the S&P 500 Index in lieu of direct investments in ETFs.

In an effort to manage market and volatility risks associated with its equity strategy, the Fund will maintain a continuous and systematic investment in long-term put options. The Fund anticipates investing in long-term put options which may be tied to ETFs, equity securities or futures contracts held by the Fund. The Fund may also purchase “index put options” that are directly tied to the S&P 500 Index or other equity market indices.  If the market price for an ETF or equity security held by the Fund falls below the exercise price of a corresponding put option held by the Fund, the Fund may exercise the put option and sell such ETF or equity security at the put option exercise price, thereby setting a floor on the amount of depreciation the Fund may realize. When the Fund chooses to hedge its equity strategy investments through purchases of “index put options” not directly tied to ETFs, equity securities or futures contracts held by the Fund, the Fund’s performance may be adversely impacted by the lack of direct, negative correlation between the Fund’s direct equity investment and the put protection.  In addition, the Fund may lose the entire premium paid for a put option if the underlying security does not decrease in value, which may result in lower returns during certain periods than if the Fund had not hedged its equity portfolio by purchasing put options.

Hedged Income Strategy

To generate additional income, the Fund sells short-term (generally two or three month) put and call options on equity indices such as S&P 500 Index and other U.S. equity indices or ETFs. The Fund systematically sells short-term put and call options typically expiring on the same date and with the same strike price (referred to as “short straddles”) or different strike prices (referred to as “short strangles”).  The short straddle or strangle positions most often are purchased (covered) prior to expiration (or when the relative prices breach a pre-determined limit).  New short sales most often occur to reset the strike price closer to the current price of the underlying equity index or ETF price, or to lengthen the days to expiration. Short straddles and short strangles are economically similar strategies.  Using either short straddles or short strangles, the Fund will seek to profit during periods when market prices of the applicable reference asset(s) are relatively stable by taking on exposure to losses in the event of high market volatility or rapid decrease in price of the applicable reference asset(s).  

Furthermore, in an effort to reduce market and volatility risks associated with its income strategy, in all instances in which option straddles or strangles are sold short, the Fund simultaneously purchases or maintains additional put options, with a strike price at or below that on the puts sold short, and with a term to expiration equal to or greater than that of the corresponding short straddles or strangles.  The Fund executes this additional risk-mitigation in an effort to offset potential losses on written options from a rapid drop in underlying equity market prices.  

The Adviser further monitors the overall level of equity market volatility, and specifically, the level of volatility implied in option prices.  During periods where the Adviser assesses that the underlying equity market is too volatile or transactions costs are unfavorable, the Adviser may temporarily suspend the Fund’s income strategy while continuing with the Fund’s equity strategy.  

 

Hedging and Rebalancing Process

The Adviser applies a proprietary, systematic process to purchase put options positions across varying market conditions as part of an overall hedging strategy with respect to both the Fund’s equity and income strategies in an effort to reduce the Fund's exposure to large declines in the equity market. The Fund invests in long-term put options, a process sometimes referred to as paying a premium, which gives the Fund the right to sell a security or index at a set (i.e. strike) price or sell the long-term put option on an option exchange. The Fund frequently utilizes long-term put options on the S&P 500 Index to hedge the portfolio. However, the Fund may also seek to hedge its portfolio by purchasing long-term puts that the Adviser believes would be more correlated or directly-linked to the Fund’s ETF or other portfolio holdings. The Fund generally selects long-term put options for downside portfolio protection that initially have a year or more until expiration and with strike prices near or below the current price of the underlying S&P 500 Index. Those put options are generally sold at a later date, and new put positions established based on a proprietary, systematic process as the price of the underlying index moves further in or out of the money.  The long positions in put options are also usually sold as the term to expiration shortens (usually when the term to expiration shortens between three months and nine months), and new, longer-term put options are purchased.

The Adviser follows a systematic process to rebalance the protection by selling the put options and purchasing other puts which typically have a greater term to expiration and a strike price closer to the current price level of the underlying index.



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Written options (short straddles and short strangles) are generally bought back when the Adviser believes they present an unfavorable risk and reward profile based upon a systematic process developed by the Adviser. Purchased options are sold when the Adviser believes they present an unfavorable risk and reward profile, also based upon the Adviser’s systematic process.

The Fund actively trades options and other portfolio investments, which may lead to higher transaction costs that may affect the Fund’s performance. In addition, active trading of options and other portfolio investments may lead to higher taxes if Fund shares are held in a taxable account.

The Fund is “non-diversified” for purposes of the 1940 Act, which means that the Fund may invest in fewer securities at any one time than a diversified fund.

In response to market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may temporarily use a different investment strategy for defensive purposes. Such a strategy could include investing up to 100% of the Fund’s assets in cash or cash equivalent securities such as U.S. Treasury securities and money market mutual funds.  Defensive investing could affect the Fund’s performance and the Fund might not achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.  

Principal Risk Factors :


Active Trading Risk . A higher portfolio turnover may result in higher transactional and brokerage costs associated with the turnover which may reduce the Fund’s return, unless the instruments traded can be bought and sold without corresponding commission costs. Active trading of instruments may also increase the Fund’s realized capital gains or losses, which may affect the taxes you pay as a Fund shareholder.

Credit Risk. The risk that issuers or guarantors of a fixed income security cannot or will not make payments on the securities and other investments held by the Fund, resulting in losses to the Fund. In addition, the credit quality of securities held by the Fund may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes, which may lower their value and may affect their liquidity.

Derivatives Risk. The Fund may invest, either directly or through an underlying fund, in derivatives, which are financial instruments whose value is typically based on the value of a security, commodity or index. These instruments include options, futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swap agreements, including total return swap agreements, and similar instruments. Derivatives may also include customized baskets or options (which may incorporate other securities directly and also various derivatives including common stock, options, and futures) structured as agreed upon by a counterparty, as well as specially structured types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities whose value is often linked to commercial and residential mortgage portfolios. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments, and certain derivatives may create a risk of loss greater than the amount invested.

Investing for hedging purposes or to increase the Fund’s return may result in certain additional transaction costs that may reduce the Fund’s performance. The Fund may use a variety of currency hedging techniques to attempt to hedge exchange rate risk or gain exposure to a particular currency. When used for hedging purposes, no assurance can be given that each derivative position will achieve a perfect correlation with the security or currency against which it is being hedged. Because the markets for certain derivative instruments are relatively new, suitable derivatives transactions may not be available in all circumstances for risk management or other purposes and there can be no assurance that a particular derivative position will be available when sought by the Adviser or that such techniques will be utilized by the Adviser.

The market value of derivative instruments and securities may be more volatile than that of other instruments, and each type of derivative instrument may have its own special risks, including the risk of mispricing or improper valuation of derivatives and the inability of derivatives to correlate perfectly with underlying assets, rates, and indices. Many derivatives, in particular privately negotiated derivatives, are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the Fund. The value of derivatives may not correlate perfectly, or at all, with the value of the assets, reference rates or indices they are designed to closely track.

Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, including liquidity risk (the possibility that the derivative may be difficult to purchase or sell and the Adviser may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price), leverage risk (the possibility that adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in loss of an amount substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative), interest rate risk (some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations), and counterparty risk (the risk that a

7





counterparty may be unable to perform according to a contract, and that any deterioration in a counterparty’s creditworthiness could adversely affect the instrument). In addition, because derivative products are highly specialized, investment techniques and risk analyses employed with respect to investments in derivatives are different from those associated with stocks and bonds. Finally, the Fund’s use of derivatives may cause the Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed at ordinary income tax rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments. Derivative instruments are also subject to the risk that the market value of an instrument will change to the detriment of the Fund. If the Adviser inaccurately forecast the values of securities, currencies or interest rates or other economic factors in using derivatives, the Fund might have been in a better position if it had not entered into the transaction at all. Some strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, but they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other investments held by the Fund. The Fund may also have to buy or sell a security at a disadvantageous time or price because regulations require funds to maintain offsetting positions or asset coverage in connection with certain derivatives transactions.

The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) provides a more detailed description of the types of derivative instruments in which the Fund may invest and their associated risks.

ETF Risk . The cost of investing in the Fund will be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs and may be higher than other mutual funds that invest directly in stocks. Fund shareholders will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the ETFs in addition to the Fund's direct fees and expenses. Investment in the Fund should be made with the understanding that the ETFs in which the Fund invests will not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices they track because the total return generated by the securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of the securities. In addition, the ETFs in which the Fund invests will incur expenses not incurred by their applicable indices. The market value of ETF shares may differ from their net asset value. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for fund shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying basket of securities. Accordingly, there may be times when shares trade at a premium or discount to net asset value.

Equity Risk. Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. Preferred stocks are subject to the risk that the dividend on the stock may be changed or omitted by the issuer, and that participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited.

Forward and Futures Contract Risk. The successful use of forward and futures contracts draws upon the Adviser’s skill and experience with respect to such instruments and are subject to special risk considerations. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the forward or futures contract; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a forward or futures contract and the resulting inability to close a forward or futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements ; (d) the Adviser’s inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations; and (f) if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio to meet daily variation margin requirements, and the Fund may have to sell securities at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.  The Fund could be unable to recover assets held at the futures clearing broker, even assets directly traceable to the Fund from the futures clearing broker in the event of a bankruptcy of the broker.  A futures clearing broker is required to segregate customer funds pursuant to the Commodities Exchange Act and the regulations of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).  However, in the unlikely event of the broker’s bankruptcy, there is no equivalent of the Securities Investors Protection Corporation insurance as is applicable in the case of securities broker dealers’ bankruptcies.

Hedging Transactions Risk . The Adviser may employ various hedging techniques. The success of the Fund’s hedging strategy will be subject to the Adviser’s ability to correctly assess the degree of correlation between the performance of the instruments used in the hedging strategy and the performance of the investments in the portfolio being hedged. Since the characteristics of many securities change as markets change or time passes, the success of the Fund’s hedging strategy will also be subject to the Adviser’s ability to continually recalculate, readjust, and execute hedges in an efficient and timely manner.

Hedging against a decline in the value of a portfolio position does not eliminate fluctuations in the values of those portfolio positions or prevent losses if the values of those positions decline. Rather, it establishes other positions designed to gain from those same declines, thus seeking to moderate the decline in the portfolio position’s value. Such hedging transactions also limit the opportunity for gain if the value of the portfolio position should increase. For a variety of reasons, the Adviser may



8





not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Such imperfect correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving the intended hedge or expose the Fund to risk of loss. In addition, it is not possible to hedge fully or perfectly against any risk, and hedging entails its own costs. The Adviser may determine, in its sole discretion, not to hedge against certain risks and certain risks may exist that cannot be hedged. Furthermore, the Adviser may not anticipate a particular risk so as to hedge against it effectively. Hedging transactions also limit the opportunity for gain if the value of a hedged portfolio position should increase.

Index Risk. If a derivative is linked to the performance of an index, it will be subject to the risks associated with changes in that index. If the index changes, the Fund could receive lower interest payments or experience a reduction in the value of the derivative to below what the Fund paid. Certain indexed securities, including inverse securities (which move in an opposite direction to the index), may create leverage, to the extent that they increase or decrease in value at a rate that is a multiple of the changes in the applicable index.

Issuer-Specific Risk. The value of a specific security or option can be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market as a whole. The value of large cap securities, as represented by the S&P 500 Index, can be more volatile than smaller cap securities due to differing market reactions to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments.

Leveraging Risk. The use of leverage, such as that embedded in derivatives, will magnify the Fund’s gains or losses. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations.

Limited History of Operations. The Fund has a limited history of operation. Mutual funds and their advisers are subject to restrictions and limitations imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code that do not apply to the adviser’s management of individual and institutional accounts. As a result, investors cannot judge likely mutual fund performance of the Adviser by its track record of managing non-mutual fund assets and the Adviser may not achieve its intended result in managing the Fund.

Liquidity Risk. The Fund is subject to liquidity risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, non-U.S. securities, Rule 144A securities, derivatives or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk. The Fund is also exposed to liquidity risk through its investment in underlying funds that hold illiquid securities.

Management Risk . The net asset value of the Fund changes daily based on the performance of the securities and derivatives in which it invests. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities and derivatives in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.

Market Risk. Overall equity market risk, including volatility, may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities markets. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.

Non-Diversification Risk. A non-diversified fund’s greater investment in a single issuer makes the Fund more susceptible to financial, economic or market events impacting such issuer. A decline in the value of or default by a single security in the non-diversified fund’s portfolio may have a greater negative effect than a similar decline or default by a single security in a diversified portfolio.

Options Risk .   Because the Fund employs options as a key component of the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund is subject to the risk that option prices change in ways not expected by the Adviser.  The effect of volatility is the most subjective and impacted by supply and demand factors. Volatility can have a significant impact on the time value portion of an option's premium. Volatility is a measure of risk (uncertainty), or variability of price of an option's underlying security. Higher volatility estimates reflect greater expected fluctuations (in either direction) in underlying price levels.  Because the Fund both buys and sells options, there is a risk that changes in volatility assumptions are not consistent or correlated for options of various terms to expiration.  

Put Option Risk . When the Fund purchases a put option with respect to an underlying portfolio equity security (or



9






ETF, futures contract or broad-based index), in exchange for the payment of a premium, the Fund limits its exposure to reductions in the market price of that portfolio equity security (or ETF, futures contract or broad-based index), beyond the put option exercise price. The Fund may, however, loose the entire premium paid for a put option if the underlying equity security does not decrease in value. The purchase of put options also involves the risk that the counterparty to the option will not fulfill its contractual obligations.

Short Selling Risk. The Fund will engage in short selling and short position derivative activities using options, which are significantly different from the investment activities commonly associated with long-only stock funds. Positions in shorted equity securities and derivatives are speculative and more risky than "long" positions (purchases) because the cost of the replacement equity security or derivative is unknown. You should be aware that any strategy that includes selling equity securities short could suffer significant losses. Shorting will also result in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), which reduce the Fund's return, and may result in higher taxes.


Tax Risk. The Fund expects to generate premiums from its sale of call options. These premiums typically will result in short-term capital gains for federal income tax purposes. In addition, stocks that are hedged with put options may not be eligible for long term capital gains. The Fund is not designed for investors seeking a tax efficient investment.

Written Options Risk. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a sold option (also referred to as a short position) if the price of the sold option instrument increases in value between the date when the Fund writes the option and the date on which the Fund purchases an offsetting position. Written call options may limit the Fund's participation in equity market gains and written put options may magnify the Fund’s losses during periods in which the equity market experiences losses.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure: A description of the Fund’s policies regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Fund’s SAI. Shareholders may request portfolio holdings schedules at no charge by calling 1-855-852-8998.

MANAGEMENT


Investment Adviser


Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC (“Larkin Point” or the “Adviser”), with principal offices at 47 West River Road, Suite D, Rumson, NJ 07760, serves as the investment adviser for the Fund. The Adviser was formed in 2012 for the purpose of advising the Fund and has no other clients at this time.  The adviser plans to offer similar strategies as those employed by the Fund to other clients in the form of separately managed accounts.  Subject to the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s investments, executing transactions and providing related administrative services and facilities under an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser.


The Adviser has entered into an advisory agreement with the Fund, whereby the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual fee equal to 1.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. In addition to investment advisory fees, the Fund pays other expenses including costs incurred in connection with the maintenance of its securities law registration, printing and mailing prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information to shareholders, certain financial accounting services, taxes or governmental fees, custodial, transfer and shareholder servicing agent costs, expenses of outside counsel and independent accountants, preparation of shareholder reports and expenses of trustee and shareholders meetings.


The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce the Fund’s fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund until at least February 28, 2015 to ensure that total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and reimbursement (exclusive of any taxes, short selling expenses, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, indirect expenses, expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund may invest, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) will not exceed 1.95%, 2.70%, 1.70% and 2.20% of average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R shares, respectively.  This agreement may be terminated by the Fund’s Board of Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three year basis (within the three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits.


Portfolio Managers


Michael Winchell is currently Portfolio Manager, Chief Investment Officer and managing member of Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC (“Larkin Point”). Mr. Winchell is also managing member of Larkin Point Capital Investors LLC, the majority owner of Larkin Point.



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Before founding Larkin Point, Mr. Winchell served Mariner Investment Group from July 2008 through March 2012 as principal of Mariner VCL Asset Management, a global macro trading team focused on capturing the shifts in global business cycles through active asset and strategy allocation. Prior to joining Mariner, Mr. Winchell served as managing partner of Hunter Partners LLC and Chief Operating Officer of Bear Wagner Specialists LLC (“Bear Wagner”) from 1999 through 2007. At Bear Wagner, he was responsible for all AMEX and ISE options trading. During his tenure, Bear Wagner grew from managing 4% of NYSE trading volume to over 18%, became the one of the largest equity options market-maker on the AMEX with 26% of total volume, and was one of ten founding market-makers and owners of the ISE. Through its subsidiary, Bear Hunter Structured Products, LLC, the firm was a pioneer and one of the largest market-makers in exchange-traded funds. Hunter Partners LLC sold its approximately 50% ownership in Bear Wagner to Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. (“Bear Stearns”) in April 2007.


Before joining Hunter Partners LLC, Mr. Winchell was a Senior Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer of Bear Stearns. He served as head of International Fixed Income Trading from 1995 through 1998, and also served on the Risk, Funding and Credit Committees for Bear Stearns.  In 1997, he was elected to the Bear Stearns’ Board of Directors. Mr. Winchell joined Bear Stearns in 1985 as an analyst in the Mortgage-Backed Securities division. He co-authored Benchmarks for Stochastic Models, published in the Journal of Portfolio Management, and Understanding Inverse Floater Pricing, published in the Handbook of Mortgage Securities. Mr. Winchell began his career in finance as an Economist at Merrill Lynch in 1983.


Mr. Winchell graduated from UNC Greensboro in 1978, and was awarded a M.A. in English in 1980. He then earned a M.A. in Economics from North Carolina State University in 1982.


Mr. Winchell currently holds a Series 65 securities license.



Charlie H. C. Hon is currently a Portfolio Manager for Larkin Point and principal of Larkin Point Capital Investors LLC, the majority owner of Larkin Point.


Prior to joining Larkin Point in June 2013, Mr. Hon served as the managing member and portfolio manager of 888 Capital, LP, a long/short equity hedge fund founded in January 2008. Before forming 888 Capital, Mr. Hon served as CEO of Bear Hunter Structured Products, LLC supervising twenty-five traders. Mr. Hon joined Bear Hunter Structured Products, LLC, a subsidiary of Bear Wagner, in June 2001 to manage floor operations for the company’s exchange-traded funds, and personally traded the SPY and DIA ETFs with average daily volume often exceeding $1 billion.  Mr. Hon was instrumental in developing the GLD exchange-traded fund, one of the first exchange-traded funds based on a physical commodity, and was responsible for the firm’s risk management of all commodity-based products.


Prior to Bear Hunter Structured Products, LLC, Mr. Hon worked at Bear Wagner as a designated specialist in options on the QQQQ (responsible for all pricing and trading of expiration months beyond the front-month contract).  At the time, Bear Wagner was sole market-maker worldwide in QQQQ options.  Mr. Hon also managed all other Bear Wagner option market-makers on the floor of the American Stock Exchange, who were responsible for over 25% of total AMEX options volume at the time.


Along with Mr. Winchell, Mr. Hon was an equity member of Hunter Partners LLC, one of the owners of Bear Wagner, from 1999 to 2007.  Hunter Partners LLC sold its approximately 50% ownership in Bear Wagner to Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. (“Bear Stearns”) in April 2007.


Mr. Hon began his securities career with Kalb Voorhis and Company in 1986 as a specialist clerk on the American Stock Exchange. Within two years, Mr. Hon was elevated to a general partner of the firm. From 1986 through 1999, Kalb Voorhis grew from a small specialist firm to a major AMEX market-maker firm with 85 employees, over 150 equity and equity option products. In 1999, Kalb Voorhis merged with Bear Wagner.

 

Mr. Hon graduated from Polytechnic Institute of New York University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.


The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and the Portfolio Managers’ ownership of securities in the Fund.


Changes of Investment Policies


In accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund adopted an investment policy that it will, under normal conditions, invest at least 80% of the value of its Assets the type of investments suggested by the Fund’s name. This requirement is applied at the time of



11





investment.  The 80% investment policy of the Fund may be changed at any time by the Board of Trustees. Shareholders will be given written notice at least 60 days prior to any change by the Fund of its 80% investment policy.



HOW SHARES ARE PRICED


The NAV and offering price (NAV plus any applicable sales charges) of each class of shares is determined at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business.  NAV is computed by determining, on a per class basis, the aggregate market value of all assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets liabilities)/number of shares = NAV).  The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account, on a per class basis, the expenses and fees of the Fund, including management, administration, and distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of NAV for a share class for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received by the Fund (or an authorized broker or agent, or its authorized designee) before the close of trading on the NYSE on that day.  


Generally, the Fund’s securities are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security’s primary exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign) for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the last bid on the primary exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers’ Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”) National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price.  If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and evaluated by the Board as to the reliability of the fair value method used.  In these cases, the Fund’s NAV will reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair value rather than their market price.  Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. The fair value prices can differ from market prices when they become available or when a price becomes available.  


The Fund may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the fair market value of the Fund’s securities.  In addition, market prices for foreign securities are not determined at the same time of day as the NAV for the Fund. Because the Fund may invest in underlying ETFs which hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of some of the Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares.  In computing the NAV, the Fund values foreign securities held by the Fund at the latest closing price on the exchange in which they are traded immediately prior to closing of the NYSE.  Prices of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates. If events materially affecting the value of a security in the Fund’s portfolio, particularly foreign securities, occur after the close of trading on a foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares, the security will be valued at fair value.  For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV, the Adviser may need to price the security using the Fund’s fair value pricing guidelines. Without a fair value price, short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short term traders. The determination of fair value involves subjective judgments.  As a result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the prices used by other mutual funds to determine net asset value, or from the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security.


With respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, the Fund’s net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.


HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES


Share Classes: This Prospectus describes four classes of shares offered by the Fund: Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R. The Fund offers these four classes of shares so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. Refer to the information below to help you make your investment decision.  The main differences between each class are sales charges, ongoing fees and minimum investment requirements. In choosing which class of shares to purchase, you should consider which will be most beneficial to you, given the amount of your purchase and the length of time you expect to hold the shares. For information on ongoing distribution fees, see the section entitled Distribution Fees in this Prospectus.  Each class of shares in the Fund represents an interest



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in the same portfolio of investments within the Fund.  There is no investment minimum on reinvested distributions, and the Fund may change investment minimums at any time.  The Fund reserves the right to waive sales charges, as described below.  The Fund and the Adviser may each waive investment minimums at their individual discretion. All share classes may not be available for purchase in all states.


Class A Shares:    Class A shares are offered at their public offering price, which is NAV plus the applicable sales charge and is subject to 12b-1 distribution fees of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares.  The minimum initial investment in Class A shares of the Fund is $2,500 for all accounts.  The minimum subsequent investment in Class A shares of the Fund is $500 for all accounts.  The sales charge varies, depending on how much you invest.  There are no sales charges on reinvested distributions.  The following sales charges, which may be waived in the Adviser’s discretion, apply to your purchases of Class A shares of the Fund:


Amount Invested

Sales Charge as a % of Offering Price(1)

Sales Charge as a % of Amount Invested

Dollar Reallowance

Under $25,000

5.75%

6.10%

5.00%

$25,000 to $49,999

5.00%

5.26%

4.25%

$50,000 to $99,999

4.75%

4.99%

4.00%

$100,000 to $249,999

3.75%

3.83%

3.25%

$250,000 to $499,999

2.50%

2.56%

2.00%

$500,000 to $999,999

2.00%

2.04%

1.75%

$1,000,000 and above(2)

0.00%

0.00%

See below

(1)Offering price includes the front-end sales load.  The sales charge you pay may differ slightly from the amount set forth above because of rounding that occurs in the calculation used to determine your sales charge.

(2) A selling broker may receive commissions on purchases of Class A shares over $1 million calculated as follows: 1.00% on purchases equal to or greater than $1 million but less than $3 million, 0.50% on amounts equal to or greater than $3 million but less than $5 million, and 0.25% on amounts equal to or greater than $5 million. The commission rate is determined based on the purchase amount combined with the current market value of existing investments in Class A shares.


As shown, investors that purchase $1,000,000 or more of the Fund’s Class A shares will not pay any initial sales charge on the purchase.  However, purchases of $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) on shares redeemed during the first 18 months after their purchase in the amount of the commissions paid on the shares redeemed.  The Class A CDSC does not apply if you are otherwise eligible to purchase Class A shares without an initial sales charge or are eligible for a waiver of the CDSC.  See “Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges” below.


How to Reduce Your Sales Charge


You may be eligible to purchase Class A shares at a reduced sales charge.  To qualify for these reductions, you must notify the Fund’s distributor, Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”), in writing and supply your account number at the time of purchase.  You may combine your purchase with those of your “immediate family” (your spouse and your children under the age of 21) for purposes of determining eligibility.  If applicable, you will need to provide the account numbers of your spouse and your minor children as well as the ages of your minor children.


Rights of Accumulation: To qualify for the lower sales charge rates that apply to larger purchases of Class A shares, you may combine your new purchases of Class A shares with Class A shares of the Fund that you already own.  The applicable initial sales charge for the new purchase is based on the total of your current purchase and the current value of all other Class A shares that you own.  The reduced sales charge will apply only to current purchases and must be requested in writing when you buy your shares.



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Shares of the Fund are held as follows and cannot be combined with your current purchase for purposes of reduced sales charges:


Shares held indirectly through financial intermediaries other than your current purchase broker-dealer (for example, a different broker-dealer, a bank, a separate insurance company account or an investment advisor);

Shares held through an administrator or trustee/custodian of an Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (for example, a 401(k) plan) other than employer-sponsored IRAs;

Shares held directly in the Fund account on which the broker-dealer (financial advisor) of record is different than your current purchase broker-dealer.

Letter of Intent:  Under a Letter of Intent (“LOI”), you commit to purchase a specified dollar amount of Class A shares of the Fund, with a minimum of $25,000, during a 13-month period.  At your written request, Class A shares purchases made during the previous 90 days may be included.  The amount you agree to purchase determines the initial sales charge you pay.  If the full-face amount of the LOI is not invested by the end of the 13-month period, your account will be adjusted to the higher initial sales charge level for the amount actually invested.  You are not legally bound by the terms of your LOI to purchase the amount of your shares stated in the LOI.  The LOI does, however, authorize the Fund to hold in escrow 5% of the total amount you intend to purchase.  If you do not complete the total intended purchase at the end of the 13-month period, the Fund’s transfer agent will redeem the necessary portion of the escrowed shares to make up the difference between the reduced rate sales charge (based on the amount you intended to purchase) and the sales charge that would normally apply (based on the actual amount you purchased).


Repurchase of Class A Shares:  If you have redeemed Class A shares of the Fund within the past 120 days, you may repurchase an equivalent amount of Class A shares of the Fund at NAV, without the normal front-end sales charge.  In effect, this allows you to reacquire shares that you may have had to redeem, without repaying the front-end sales charge.  You may exercise this privilege only once and must notify the Fund that you intend to do so in writing.  The Fund must receive your purchase order within 120 days of your redemption.  Note that if you reacquire shares through separate installments (e.g., through monthly or quarterly repurchases), the sales charge waiver will only apply to those portions of your repurchase order received within 120 days of your redemption.


Sales Charge Waivers


The sales charge on purchases of Class A shares is waived for certain types of investors, including:  

Current and retired directors and officers of any Fund sponsored by the Adviser or any of its subsidiaries, and their families (e.g., spouse, children, mother or father).

Employees of the Adviser and their families, or any full-time employee or registered representative of the Distributor or of broker-dealers having dealer agreements with the Distributor (a “Selling Broker”) and their immediate families (or any trust, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan for the benefit of such persons).

Members of Larkin Point Capital Investors LLC, the majority owner of the Adviser, and their families.

Any full-time employee of a bank, savings and loan, credit union or other financial institution that utilizes a Selling Broker to clear purchases of the Fund’s shares and their immediate families.

Participants in certain “wrap-fee” or asset allocation programs or other fee-based arrangements sponsored by broker-dealers and other financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Distributor.

Clients of financial intermediaries that have entered into arrangements with the Distributor providing for the shares to be used in particular investment products made available to such clients and for which such registered investment advisers may charge a separate fee.

Institutional investors (which may include bank trust departments and registered investment advisers).

Any accounts established on behalf of registered investment advisers or their clients by broker-dealers that charge a transaction fee and that have entered into agreements with the Distributor.

 



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Separate accounts used to fund certain unregistered variable annuity contracts or Section 403(b) or 401(a) or (k) accounts.

Employer-sponsored retirement or benefit plans with total plan assets in excess of $5 million where the plan’s investments in the Fund are part of an omnibus account.  A minimum initial investment of $1 million in the Fund is required.  The Distributor in its sole discretion may waive these minimum dollar requirements.

Any government entity that is prohibited from paying a sales charge or commission to purchase mutual fund shares.

Any purchases by clients of the Adviser or purchases referred through the Adviser.

The Fund does not waive sales charges for the reinvestment of proceeds from the sale of shares of a different fund where those shares were subject to a front-end sales charge (sometimes called an “NAV transfer”).


When an investor purchase $1,000,000 or more of the Fund’s Class A shares and does not pay an initial sales charge, a CDSC may be imposed on the amount of the redemption which causes the current value of your account for the particular class of shares of the Fund to fall below the total dollar amount of your purchase payments subject to the CDSC.

The following rules apply under the method for calculating CDSCs:

Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions will be redeemed first and will not be subject to any CDSC.

For the redemption of all other shares, the CDSC will be based on either your original purchase price or the then current NAV of the shares being sold, whichever is lower. To illustrate this point, consider shares purchased at an NAV per share of $10. If the Fund’s NAV per share at the time of redemption is $12, the CDSC will apply to the purchase price of $10. If the NAV per share at the time of redemption is $8, the CDSC will apply to the $8 current NAV per share.

CDSCs will be deducted from the proceeds of your redemption, not from amounts remaining in your account.

In determining whether a CDSC is payable, it is assumed that the shareholder will redeem first the lot of shares which will incur the lowest CDSC.

The following example illustrates the operation of the Class A CDSC:

Assume that an individual opens an account and makes a purchase payment of $1,000,000 for 100,000 Class A shares of the Fund (at $10 per share) and that six months later the value of the investor’s account for that Fund has grown through investment performance to $1,100,000 ($11 per share). If the investor should redeem $22,000 (2000 shares), a CDSC would be applied against $20,000 of the redemption (the purchase price of the shares redeemed, because the purchase price is lower than the current NAV of such shares ($22,000)). At the rate of 1%, the Class A CDSC would be $2,000.

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

The initial sales charges on Class A shares and the CDSCs on Class A shares may be reduced or waived under certain purchase arrangements and for certain categories of investors.   The CDSC applicable to Class A shares is currently waived for:

Any partial or complete redemption in connection with (a) required minimum distributions to IRA account owners or beneficiaries who are age 70 1/2 or older or (b) distributions to participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans upon attaining age 59 1/2 or on account of death or permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e) of the Internal Revenue Code) that occurs after the purchase of Class A shares.

Any partial or complete redemption in connection with a qualifying loan or hardship withdrawal from an employer sponsored retirement plan.

Any complete redemption in connection with a distribution from a qualified employer retirement plan in connection with termination of employment or termination of the employer’s plan and the transfer to another employer’s plan or to an IRA.



15





Any partial or complete redemption following death or permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e) of the Internal Revenue Code) of an individual holding shares for his or her own account and/or as the last survivor of a joint tenancy arrangement (this provision, however, does not cover an individual holding in a fiduciary capacity or as a nominee or agent or a legal entity that is other than an individual or the owners or beneficiaries of any such entity) provided the redemption is requested within one year of the death or initial determination of disability and provided the death or disability occurs after the purchase of the shares.

Any redemption resulting from a return of an excess contribution to a qualified employer retirement plan or an IRA.

Up to 10% per year of the value of the Fund account that (a) has the value of at least $10,000 at the start of such year and (b) is subject to an Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

Redemptions by Trustees, officers and employees of any of the Trust and by directors, officers and employees of the Distributor, the Adviser or its affiliates.

Redemptions effected pursuant to the Fund’s right to involuntarily redeem a shareholder’s Fund account if the aggregate net asset value of shares held in such shareholder’s account is less than a minimum account size specified in such Fund’s prospectus.

Involuntary redemptions caused by operation of law.

Redemptions of shares of the Fund that is combined with another investment company, or personal holding company by virtue of a merger, acquisition or other similar reorganization transaction,

Redemptions by a shareholder who is a participant making periodic purchases of not less than $50 through certain employer sponsored savings plans that are clients of a broker-dealer with which the Distributor has an agreement with respect to such purchases.

Redemptions effected by trustees or other fiduciaries who have purchased shares for employer-sponsored plans, the trustee, administrator, fiduciary, broker, trust company or registered investment adviser for which has an agreement with the Distributor with respect to such purchases.

Redemptions in connection with IRA accounts established with Form 5305-SIMPLE under the Internal Revenue Code for which the Trust is the designated financial institution.

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares who purchased $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares (and therefore did not pay a sales charge) where the participating broker or dealer involved in the sale of such shares waived the commission it would normally receive from the Distributor pursuant to an agreement with the Distributor.

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares where the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived all payments it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase ( i.e. , commissions or reallowances of initial sales charges and advancements of service and distribution fees).

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares where, by agreement with the Distributor, the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived a portion of any payment it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase (or otherwise agreed to a variation from the normal payment schedule) in connection with such purchase.

The Distributor may require documentation prior to waiver of the CDSC for any class, including distribution letters, certification by plan administrators, applicable tax forms, death certificates, physicians’ certificates (e.g., with respect to disabilities), etc.

Exempt Transactions; No CDSCs or Payments to Brokers

Investors will not be subject to CDSCs, and brokers and dealers will not receive any commissions or reallowances of initial sales charges or advancements of service and distribution fees, on the transactions described below (which are sometimes referred to as “Exempt Transactions”):



16






A redemption by a holder of Class A shares where the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived all payments it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase ( e.g. , commissions and/or reallowances of initial sales charges and advancements of service and distribution fees.

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares, by agreement with the Distributor, the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived a portion of any payment it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase (or otherwise agreed to a variation from the normal payment schedule) in connection with such purchase.

Class C Shares: Class C shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. Class C shares pay up to 1.00% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets as reimbursement or compensation for service and distribution-related activities with respect to the Fund and/or shareholder services.  Over time, fees paid under this distribution and service plan will increase the cost of a Class C shareholder’s investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges.  Additionally, you normally pay a CDSC of 1% if you redeem Class C shares during the first year after your initial purchase. The Class C CDSC is waived for certain categories of investors. See “Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges” below. The minimum initial investment in Class C shares of the Fund is $2,500.  The minimum subsequent investment in Class C shares of the Fund is $500.

Years Since Purchase Payment was Made

Years Since Purchases Payment was Made

Dollar Reallowance

First

1.00%

Thereafter

0.00%

 

A CDSC is imposed on redemptions of Class C shares (and where applicable, Class A shares) on the amount of the redemption which causes the current value of your account for the particular class of shares of the Fund to fall below the total dollar amount of your purchase payments subject to the CDSC.

The following rules apply under the method for calculating CDSCs:

Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions will be redeemed first and will not be subject to any CDSC.

For the redemption of all other shares, the CDSC will be based on either your original purchase price or the then current NAV of the shares being sold, whichever is lower. To illustrate this point, consider shares purchased at an NAV per share of $10. If the Fund’s NAV per share at the time of redemption is $12, the CDSC will apply to the purchase price of $10. If the NAV per share at the time of redemption is $8, the CDSC will apply to the $8 current NAV per share.

CDSCs will be deducted from the proceeds of your redemption, not from amounts remaining in your account.

In determining whether a CDSC is payable, it is assumed that the shareholder will redeem first the lot of shares which will incur the lowest CDSC.

The following example illustrates the operation of the Class C CDSC:

Assume that an individual opens an account and makes a purchase payment of $10,000 for 1,000 Class C shares of the Fund (at $10 per share) and that six months later the value of the investor’s account for that Fund has grown through investment performance to $11,000 ($11 per share). If the investor should redeem $2,200 (200 shares), a CDSC would be applied against $2,000 of the redemption (the purchase price of the shares redeemed, because the purchase price is lower than the current NAV of such shares ($2,200)). At the rate of 1%, the Class C CDSC would be $20.

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges




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The initial sales charges on Class A shares and the CDSCs on Class A shares and Class C shares may be reduced or waived under certain purchase arrangements and for certain categories of investors.  The CDSC applicable to Class A shares and Class C shares is currently waived for:

Any partial or complete redemption in connection with (a) required minimum distributions to IRA account owners or beneficiaries who are age 70 1/2 or older or (b) distributions to participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans upon attaining age 59 1/2 or on account of death or permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e) of the Internal Revenue Code) that occurs after the purchase of Class A shares or Class C shares.

Any partial or complete redemption in connection with a qualifying loan or hardship withdrawal from an employer sponsored retirement plan.

Any complete redemption in connection with a distribution from a qualified employer retirement plan in connection with termination of employment or termination of the employer’s plan and the transfer to another employer’s plan or to an IRA.

Any partial or complete redemption following death or permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e) of the Internal Revenue Code) of an individual holding shares for his or her own account and/or as the last survivor of a joint tenancy arrangement (this provision, however, does not cover an individual holding in a fiduciary capacity or as a nominee or agent or a legal entity that is other than an individual or the owners or beneficiaries of any such entity) provided the redemption is requested within one year of the death or initial determination of disability and provided the death or disability occurs after the purchase of the shares.

Any redemption resulting from a return of an excess contribution to a qualified employer retirement plan or an IRA.

Up to 10% per year of the value of the Fund account that (a) has the value of at least $10,000 at the start of such year and (b) is subject to an Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

Redemptions by Trustees, officers and employees of any of the Trust and by directors, officers and employees of the Distributor, the Adviser or its affiliates.

Redemptions effected pursuant to the Fund’s right to involuntarily redeem a shareholder’s Fund account if the aggregate net asset value of shares held in such shareholder’s account is less than a minimum account size specified in such Fund’s prospectus.

Involuntary redemptions caused by operation of law.

Redemptions of shares of the Fund that is combined with another investment company, or personal holding company by virtue of a merger, acquisition or other similar reorganization transaction,

Redemptions by a shareholder who is a participant making periodic purchases of not less than $50 through certain employer sponsored savings plans that are clients of a broker-dealer with which the Distributor has an agreement with respect to such purchases.

Redemptions effected by trustees or other fiduciaries who have purchased shares for employer-sponsored plans, the trustee, administrator, fiduciary, broker, trust company or registered investment adviser for which has an agreement with the Distributor with respect to such purchases.

Redemptions in connection with IRA accounts established with Form 5305-SIMPLE under the Internal Revenue Code for which the Trust is the designated financial institution.

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares who purchased $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares (and therefore did not pay a sales charge) where the participating broker or dealer involved in the sale of such shares waived the commission it would normally receive from the Distributor pursuant to an agreement with the Distributor.

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares or Class C shares where the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived all payments it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase ( i.e. , commissions or reallowances of initial sales charges and advancements of service and distribution fees).



18





A redemption by a holder of Class A shares or Class C shares where, by agreement with the Distributor, the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived a portion of any payment it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase (or otherwise agreed to a variation from the normal payment schedule) in connection with such purchase.

The Distributor may require documentation prior to waiver of the CDSC for any class, including distribution letters, certification by plan administrators, applicable tax forms, death certificates, physicians’ certificates (e.g., with respect to disabilities), etc.

Exempt Transactions; No CDSCs or Payments to Brokers

Investors will not be subject to CDSCs, and brokers and dealers will not receive any commissions or reallowances of initial sales charges or advancements of service and distribution fees, on the transactions described below (which are sometimes referred to as “Exempt Transactions”):

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares or Class C shares where the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived all payments it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase ( e.g. , commissions and/or reallowances of initial sales charges and advancements of service and distribution fees.

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares or Class C shares where, by agreement with the Distributor, the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived a portion of any payment it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase (or otherwise agreed to a variation from the normal payment schedule) in connection with such purchase.

Class I Shares

Class I shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge and are not subject to 12b-1 distribution fees, but have a higher minimum initial investment than Class A shares.  This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund.  Class I shares require a minimum initial investment of $100,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $1,000.

Class I shares are available to certain institutional investors, and directly to certain individual investors as set forth below:

Institutional Investors may include, but are not limited to, corporations, retirement plans, foundations/endowments and investors who purchase through a wrap account offered through a selling group member that enters into a wrap fee program agreement with the Distributor.

Individual Investors include trustees, officers and employees of the Trust and its affiliates, and immediate family members of all such persons.

Clients of the Adviser.

For accounts sold through financial intermediaries, it is the primary responsibility of the financial intermediary to ensure compliance with eligibility requirements such as investor type and investment minimums.

Class R Shares

Class R shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge and are subject to 12b-1 distribution fees of up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets of Class R shares.  This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. The minimum initial investment in Class R shares of the Fund is $2,500.  The minimum subsequent investment in Class R shares of the Fund is $500.

Class R shares are available only to certain employer-sponsored retirement, savings or benefit plans held in plan level or omnibus accounts. Class R shares are not available to non-retirement accounts, traditional or Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SAR-SEPs, Simple IRAs, individual 403(b)s and most individual retirement accounts.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Share Class:  When deciding which class of shares to purchase, you should consider your investment goals, present and future amounts you may invest in the Fund, and the length of time you intend to hold your shares. To help you make a determination as to which class of shares to buy, please refer back to the examples of the Fund’s expenses over time



19





in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section for the Fund in this Prospectus. You also may wish to consult with your financial adviser for advice with regard to which share class would be most appropriate for you.

Purchasing Shares: You may purchase shares of the Fund by sending a completed application form (the “Application”) to the following address:


Regular/Express/Overnight Mail

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68130


The USA PATRIOT Act requires financial institutions, including the Fund, to adopt certain policies and programs to prevent money-laundering activities, including procedures to verify the identity of customers opening new accounts. As requested on the Application, you should supply your full name, date of birth, social security number and permanent street address. Mailing addresses containing a P.O. Box will not be accepted. This information will assist the Fund in verifying your identity. Until such verification is made, the Fund may temporarily limit additional share purchases. In addition, the Fund may limit additional share purchases or close an account if it is unable to verify a shareholder’s identity. As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct.


Purchase through Brokers: You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund’s distributor. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or its designee receives the order. The broker or agent may set their own initial and subsequent investment minimums. You may be charged a fee if you use a broker or agent to buy or redeem shares of the Fund. Finally, various servicing agents use procedures and impose restrictions that may be in addition to, or different from those applicable to investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund. You should carefully read the program materials provided to you by your servicing agent.  


Purchase by Wire: If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 1-855-852-8998 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund’s designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.   


Automatic Investment Plan: You may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts. You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at 1-855-852-8998 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan.


Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts: The minimum initial investment in Class A, Class C and Class R shares is $2,500. The minimum initial investment in Class I shares is $100,000.  The minimum additional investment for Class A, Class C and Class R shares is $500; and $1,000 for Class I shares.  There is no minimum investment requirement when you are buying shares by reinvesting dividends and distributions from the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to waive any investment minimum requirement.


The Fund, however, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any application to purchase shares. Applications will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a check drawn on a U.S. bank, thrift institutions, or credit union in U.S. funds for the full amount of the shares to be purchased. After you open an account, you may purchase additional shares by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address. Make all checks payable to the Fund. The Fund will not accept payment in cash, including cashier’s checks or money orders. Also, to prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, U.S. Treasury checks, credit card checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares.


Note: Gemini Fund Services, LLC, the Fund’s transfer agent, will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder’s account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any check returned to the transfer agent for insufficient funds.



20





When Order is Processed: All shares will be purchased at the NAV per share (plus applicable sales charges, if any) next determined after the Fund receives your application or request in good order. All requests received in good order by the Fund before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) will be processed on that same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) will be processed on the next business day.   


Good Order: When making a purchase request, make sure your request is in good order.


“Good order” means your purchase request includes:   


the name of the Fund;

the dollar amount of shares to be purchased;

a completed purchase application or investment stub; and

check payable to the “Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund.”

Retirement Plans: You may purchase shares of the Fund for your individual retirement plans. Please call the Fund at 1-855-852-8998 for the most current listing and appropriate disclosure documentation on how to open a retirement account.  


HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

Redeeming Shares: If you hold shares directly through an account with the Fund, you may redeem all or any portion of the shares credited to your account by submitting a written request for redemption to:  


Regular/Express/Overnight Mail

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68130


Redemptions by Telephone: The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new accounts except retirement accounts.  If you do not want the telephone redemption privilege, you must indicate this in the appropriate area on your account application or you must write to the Fund and instruct it to remove this privilege from your account. The proceeds, which are equal to number of shares times NAV less any applicable deferred sales charges or redemption fees, will be sent by mail to the address designated on your account or sent electronically, via ACH or wire, directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application. To redeem by telephone, call 1-855-852-8998. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or electronically within three business days after receipt of your telephone instructions. IRA accounts are not redeemable by telephone.  


The Fund reserves the right to suspend the telephone redemption privileges with respect to your account if the name(s) or the address on the account has been changed within the previous 30 days. Neither the Fund, the transfer agent, nor their respective affiliates will be liable for complying with telephone instructions they reasonably believe to be genuine or for any loss, damage, cost or expenses in acting on such telephone instructions and you will be required to bear the risk of any such loss.  The Fund or the transfer agent, or both, will employ reasonable procedures to determine that telephone instructions are genuine. If the Fund and/or the transfer agent do not employ these procedures, they may be liable to you for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. These procedures may include, among others, requiring forms of personal identification prior to acting upon telephone instructions, providing written confirmation of the transactions and/or tape recording telephone instructions.  


Redemptions through Broker: If shares of the Fund are held by a broker-dealer, financial institution or other servicing agent, you must contact that servicing agent to redeem shares of the Fund. The servicing agent may charge a fee for this service.  


Redemptions by Wire: You may request that your redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account. The Fund’s transfer agent imposes a $15 fee for each wire redemption and deducts the fee directly from your account. Your bank may also impose a fee for the incoming wire.  


Automatic Withdrawal Plan: If your individual account, IRA or other qualified plan account has a current account value of at least $10,000, you may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money to your


21





bank account from the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers. You may elect to make subsequent withdrawals by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established bank account. Please contact the Fund at 1-855-852-8998 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan.


Redemptions in Kind: The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders made by a shareholder during any 90-day period by making payment in whole or in part in portfolio securities (“redemption in kind”) if the amount of such a request is large enough to affect operations (if the request is greater than the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets at the beginning of the 90-day period).  The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued using the same procedures as used in calculating the Fund’s NAV. A shareholder may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.


When Redemptions are Sent: Once the Fund receives your redemption request in “good order” as described below, it will issue a check based on the next determined NAV following your redemption request. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in “good order.” If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank (usually within 10 days of the purchase date).


Good Order: Your redemption request will be processed if it is in “good order.”  To be in good order, the following conditions must be satisfied:


The request should be in writing, unless redeeming by telephone, indicating the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed;

The request must identify your account number;  

The request should be signed by you and any other person listed on the account, exactly as the shares are registered; and

If you request that the redemption proceeds be sent to a person, bank or an address other than that of record or paid to someone other than the record owner(s), or if the address was changed within the last 30 days, or if the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000, the signature(s) on the request must be medallion signature guaranteed by an eligible signature guarantor.

When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees :  If you wish to change the bank or brokerage account that you have designated on your account, you may do so at any time by writing to the Fund with your signature guaranteed.  A medallion signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine and protects you from unauthorized account transfers. You will need your signature guaranteed if:


you request a redemption to be made payable to a person not on record with the Fund;

you request that a redemption be mailed to an address other than that on record with the Fund;

the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000;

any redemption is transmitted by federal wire transfer to a bank other than the bank of record; or

your address was changed within 30 days of your redemption request.

Signatures may be guaranteed by any eligible guarantor institution (including banks, brokers and dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations).  Further documentation will be required to change the designated account if shares are held by a corporation, fiduciary or other organization. A notary public cannot guarantee signatures.


Retirement Plans: If you own an IRA or other retirement plan, you must indicate on your redemption request whether the Fund should withhold federal income tax. Unless you elect in your redemption request that you do not want to have federal tax withheld, the redemption will be subject to withholding.  


Low Balances: If at any time your account balance falls below $2,000 ($1,000 for retirement accounts), the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to at least $2,000 ($1,000 for retirement accounts) within 30 days of the notice, your account could be closed. After the notice period, the Fund may redeem all of your shares and close your account by sending you a check to the address



22





of record. Your account will not be closed if the account balance drops below $2,000 ($1,000 for retirement accounts) due to a decline in NAV.


FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES


The Fund discourages and does not accommodate market timing. Frequent trading into and out of the Fund can harm all Fund shareholders by disrupting the Fund’s investment strategies, increasing Fund expenses, decreasing tax efficiency and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended for market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Accordingly, the Fund’s Board has approved policies that seek to curb these disruptive activities while recognizing that shareholders may have a legitimate need to adjust their Fund investments as their financial needs or circumstances change. The Fund currently uses several methods to reduce the risk of market timing. These methods include:


Committing staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Fund’s “Market Timing Trading Policy”;

Rejecting or limiting specific purchase requests;

Rejecting purchase requests from certain investors; and

Charging a 1% redemption fee on shares sold within 60 days of purchase.

Though these methods involve judgments that are inherently subjective and involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to make judgments and applications that are consistent with the interests of the Fund’s shareholders.  


Based on the frequency of redemptions in your account, the Adviser or transfer agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to (i) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases into the Fund and/or (ii) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future exchanges or redemptions out of the Fund.


The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase requests for any reason, particularly when the shareholder’s trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser will be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase orders. The Adviser may also bar an investor who has violated these policies (and the investor’s financial advisor) from opening new accounts with the Fund.  


Although the Fund attempts to limit disruptive trading activities, some investors use a variety of strategies to hide their identities and their trading practices. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify or limit these activities. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the Fund.  While the Fund will encourage financial intermediaries to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers who invest indirectly in the Fund, the Fund is limited in its ability to monitor the trading activity or enforce the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy with respect to customers of financial intermediaries. For example, should it occur, the Fund may not be able to detect market timing that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or made difficult to identify in the omnibus accounts used by those intermediaries for aggregated purchases, exchanges and redemptions on behalf of all their customers. More specifically, unless the financial intermediaries have the ability to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers through such methods as implementing short-term trading limitations or restrictions and monitoring trading activity for what might be market timing, the Fund may not be able to determine whether trading by customers of financial intermediaries is contrary to the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy. Brokers maintaining omnibus accounts with the Fund have agreed to provide shareholder transaction information to the extent known to the broker to the Fund upon request. If the Fund or its transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent suspects there is market timing activity in the account, the Fund will seek full cooperation from the service provider maintaining the account to identify the underlying participant. At the request of the Adviser, the service providers may take immediate action to stop any further short-term trading by such participants.


TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS


The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net capital gains annually in December. Both types of distributions will be reinvested in shares of the Fund unless you elect to receive cash.  Dividends from net investment income (including any excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) are taxable to investors as ordinary income, while distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of your holding period for the shares. Because the Fund’s income is derived primarily from sources that



23





do not pay “qualified dividend income,” dividends from the Fund generally are not expected to qualify for taxation at the long-term capital gain rates available to individuals on qualified dividend income. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash.  Certain dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December will be taxed to shareholders as if received in December if they are paid during the following January. Each year the Fund will inform you of the amount and type of your distributions.

 

When you redeem, sell or exchange Fund shares, you will generally realize a taxable gain or loss (unless you are a tax-exempt investor or your investment is in a qualified retirement account).  This gain or loss is measured by the difference between the proceeds of the sale and the tax basis for the shares you sold. (To aid in computing your tax basis, you generally should retain your account statements for the period that you hold shares in the Fund.  Due to recent legislation, the Fund (or its administrative agent) is required to report to the IRS and furnish to shareholders the cost basis information for sale transactions of shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012. Please see the SAI for more information relating to this legislation).


For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.


On the account application, you will be asked to certify that your social security number or taxpayer identification number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS.  If you are subject to backup withholding or you did not certify your taxpayer identification number, the IRS requires the Fund to withhold a percentage of any dividend, redemption or exchange proceeds. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that does not include a certified social security or taxpayer identification number.  If you do not have a social security number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending. The Fund may be required to withhold taxes if a number is not delivered to the Fund within seven days.


The foregoing is only a brief summary of certain federal income tax consequences of investing in the Fund.  This summary is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund’s shares.


DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES


Distributor: Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, is the distributor for the shares of the Fund. Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis.


Distribution Fees: Each class of shares of the Fund, other than Class I shares, has adopted a Distribution Plan (“12b-1 Plan” or “Plan”), pursuant to which the Fund may pay the Distributor an annual fee for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares, up to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares, and up to 0.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares.


The Distributor and other entities are paid under the Plan for services provided and the expenses borne by the Distributor and others in the distribution of Fund shares, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of dealers and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses; printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with the offering of the Fund’s shares to other than current shareholders; and preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials. In addition, the Distributor or other entities may utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan to compensate dealers or other entities for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any un-reimbursed expenses.  


You should be aware that if you hold your shares for a substantial period of time, you may indirectly pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge allowed by FINRA due to the recurring nature of distribution (12b-1) fees.


Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries: The Distributor, its affiliates, and the Fund’s Adviser may, at its own expense and out of its own legitimate profits, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund, including affiliates of the Adviser. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments may be in addition to the Rule 12b-1 fees and any sales charges



24





that are disclosed elsewhere in this Prospectus. These payments are generally made to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder or administrative services, or marketing support. Marketing support may include access to sales meetings, sales representatives and financial intermediary management representatives, inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or other sales programs. These payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders. The Distributor may, from time to time, provide promotional incentives, including reallowance and/or payment of up to the entire sales charge, to certain investment firms. Such incentives may, at the Distributor’s discretion, be limited to investment firms who allow their individual selling representatives to participate in such additional commissions.  


Householding: To reduce expenses, the Fund mails only one copy of the prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at1-855-852-8998 on days the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution. The Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.




25





FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS


Because the Fund has only recently commenced investment operations, no financial highlights are available for the Fund at this time. In the future, financial highlights will be presented in this section of the Prospectus.



26






PRIVACY NOTICE


FACTS

WHAT DOES TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information.

Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing.
Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information.  Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

What?

THE TYPES OF PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND SHARE DEPENDS ON THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE THAT YOU HAVE WITH US. THIS INFORMATION CAN INCLUDE:

·

Social Security number and income

·

Account transactions and transaction history

·

Investment experience and purchase history

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

How?

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business.  In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reason Two Roads Shared Trust chooses to share and whether you can limit this sharing.



Reasons we can share your personal information

Does Two Roads Shared Trust share?

Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –

such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

YES

NO

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

NO

We do not share

For joint marketing with other financial companies

NO

We do not share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

NO

We do not share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

NO

We do not share

For our affiliates to market to you

NO

We do not share



27






Questions?

Call 1-402-895-1600




What we do                                                                                                  

How does Two Roads Shared Trust protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law.

These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.


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

How does Two Roads Shared Trust collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

·

open an account or give us contact information

·

provide account information or give us your income information

·

make deposits or withdrawals from your account

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

·

sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness

·

affiliates from using your information to market to you

·

sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing



  Definitions                                                                                                                  

Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control.  They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

·

Two Roads Shared Trust has no affiliates.

Nonaffiliates

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

·

Two Roads Shared Trust does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.



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Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliates financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

·

Two Roads Shared Trust does not jointly market.




29





Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund


Adviser

Larkin Point Investment

Advisors LLC

47 West River Road, Suite D

Rumson, NJ 07760

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C.

4 Becker Farm Road

Roseland, NJ 07068

Custodian

Union Bank, N.A.

350 California Street, 6th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94104

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP

One Maritime Plaza, Suite 2300

San Francisco, CA  94111

Distributor

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

17605 Wright Street

Omaha, NE  68130

Transfer Agent

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, NE  68130



Additional information about the Fund is included in the Fund’s SAI. The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference ( i.e. , legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Fund’s policies and management.  Additional information about the Fund’s investments will also be available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders.  In the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.


To obtain a free copy of the SAI and the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or other information about the Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Fund, please call 1-855-852-8998. Information relating to the Fund can be found at www .larkinpointfunds. com.  You may also write to:


Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68130


You may review and obtain copies of the Fund’s information at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Please call 1-202-551-8090 for information relating to the operation of the Public Reference Room. Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.



Investment Company Act File # 811-22718





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WEST SHORE REAL RETURN INCOME FUND



A Series of Two Roads Shared Trust








 

Fund  

Class A

Class I

Class N

Class R

West Shore Real Return Income Fund  

AWSFX

IWSFX

NWSFX

RWSFX

 

 

   

 

 


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


Dated November 1, 2013




This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the West Shore Real Return Income Fund (the “Fund”) dated November 1, 2013, copies of which may be obtained without charge by contacting the Fund’s Transfer Agent, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 or by calling 1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637). You may also obtain the prospectus for the Fund by visiting the Fund’s website:


West Shore Real Return Income Fund

www .westshorefunds. com








TABLE OF CONTENTS


THE FUND

1

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

1

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

23

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

24

MANAGEMENT

25

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

29

INVESTMENT ADVISER

29

THE DISTRIBUTOR

31

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

33

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

35

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

35

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

35

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

37

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM

37

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

37

TAX STATUS

38

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

42

LEGAL COUNSEL

42

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

43

APPENDIX A

44

APPENDIX B

45

 








THE FUND


The Fund is a series of Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust organized on June 8, 2012 (the “Trust”). The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”). The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges. Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares of the Fund are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights. Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.  


The West Shore Real Return Income Fund is a diversified series of the Trust. The Fund consists of Class A, Class I, Class N and Class R shares.  The Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies are more fully described here and in the applicable prospectus. The Board may start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.  


Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Trustee will continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his/her earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal. Shareholders can remove a Trustee to the extent provided by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, except insofar as the 1940 Act may require the election by shareholders. As a result, normally no annual or regular meetings of shareholders will be held unless matters arise requiring a vote of shareholders under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act.


TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS


The investment objective of the Fund and a description of its principal investment strategies are set forth under “Additional Information About Principal Investment Strategies and Related Risks” in the Fund’s prospectus. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust.  


The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, strategies the Adviser may employ in pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective and a summary of related risks.


Equity Securities  


Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible bonds, warrants, rights and options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be significant.  


Common Stock


Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company’s stock price.


Preferred Stock


Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to the fixed income securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.


The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is



1






based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company’s worth.


Convertible Securities


Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer’s underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting of “usable” bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock.


Depositary Receipts


American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are receipts issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in U.S. securities markets. Unsponsored ADRs may be created without the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights.  


Warrants


Warrants are options to purchase common stock at a specific price (usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging from less than one year to twenty years, or they may be perpetual. However, most warrants have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, a warrant is worthless if the market price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant’s exercise price during the life of the warrant. Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the optioned common stock.


Fixed Income Securities


Yields on fixed income securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money market and other fixed income securities markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. An investment in any Fund will be subjected to risk even if all fixed income securities in the Fund’s portfolio are paid in full at maturity.  All fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates or the issuer’s actual or perceived creditworthiness or ability to meet its obligations.


There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. In other words, an increase in interest rates produces a decrease in market value. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the markets’ perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the fixed income securities of that issuer. Obligations of issuers of fixed income securities (including municipal securities) are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of municipal issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures, or referenda extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the fixed income securities of that issuer. The possibility exists, therefore, that, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its fixed income securities may become impaired.


The corporate fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate bonds and notes and short-term investments such as commercial paper and variable rate demand notes. Commercial paper (short-term promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their or their affiliate’s current obligations and is frequently unsecured. Variable and floating rate demand notes are unsecured



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obligations redeemable upon not more than 30 days’ notice. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days’ notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.


Certificates of Deposit and Bankers’ Acceptances


The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, which are considered to be short-term money market instruments.  


Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers’ acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity.   Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.  


Commercial Paper


The Fund may purchase commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations.  See Appendix B for more information on ratings assigned to commercial paper.


High Yield Securities


Greater Risk of Loss

These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated securities will default than issuers of higher-rated securities. Issuers of lower-rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest on securities held by the Fund, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments.

Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes

The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher-rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.

Valuation Difficulties

It is often more difficult to value lower-rated securities than higher-rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower-rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower-rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher-rated securities.

 

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Liquidity

There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower-rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher-rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, the Fund may be required to sell investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely when an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.

Credit Quality

Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.

New Legislation

Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. As an example, in the late 1980’s, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on the Fund’s investments in lower-rated securities.

High yield, high risk investments may include the following:

Straight fixed income securities

These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.

Zero-coupon debt securities

These do not pay periodic interest but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.

Zero-fixed-coupon debt securities

These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to periodic interest-paying debt securities.

Pay-in-kind bonds

These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. These bonds are typically sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act “), usually to a relatively small number of institutional investors.

Convertible Securities

These are bonds or preferred stock that may be converted to common stock.

Preferred Stock

These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.

Loan Participations and Assignments

These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to corporations or to governments, including governments of less developed countries (“LDCs”).



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Securities issued in connection with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructurings

In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its fixed income securities. The Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if it does not invest in such securities.

Distressed Securities

An investment in distressed securities may involve a substantial degree of risk. These instruments, which involve loans, loan participations, bonds, notes, non-performing and sub-performing mortgage loans typically are unrated, lower-rated, in default or close to default.  Many of these instruments are not publicly traded, and may become illiquid. The prices of such instruments may be extremely volatile. Securities of distressed companies are generally more likely to become worthless than the securities of more financially stable companies. Valuing such instruments may be difficult, and the Fund may lose all of its investment, or it may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than the Fund’s original investment. Issuers of distressed securities are typically in a weak financial condition and may default, in which case the Fund may lose its entire investment.

Real Estate Investment Trusts


Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) pool investors’ funds for investment primarily in income-producing real estate or in loans or interests related to real estate. A REIT is not taxed on income distributed to its shareholders or unitholders if it complies with a regulatory requirement that it distributes to its shareholders or unitholders at least 90% of its taxable income for each taxable year. Generally, REITs can be classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest a majority of their assets directly in real property and derive their income primarily from rents and capital gains from appreciation realized through property sales. Equity REITs are further categorized according to the types of real estate securities they own, e.g., apartment properties, retail shopping centers, office and industrial properties, hotels, health-care facilities, manufactured housing and mixed-property types. Mortgage REITs invest a majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive their income primarily from income payments. Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both equity and mortgage REITs.


REITs depend generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make distributions to shareholders or unitholders, and may be subject to changes in the value of their underlying properties, defaults by borrowers, and self-liquidations. Some REITs may have limited diversification and may be subject to risks inherent in investments in a limited number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single property type. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in underlying property values. Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the credit extended. REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills and incur management expenses. In addition, the performance of a REIT may be affected by its failure to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or its failure to maintain an exemption from registration under the 1940 Act. REITs also involve risks such as refinancing, changes in interest rates, changes in property values, general or specific economic risk on the real estate industry, dependency on management skills, and other risks similar to small company investing.


Although the Fund is not allowed to invest in real estate directly, it may acquire real estate as a result of a default on the REIT securities it owns. The Fund, therefore, may be subject to certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate including difficulties in valuing and trading real estate, declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, adverse changes in the climate for real estate, environmental liability risks, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, limitation on rents, changes in neighborhood values, the appeal of properties to tenants and increases in interest rates. Also, real estate can be destroyed by human activities, including criminal acts, or other events that destroy real estate, such as natural disasters.


Municipal Government Obligations


In general, municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Municipal obligations generally include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. Certain types of municipal obligations are issued in whole or in part to obtain funding for privately operated facilities or projects. Municipal obligations include general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial development bonds, notes and municipal lease obligations. Municipal obligations also include additional obligations, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax, that may become available in the future as long as the Board determines that an investment in any such type of obligation is consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives. Municipal obligations may be fully or partially backed by local government, the credit of a private issuer, current or anticipated revenues from a



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specific project or specific assets or domestic or foreign entities providing credit support such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance.

Municipal Lease Obligations


Municipal lease obligations may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase or a conditional sales contract. They are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire land, equipment and facilities, such as vehicles, telecommunications and computer equipment and other capital assets. The Fund may invest in funds that purchase these lease obligations directly, or it may purchase participation interests in such lease obligations. States have different requirements for issuing municipal debt and issuing municipal leases. Municipal leases are generally subject to greater risks than general obligation or revenue bonds because they usually contain a “non-appropriation” clause, which provides that the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year. Such non-appropriation clauses are required to avoid the municipal lease obligations from being treated as debt for state debt restriction purposes. Accordingly, such obligations are subject to “non-appropriation” risk. Municipal leases may be secured by the underlying capital asset and it may be difficult to dispose of any such asset in the event of non-appropriation or other default.


Information on Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes


The Fund may invest in fixed time deposits, whether or not subject to withdrawal penalties. The commercial paper obligations which the Fund may buy are unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a “Master Note”) permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between the Fund as lender, and the issuer, as borrower. It permits daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Fund has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to the Fund’s investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer on demand within seven days.


Insured Bank Obligations


The Fund may invest in insured bank obligations. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insures the deposits of federally insured banks and savings and loan associations (collectively referred to as “banks”) up to $250,000. The Fund may purchase bank obligations, which are fully insured as to principal by the FDIC. Currently, to remain fully insured as to principal, these investments must be limited to $250,000 per bank; if the principal amount and accrued interest together exceed $250,000, the excess principal and accrued interest will not be insured. Insured bank obligations may have limited marketability.  



United States Government Obligations


The Fund may invest in United States Government Obligations. These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis.  


United States Government Agency  


The Fund may invest in securities issued by United States Government Agencies. These consist of fixed income securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States Government, including the various types of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Farmer’s Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), the Farm Credit Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full



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faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii) guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., GNMA mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., FNMA Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Association).


Government-related guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.  


FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates (“PC’s”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC’s national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.


Foreign (Non-U.S.) Government Securities


The Fund may invest in foreign government securities, including securities issued by foreign governments, including political subdivisions, or their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or by supra-national agencies. Different kinds of foreign government securities have different types of government support. For example, some foreign government securities are supported by the full faith and credit of a foreign national government or a political subdivision and some are not. Foreign government securities of some countries may involve varying degrees of credit risk as a result of financial or political instability in those countries or the possible inability of the Fund to enforce its rights against a foreign government. As with issuers of other fixed income securities, sovereign issuers may be unable or unwilling to satisfy their obligations to pay principal or interest payments.


Supra-national agencies are agencies whose member nations make capital contributions to support the agencies’ activities. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.


As with other fixed income securities, foreign government securities expose their holders to market risk because their values typically change as interest rates fluctuate.  For example, the value of foreign government securities may fall during times of rising interest rates.  Also, yields on foreign government securities tend to be lower than those of corporate securities of comparable maturities.


In addition to investing directly in foreign government securities, the Fund may purchase certificates of accrual or similar instruments evidencing undivided ownership interests in interest payments and/or principal payments of foreign government securities. Certificates of accrual and similar instruments may be more volatile than other foreign government securities.


Mortgage Pass-Through Securities

Interests in pools of mortgage pass-through securities differ from other forms of fixed income securities (which normally provide periodic payments of interest in fixed amounts and the payment of principal in a lump sum at maturity or on specified call dates). Instead, mortgage pass-through securities provide monthly payments consisting of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the underlying residential mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Unscheduled payments of principal may be made if the underlying mortgage loans are repaid or refinanced or the underlying properties are foreclosed, thereby shortening the securities’ weighted average life. Some mortgage pass-through securities (such as securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae) are described as



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“modified pass-through securities.” These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, on the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether the mortgagor actually makes the payment.

The principal governmental guarantor of mortgage pass-through securities is Ginnie Mae. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by lending institutions approved by Ginnie Mae (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers) and backed by pools of mortgage loans. These mortgage loans are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. A “pool” or group of such mortgage loans is assembled and after being approved by Ginnie Mae, is offered to investors through securities dealers.

Government-related guarantors of mortgage pass-through securities (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury) include Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Fannie Mae purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved sellers/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Mortgage pass-through securities issued by Fannie Mae are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by Fannie Mae but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.

Freddie Mac was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a U.S. government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned by stockholders. Freddie Mac issues Participation Certificates (“PCs”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from Freddie Mac’s national portfolio. Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.

Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage pass-through securities.

Resets

The interest rates paid on the Adjustable Rate Mortgage Securities (“ARMs”) in which the Fund may invest generally are readjusted or reset at intervals of one year or less to an increment over some predetermined interest rate index. There are two main categories of indices: those based on U.S. Treasury securities and those derived from a calculated measure, such as a cost-of-funds index or a moving average of mortgage rates. Commonly utilized indices include the one-year and five-year constant maturity Treasury Note rates, the three-month Treasury Bill rate, the 180-day Treasury Bill rate, rates on longer-term Treasury securities, the National Median Cost of Funds, the one-month or three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the prime rate of a specific bank, or commercial paper rates. Some indices, such as the one-year constant maturity Treasury Note rate, closely mirror changes in market interest rate levels. Others tend to lag changes in market rate levels and tend to be somewhat less volatile.

Caps and Floors

The underlying mortgages that collateralize the ARMs in which the Fund may invest will frequently have caps and floors which limit the maximum amount by which the loan rate to the residential borrower may change up or down: (1) per reset or adjustment interval, and (2) over the life of the loan. Some residential mortgage loans restrict periodic adjustments by limiting changes in the borrower’s monthly principal and interest payments rather than limiting interest rate changes. These payment caps may result in negative amortization. The value of mortgage securities in which the Fund invests may be affected if market interest rates rise or fall faster and farther than the allowable caps or floors on the underlying residential mortgage loans. Additionally, even though the interest rates on the underlying residential mortgages are adjustable, amortization and prepayments may occur, thereby causing the effective maturities of the mortgage securities in which the Fund invests to be shorter than the maturities stated in the underlying mortgages.

Private Mortgage Pass-Through Securities

Private mortgage pass-through securities, also known as “non-agency mortgage securities”, are structured similarly to the Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage pass-through securities and are issued by United States and foreign private issuers such as originators of and investors in mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. These securities usually are backed by a pool of conventional fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage loans. Since private mortgage pass-through securities typically are not guaranteed by an entity



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having the credit status of Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, such securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancement.

Mortgage assets often consist of a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. There are usually fewer properties in a pool of assets backing commercial mortgage-backed securities than in a pool of assets backing residential mortgage-backed securities; hence they may be more sensitive to the performance of fewer mortgage assets. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments, those securities may contain elements of credit support, which fall into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses resulting from ultimate default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that the receipt of payments on the underlying pool occurs in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally based on historical information respecting the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquencies or losses in excess of those anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in a security. The Fund will not pay any fees for credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.

Stripped Mortgage Securities

Stripped mortgage securities may be issued by federal agencies, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. Stripped mortgage securities usually are structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distribution of a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of stripped mortgage security will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or “IO” class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or “PO” class). PO classes generate income through the accretion of the deep discount at which such securities are purchased, and, while PO classes do not receive periodic payments of interest, they receive monthly payments associated with scheduled amortization and principal prepayment from the mortgage assets underlying the PO class. The yield to maturity on a PO or an IO class security is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets. A slower than expected rate of principal payments may have an adverse effect on a PO-class security’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience slower than anticipated principal repayment, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on an IO-class security’s yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities.

The Fund may purchase stripped mortgage securities for income, or for hedging purposes to protect the Fund’s portfolio against interest rate fluctuations. For example, since an IO class will tend to increase in value as interest rates rise, it may be utilized to hedge against a decrease in value of other fixed income securities in a rising interest rate environment.

Inverse Floaters

Inverse floaters constitute a class of mortgage-backed securities with a coupon rate that moves inversely to a designated index, such as LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) or 11th District Cost of Funds Index (“COFI”). Inverse floaters have coupon rates that typically change at a multiple of the changes of the relevant index rate. Any rise in the index rate (as a consequence of an increase in interest rates) causes a drop in the coupon rate on an inverse floater while any drop in the index rate causes an increase in the coupon rate of an inverse floater. In some circumstances, the coupon on an inverse floater could decrease to zero. In addition, like most other fixed income securities, the value of inverse floaters will decrease as interest rates increase and their average lives will extend. Inverse floaters exhibit greater price volatility than the majority of mortgage-backed securities. In addition, some inverse floaters display extreme sensitivity to changes in prepayments. As a result, the yield to maturity of an inverse floater is sensitive not only to changes in interest rates but also to changes in prepayment rates on the related underlying mortgage assets. As described above, inverse floaters may be used alone or in tandem with interest-only stripped mortgage instruments.

Mortgage Dollar Rolls

The Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls with a bank or a broker-dealer. A mortgage dollar roll is a transaction in which the Fund sells mortgage-related securities for immediate settlement and simultaneously purchases the same type of securities for forward settlement at a discount. While the Fund begins accruing interest on the newly purchased securities from the purchase or trade date, it



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is able to invest the proceeds from the sale of its previously owned securities, which will be used to pay for the new securities, in money market investments until a future settlement date. The use of mortgage dollar rolls is a speculative technique involving leverage, and is considered to be a form of borrowing.

Securities of Other Investment Companies  


The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies.  The Fund’s investments in an underlying portfolio of Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”), mutual funds and closed-end funds involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in the underlying funds.


Closed-End Investment Companies  


The Fund may invest its assets in “closed-end” investment companies (or “closed-end funds”), subject to the investment restrictions set forth below. The Fund may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any closed-end fund. Shares of closed-end funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 4% or 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities are then listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (commonly known as “NASDAQ”) and, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.  


The Fund generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market. The Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the Adviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund’s proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if the Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.  


The shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value but rather are subject to the principles of supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value.


The Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.  


Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.


Open-End Investment Companies  


The Fund may invest in shares of open-end investment companies. The Fund and any “affiliated persons,” as defined by the 1940 Act, may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding securities of any underlying fund unless: (i) the underlying investment company and/or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from such limitations from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); and (ii) the underlying investment company and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying funds, the Fund’s ability to invest fully in shares of those funds is restricted, and the Adviser must then, in some instances, select alternative investments that would not



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have been its first preference. The 1940 Act also provides that an underlying fund whose shares are purchased by the Fund will be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the underlying fund’s outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Shares held by the Fund in excess of 1% of an underlying fund’s outstanding securities therefore, will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of any Fund’s total assets.  Under certain circumstances an underlying fund may determine to make payment of a redemption by the Fund wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, in lieu of cash, in conformity with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In such cases, the Fund may hold securities distributed by an underlying fund until the Adviser determines that it is appropriate to dispose of such securities.


Investment decisions by the investment advisers of the underlying funds are made independently of the Fund and its Adviser. Therefore, the investment adviser of one underlying fund may be purchasing shares of the same issuer whose shares are being sold by the Adviser of the Fund. The result would be an indirect expense to the Fund without accomplishing any investment purpose.  


Exchange Traded Funds


ETFs are typically passively managed funds that track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts (UITs) that have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap “creation units” in block-multiples of 50,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded after hours once the net asset value (NAV) is calculated. ETFs share many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.


Hedge Funds


The Fund invests in private investment funds, or “hedge funds,” which pursue alternative investment strategies. A hedge fund may utilize special investment instruments and techniques to “hedge” the fund’s portfolio against various risks, such as interest rate changes or other factors that affect security values, or for non-hedging purposes to pursue the hedge fund’s investment objective. Certain of the special investment instruments and techniques that a hedge fund may use are speculative and involve a high degree of risk, particularly in the context of non-hedging transactions. Because of the speculative nature of a hedge fund’s investments and trading strategies, the Fund may suffer a significant or complete loss of its invested capital in one or more hedge funds. In addition, interests in a hedge fund are not generally registered under the 1933 Act and the transferability or withdrawal of such interests is substantially restricted.

Collectibles

The Fund may invest in underlying funds that invest in collectibles, which are rare objects collected by investors. They can include stamps, coins, books, oriental rugs, antiques, sports and other memorabilia, photographs, art and wine. Collectibles are generally expected to rise in value during inflationary periods when investors are trying to move to assets viewed as an inflation hedge. Generally, collectibles can be expected to drop in value during periods of low inflation. Collectible trading for profit is subject to certain risks and other considerations, including that collectibles: (i) have limited buying and selling markets; (ii) are often bought and sold at auction and subject to buyer and/or seller premiums; (iii) experience periods of high and low demand; (iv) must be insured, physically held and properly maintained; (v) may need to have their authenticity and provenance verified from time to time; and (vi) may not have accurate market valuations available.


Commodity-Linked Securities


The Fund may seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through investments in commodity-linked derivative securities, such as structured notes, discussed below which are designed to provide this exposure without direct investment in physical commodities or commodities futures contracts. Real assets are assets such as oil, gas, industrial and precious metals, livestock, and agricultural or meat products, or other items that have tangible properties, as compared to stocks or bonds, which are financial instruments. In choosing investments, the Adviser seeks to provide exposure to various commodities and commodity sectors. The value of commodity-linked derivative securities held by the Fund may be affected by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, overall market movements and other factors affecting the value of particular industries or commodities, such as weather, disease, embargoes, acts of war or terrorism, or political and regulatory developments.




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The prices of commodity-linked derivative securities may move in different directions than investments in traditional equity and debt securities when the value of those traditional securities is declining due to adverse economic conditions. As an example, during periods of rising inflation, debt securities have historically tended to decline in value due to the general increase in prevailing interest rates. Conversely, during those same periods of rising inflation, the prices of certain commodities, such as oil and metals, have historically tended to increase. Of course, there cannot be any guarantee that these investments will perform in that manner in the future, and at certain times the price movements of commodity-linked instruments have been parallel to those of debt and equity securities. Commodities have historically tended to increase and decrease in value during different parts of the business cycle than financial assets. Nevertheless, at various times, commodities prices may move in tandem with the prices of financial assets and thus may not provide overall portfolio diversification benefits. Under favorable economic conditions, the Fund’s investments may be expected to underperform an investment in traditional securities. Over the long term, the returns on the Fund’s investments are expected to exhibit low or negative correlation with stocks and bonds.


Derivative Instruments


The Fund may purchase and write call and put options on securities, securities indices and foreign currencies, and enter into futures contracts and use options on futures contracts as further described below. The Fund may also enter into swap agreements with respect to foreign currencies, interest rates and securities indices. The Fund may use these techniques to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or securities prices or to attempt to achieve investment returns as part of its overall investment

strategies. The Fund may also purchase and sell options relating to foreign currencies for purposes of increasing exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees (or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under options, futures, and swaps to avoid leveraging the portfolio of the Fund as described below.


The Fund considers derivative instruments to consist of securities or other instruments whose value is derived from or related to the value of some other instrument or asset, and not to include those securities whose payment of principal and/or interest depends upon cash flows from underlying assets, such as mortgage-related or asset-backed securities. The value of some derivative instruments in which the Fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of the Fund, the ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Adviser to correctly forecast interest rates and other economic factors. If the Adviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, the Fund could be exposed to the risk of loss. In addition, while the use of derivatives for hedging purposes can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains, and hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and security it is hedging, which means that a hedge might not be effective. The Fund might not employ any of the strategies described above, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. A decision as to whether, when and how to utilize derivative instruments involves skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived derivatives strategy may be unsuccessful. The use of derivative instruments involves brokerage fees and/or other transaction costs.


Investment in futures-related and commodity-linked derivatives may subject the Fund to additional risks, and in particular may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of futures-related and commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international

economic, political and regulatory developments. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from certain specified types of investments. It is currently unclear which types of commodities-linked derivatives fall within these specified investment types. As a result, if the Fund’s investment in commodities-linked derivatives were to exceed a certain threshold, the Fund could fail to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code.


Commodities Instruments


There are several additional risks associated with transactions in commodity futures contracts, swaps on commodity futures contracts, commodity forward contracts and other commodities instruments. In the commodity instruments markets, producers of the underlying commodity may decide to hedge the price risk of selling the commodity by selling commodity instruments today to lock in the price of the commodity at delivery tomorrow. In order to induce speculators to purchase the other side of the same commodity instrument, the commodity producer generally must sell the commodity instrument at a lower price than the expected future spot price. Conversely, if most hedgers in the commodity instruments market are purchasing commodity instruments to hedge against a rise in prices, then speculators will only sell the other side of the commodity instrument at a higher future price than the expected future spot price of the commodity. The changing nature of the hedgers and speculators in the commodity markets will influence whether futures prices are



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above or below the expected future spot price, which can have significant implications for the Fund. If the nature of hedgers and speculators in commodity instruments markets has shifted when it is time for the Fund to reinvest the proceeds of a maturing contract in a new commodity instrument, the Fund might reinvest at a higher or lower future price, or choose to pursue other investments. The commodities which underlie commodity instruments may be subject to additional economic and non-economic variables, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments. These factors may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked instruments than on traditional securities. Certain commodities are also subject to limited pricing flexibility because of supply and demand factors. Others are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of the volatility of the prices for certain raw materials and the instability of supplies of other materials. These additional variables may create additional investment risks which subject the Fund’s investments to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. Also, unlike the financial instruments markets, in the commodity instruments markets there are costs of physical storage associated with purchasing the underlying commodity. The price of the commodity instruments contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity, including the time value of money invested in the physical commodity. To the extent that the storage costs for an underlying commodity change while the Fund is invested in instruments on that commodity, the value of the commodity instrument may change proportionately.


Margin Deposits and Cover Requirements


Margin Deposits for Futures Contracts


Unlike the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents, known as initial margin, based on the value of the contract. The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in securities transactions in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by the customer to finance the transactions. Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, called variation margin, to and from the broker, will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying instruments fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” For example, when the Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the contract has risen in response to a rise in the price of the underlying instruments, that position will have increased in value and the Fund will be entitled to receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that increase in value. Conversely, where the Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the futures contract has declined in response to a decrease in the underlying instruments, the position would be less valuable and the Fund would be required to make a variation margin payment to the broker. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Adviser may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, subject to the availability of a secondary market, which will operate to terminate the Fund’s position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.


Cover Requirements for Forward Contracts, Swap Agreements, Options, Futures and Options on Futures


The Fund will comply with guidelines established by the SEC with respect to coverage of forwards, futures, swaps and options. These guidelines may, in certain instances, require segregation by the Fund of cash or liquid securities with its custodian or a designated sub-custodian to the extent the Fund’s obligations with respect to these strategies are not otherwise “covered” through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or currency or by other portfolio positions or by other means consistent with applicable regulatory policies. Segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.


For example, when entering into a futures contract that will be cash settled, the Fund will cover (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the mark-to-market amount, if any, owed by the Fund on the futures contract. When entering into a futures contract that does not need to be settled in cash, the Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark to market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the full notional value of the contract. Alternatively, the Fund may “cover” its position by purchasing an option on the same futures contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held by the Fund or by entering into an agreement that enables the Fund to settle such futures contracts in cash.


To the extent the Fund writes credit default swaps, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid by the Fund in accordance with procedures established by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, or enter into offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the swap (minus any amounts owed to the Fund). Such segregation or “earmarking” will



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ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will limit any potential leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio. Also, the Fund does not invest more than 25% of its assets in contracts with any one counterparty.

Foreign Currency Transactions


The Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, options, swaps, and other strategic transactions in connection with investments in securities of non-U.S. companies. The Fund will conduct their foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot ( i.e. , cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or through forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies.


The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (forward contracts) in order to protect against possible losses on foreign investments resulting from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, as well as to increase exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price on a future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their customers. Although foreign exchange dealers often do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies. However, forward contracts may limit the potential gains which could result from a positive change in such currency relationships. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, to cover the Fund’s obligations under forward foreign currency exchange contracts entered into for non-hedging purposes.


The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired. As with other kinds of options, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuation in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund’s position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.


The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether it is hedging its assets or its liabilities, and will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis ( i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlement with respect to each interest rate swap will be calculated on a daily basis and an amount of cash or other liquid assets (marked to market daily) having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be segregated or “earmarked.” The Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of all counterparties on an ongoing basis. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. There is no limit on the amount of interest rate swap transactions that may be entered into by the Fund, subject to the segregation requirement described above. These transactions may in some instances involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets by the Fund or its counterparty to collateralize obligations under the swap. Under the documentation currently used in those markets, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of the payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate swap that is not collateralized defaults, the Fund would risk the loss of the net amount of the payments that it contractually is entitled to receive.


While the Adviser is authorized to hedge against currency risk, it is not required to do so. The Adviser may choose not to hedge currency exposure.


Securities Options


The Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.


A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a



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particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security.


Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 100®. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the AMEX Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index.


Options on stock indices are currently traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Pacific Stock Exchange and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.


The Fund’s obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by the Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transactions costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have incurred a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument or liquidate the assets held in a segregated account, as described in the Cover Requirements section, until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. In such circumstances, the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.


If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold). If an option written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.


Certain Risks Regarding Options


There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.


Successful use by the Fund of options on stock indices will be subject to the ability of the Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, the Fund’s ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the



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underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by the Fund. Inasmuch as the Fund’s securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Fund bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the Fund’s securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indices acquired by the Fund.


The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.


There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.


Options on Futures Contracts


The Fund may purchase and sell options on the same types of futures in which it may invest. Options on futures are similar to options on underlying instruments except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by the delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.  


Dealer Options


The Fund may engage in transactions involving dealer options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to dealer options. While the Fund might look to a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, if the Fund were to purchase a dealer option it would need to rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.


Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while dealer options may not. Consequently, the Fund may generally be able to realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a dealer option, the Fund may generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom the Fund originally wrote the option. While the Fund will seek to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and which are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless the Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With respect to options written by the Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to the Fund. For example, because the Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security it writes, the Fund may not sell the assets, which it has segregated to secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair the Fund’s ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be advantageous.


The Staff of the SEC has taken the position that purchased dealer options are illiquid securities. The Fund may treat the cover used for written dealer options as liquid if the dealer agrees that the Fund may repurchase the dealer options they have written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option. Accordingly, the Fund will treat dealer options



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as subject to the Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities. If the SEC changes its position on the liquidity of dealer options, the Fund will change their treatment of such instruments accordingly.


Spread Transactions


The Fund may purchase covered spread options from securities dealers. These covered spread options are not presently exchange-listed or exchange-traded. The purchase of a spread option gives the Fund the right to put securities that it owns at a fixed dollar spread or fixed yield spread in relationship to another security that the Fund does not own, but which is used as a benchmark. The risk to the Fund, in addition to the risks of dealer options described above, is the cost of the premium paid as well as any transaction costs. The purchase of spread options will be used to protect the Fund against adverse changes in prevailing credit quality spreads, i.e., the yield spread between high quality and lower quality securities. This protection is provided only during the life of the spread options.


Repurchase Agreements


The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (such as the Fund) purchases a security (known as the “underlying security”) from a securities dealer or bank. Any such dealer or bank must be deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. At that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon price on a designated future date. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at an agreed upon rate due to the Fund on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund generally will be unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities. Repurchase agreements must be “fully collateralized,” in that the market value of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) must at all times be equal to or greater than the repurchase price. Therefore, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by the underlying securities.  


Repurchase agreements are generally for a short period of time, often less than a week, and will generally be used by the Fund to invest excess cash or as part of a temporary defensive strategy. Repurchase agreements that do not provide for payment within seven days will be treated as illiquid securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default by the seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses. These losses could result from: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security while the Fund is seeking to enforce its rights under the repurchase agreement; (b) possible reduced levels of income or lack of access to income during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.


Swaps

Swap Agreements

Swap agreements are typically two-party, uncleared contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments.  The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index.  Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.”  Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”).  Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term.  Swap agreements often do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets.  Accordingly, if a swap is entered into on a net basis, if the other party to a swap agreement defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any.  The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to a swap agreement entered into on a net basis will be accrued daily and an amount of cash or liquid asset having an aggregate NAV at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in an account with the Fund’s custodian that satisfies the 1940 Act.  The Fund will also establish and maintain such accounts with respect to its total obligations under any swaps that are not entered into on a net basis.  Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities.  Because most swap agreements are two-party contracts and may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund illiquid investment limitations.  The Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy.  The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty.  

The Fund may enter into a swap agreement in circumstances where the Adviser believes that it may be more cost effective or practical than buying the underlying securities or a futures contract or an option on such securities.  The counterparty to any swap agreement



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will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer.  The counterparty will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks, futures contracts or other underlying assets represented in the index, plus the dividends that would have been received on those instruments.  The Fund will agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks, futures contracts or other underlying assets.  Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.  

The Fund may enter into total return swap agreements. Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the change in market value of underlying assets, which may include a specified security, futures contract, basket of securities or futures contracts, defined portfolios of bonds, loans and mortgages, or securities indices during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security, commodity or market. Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Total return swaps are a mechanism for the user to accept the economic benefits of asset ownership without utilizing the balance sheet. The other leg of the swap, usually the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), is spread to reflect the non-balance sheet nature of the product. Total return swaps can be designed with any underlying asset agreed between two parties. Typically no notional amounts are exchanged with total return swaps. Total return swap agreements entail the risk that a party will default on its payment obligations to the Fund thereunder. Swap agreements also entail the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty. Generally, the Fund will enter into total return swaps on a net basis ( i.e. , the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).

The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are traded in the over-the-counter market.  The Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of Fund transactions in swap agreements. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

Credit Default Swaps

In a credit default swap, one party makes a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default by a third party, typically an emerging country, on its obligation. The Fund may use credit default swaps to provide a measure of protection against defaults of sovereign issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where the Fund owns or has exposure to the sovereign issuer) and may use credit default swaps to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default. In connection with these agreements, cash or liquid securities may be set aside as collateral by the Fund’s custodian in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement. The Fund earns interest on cash set aside as collateral. Swaps are marked to market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss. These financial instruments are not actively traded on financial markets. The values assigned to these instruments are based upon the best available information and because of the uncertainty of the valuation, these values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these instruments existed, and the differences could be material. Payments received or made at the end of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss. Entering into these agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market, and documentation risk. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and related regulatory developments requires the clearing and exchange-trading of certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps.  The Dodd-Frank Act will ultimately require the clearing of many additional types of OTC derivative instruments that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“ CFTC ”) and SEC recently defined as “swaps” including non-deliverable foreign exchange forwards, OTC foreign exchange options and swaptions.  Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing will take place on a phased-in basis based on type of market participant and CFTC approval of contracts for central clearing.  The Adviser will continue to monitor developments in this area, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swap agreements.



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Trading in Futures Contracts


A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made. Brokerage fees are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Entering into a contract to buy is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position. Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position.  


Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures contract, and to maintain the Fund’s open positions in futures contracts, the Fund would be required to deposit with its futures broker in a segregated account an amount of cash, U.S. Government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid securities, known as “initial margin.”


The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.


If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in underlying instrument or index in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund.


These subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” The Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.


Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying instrument or index and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.  


For example, one contract in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index future is a contract to buy 25 pounds sterling multiplied by the level of the UK Financial Times 100 Share Index on a given future date. Settlement of a stock index futures contract may or may not be in the underlying instrument or index. If not in the underlying instrument or index, then settlement will be made in cash, equivalent over time to the difference between the contract price and the actual price of the underlying asset at the time the stock index futures contract expires.  

The Fund’s futures contracts may be subject to periods of illiquidity because of market conditions, regulatory considerations and other reasons. For example, commodity exchanges limit fluctuations in certain futures contract prices during a single day by regulations referred to as “daily limits.” During a single day, no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. Once the price of a futures contract for a particular commodity has increased or decreased by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in the commodity futures contracts can neither be taken nor liquidated unless the traders are willing to effect trades at or within the limit. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. Such market conditions could prevent the Fund from promptly liquidating its futures contracts.

Over-the-Counter Instruments

The trading of over-the-counter instruments subjects the Fund to a variety of risks including: (1) counterparty risk; (2) basis risk; (3) interest rate risk; (4) settlement risk; (5) legal risk; and (6) operational risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that the Fund’s counterparties might default on their obligation to pay or perform generally on their obligations. The over-the-counter markets and some foreign markets are “principals’ markets.” That means that performance of the contract is the responsibility only of the individual firm or



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member on the other side of the trade and not any exchange or clearing corporation. Such “counterparty risk” is accentuated for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where the Fund has concentrated its transactions with a single or small group of counterparties. Basis risk is the risk attributable to the movements in the spread between the derivative contract price and the future price of the underlying instrument. Interest rate risk is the general risk associated with movements in interest rates. Settlement risk is the risk that a settlement in a transfer system does not take place as expected. Legal risk is the risk that a transaction proves unenforceable in law or because it has been inadequately documented. Operational risk is the risk of unexpected losses arising from deficiencies in a firm’s management information, support and control systems and procedures. Transactions in over-the-counter derivatives may involve other risks as well, as there is no exchange market on which to close out an open position. It may be impossible to liquidate an existing position, to assess the value of a position or to assess the exposure to risk.

Regulatory Risks of Derivative Use


In February 2012, the CFTC adopted certain regulatory changes that will subject advisers to certain registered investment companies to registration with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) if an investment company is unable to meet certain trading and marketing limitations. These rules became effective on January 1, 2013. In relation to these regulatory changes adopted by the CFTC, the Fund’s Adviser intends to rely on an exemption from the CFTC’s CPO registration requirements. However, it is possible that the Adviser may be required to register as a CPO in the future and comply with any applicable reporting, disclosure or other regulatory requirements. Compliance with CFTC regulatory requirements will increase Fund expenses.  Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop.


It is also possible that additional government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures, options and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Fund from using such instruments as a part of its investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent the Fund from being able to achieve its investment objective. It is impossible to fully predict the effects of past, present or future legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse. It is possible that legislative and regulatory activity could limit or restrict the ability of the Fund to use certain instruments as a part of its investment strategy. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which the Fund may engage in derivative transactions could also prevent the Fund from using certain instruments.


There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Fund or the ability of the Fund to continue to implement its investment strategy. The futures, options and swaps markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading. The regulation of futures, options and swaps transactions in the U.S. is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action.


In 2010, the U.S. government enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The CFTC and certain futures exchanges have also established limits, referred to as “position limits,” on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, may be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the applicable position limits have been exceeded. Thus, even if the Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by the Adviser and its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. The trading decisions of the Adviser may have to be modified and positions held by the Fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the profitability of the Fund.


The SEC has in the past adopted interim rules requiring reporting of all short positions on securities above a certain de minimis threshold and is expected to adopt rules requiring monthly public disclosure in the future. In addition, other non-U.S. jurisdictions where the Fund may trade have adopted reporting requirements. If the Fund’s securities short positions or its strategy become generally known, it could have a significant effect on the Adviser’s ability to implement its investment strategy. In particular, it would make it more likely that other investors could cause a “short squeeze” in the securities held short by the Fund forcing the Fund to cover its positions at a loss. Such reporting requirements may also limit the Adviser’s ability to access management and other personnel at certain companies where the Adviser seeks to take a short position. In addition, if other investors engage in copycat behavior by taking positions in the same issuers as the Fund, the cost of borrowing securities to sell short could increase drastically and the availability of such securities to the Fund could decrease drastically. Such events could make the Fund unable to execute its investment strategy. In addition, the SEC recently proposed additional restrictions on short sales. If the SEC were to adopt additional



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restrictions regarding short sales, they could restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in short sales of securities in certain circumstances, and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result.


The SEC and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions may adopt (and in certain cases, have adopted) bans on short sales of certain securities in response to market events. Bans on short selling may make it impossible for the Fund to execute certain investment strategies and may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to generate returns.


Structured Notes, Bonds and Debentures


Typically, the value of the principal and/or interest on these instruments is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indexes or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relevant change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in the loss of the Fund’s entire investment. The value of structured securities may move in the same or the opposite direction as the value of the Reference, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, the change in interest rate or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of the change in the value of the Reference so that the security may be more or less volatile than the Reference, depending on the multiple. Consequently, structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk and volatility than other types of debt obligations.


When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements


The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis. In this event, the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) will segregate liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment in a separate account as discussed in the Cover Requirements section. Normally, the Custodian will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment. In such a case, the Fund may be required subsequently to segregate additional assets in order to assure that the value of the account remains equal to the amount of the Fund’s commitment. It may be expected that the Fund’s net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash.


The Fund does not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative purposes but only in furtherance of its investment objectives. Because the Fund will segregate liquid assets to satisfy its purchase commitments in the manner described, the Fund’s liquidity and the ability of the Adviser to manage them may be affected in the event the Fund’s forward commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued securities and delayed settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net assets.


The Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. In these cases the Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss. When the Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment and delayed settlement transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in the Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.


The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase, forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when determining the market value of the Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to purchase the securities. The Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until it has paid for and delivered on the settlement date.


Illiquid and Restricted Securities


The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale (e.g., because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and securities that are otherwise not readily marketable (e.g., because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Foreign securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.  


Restricted and other illiquid securities may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. The Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying



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redemption requests from shareholders. The Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.  


A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a “safe harbor” from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory, Inc.  


Under guidelines adopted by the Trust’s Board, the Fund’s Adviser may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered. A determination of whether such a security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination, the Adviser will consider, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and among other factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security (e.g., debt or equity, date of maturity, terms of dividend or interest payments, and other material terms) and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer); and (6) the rating of the security and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. In the case of commercial paper, the Adviser will also determine that the paper (1) is not traded flat or in default as to principal and interest, and (2) is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two National Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”) or, if only one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or, if the security is unrated, the Adviser determines that it is of equivalent quality.   


Rule 144A securities and Section 4(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Adviser to determine if the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions. Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.  


Lending Portfolio Securities


For the purpose of achieving income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities or cash or cash equivalents (cash, U.S. Government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned, (2) the Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of securities loaned, (3) the Fund will receive any interest or dividends received on the loaned securities, and (4) the aggregate value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total assets of the Fund.  


Short Sales


The Fund may employ “short selling” for both (1) investment purposes and (2) for defensive purposes as a hedging strategy.  For investment purposes, when the Adviser believes that particular index, company or sector is relatively overvalued, the Fund may sell a security short with the expectation that it can be repurchased at a lower price, thus generating a gain for the Fund.  For defensive purposes, when the Adviser believes that a security or group of securities in the Fund is susceptible to a decline in value, the Fund may sell a security short with the expectation any decline in value of the security sold short will serve to offset some of the decline in value suffered by the Fund’s portfolio of securities.  A short sale strategy is different than a long-only strategy because it consists of selling borrowed shares in the hope that they can be bought back later at a lower price.


The Fund may sell securities short involving the use of derivative instruments and to offset potential declines in long positions in similar securities. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own or have the right to acquire (or that it owns but does not wish to deliver) in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline.  


When the Fund makes a short sale, the broker-dealer through which the short sale is made must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the party purchasing the security. The Fund is required to make a margin deposit in connection with such short sales; the Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and will often be obligated to pay over any dividends and accrued interest on borrowed securities.  



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If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund covers its short position, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.


To the extent the Fund sells securities short, it will provide collateral to the broker-dealer and (except in the case of short sales “against the box”) will maintain additional asset coverage in the form of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities with its custodian in a segregated account in an amount at least equal to the difference between the current market value of the securities sold short and any amounts required to be deposited as collateral with the selling broker (not including the proceeds of the short sale). The Fund does not intend to enter into short sales (other than short sales “against the box”) if immediately after such sales the aggregate of the value of all collateral plus the amount in such segregated account exceeds 50% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. This percentage may be varied by action of the Board of Trustees. A short sale is “against the box” to the extent the Fund contemporaneously owns, or has the right to obtain at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short.


Short sales create a risk that the Fund will be required to close the short position by buying the security at a time when the security has appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. A short position in a security poses more risk than holding the same security long.  Because a short position loses value as the security’s price increases, the loss on a short sale is theoretically unlimited.  


To the extent that the Fund uses short sales as a hedging technique, the Fund is subject to correlation risk. Specifically, the correlation between the security sold short and the hedged security may be imperfect, reducing the expected benefit to the Fund of a short sale, or there may be no correlation at all.  It is possible that the market value of the securities the Fund holds in long positions will decline at the same time that the market value of the securities the Fund has sold short increases, thereby increasing the Fund’s potential volatility.


In addition, any gain on a short sale is decreased, and any loss is increased, by the amount of any payments, such as lender fees, replacement of dividends or interest that the Fund may be required to make with respect to the borrowed securities.  Market factors may prevent the Fund from closing out a short position at the most desirable time or at a favorable price. The lender of the borrowed securities may require the Fund to return the securities on short notice, which may require the Fund to purchase the borrowed securities at an unfavorable price, resulting in a loss.  You should be aware that any strategy that includes selling securities short could suffer significant losses.  Short selling will also result in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), which reduce the Fund’s return, and may result in higher taxes.


INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS


The Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions that may not be changed without approval by a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Fund which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.


1. Diversification.  With respect to 75% of its total assets, the Fund may not purchase any security (other than U.S. Government Securities or securities of other investment companies) if as a result: (i) more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets immediately after and as the result of such purchase would be invested in the securities of any one issuer, or (ii) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of a single issuer.


2. Borrowing Money. The Fund may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted under applicable securities laws.


3. Senior Securities. The Fund may not issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted under applicable securities laws


4. Underwriting. The Fund may not act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter under applicable securities laws in the disposition of portfolio securities or in the purchase of securities directly from the issuer thereof.


5. Concentration. The Fund may not purchase any security (other than U.S. Government Securities or securities of other investment companies) if as a result more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets, taken at market value at the time of investment, would be invested in the securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the same industry.

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6. Real Estate. The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, but this policy shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate ( e.g. , REITs) or in securities of issuers engaged in the real estate business.


7. Commodities. The Fund may purchase or sell commodities to the extent permitted by applicable law from time to time.


8. Loans. The Fund may not make loans, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any applicable exemptive relief.


THE FOLLOWING ARE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS OF THE FUND. THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS ARE DESIGNATED AS NON-FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE CHANGED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS.


1. Pledging. The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation (1) above.  Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.


2. Borrowing. The Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings representing more than one third of its total assets are outstanding.  


3. Margin Purchases. The Fund may not purchase securities on margin, except for use of short-term credit necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, but it may make margin deposits in connection with covered transactions in options, futures, options on futures and short positions. For purposes of this restriction, the posting of margin deposits or other forms of collateral in connection with swap agreements is not considered purchasing securities on margin.


4. Illiquid Investments. The Fund will not hold 15% or more of its net assets in securities for which there are legal or contractual restrictions on resale and other illiquid securities.


If a restriction on the Fund’s investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.


POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS


The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.


It is the Trust’s policy to:  (1) ensure that any disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interest of Trust shareholders; (2) protect the confidentiality of portfolio holdings information; (3) have procedures in place to guard against personal trading based on the information; and (4) ensure that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information does not create conflicts between the interests of the Trust’s shareholders and those of the Trust’s affiliates.


The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings by mailing its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders approximately two months after the end of the fiscal year and semi-annual period.  In addition, the Fund discloses its portfolio holdings reports on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period.


The Fund may choose to make portfolio holdings available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg more frequently on a confidential basis.


Under limited circumstances, as described below, the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q.  In each case, a determination has been made that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.



24






· The Adviser Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing the Fund’s portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for the Adviser to provide its management, administrative, and investment services to the Fund. As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of the portfolio managers in the trading of such securities, Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.


· Gemini Fund Services, LLC. Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the transfer agent, fund accountant, administrator and custody administrator for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.


· Union Bank, N.A. is custodian for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.


· Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C. is the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Fund’s annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.   


· Dechert LLP. Dechert LLP is counsel to the Fund; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with review of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.


Additions to List of Approved Recipients.  The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities at any time or to any persons other than those described above.  In such cases, the recipient must have a legitimate business need for the information and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential. There are no ongoing arrangements in place with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings. In no event shall the Fund, the Adviser or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings.


Compliance With Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures.  The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board with respect to compliance with the Fund’s portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.


There is no assurance that the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.


MANAGEMENT


The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s By-laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request. The Board consists of four individuals, all of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and the Adviser (“Independent Trustees”). Pursuant to the Governing Documents of the Trust, the Trustees shall elect officers including, but not limited to, a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Chief Compliance Officer. The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust’s purposes. The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.


Board Leadership Structure.   The Board is led by Mark Gersten, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since the Trust was first registered with the SEC in 2012.   Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at Board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, and (c) execution and administration of Trust policies, including (i) setting the agendas for Board meetings and (ii) providing information to Board members in advance of each Board meeting and between Board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by our shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership.  The Trust believes that its Chairman, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, the Fund and each shareholder.



25






Board Risk Oversight .  The Board of Trustees is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees with an Audit Committee with a separate chair.  The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary.  The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting the risk within its area of responsibilities.  Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.


Trustee Qualifications.  Generally, the Fund believe that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills.  Mark Garbin has over 20 years of experience in corporate balance sheet and income statement risk management for large asset managers.  Mr. Garbin has extensive derivatives experience and has provided consulting services to alternative asset managers.  Mr. Garbin is a CFA Charterholder and holds advanced degrees in international business, negotiation and derivatives.  Mark Gersten has over 25 years of business experience in the investment management business with a focus on mutual funds and alternative funds.  He serves as a member of another mutual fund board outside of the Fund Complex and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his service to this board and extensive experience administering mutual funds.  Mr. Gersten is a certified public account and holds an MBA in accounting.  Neil Kaufman has 28 years of experience as a corporate and securities attorney and possesses a deep understanding of the securities industry in general and financial statements in particular.  Mr. Kaufman has previously served as the Chairman of a NASDAQ-listed technology company and the Chairman of the Banking & Securities Law committee of the Nassau County Bar Association.  Anita Krug has extensive experience as an attorney advising investment advisory firms, particularly those managing hedge funds.  She also has extensive experience as a law professor whose scholarship focuses on investment advisers, hedge funds, and mutual funds. The Fund does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that collective experience of each Trustee makes them well qualified.

 

Trustees and Officers.  The Trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal business occupations during the past five years and other information, are shown below.   Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and Officer is 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska  68130.


Independent Trustees


Name, Address,

Year of Birth

Position(s) Held with Registrant

Term and Length Served

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Number of Portfolios Overseen In The Fund Complex

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

Mark Garbin

Year of Birth: 1951

Trustee, Valuation Committee Chairman

Indefinite, Since 2012

Managing Principal, Coherent Capital Management LLC (since 2007); Managing Director, Rabobank International (2006-2007)

7

None

Mark D. Gersten

Year of Birth: 1950

Chairman, Trustee, Audit Committee Chairman

Indefinite, Since 2012

Senior Vice President – Global Fund Administration Mutual Funds & Alternative Funds, AllianceBernstein LP (since 1985)

7

Independent Trustee, Schroder Mutual Funds (since 2012)



26







Neil M. Kaufman

Year of Birth: 1960

Trustee

Indefinite, Since 2012


Partner, Abrams Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara & Einiger, LLP (since 2011); Partner, Davidoff, Malito & Hutcher, LLP (2004-2010)

7

None

Anita K. Krug

Year of Birth: 1969

Trustee

Indefinite, Since 2012

Assistant Professor, University of Washington School of Law (since 2010); Partner, Howard Rice, P.C. (2007-2010); Associate, Howard Rice, P.C. (2002-2007)

7

None



Officers of the Trust


Name, Address,

Year of Birth

Position(s) Held with Registrant

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Number of Portfolios Overseen In The Fund Complex*

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

Andrew Rogers

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1969

President

Since Inception

Chief Executive Officer, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); President and Manager, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2006 - 2012); Formerly Manager, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (2006 – 2008); and President and Manager, GemCom LLC (2004 - 2011).

N/A

N/A

James P. Ash

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1976

Secretary

Since Inception

Senior Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2011 - 2012); Director of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2009 - 2011); Assistant Vice President of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2008 - 2011).

N/A

N/A



27









James Colantino

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1969

Treasurer

Since Inception

Vice President from 2004 to Present; Senior Fund Administrator from 1999 to 2004, Gemini Fund Services, LLC.

N/A

N/A

William B. Kimme

Year of Birth: 1962

Chief Compliance Officer

Since Inception

Senior Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (September 2011 - present); Compliance Officer, Mick & Associates (August, 2009 - September 2011); Assistant Director, FINRA (January 2000 – August 2009).

N/A

N/A


Audit Committee.  The Board has an Audit Committee that consists solely of Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the Trust’s independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust’s financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust’s independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor’s independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management’s responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls.  The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter.  During the past fiscal year, the Audit Committee held five meetings.    


Compensation of Directors.  The Trust pays each Independent Trustee a quarterly fee of $2,500.00, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings, to be paid at the end of each calendar quarter.  In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual fee of $2,500.00, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual fee of $2,500.00, and the Chairman of the Valuation Committee receives an additional annual fee of $2,500.00.  No “interested persons” who serve as a Trustee of the Trust will receive any compensation for their services as Trustee. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust. The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees received from the Trust during the fiscal year ending October 31, 2013.  The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, deferred compensation, pension or retirement plan.


Name and Position

Aggregate Compensation From Trust*

Total Compensation From Trust and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees

Mark Garbin

$9,375.00

$9,375.00

Mark Gersten

$11,250.00

$11,250.00

Neil Kaufman

$7,500.00

$7,500.00

Anita Krug

$7,500.00

$7,500.00


*The Trust has multiple series.  Trustees’ fees are allocated equally to each Fund in the Trust.


Trustees’ Ownership of Shares in the Fund .  As of October 1, 2013, the Trustees beneficially owned the below amounts in the Fund and the Two Roads Shared Trust.



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Name of Trustee

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

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

Mark Garbin

None

None

Mark Gersten

None

None

Neil Kaufman

None

None

Anita Krug

None

None



Management Ownership


Because there were no shares outstanding as of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned 0% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.


CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS


A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control.


As of the date of this SAI:


i.

no persons were “control” persons of the Fund.  This means that there were no persons (i) owning beneficially more than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, or (ii) that by acknowledgment or assertion by the controlled party or controlling party, were in control of the Fund;

ii.

no persons owned of record or were known by the Fund to beneficially own 5% or more of the Fund’s outstanding shares; and

iii.

the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned less than one percent of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

INVESTMENT ADVISER


Investment Adviser and Investment Advisory Agreements


West Shore Group, LLC (“Adviser” or “ West Shore ”), located at 21 East Euclid Avenue, Haddonfield, New Jersey  08033, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs.  The Adviser is wholly-owned by Steve Cordasco.


Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, agrees to invest the assets of the Fund in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the respective Fund’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser.  The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the Fund and, as such shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities here under, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold,


29





retained or lent by the Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the  issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers.  The Adviser also provides the Fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the Fund’s investments, compensates all officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors or employees of the Adviser, and all personnel of the Fund or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities. The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the West Shore Real Return Income Fund was approved by the Board of the Trust, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, at a meeting held on July 1, 2013.


The following table sets forth the annual management fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets:


FUND

ADVISORY FEE

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

1.00%


For its services to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual fee equal to the percentages of the Fund’s average daily net assets in the table above. In addition to the investment advisory fee, the Fund pays other expenses including costs incurred in connection with the maintenance of its securities law registration, printing and mailing prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information to shareholders, certain financial accounting services, taxes or governmental fees, custodial, transfer and shareholder servicing agent costs, expenses of outside counsel and independent accountants, preparation of shareholder reports and expenses of trustee and shareholders meetings.  The fee is computed daily and payable monthly.


The Adviser has agreed contractually to waive its management fee and to reimburse expenses, other than expenses relating to dividends or interest on securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses or extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, at least until February 28, 2015 such that net annual fund operating expenses of the Fund do not exceed the percentages in the table below. Please see the section below entitled “Investment Adviser” for a definition of what are considered to be extraordinary or non-recurring expenses. Waiver/reimbursement is subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits.  No reimbursement amount will be paid to the Adviser in any fiscal quarter unless the Trust’s Board of Trustees has determined in advance that a reimbursement is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.  Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Fund’s expenses and increase its performance.


Fundnd

Class

Expense Cap

Minimum Duration

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

A

2.15%

February 28, 2015

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

I

1.75%

February 28, 2015

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

N

2.00%

February 28, 2015

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

R

2.25%

February 28, 2015


Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement are paid by the Fund.  Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund is responsible for the payment of the following expenses among others: (a) the fees payable to the Adviser, (b) the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Adviser or Distributor (as defined under the section entitled “The Distributor”) (c) the fees and certain expenses of the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent (as defined under the section entitled “Transfer Agent”), including the cost of maintaining certain required records of the Fund and of pricing the Fund’s shares, (d) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants for the Fund, (e) brokerage commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Fund in connection with its securities transactions, (f) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Fund to governmental agencies, (g) the fees of any trade association of which the Fund may be a member, (h) the cost of share certificates representing shares of the Fund, (i) the cost of fidelity and liability insurance, (j) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Fund and of shares


30




with the SEC, qualifying its shares under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the Fund’s registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes, (k) all expenses of shareholders and Trustees’ meetings (including travel expenses of trustees and officers of the Trust who are directors, officers or employees of the Adviser) and of preparing, printing and mailing reports, proxy statements and prospectuses to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders and (l) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.


The Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on 60 days’ written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of that Trust’s outstanding shares. The Investment Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.  


Codes of Ethics


The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor each have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that governs the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trust. Under the code of ethics adopted by the Trust (the “Code”), the Trustees are permitted to invest in securities that may also be purchased by the Fund.  

In addition, the Trust has adopted a separate code of ethics that applies only to the Trust’s executive officers to ensure that these officers promote professional conduct in the practice of corporate governance and management. The purpose behind these guidelines is to promote i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other public communications made by the Fund; iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rule and regulations; iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and v) accountability for adherence to the Code.


Proxy Voting Policies


The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Policies”) on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to the Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser’s Proxy Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest.


Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser’s interests and the Fund’s interests, the Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the client’s directive using the recommendation of an independent third party.  If the third party’s recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client’s account. A copy of the Adviser’s proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.


More information . Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available(1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at 1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637) and (2) on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.


THE DISTRIBUTOR


Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (the “Distributor”) serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Trust pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement with the Trust (the “Underwriting Agreement”). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state’s securities laws and is a member of FINRA. The offering of the Fund’s shares are continuous. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, will use its best efforts to distribute the Fund’s shares.


The Underwriting Agreement provides that, unless sooner terminated, it will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board or a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, and (b)


31



by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of the Distributor by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.


The Underwriting Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to the Distributor, or by the Distributor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days’ written notice to the Fund. The Underwriting Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.


The Fund is newly organized and did not pay any compensation to the Distributor during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013.


Fund

Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions

Compensation on Redemptions and Purchases

Brokerage Commissions

Other Compensation*

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

$0

$0

$0

$0

*The Distributor will receive 12b-1 fees from the Fund as described under the following section entitled “Rule 12b-1 Plans”.


Rule 12b-1 Plans


The Trust has adopted Distribution Plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plans”) pursuant to which the Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for Distributor’s account maintenance services under Plans, a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the rate of up to 0.40% for Class A shares, up to 0.25% for Class N shares, and up to 0.50% for Class R shares of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the relevant class.  Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund’s average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Distributor. The Rule 12b-1 Plans authorize payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others (“Recipients”) to provide these services and paying compensation for these services. The Fund will bear its own costs of distribution with respect to its shares. The Fund may make other payments, such as contingent deferred sales charges imposed on certain redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant to the Plans.  


The services to be provided by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assistance in the offering and sale of Fund shares and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipients; answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; making the Fund’s investment plan and shareholder services available; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Fund as the Distributor or the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may reasonably request. The distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or arranged by the Distributor with respect to the Fund.  


The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.  


The initial term of each Plan is one year and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and do not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”) by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Plan. A Plan may be terminated at any time by the Trust or the Fund by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund.


A Rule 12b-1 Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributor’s compensation to be paid by the Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected class of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b- 1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Rule 12b-1 Plan. During the term of a Rule 12b-1 Plan, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Distributor will preserve copies of each Rule 12b-1 Plan, any related agreements, and all


32



reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.  


Any agreement related to a Rule 12b-1 Plan will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or the Fund at any time upon sixty days’ written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the respective Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or the Fund; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); and (c) it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its execution or adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement.


PORTFOLIO MANAGERS


The tables below include details about the type, number, and assets under management for the various types of accounts, and total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the accounts. The information is as of October 1, 2013.  


West Shore Real Return Income Fund


Steve Cordasco


Account Type

Investment Team

Number of Accounts by Account Type

Total Assets By Account Type

Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Total assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies

0

$0

0

$0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

0

$0

0

$0

Other Accounts

2061

$417 million

0

$0


Michael Shamosh


Account Type

Investment Team

Number of Accounts by Account Type

Total Assets By Account Type

Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Total assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies

0

$0

0

$0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

0

$0

0

$0

Other Accounts

0

$0

0

$0


James G. Rickards



33






Account Type

Investment Team

Number of Accounts by Account Type

Total Assets By Account Type

Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Total assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies

0

$0

0

$0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

0

$0

0

$0

Other Accounts

0

$0

0

$0


Conflicts of Interest


The Adviser does not manage any accounts other than the Fund. The procedures to address conflicts of interest, if any, are described below.


The Adviser is wholly-owned by Steve Cordasco, who also wholly-owns Cordasco Financial Network, LLC (“Cordasco”), which manages assets for other accounts. Many of Cordasco’s clients participate in investment programs that have investment objectives, policies and strategies that are substantially similar to the Fund. Other clients of the Adviser or Cordasco may have differing investment programs, objectives, policies and strategies. In general, when a Portfolio Manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, the Adviser or Cordasco may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or the Adviser or Cordasco could receive performance-based fees on certain accounts. The procedures to address conflicts of interest, if any, are described below.


The Adviser and Cordasco attempt to avoid conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of the management of multiple client accounts. From time to time, a portfolio manager may recommend or cause a client to invest in a security or other instrument in which another client of the Adviser or Cordasco has an ownership position. The Adviser and Cordasco have each adopted certain procedures intended to treat all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. To the extent that a portfolio manager seeks to purchase or sell the same security or other instrument for multiple client accounts, the Adviser and Cordasco may aggregate, or bunch, these orders where a portfolio manager deems this to be appropriate and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. When a bunched order is filled in its entirety, each participating client account will participate at the average share prices for the bunched order. When a bunched order is only partially filled, the securities or other instruments purchased will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to each account participating in the bunched order based upon the initial amount requested for the account, subject to certain exceptions. Each participating account will receive the average share price for the bunched order on the same business day.


Compensation


Under the Portfolio Management Agreement between the Adviser and each portfolio manager, the Adviser pays each portfolio Manager a specified percentage of the advisory fees paid by the Fund to the Adviser. Additionally, due to Mr. Cordasco’s direct ownership interest in the Adviser, he may receive compensation through his ownership interest to the extent that the Adviser distributes any profits or the value of his ownership interest increases.

 

Ownership of Securities


The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the portfolio managers in the Fund as of October 22, 2013.  


Name of Portfolio Manager

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund



34






Steve Cordasco

None

Michael Shamosh

None

James G. Rickards

None




35






ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE


Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the portfolio managers, who are employees of the Adviser. The Adviser is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or the Adviser for the Fund’s use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.  


In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will take the following into consideration:

the best net price available;

the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer;  

the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and

the value of the expected contribution of the broker or dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis.


Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage, research and other services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than those of the Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Fund.


PORTFOLIO TURNOVER


The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by that Fund. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of the Fund’s portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period.  


OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS


Fund Administration, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agent Services


Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”), which has its principal office at 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, serves as administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent for the Fund pursuant to the Fund Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Fund and subject to the supervision of the Board.  GFS is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. GFS is an affiliate of the Distributor. GFS may also provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of GFS or its affiliates.


The Agreement became effective on July 1, 2013 and will remain in effect for two years from the applicable effective date for the West Shore Real Return Income Fund, and will continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board.  The Agreement is terminable by the Board or GFS on 90 days’ written notice and may be assigned by either party, provided that the Trust may not assign this agreement without the prior written consent of GFS. The Agreement provides that GFS shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to the Agreement.  


Under the Agreement, GFS performs administrative services for the Fund, including:  (1) monitor the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Trust by others service providers; (2) monitor Fund holdings and operations for post-trade compliance with the Fund’s registration statement and applicable laws and rules; (3) prepare and coordinate the printing of semi-annual and annual financial statements; (4) prepare selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses; (5) prepare and disseminate materials for and attend and participate in meetings of the Board; (6) determine income and capital gains available for distribution and calculate distributions required to meet regulatory, income, and excise tax requirements; (7) review the Trust’s federal, state, and local tax returns as prepared and signed by the Trust’s independent public accountants; (8) prepare and maintain the Trust’s operating expense budget to determine proper expense accruals to be charged to the Fund to calculate its daily net



36






asset value; (9) assist in and monitor the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of amendments to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, periodic reports to the Trustees, shareholders and the SEC, notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2, proxy materials and reports to the SEC on Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, N-Q and N-PX; (10) coordinate the Trust’s audits and examinations by assisting the Fund’s independent public accountants; (11) determine, in consultation with others, the jurisdictions in which shares of the Trust shall be registered or qualified for sale and facilitate such registration or qualification; (12) monitor sales of shares and ensure that the shares are properly and duly registered with the SEC; (13) monitor the calculation of performance data for the Fund; (14) prepare, or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports; (15) prepare authorization for the payment of Trust expenses and pay, from Trust assets, all bills of the Trust; (16) provide information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other information with respect to investment companies; (17) upon request, assist the Fund in the evaluation and selection of other service providers, such as independent public accountants, printers, EDGAR providers and proxy solicitors (such parties may be affiliates of GFS); (18) perform other services, recordkeeping and assistance relating to the affairs of the Trust as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request.


For the administrative services rendered to the Fund by GFS, the Fund pays GFS a fee equal to the greater of a minimum fee of $30,000.000 per Fund for the first 90 days following the effective date of the Fund and a minimum fee of $40,000.000 per Fund thereafter, or 0.075% on the first $100 million of net assets, 0.06% on the next $150 million of net assets, 0.045% on the next $250 million of net assets, 0.03% on the next $500 million of net assets, and 0.0225% on net assets greater than $1 billion for the first 90 days following the effective date of the Fund and 0.10% on the first $100 million of net assets, 0.08% on the next $150 million of net assets, 0.06% on the next $250 million of net assets, 0.04% on the next $500 million of net assets, and 0.03% on net assets greater than $1 billion. The Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.


GFS also provides the Fund with accounting services, including: (i) daily computation of net asset value; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund’s listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintaining certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciling account information and balances among the Fund’s custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund.


For the fund accounting services rendered to the Fund under the Agreement for the first 90 days following the effective date for the Fund, the Fund pays GFS an annual fee of $20,250 per Fund; plus $4,500 for each additional share class; plus a bond fund fee of $4,500; plus 0.015% on net assets of $25 million to $100 million and 0.0075% on net assets greater than $100 million. The Funds also pay GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses. Thereafter, the Fund pays GFS an annual fee of 27,000 per Fund; plus $6,000 for each additional share class; plus a bond fund fee of $6,000; plus 0.02% on net assets of $25 million to $100 million and 0.01% on net assets greater than $100 million. The Funds also pay GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.


GFS also acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to the Agreement. Under the agreement, GFS is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.


For such services rendered to the Fund under the Agreement, the Fund pays GFS a fee equal to the greater of (i) a minimum fee of $13,500.00 per share class for the first 90 days following the effective date for the Fund and a minimum fee of $18,000.00 per share class thereafter, and (ii) $16.00 per open account and $2.00 per closed account. The Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.

Custodian


Union Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”) serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custody Agreement by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian’s responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund’s cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund’s investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. The Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets. The Custodian’s principal place of business is 350 California Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104.


Chief Compliance Officer



37






Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust.


DESCRIPTION OF SHARES


Each share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.  


Shareholders of the Trust and any other future series of the Trust will vote in the aggregate and not by series except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interest of the shareholders of a particular series or classes. Matters such as ratification of the independent public accountants and election of Trustees are not subject to separate voting requirements and may be acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.  


The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. Each share has equal dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights applicable to any shares of the Fund. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.


ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM


The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program provides for the development of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program.  The Trust’s Secretary serves as its Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.


Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Fund’s Distributor, and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reported suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.  


As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to “freeze” the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.   


PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES


Calculation of Share Price


As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading “How Shares are Priced,” the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund.


For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are available are stated at market value. Market value is generally determined on the basis of last reported sales prices, or if no sales are reported, based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers, or pricing services. Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the last bid price. Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost. Exchange traded options, futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction.  


Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the

37






U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares.  


Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the “NYSE Close”) on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally uses pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.  


In unusual circumstances, instead of valuing securities in the usual manner, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or their designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.  


The Trust expects that the holidays upon which the Exchange will be closed are as follows: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.  


Purchase of Shares


Orders for shares received by the Fund in good order prior to the close of business on the NYSE on each day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at net asset value per share computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE. Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or on a day it is not open for trading, are priced at the close of such NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined net asset value per share.  


Redemption of Shares  


The Fund will redeem all or any portion of a shareholder’s shares of the Fund when requested in accordance with the procedures set forth in the “Redemptions” section of a prospectus. Under the 1940 Act, a shareholder’s right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be suspended at times:  


(a) when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings.

(b) when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason;  

(c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or

(d) when the Securities and Exchange Commission by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.


In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on the net asset value next determined after the termination of the suspension.


Supporting documents in addition to those listed under “Redemptions” in the prospectuses will be required from executors, administrators, Trustees, or if redemption is requested by someone other than the shareholder of record. Such documents include, but are not restricted to, stock powers, Trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor, certificates of corporate authority and waiver of tax required in some states when settling estates.  


TAX STATUS


The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. All shareholders should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding their investment in the Fund.  


The Fund intends to qualify and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and intends to continue to so qualify, which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to



38






shareholders, as described more fully below. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its investment company taxable income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Investment company taxable income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Code.


Investment company taxable income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses, plus any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses. Net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net-short-term capital losses) for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carry forward of the Fund. Capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Under previously enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains for eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital, irrespective of the character of the original loss.  Capital loss carry forwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carry forwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.


To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and net income from “publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in Section 851(h) of the Code), and (b) diversify its holding so that, at the end of each quarter, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, or two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.


If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes to its shareholders each taxable year an amount equal to or exceeding the sum of (i) 90% of its investment company taxable income without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain disallowed deductions, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including net capital gain distributed to shareholders.  If, however, the Fund meets such distribution requirements, but chooses to retain a portion of its investment company taxable income or net capital gain, it generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained.


The Fund intends to distribute all of its investment company taxable income and any net capital gains in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year ending October 31, and no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.  


If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M in any fiscal year, it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations. Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net realized capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund.  


The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this tax.  


Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of the following year. Redemptions of shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.  In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the Fund may be “spilled back” and treated as paid by the Fund (except for the



39






purposes of the 4% excise tax) during such taxable year.  In such case, shareholders generally will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made.


The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Code.  


Distributions of investment company taxable income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Because the Fund’s income is derived primarily from sources that do not pay “qualified dividend income,” dividends from the Fund generally are not expected to qualify for taxation at the long-term capital gain rates available to individuals on qualified dividend income.  Furthermore, dividends from the Fund generally are not expected to qualify for the dividends-received deduction for shareholders that are corporations. Distributions of net capital gain (“capital gain dividends”) generally are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of the Fund have been held by such shareholders.


Distributions by the Fund in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares and any such amount in excess of that basis will be treated as gain from the sale of shares, as discussed below. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the amount of cash the shareholder could have received.  


A redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.   


For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain investment company taxable income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceed certain threshold amounts.


Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.  


Due to recent legislation, the Fund (or its administrative agent) is required to report to the IRS and furnish to shareholders the cost basis information for sale transactions of shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012.  Shareholders may elect to have one of several cost basis methods applied to their account when calculating the cost basis of shares sold, including average cost, FIFO or some other specific identification method.  Unless you instruct otherwise, the Fund will use average cost as its default cost basis method, and will treat sales as first coming from shares purchased prior to January 1, 2012.  If average cost is used for the first sale of shares covered by these new rules, the shareholder may only use an alternative cost basis method for shares purchased prospectively.  Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best cost basis method for their tax situation.  Shareholders that hold their shares through a financial intermediary should contact such financial intermediary with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.


Foreign Shareholders



40







The foregoing discussion relates only to U.S. federal income tax law as applicable to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens and residents and domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates).  Shareholders who are not U.S. persons should consult their tax advisers regarding U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including the likelihood that distributions to them would be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate under a tax treaty) and the possibility they may be subject to U.S. estate tax. For taxable years beginning before 2014 (or a later date if extended by Congress), a portion of the Fund’s distributions received by a foreign shareholder may, however, be exempt from U.S. withholding tax to the extent properly reported by the Fund as attributable to U.S. source interest income and short-term capital gains.


Effective January 1, 2014, the Fund will be required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of taxable dividends and (effective January 1, 2017) redemption proceeds made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts.  Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.


Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements  


To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund’s transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.


Passive Foreign Investment Companies  


Investment by the Fund in a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF election”), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the company’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company.  


The Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings “to the market” as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return.  


Foreign Currency Transactions


The Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated fixed income securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.


Foreign Taxation


Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to “pass through” to the Fund’s shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign



41






taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by that Fund will “pass through” for that year.  


Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder’s U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of the Fund’s income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated fixed income securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. A shareholder may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of his or her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. The foreign tax credit can be used to offset only 90% of the revised alternative minimum tax imposed on corporations and individuals and foreign taxes generally are not deductible in computing alternative minimum taxable income.  


Original Issue Discount, Pay-In-Kind and Market Discount Securities  


Investments by the Fund in zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities, other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently) or pay-in-kind securities will require the Fund to accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, generally prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments.  However, the Fund must distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all of its net income, including such accrued income, to shareholders to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code and avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes.  Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash to satisfy its distribution requirements.


By holding the foregoing kinds of securities, the Fund may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.  


If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Fund shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder, or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, in any single taxable year (or a greater amount over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886.  Shareholders who own portfolio securities directly are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement but, under current guidance, shareholders of regulated investment companies are not excepted.  A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure to the IRS may be subject to substantial penalties.  The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether or not the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper.  Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.


Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund’s shares.  


A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.  


Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.


INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C., located at 4 Becker Farm Road, Roseland, New Jersey 07068, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year.  The firm provides services including (i) audit of annual financial statements, and (ii) assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.  


LEGAL COUNSEL


Dechert LLP, One Maritime Plaza, Suite 2300, San Francisco, California 94111 serves as the Trust’s legal counsel.


43







FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The Fund has not yet commenced operations and, therefore, has not produced financial statements. Once produced, you can obtain a copy of the financial statements contained in the Fund’s Annual or Semi-Annual Report without charge by calling the Fund at 1-855-WSFUNDS (973-8637).




44






APPENDIX A


PROXY VOTING POLICY


WEST SHORE GROUP, LLC

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 206(4)-6 UNDER THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940 (THE “ADVISERS ACT”), WEST SHORE GROUP, LLC (“WSG”) HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING PROXY VOTING POLICY WITH RESPECT TO THOSE ASSETS FOR WHICH A CLIENT HAS VESTED WSG WITH DISCRETIONARY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (THE “ASSETS”).

WSG’s Policy

Unless a client directs otherwise, in writing, WSG shall be responsible for: (1) directing the manner in which proxies solicited by issuers of securities beneficially owned by the client shall be voted, and (2) making all elections relative to any mergers, acquisitions, and tender offers. However, the client shall maintain exclusive responsibility for all legal proceedings or other type events pertaining to the assets, including, but not limited to, class action lawsuits. WSG and/or the client shall correspondingly instruct each custodian of the assets to forward to WSG copies of all proxies and shareholder communications relating to the assets. Absent mitigating circumstances and/or conflicts of interest (to the extent any such circumstance or conflict is presented, if ever, information pertaining to how WSG addressed any such circumstance or conflict shall be maintained by WSG - see examples below), it is WSG’s general policy to vote proxies consistent with the recommendation of the senior management of the issuer. WSG shall monitor corporate actions of individual issuers and investment companies consistent with WSG’s fiduciary duty to vote proxies in the best interests of its clients. With respect to individual issuers, WSG may be solicited to vote on matters including corporate governance, adoption or amendments to compensation plans (including stock options), and matters involving social issues and corporate responsibility. With respect to investment companies (e.g., mutual funds), WSG may be solicited to vote on matters including the approval of advisory contracts, distribution plans, and mergers. WSG shall maintain records pertaining to proxy voting as required pursuant to Rule 204-2 (c)(2) under the Advisers Act. Copies of Rules 206(4)-6 and 204-2(c)(2) are available upon written request. In addition, information pertaining to how WSG voted on any specific proxy issue is also available upon written request. Any questions regarding WSG’s proxy voting policy shall be directed to James Tate, Chief Compliance Officer of WSG.

Mitigating Circumstances/Conflicts of Interest

The following are examples of mitigating circumstances and/or conflicts of interest: (1) an adviser or its affiliate may manage a pension plan, administer employee benefit plans, or provide brokerage, underwriting, insurance, or banking services to a company whose management is soliciting proxies; (2) an adviser may have business or personal relationships with participants in proxy contests, corporate directors, or candidates for directorships,  etc.; (3) an adviser has a business relationship not with the company but with a proponent of a proxy proposal that may affect how it casts votes on client securities; and (4) senior management’s recommendation, in the opinion of WSG, is not in the best interests of the client.

Implementation/Adoption

James Tate, Chief Compliance Officer, or his designee shall be primarily responsible for determining how client proxies are voted and recording how WSG addressed any mitigating circumstance or conflict of interest. Mr.  Tate shall be primarily responsible for the ongoing review and evaluation of WSG’s proxy voting policy and corresponding compliance with the requirements of Rules 206(4)-6 and 204-2(c)(2). Copies of the Rules are attached and made a part hereof.




45







Appendix B

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

A.

Long-Term Ratings


1.

Moody s Investors Service Long-Term Corporate Obligation Ratings

Moody s long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more.  They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised.  Such ratings use Moody’s Global Scale and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

Aaa

Obligations rated ‘Aaa’ are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

Aa

Obligations rated ‘Aa’ are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A

Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa

Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk.  They are considered medium grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba

Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B

Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa

Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca

Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C

Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery or interest.


Note:

Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa.  The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.


2.

Standard & Poor s Long-Term Corporate Obligation Ratings (including Preferred Stock



46






Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:

Likelihood of payment capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

• Nature of and provisions of the obligation;

• Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default.  Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above.  (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

AAA

An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s.  The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA

An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree.  The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A

An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories.  However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB

An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters.  However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


Note:

Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics.  BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest.  While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

BB


An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues.  However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B

An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.  Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC

An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.  In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.



47






CC

An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

C

A C rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default.  Among others, the C rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock, or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms.

D

An obligation rated D is in payment default.  The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.  The D rating also will be used upon filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.



Note:

Plus (+) or minus (-).  The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

NR

This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

3.

Fitch International Long-Term Credit Ratings

International Long-Term Credit Ratings (LTCR) may also be referred to as Long-Term Ratings.  When assigned to most issuers, it is used as a benchmark measure of probability of default and is formally described as an Issuer Default Rating (IDR).  The major exception is within Public Finance, where IDRs will not be assigned as market convention has always focused on timeliness and does not draw analytical distinctions between issuers and their underlying obligations.  When applied to issues or securities, the LTCR may be higher or lower than the issuer rating (IDR) to reflect relative differences in recovery expectations.

The following rating scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings:

Investment Grade

AAA

Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk.  They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.  This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA

Very high credit quality.  AA ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk.  They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.  This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A

High credit quality.  A ratings denote expectations of low credit risk.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong.  This capacity, may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB



48






Good credit quality.  BBB ratings indicate that there are currently expectations of low credit risk.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.  This is the lowest investment grade category.



Speculative Grade

BB

Speculative.  BB ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.  Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

B

Highly speculative.  B ratings may indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains.  Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

CCC


Default is a real possibility.  Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic conditions.

CC

Default of some kind appears probable.

C

Default is imminent.

RD

Indicated an entity has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of obligations.

D

Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.  Default generally is defined as one of the following:

• Failure of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or interest under contractual terms of any financial obligation;

• The bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation, or other winding-up or cessation of business of an obligor

• The distressed or other coercive exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period.

Issuers will be rated D upon default.  Defaulted and distressed obligations typically are rated along the continuum of C to B ratings categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics.  Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full accordance with the terms of the obligation’s documentation during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation may be rated in the B or CCC-C categories.

Default is determined by reference to the terms of the obligations’ documentation.  Fitch will assign default ratings where it has reasonable determined that payment has not been made on a material obligation in accordance with the requirements of the



49






obligation’s documentation, or where it believes that default ratings consistent with Fitch’s published definition of default are the most appropriate ratings to assign.

Note:

The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.  Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-Term rating category, to categories below CCC, or to Short-Term ratings other than F1.  (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)

B.

Preferred Stock Ratings


1.

Moody’s Investors Service


Aaa

An issue which is rated Aaa is considered to be a top-quality preferred stock.  This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stock.

Aa

An issue which is rated Aa is considered a high-grade preferred stock.  This rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance the earnings and asset protection will remain relatively well-maintained in the foreseeable future.

A

An issue which is rated A is considered to be an upper-medium preferred stock.  While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the Aaa and Aa classification, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be maintained at adequate levels.

Baa

An issue which is rated Baa is considered to be a medium-grade preferred stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured.  Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any great length of time.

Ba

An issue which is rate Ba is considered to have speculative elements and its future cannot be considered well assured.  Earnings and asset protection may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods.  Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

B

An issue which is rated B generally lacks the characteristics of a desirable investment.  Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small.

Caa

An issue which is rated Caa is likely to be in arrears on dividend payments.  This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future status of payments.

Ca

An issues which is rated Ca is speculative in a high degree and is likely to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payments.

C

This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock.  Issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

Note:



50







Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each rating classification.  The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 3 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

C.

Short Term Ratings


1.

Moody’s Investors Service


Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations.  Ratings assigned may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs, or to individual short-term debt instruments.  Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:


P-1

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.


P-2


Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.


P-3


Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.


NP


Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.


Note:


Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.


2.

Standard & Poor’s


A-1


A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong.  Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+).  This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.


A-2


A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories.  However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.



51







A-3


A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters.  However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


B


A short-term obligation rated B is regard as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of B-1, B-2, and B-3 may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the B category.  The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


B-1


A short-term obligation rated B-1 is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.


B-2


A short-term obligation rated B-2 is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.


B-3


A short-term obligation rated B-3 is regard as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.


C


A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


D


A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default.  The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.  The D ratings also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition of the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.


Note:

Dual ratings .  Standard & Poor’s assigns “dual” ratings to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure.  The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature.  The long-term rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the short-term rating symbols for the put option (for example, AAA/A-1+).  With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, note rating symbols are used with the short-term issue credit rating symbols (for example, SP-1+/A-1+).


3.

Fitch


52






The following ratings scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings.  A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 13 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance, in line with industry standards, to reflect unique risk characteristics of bond, tax, and revenue anticipation notes that are commonly issued with terms up to three years.  Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.

F1

Highest credit quality.  Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2


Good credit quality.  A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

F3


Fair credit quality.  The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non investment grade.


B


Speculative.  Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.


C


High default risk.  Default is a real possibility.  Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

D


Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.


Note:


The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.  Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-term rating category, to categories below CCC, or to Short-term ratings other than F1. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)




53





 





REDWOOD MANAGED VOLATILITY FUND



A Series of Two Roads Shared Trust








 

 

 

Fund

 

Class I

Class N

Class Y

Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

 

RWDIX

RWDNX

RWDYX

 

 

 

 

 


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


Dated November 1, 2013




This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund (the “Fund”) dated October 22, 2013, copies of which may be obtained without charge by contacting the Fund’s Transfer Agent, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 or by calling 1-855-RED-FUND (733-3863). You may also obtain the prospectus for the Fund by visiting the Fund’s website:


Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

www.redwoodmutualfund.com








TABLE OF CONTENTS



 

Page

THE FUND

1

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

1

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

23

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

24

MANAGEMENT

25

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

29

INVESTMENT ADVISER

29

THE DISTRIBUTOR

31

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

32

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

34

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

34

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

35

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

36

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM

36

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

37

TAX STATUS

38

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

42

LEGAL COUNSEL

42

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

42





-i-

 






THE FUND

The Fund is a series of Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust organized on June 8, 2012 (the “Trust”). The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”). The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges. Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares of the Fund are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights. Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.  

The Redwood Managed Volatility Fund is a diversified series of the Trust. The Fund consists of Class I, Class N and Class Y shares.  The Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies are more fully described here and in the applicable prospectus. The Board may start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.  

Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Trustee will continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his/her earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal. Shareholders can remove a Trustee to the extent provided by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, except insofar as the 1940 Act may require the election by shareholders. As a result, normally no annual or regular meetings of shareholders will be held unless matters arise requiring a vote of shareholders under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act.

 

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

The investment objective of the Fund and a description of its principal investment strategies are set forth under “Additional Information About Principal Investment Strategies and Related Risks” in the Fund’s prospectus. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust.  

 

The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, strategies the Adviser may employ in pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective and a summary of related risks.

 

Securities of Other Investment Companies  

 

The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies.  The Fund’s investments in an underlying portfolio of Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”), mutual funds and closed-end funds involve certain additional expenses and certai n tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in the underlying funds.

 

Open-End Investment Companies  

 

The Fund may invest in shares of open-end investment companies. The Fund and any “affiliated persons,” as defined by the 1940 Act, may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding securities of any underlying fund unless: (i) the underlying investment company and/or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from such limitations from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); and (ii) the underlying investment company and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying funds, the Fund’s ability to invest fully in shares of those funds is restricted, and the Adviser must then, in some instances, select alternative investments that would not have been its first preference. The 1940 Act also provides that an underlying fund whose shares are purchased by the Fund will be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the underlying fund’s outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Shares held by the Fund in excess of 1% of an underlying fund’s outstanding securities therefore, will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of any Fund’s total assets.  Under certain circumstances an underlying fund may determine to make payment of a redemption by the Fund wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, in lieu of cash, in conformity with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In such cases, the Fund may hold securities distributed by an underlying fund until the Adviser determines that it is appropriate to dispose of such securities.



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Investment decisions by the investment advisers of the underlying funds are made independently of the Fund and its Adviser. Therefore, the investment adviser of o ne underlying fund may be purchasing shares of the same issuer whose shares are being sold by the Adviser of the Fund. The result would be an indirect expense to the Fund without accomplishing any investment purpose.  

 

Exchange Traded Funds

 

ETFs are typically passively managed funds that track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts (UITs) that have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap “creation units” in block-multiples of 50,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded after hours once the net asset value (NAV) is calculated. ETFs share many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.

 

Closed-End Investment Companies  

 

The Fund may invest its assets in “closed-end” investment companies (or “closed-end funds”), subject to the investment restrictions set forth below. The Fund may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any closed-end fund. Shares of closed-end funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time ini tial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 4% or 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities are then listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (commonly known as “NASDAQ”) and, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.  

 

The Fund generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market. The Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the Adviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund’s proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if the Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.  

 

The shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment obj ective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value but rather are subject to the principles of supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value.

 

The Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.  

 

Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.

 

Business Development Companies

 

Business development companies (“BDCs”) are regulated under the 1940 Act and are taxed as regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Internal Revenue Code.  BDCs typically operate as publicly traded private equity firms that invest in early stage to



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mature private companies and small public companies. BDCs realize operating income when their investments are sold off, and therefore maintain complex organizational, operational, tax and compliance requirements, and must distribute at least 90% of their taxable earnings as dividends. Additionally, a BDC’s expenses are not direct expenses paid by Fund shareholders and are not used to calculate the Fund’s net asset value.

 

High Yield Securities

 

Greater Risk of Loss

These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated securities will default than issuers of higher-rated securities. Issuers of lower-rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest on securities held by the Fund, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments.

Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes

The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher-rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.

Valuation Difficulties

It is often more difficult to value lower-rated securities than higher-rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower-rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower-rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher-rated securities.


Liquidity

There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower-rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher-rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, the Fund may be required to sell investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely when an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.

Credit Quality

Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.

New Legislation

Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. As an example, in the late 1980’s, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on the Fund’s investments in lower-rated securities.



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High yield, high risk investments may include the following:

Straight fixed income securities

These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.

Zero-coupon debt securities

These do not pay periodic interest but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.

Zero-fixed-coupon debt securities

These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to periodic interest-paying debt securities.

Pay-in-kind bonds

These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. These bonds are typically sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act “), usually to a relatively small number of institutional investors.

Convertible Securities

These are bonds or preferred stock that may be converted to common stock.

Preferred Stock

These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.

Loan Participations and Assignments

These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to corporations or to governments, including governments of less developed countries (“LDCs”).


Securities issued in connection with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructurings

In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its fixed income securities. The Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if it does not invest in such securities.

Distressed Securities

An investment in distressed securities may involve a substantial degree of risk. These instruments, which involve loans, loan participations, bonds, notes, non-performing and sub-performing mortgage loans typically are unrated, lower-rated, in default or close to default.  Many of these instruments are not publicly traded, and may become illiquid. The prices of such instruments may be extremely volatile. Securities of distressed companies are generally more likely to become worthless than the securities of more financially stable companies. Valuing such instruments may be difficult, and the Fund may lose all of its investment, or it may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than the Fund’s original investment. Issuers of distressed securities are typically in a weak financial condition and may default, in which case the Fund may lose its entire investment.

 



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Loan Participations and Assignments

The Fund may invest directly or indirectly in floating rate senior loans of domestic or foreign borrowers (“Senior Loans”) primarily by purchasing participations or assignments of a portion of a Senior Loan. Floating rate loans are those with interest rates which float, adjust or vary periodically based upon benchmark indicators, specified adjustment schedules or prevailing interest rates. Senior Loans often are secured by specific assets of the borrower, although a Fund may invest in Senior Loans that are not secured by any collateral.

Senior Loans are loans that are typically made to business borrowers to finance leveraged buy-outs, recapitalizations, mergers, stock repurchases, and internal growth. Senior Loans generally hold the most senior position in the capital structure of a borrower and are usually secured by liens on the assets of the borrowers, including tangible assets such as cash, accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, common and/or preferred stock of subsidiaries, and intangible assets including trademarks, copyrights, patent rights and franchise value.

By virtue of their senior position and collateral, Senior Loans typically provide lenders with the first right to cash flows or proceeds from the sale of a borrower’s collateral if the borrower becomes insolvent (subject to the limitations of bankruptcy law, which may provide higher priority to certain claims such as, for example, employee salaries, employee pensions, and taxes). This means Senior Loans are generally repaid before unsecured bank loans, corporate bonds, subordinated debt, trade creditors, and preferred or common stockholders.

The risks associated with Senior Loans are similar to the risks of “junk” securities. The Fund’s investments in Senior Loans is typically below investment grade and is considered speculative because of the credit risk of their issuers. Moreover, any specific collateral used to secure a loan may decline in value or lose all its value or become illiquid, which would adversely affect the loan’s value. Economic and other events, whether real or perceived, can reduce the demand for certain Senior Loans or Senior Loans generally, which may reduce market prices and cause the Fund’s net asset value per share to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes cannot be predicted.

Senior Loans and other debt securities are also subject to the risk of price declines and to increases in prevailing interest rates, although floating rate debt instruments are less exposed to this risk than fixed rate debt instruments. Conversely, the floating rate feature of Senior Loans means the Senior Loans will not generally experience capital appreciation in a declining interest rate environment. Declines in interest rates may also increase prepayments of debt obligations and require the Fund to invest assets at lower yields.

Although Senior Loans in which the Fund will invest will often be secured by collateral, there can be no assurance that liquidation of such collateral would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of a default or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations in its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a Senior Loan. The Fund may also invest in Senior Loans that are not secured.

Senior Loans and other types of direct indebtedness may not be readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. In some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of indebtedness may require weeks to complete. Consequently, some indebtedness may be difficult or impossible to dispose of readily at what the Adviser believes to be a fair price. In addition, valuation of illiquid indebtedness involves a greater degree of judgment in determining the Fund’s net asset value than if that value were based on available market quotations, and could result in significant variations in the Fund’s daily share price. At the same time, some loan interests are traded among certain financial institutions and accordingly may be deemed liquid. As the market for different types of indebtedness develops, the liquidity of these instruments is expected to improve.

The Fund may receive and/or pay certain fees in connection with its activities in buying, selling and holding loans. These fees are in addition to interest payments received, and may include facility fees, commitment fees, commissions and prepayment penalty fees.

The Fund may acquire interests in Senior Loans that are designed to provide temporary or “bridge” financing to a borrower pending the sale of identified assets or the arrangement of longer-term loans or the issuance and sale of debt obligations. A borrower’s use of a bridge loan involves a risk that the borrower may be unable to locate permanent financing to replace the bridge loan, which may impair the borrower’s perceived creditworthiness.

The Fund’s investment in loans may take the form of a participation or an assignment. Loan participations typically represent direct participation in a loan to a borrower, and generally are offered by financial institutions or lending syndicates. The Fund may participate in such syndications, or can buy part of a loan, becoming a part lender. When purchasing loan participations, the Fund assumes the credit risk associated with the borrower and may assume the credit risk associated with an interposed financial intermediary. The participation interest and assignments in which the Fund intends to invest may not be rated by any nationally  



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recognized rating service. The Fund may invest in loan participations and assignments with credit quality comparable to that of issuers of its securities investments.

When the Fund is a purchaser of an assignment, it succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning bank or other financial intermediary and becomes a lender under the loan agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning bank or other financial intermediary. For example, if a loan is foreclosed, the Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender liability, the Fund could be held liable as co-lender. It is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections against fraud and misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, the Fund will rely on the Adviser’s research in an attempt to avoid situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Fund.

Fixed Income Securities

Yields on fixed income securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money market and other fixed income securities markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. An investment in a ny Fund will be subjected to risk even if all fixed income securities in the Fund’s portfolio are paid in full at maturity.  All fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates or the issuer’s actual or perceived creditworthiness or ability to meet its obligations.

 

There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. In other w ords, an increase in interest rates produces a decrease in market value. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the markets’ perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the fixed income securities of that issuer. Obligations of issuers of fixed income securities (including municipal securities) are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of municipal issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures, or referenda extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the fixed income securities of that issuer. The possibility exists, therefore, that, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its fixed income securities may become impaired.

 

The corporate fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate bonds and notes and short-term investments such as commercial paper and variable rate demand notes. Commercial paper (short-term promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their or their affiliate’s current obligations and is frequently unsecured. Variable and floating ra te demand notes are unsecured obligations redeemable upon not more than 30 days’ notice. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days’ notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.

 

Commercial Paper

The Fund may purchase commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations.  See Appendix B for more information on rati ngs assigned to commercial paper.

 

Certificates of Deposit and Bankers’ Acceptances

 

The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, which are considered to be short-term money market instruments.  

 

Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers’ acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter  



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or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity.   Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.  

 

United States Government Obligations

 

The Fund may invest in United States Government Obligations. These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securiti es are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis.  

 

United States Government Agency  

 

The Fund may invest in securities issued by United States Government Agencies. These consist of fixed income securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States Government, including the various type s of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Farmer’s Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), the Farm Credit Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii) guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., GNMA mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., FNMA Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Association).

 

Government-related guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/ servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.  

 

FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsor ed corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates (“PC’s”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC’s national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.

 

Municipal Government Obligations

 

In general, municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (inclu ding the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Municipal obligations generally include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. Certain types of municipal obligations are issued in whole or in part to obtain funding for privately operated facilities or projects. Municipal obligations include general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial development bonds, notes and municipal lease obligations. Municipal obligations also include additional obligations, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax, that may become available in the future as long as the Board determines that an investment in any such type of obligation is consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives. Municipal obligations may be fully or partially backed by local government, the credit of a private issuer, current or anticipated revenues from a 



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specific project or specific assets or domestic or foreign entities providing credit support such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance.

 

Municipal Lease Obligations

Municipal lease obligations may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase or a conditional sales contract. They are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acqui re land, equipment and facilities, such as vehicles, telecommunications and computer equipment and other capital assets. The Fund may invest in funds that purchase these lease obligations directly, or it may purchase participation interests in such lease obligations. States have different requirements for issuing municipal debt and issuing municipal leases. Municipal leases are generally subject to greater risks than general obligation or revenue bonds because they usually contain a “non-appropriation” clause, which provides that the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year. Such non-appropriation clauses are required to avoid the municipal lease obligations from being treated as debt for state debt restriction purposes. Accordingly, such obligations are subject to “non-appropriation” risk. Municipal leases may be secured by the underlying capital asset and it may be difficult to dispose of any such asset in the event of non-appropriation or other default.

 

Information on Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes

 

The Fund may invest in fixed time deposits, whether or not subject to withdrawal penalties. The commercial paper obligations which the Fund may buy are unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a “Master Note”) permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between the Fund as lender, and the issuer, as borrower. It permits daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Fund has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to the Fund’s investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer on demand within seven days.

 

Insured Bank Obligations

 

The Fund may invest in insured bank obligations. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insures the deposits of federally insured banks and savings and loan associations (collectively referred to as “banks”) up to $250,000. The Fund may purchase bank obligations, which are fully insured as to principal by the FDIC. Currently, to remain fully insured as to principal, these investments must be limited to $250,000 per bank; if the principal amount and accrued interest together exceed $250,000, the excess principal and accrued interest will not be insured. Insured bank obligations may have limited marketability.  

 

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Government Securities

 

The Fund may invest in foreign government securities, including securities issued by foreign governments, including political subdivisions, or their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or by supra-national agencies. Different kinds of foreign government securities have different types of government support. For example, some foreign government securities are supported by the full faith and credit of a foreign national government or a political subdivision and some are not. Foreign government securities of some countries may involve varying degrees of credit risk as a result of financial or political instability in those countries or the possible inability of the Fund to enforce its rights against a foreign government. As with issuers of other fixed income securities, sovereign issuers may be unable or unwilling to satisfy their obligations to pay principal or interest payments.

 

Supra-national agencies are agencies whose member nations make capital contributions to support the agencies’ activities. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

 

As with other fixed income securities, foreign government securities expose their holders to market risk because their values typically change as interest rates fluctuate.  For example, the value of foreign government securities may fall during times of rising interest rates. Also, yields on foreign government securities tend to be lower than those of corporate securities of comparable maturities.

 


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I n addition to investing directly in foreign government securities, the Fund may purchase certificates of accrual or similar instruments evidencing undivided ownership interests in interest payments and/or principal payments of foreign government securities. Certificates of accrual and similar instruments may be more volatile than other foreign government securities.

 

Mortgage Pass-Through Securities

 

Interests in pools of mortgage pass-through securities differ from other forms of fixed income securities (which normally provide periodic payments of interest in fixed amounts and the payment of principal in a lump sum at maturity or on specified call dates). Instead, mortgage pass-through securities provide monthly payments consisting of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the underlying residential mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Unscheduled payments of principal may be made if the underlying mortgage loans are repaid or refinanced or the underlying properties are foreclosed, thereby shortening the securities’ weighted average life. Some mortgage pass-through securities (such as securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae) are described as “modified pass-through securities.” These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, on the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether the mortgagor actually makes the payment.

The principal governmental guarantor of mortgage pass-through securities is Ginnie Mae. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by lending institutions approved by Ginnie Mae (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers) and backed by pools of mortgage loans. These mortgage loans are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. A “pool” or group of such mortgage loans is assembled and after being approved by Ginnie Mae, is offered to investors through securities dealers.

Government-related guarantors of mortgage pass-through securities (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury) include Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Fannie Mae purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved sellers/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Mortgage pass-through securities issued by Fannie Mae are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by Fannie Mae but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.

Freddie Mac was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a U.S. government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned by stockholders. Freddie Mac issues Participation Certificates (“PCs”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from Freddie Mac’s national portfolio. Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.

Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage pass-through securities.

Private Mortgage Pass-Through Securities

Private mortgage pass-through securities, also known as “non-agency mortgage securities”, are structured similarly to the Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage pass-through securities and are issued by United States and foreign private issuers such as originators of and investors in mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. These securities usually are backed by a pool of conventional fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage loans. Since private mortgage pass-through securities typically are not guaranteed by an entity having the credit status of Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, such securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancement.

Mortgage assets often consist of a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. There are usually fewer properties in a pool of assets backing commercial mortgage-backed securities than in a pool of assets backing residential mortgage-backed securities; hence they may be more sensitive to the performance of fewer mortgage assets. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments, those securities may contain elements of credit support, which fall into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses resulting from ultimate default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that



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the receipt of payments on the underlying pool occurs in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally based on historical information respecting the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquencies or losses in excess of those anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in a security. The Fund will not pay any fees for credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.


Risks Related to the Adviser and to its Strategy

System Risk.

The Adviser implements the Fund’s investment strategy using a proprietary trading model (the “Model”) that analyzes information and data supplied by third parties. When the data proves to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. For example, by relying on the data, the Adviser may be induced to buy or sell investments when it may not be advantageous to do so, or to miss favorable opportunities altogether.

The Model seeks to accurately predict favorable investment opportunities based on technical analysis using current and historical data. The use of the Model has inherent risks. For example, the Model may incorrectly forecast future behavior, leading to potential losses on a cash flow and/or a mark-to-market basis. In addition, the Model may produce unexpected results, which can result in losses for the Fund. Furthermore, because the Model relies on historical and market data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on the Model may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical and market data. If incorrect historical or market data is entered into the Model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if the historical and market data is accurate the anticipated price trends that the Model identifies will often substantially differ from actual market prices.  Differences in anticipated price trends and actual market prices may result in losses for the Fund.

Obsolescence Risk

The Fund is unlikely to be successful unless the assumptions underlying the Model are realistic and either remain realistic and relevant in the future or are adjusted to account for changes in the overall market environment. If such assumptions are inaccurate or become inaccurate and are not promptly adjusted, it is likely that profitable trading signals will not be generated. If and to the extent that the Model does not reflect certain factors major losses may result. Any modification of the Model will not be subject to any requirement that shareholders receive notice of the change or that they consent to it. There can be no assurance as to the effects (positive or negative) of any modification of the Model on the Fund’s performance.

Crowding/Convergence

There is significant competition among systematic, trend-following managers, and the ability of the Adviser to deliver returns consistent with the Fund’s objectives and policies is dependent on its ability to employ a trading strategy that is simultaneously profitable and differentiated from similar trading employed by other managers. To the extent that the Adviser’s trading on behalf of the Fund comes to resemble trading employed by other managers, the risk that a market disruption that negatively affects predictive models will adversely affect the Fund is increased, and such a disruption could accelerate reductions in liquidity or rapid re-pricing due to simultaneous trading across a number of funds in the marketplace.

Involuntary Disclosure Risk

As described above, the ability of the Adviser to achieve the Fund’s investment objective is dependent in large part on its ability to develop and protect its System and any related proprietary research. The Model and any related proprietary research are largely protected by the use of policies, procedures, agreements, and similar measures designed to create and enforce robust confidentiality, non-disclosure, and similar safeguards. However, public disclosure obligations (or disclosure obligations to exchanges or regulators with insufficient privacy safeguards) could lead to opportunities for competitors to reverse-engineer the Model, and thereby impair the relative or absolute performance of the Fund.

Proprietary Trading Methods

Because the Model and the trading methods employed by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund are proprietary, a shareholder will not be able to determine any details of such methods or whether they are being followed.

 



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Equity Securities  

Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible bonds, warrants, rights and options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be significant.

Common Stock

Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company’s stock price.

Preferred Stock

Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to the fixed income securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.

The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company’s worth.

Convertible Securities

Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer’s underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting of “usable” bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock.

Depositary Receipts

American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are receipts issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in U.S. securities markets. Unsponsored ADRs may be created without the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights.  

Warrants

Warrants are options to purchase common stock at a specific price (usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging from less than one year to twenty years, or they may be perpetual. However, most warrants have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, a warrant is worthless if the market price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant’s exercise price during the life of the warrant. Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the optioned common stock.



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Derivative Instruments

The Fund may purchase and write call and put options on securities, securities indices and foreign currencies, and enter into futures contracts and use options on futures contracts as further described below. The Fund may also enter into swap agreements with respect to foreign currencies, interest rates and securities indices. The Fund may use these techniques to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or securities prices or to attempt to achieve investment returns as part of its overall investment strategies. The Fund may also purchase and sell options relating to foreign currencies for purposes of increasing exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees (or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under options, futures, and swaps to avoid leveraging the portfolio of the Fund as described below.

The Fund considers derivative instruments to consist of securities or other instruments whose value is derived from or related to the value of some other instrument or asset, and not to include those securities whose payment of principal and/or interest depends upon cash flows from underlying assets, such as mortgage-related or asset-backed securities. The value of some derivative instruments in which the Fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of the Fund, the ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Adviser to correctly forecast interest rates and other economic factors. If the Adviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, the Fund could be exposed to the risk of loss. In addition, while the use of derivatives for hedging purposes can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains, and hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and security it is hedging, which means that a hedge might not be effective. The Fund might not employ any of the strategies described above, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. A decision as to whether, when and how to utilize derivative instruments involves skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived derivatives strategy may be unsuccessful. The use of derivative instruments involves brokerage fees and/or other transaction costs.

Investment in futures-related and commodity-linked derivatives may subject the Fund to additional risks, and in particular may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of futures-related and commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from certain specified types of investments. It is currently unclear which types of commodities-linked derivatives fall within these specified investment types. As a result, if the Fund’s investment in commodities-linked derivatives were to exceed a certain threshold, the Fund could fail to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code.

Margin Deposits and Cover Requirements

        Margin Deposits for Futures Contracts

Unlike the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents, known as initial margin, based on the value of the contract. The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in securities transactions in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by the customer to finance the transactions. Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, called variation margin, to and from the broker, will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying instruments fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” For example, when the Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the contract has risen in response to a rise in the price of the underlying instruments, that position will have increased in value and the Fund will be entitled to receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that increase in value. Conversely, where the Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the futures contract has declined in response to a decrease in the underlying instruments, the position would be less valuable and the Fund would be required to make a variation margin payment to the broker. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Adviser may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, subject to the availability of a secondary market, which will operate to terminate the Fund’s position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.



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Cover Requirements for Forward Contracts, Swap Agreements, Options, Futures and Options on Futures

The Fund will comply with guidelines established by the SEC with respect to coverage of forwards, futures, swaps and options. These guidelines may, in certain instances, require segregation by the Fund of cash or liquid securities with its custodian or a designated sub-custodian to the extent the Fund’s obligations with respect to these strategies are not otherwise “covered” through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or currency or by other portfolio positions or by other means consistent with applicable regulatory policies. Segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

For example, when entering into a futures contract that will be cash settled, the Fund will cover (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the mark-to-market amount, if any, owed by the Fund on the futures contract. When entering into a futures contract that does not need to be settled in cash, the Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark to market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the full notional value of the contract. Alternatively, the Fund may “cover” its position by purchasing an option on the same futures contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held by the Fund or by entering into an agreement that enables the Fund to settle such futures contracts in cash.

To the extent the Fund writes credit default swaps, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid by the Fund in accordance with procedures established by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, or enter into offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the swap (minus any amounts owed to the Fund). Such segregation or “earmarking” will ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will limit any potential leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio. Also, the Fund does not invest more than 25% of its assets in contracts with any one counterparty.

Foreign Currency Transactions

The Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, options, swaps, and other strategic transactions in connection with investments in securities of non-U.S. companies. The Fund will conduct their foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot ( i.e. , cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or through forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies.

The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (forward contracts) in order to protect against possible losses on foreign investments resulting from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, as well as to increase exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price on a future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their customers. Although foreign exchange dealers often do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies. However, forward contracts may limit the potential gains which could result from a positive change in such currency relationships. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, to cover the Fund’s obligations under forward foreign currency exchange contracts entered into for non-hedging purposes.

The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired. As with other kinds of options, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuation in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund’s position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.

The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether it is hedging its assets or its liabilities, and will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis ( i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlement with respect to each interest rate swap will be calculated on a daily basis and an amount of cash or other liquid assets (marked to market daily) having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be segregated or “earmarked.” The Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of all counterparties on an ongoing basis. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the



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transaction. There is no limit on the amount of interest rate swap transactions that may be entered into by the Fund, subject to the segregation requirement described above. These transactions may in some instances involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets by the Fund or its counterparty to collateralize obligations under the swap. Under the documentation currently used in those markets, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of the payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate swap that is not collateralized defaults, the Fund would risk the loss of the net amount of the payments that it contractually is entitled to receive.

While the Adviser is authorized to hedge against currency risk, it is not required to do so. The Adviser may choose not to hedge currency exposure.

Securities Options

The Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.

A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, re gardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security.

Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, se ttlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 100®. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the AMEX Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index.

Options on stock indices are currently traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Pacific Stock Exchange and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.

The Fund ’s obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by the Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transactions costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have incurred a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument or liquidate the assets held in a segregated account, as described in the Cover Requirements section, until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. In such circumstances, the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.

If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing



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purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold). If an option written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.

Certain Risks Regarding Options

There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, w hether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

Successful use by the Fund of options on stock indices will be subject to the ability of the Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, the Fund’s ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by the Fund. Inasmuch as the Fund’s securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Fund bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the Fund’s securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indices acquired by the Fund.

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.

There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

Options on Futures Contracts

The Fund may purchase and sell options on the same types of futures in which it may invest. Options on futures are similar to options on underlying instruments except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by the delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.  

Dealer Options

The Fund may engage in transactions involving dealer options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to dealer options. While the Fund might look to a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, if the Fund were to



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purchase a dealer option it would need to rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.

Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while dealer options may not. Consequently, the Fund may generally be able to realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a dealer option, the Fund may generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom the Fund originally wrote the option. While the Fund will seek to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and which are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless the Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With respect to options written by the Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to the Fund. For example, because the Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security it writes, the Fund may not sell the assets, which it has segregated to secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair the Fund’s ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be advantageous.

The Staff of the SEC has taken the position that purchased dealer options are illiquid securities. The Fund may treat the cover used for written dealer options as liquid if the dealer agrees that the Fund may repurchase the dealer options they have written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option. Accordingly, the Fund will treat dealer options as subject to the Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities. If the SEC changes its position on the liquidity of dealer options, the Fund will change their treatment of such instruments accordingly.

Spread Transactions

The Fund may purchase covered spread options from securities dealers. These covered spread options are not presently exchange-listed or exchange-traded. The purchase of a spread option gives the Fund the right to put securities that it owns at a fixed dollar spread or fixed yield spread in relationship to another security that the Fund does not own, but which is used as a benchmark. The risk to the Fund, in addition to the risks of dealer options described above, is the cost of the premium paid as well as any transaction costs. The purchase of spread options will be used to protect the Fund against adverse changes in prevailing credit quality spreads, i.e., the yield spread between high quality and lower quality securities. This protection is provided only during the life of the spread options.

Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (such as the Fund) purchases a security (known as the “underlying security”) from a securities dealer or bank. Any such dealer or bank must be deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. At that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon price on a designated future date. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at an agreed upon rate due to the Fund on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund generally will be unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities. Repurchase agreements must be “fully collateralized,” in that the market value of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) must at all times be equal to or greater than the repurchase price. Therefore, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by the underlying securities.  

Repurchase agreements are generally for a short period of time, often less than a week, and will generally be used by the Fund to invest excess cash or as part of a temporary defensive strategy. Repurchase agreements that do not provide for payment within seven days will be treated as illiquid securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default by the seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses. These losses could result from: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security while the Fund is seeking to enforce its rights under the repurchase agreement; (b) possible reduced levels of income or lack of access to income during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

Swaps

Swap Agreements

Swap agreements are typically two-party, uncleared contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of



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return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments.  The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index.  Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.”  Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”).  Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term.  Swap agreements often do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets.  Accordingly, if a swap is entered into on a net basis, if the other party to a swap agreement defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any.  The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to a swap agreement entered into on a net basis will be accrued daily and an amount of cash or liquid asset having an aggregate NAV at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in an account with the Fund’s custodian that satisfies the 1940 Act.  The Fund will also establish and maintain such accounts with respect to its total obligations under any swaps that are not entered into on a net basis.  Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities.  Because most swap agreements are two-party contracts and may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund illiquid investment limitations.  The Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy.  The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty.  

The Fund may enter into a swap agreement in circumstances where the Adviser believes that it may be more cost effective or practical than buying the underlying securities or a futures contract or an option on such securities.  The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer.  The counterparty will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks, futures contracts or other underlying assets represented in the index, plus the dividends that would have been received on those instruments.  The Fund will agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks, futures contracts or other underlying assets.  Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.  

The Fund may enter into total return swap agreements. Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the change in market value of underlying assets, which may include a specified security, futures contract, basket of securities or futures contracts, defined portfolios of bonds, loans and mortgages, or securities indices during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security, commodity or market. Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Total return swaps are a mechanism for the user to accept the economic benefits of asset ownership without utilizing the balance sheet. The other leg of the swap, usually the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), is spread to reflect the non-balance sheet nature of the product. Total return swaps can be designed with any underlying asset agreed between two parties. Typically no notional amounts are exchanged with total return swaps. Total return swap agreements entail the risk that a party will default on its payment obligations to the Fund thereunder. Swap agreements also entail the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty. Generally, the Fund will enter into total return swaps on a net basis ( i.e. , the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).

The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are traded in the over-the-counter market.  The Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of Fund transactions in swap agreements. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

Credit Default Swaps

In a credit default swap, one party makes a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default by a third party, typically an emerging country, on its obligation. The Fund may use credit default swaps to provide a measure of protection against defaults of sovereign issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where the Fund owns or has exposure to the sovereign issuer) and may use credit default swaps to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular



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issuer’s default. In connection with these agreements, cash or liquid securities may be set aside as collateral by the Fund’s custodian in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement. The Fund earns interest on cash set aside as collateral. Swaps are marked to market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss. These financial instruments are not actively traded on financial markets. The values assigned to these instruments are based upon the best available information and because of the uncertainty of the valuation, these values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these instruments existed, and the differences could be material. Payments received or made at the end of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss. Entering into these agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market, and documentation risk. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and related regulatory developments requires the clearing and exchange-trading of certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps.  The Dodd-Frank Act will ultimately require the clearing of many additional types of OTC derivative instruments that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“ CFTC ”) and SEC recently defined as “swaps” including non-deliverable foreign exchange forwards, OTC foreign exchange options and swaptions.  Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing will take place on a phased-in basis based on type of market participant and CFTC approval of contracts for central clearing.  The Adviser will continue to monitor developments in this area, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swap agreements.

Regulatory Risks of Derivative Use


In February 2012, the CFTC adopted certain regulatory changes that will subject advisers to certain registered investment companies to registration with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) if an investment company is unable to meet certain trading and marketing limitations. These rules became effective on January 1, 2013. In relation to these regulatory changes adopted by the CFTC, the Fund’s Adviser intends to rely on an exemption from the CFTC’s CPO registration requirements. However, it is possible that the Adviser may be required to register as a CPO in the future and comply with any applicable reporting, disclosure or other regulatory requirements. Compliance with CFTC regulatory requirements will increase Fund expenses.  Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop.


It is also possible that additional government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures, options and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Fund from using such instruments as a part of its investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent the Fund from being able to achieve its investment objective. It is impossible to fully predict the effects of past, present or future legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse. It is possible that legislative and regulatory activity could limit or restrict the ability of the Fund to use certain instruments as a part of its investment strategy. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which the Fund may engage in derivative transactions could also prevent the Fund from using certain instruments.


There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Fund or the ability of the Fund to continue to implement its investment strategy. The futures, options and swaps markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading. The regulation of futures, options and swaps transactions in the U.S. is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action.


In 2010, the U.S. government enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The CFTC and certain futures exchanges have also established limits, referred to as “position limits,” on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, may be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the applicable position limits have been exceeded. Thus, even if the Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by the Adviser and its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. The trading decisions of the Adviser may have to be modified and positions held by the Fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the profitability of the Fund.


The SEC has in the past adopted interim rules requiring reporting of all short positions on securities above a certain de minimis threshold and is expected to adopt rules requiring monthly public disclosure in the future. In addition, other non-U.S. jurisdictions



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where the Fund may trade have adopted reporting requirements. If the Fund’s securities short positions or its strategy become generally known, it could have a significant effect on the Adviser’s ability to implement its investment strategy. In particular, it would make it more likely that other investors could cause a “short squeeze” in the securities held short by the Fund forcing the Fund to cover its positions at a loss. Such reporting requirements may also limit the Adviser’s ability to access management and other personnel at certain companies where the Adviser seeks to take a short position. In addition, if other investors engage in copycat behavior by taking positions in the same issuers as the Fund, the cost of borrowing securities to sell short could increase drastically and the availability of such securities to the Fund could decrease drastically. Such events could make the Fund unable to execute its investment strategy. In addition, the SEC recently proposed additional restrictions on short sales. If the SEC were to adopt additional restrictions regarding short sales, they could restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in short sales of securities in certain circumstances, and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result.


The SEC and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions may adopt (and in certain cases, have adopted) bans on short sales of certain securities in response to market events. Bans on short selling may make it impossible for the Fund to execute certain investment strategies and may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to generate returns.

Trading in Futures Contracts

A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made. Brokerage fees are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Enter ing into a contract to buy is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position. Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position.  

Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures contract, and to maintain the Fund’s open positions in futures contracts, the Fund would be required to deposit with its futures broker in a segregated account an amount of cash, U.S. Government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid securities, known as “initial margin.”

The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the v alue of the contract being traded.

If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in underlying instrument or index in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund.

These subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” The Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.

Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying instrument or index and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.  

For example, one contract in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index future is a contract to buy 25 pounds sterling multiplied by the level of the UK Financial Times 100 Share Index on a given future date. Set tlement of a stock index futures contract may or may not be in the underlying instrument or index. If not in the underlying instrument or index, then settlement will be made in cash, equivalent over time to the difference between the contract price and the actual price of the underlying asset at the time the stock index futures contract expires.  

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The Fund’s futures contracts may be subject to periods of illiquidity because of market conditions, regulatory considerations and other reasons. For example, commodity exchanges limit fluctuations in certain futures contract prices during a single day by regulations referred to as “daily limits.” During a single day, no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. Once the price of a futures contract for a particular commodity has increased or decreased by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in the commodity futures contracts can neither be taken nor liquidated unless the traders are willing to effect trades at or within the limit. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. Such market conditions could prevent the Fund from promptly liquidating its futures contracts.

Over-the-Counter Instruments

The trading of over-the-counter instruments subjects the Fund to a variety of risks including: (1) counterparty risk; (2) basis risk; (3) interest rate risk; (4) settlement risk; (5) legal risk; and (6) operational risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that the Fund’s counterparties might default on their obligation to pay or perform generally on their obligations. The over-the-counter markets and some foreign markets are “principals’ markets.” That means that performance of the contract is the responsibility only of the individual firm or member on the other side of the trade and not any exchange or clearing corporation. Such “counterparty risk” is accentuated for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where the Fund has concentrated its transactions with a single or small group of counterparties. Basis risk is the risk attributable to the movements in the spread between the derivative contract price and the future price of the underlying instrument. Interest rate risk is the general risk associated with movements in interest rates. Settlement risk is the risk that a settlement in a transfer system does not take place as expected. Legal risk is the risk that a transaction proves unenforceable in law or because it has been inadequately documented. Operational risk is the risk of unexpected losses arising from deficiencies in a firm’s management information, support and control systems and procedures. Transactions in over-the-counter derivatives may involve other risks as well, as there is no exchange market on which to close out an open position. It may be impossible to liquidate an existing position, to assess the value of a position or to assess the exposure to risk.

Structured Notes, Bonds and Debentures

Typically, the value of the principal and/or interest on these instruments is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indexes or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relevant change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in the loss of the Fund’s entire investment. The value of structured securities may move in the same or the opposite direction as the value of the Reference, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, the change in interest rate or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of the change in the value of the Reference so that the security may be more or less volatile than the Reference, depending on the multiple. Consequently, structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk and volatility than other types of debt obligations.

When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements

The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis. In this event, the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) will segregate liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment in a separate account as discussed in the Cover Requirements section. Normally, the Custodian will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment. In such a case, the Fund may be required subsequently to segregate additional assets in order to assure that the value of the account remains equal to the amount of the Fund’s commitment. It may be expected that the Fund’s net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash.

The Fund does not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative purposes but only in furtherance of its investment objectives. Because the Fund will segregate liquid assets to satisfy its purchase commitments in the manner described, the Fund’s liquidity and the ability of the Adviser to manage them may be affected in the event the Fund’s forward commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued securities and delayed settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net assets.

The Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. In these cases the Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss. When the Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment and delayed settlement transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in the Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.



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The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase, forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when determinin g the market value of the Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to purchase the securities. The Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until it has paid for and delivered on the settlement date.

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale (e.g., because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and securities that are otherwise not readily marketable (e.g., because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Foreign securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.  

Restricted and other illiquid securities may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. The Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests from shareholders. The Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expe nse and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.  

A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a “safe harbor” from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory, Inc.  

Under guidelines adopted by the Trust’s Board, the Fund’s Adviser may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered. A determination of whether such a security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination, the Adviser will consider, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and among other factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security (e.g., debt or equity, date of maturity, terms of dividend or interest payments, and other material terms) and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer); and (6) the rating of the security and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. In the case of commercial paper, the Adviser will also determine that the paper (1) is not traded flat or in default as to principal and interest, and (2) is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two National Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”) or, if only one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or, if the security is unrated, the Adviser determines that it is of equivalent quality.   

Rule 144A securities and Section 4(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Adviser to determin e if the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions. Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.  

Lending Portfolio Securities

For the purpose of achieving income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities or cash or cash equivalents (cash, U.S. Government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned, (2) the Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of securities loaned, (3) the Fund will receive any interest or dividends received on the loaned securities, and (4) the aggregate value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total assets of the Fund.  


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Short Sales

T he Fund may employ “short selling” for both (1) investment purposes and (2) for defensive purposes as a hedging strategy.  For investment purposes, when the Adviser believes that particular index, company or sector is relatively overvalued, the Fund may sell a security short with the expectation that it can be repurchased at a lower price, thus generating a gain for the Fund.  For defensive purposes, when the Adviser believes that a security or group of securities in the Fund is susceptible to a decline in value, the Fund may sell a security short with the expectation any decline in value of the security sold short will serve to offset some of the decline in value suffered by the Fund’s portfolio of securities.  A short sale strategy is different than a long-only strategy because it consists of selling borrowed shares in the hope that they can be bought back later at a lower price.

The Fund may sell securities short involving the use of derivative instruments and to offset potential declines in long positions in similar securities. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own or have the right to acquire (or that it owns but does not wish to deliver) in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline.  

When the Fund makes a short sale, the broker-dealer through which the short sale is made must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the party purchasing the security. The Fund is required to make a margin deposit in connection with such short sales; the Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and will often be obligated to pay over any dividends and accrued interest on borrowed securities.  

If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund covers its short position, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.

To the extent the Fund sells securities short, it will provide collateral to the broker-dealer and (except in the case of short sales “against the box”) will maintain additional asset coverage in the form of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities with its custodian in a segregated account in an amount at least equal to the difference between the current market value of the securities sold short and any amounts required to be deposited as collateral with the selling broker (not including the proceeds of the short sale). The Fund does not intend to enter into short sales (other than short sales “against the box”) if immediately after such sales the aggregate of the value of all collateral plus the amount in such segregated account exceeds 50% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. This percentage may be varied by action of the Board of Trustees. A short sale is “against the box” to the extent the Fund contemporaneously owns, or has the right to obtain at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short.

Short sales create a risk that the Fund will be required to close the short position by buying the security at a time when the security has appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. A short position in a security poses more risk than holding the same security long.  Because a short position loses value as the security’s price increases, the loss on a short sale is theoretically unlimited.  

To the extent that the Fund uses short sales as a hedging technique, the Fund is subject to correlation risk. Specifically, the correlation between the security sold short and the hedged security may be imperfect, reducing the expected benefit to the Fund of a short sale, or

there may be no correlation at all.  It is possible that the market value of the securities the Fund holds in long positions will decline at the same time that the market value of the securities the Fund has sold short increases, thereby increasing the Fund’s potential volatility.

In addition, any gain on a short sale is decreased, and any loss is increased, by the amount of any payments, such as lender fees, replacement of dividends or interest that the Fund may be required to make with respect to the borrowed securities.  Market factors may prevent the Fund from closing out a short position at the most desirable time or at a favorable price. The lender of the borrowed securities may require the Fund to return the securities on short notice, which may require the Fund to purchase the borrowed securities at an unfavorable price, resulting in a loss.  You should be aware that any strategy that includes selling securities short could suffer significant losses.  Short selling will also result in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), which reduce the Fund’s return, and may result in higher taxes.

ReFlow

The Fund may participate in ReFlow Fund, LLC’s (“ ReFlow”) liquidity program, which is designed to provide an alternative liquidity source for mutual funds experiencing net redemptions of their share s by providing a source of funding to meet net shareholder redemptions.  ReFlow purchases Fund shares up to the value of the net shares redeemed by other shareholders, and generally redeems those shares when the Fund experiences net sales at the end of a maximum holding period determined by ReFlow or at other times at



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  ReFlow’s discretion.  While ReFlow holds Fund shares, it will have the same rights and privileges with respect to those shares as any other shareholder.  Each time Fund shares are purchased by ReFlow, the Fund pays a fee to ReFlow, which is calculated by applying to the purchase amount a fee rate determined through an automated daily auction among the Fund and other participating mutual funds.  This fee is then allocated based on relative net assets.  

ReFlow’s purchases of Fund shares are made on an investment-blind basis without regard to the Fund’s objective, policies or anticipated performance.  In accordance with federal securities laws, ReFlow is prohibited from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. ReFlow may periodically redeem its entire share position in the Fund and request that such redemption be met in kind in accordance with the Fund’s redemption-in-kind policies described under “How to Redeem Shares – Redemptions in Kind” in the Fund’s Prospectus.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions that may not be changed without approval by a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Fund which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

1 . Borrowing Money. The Fund may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted under applicable securities laws.

2 . Senior Securities. The Fund may not issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted under applicable securities laws

3 . Underwriting. The Fund may not act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter under applicable securities laws in the disposition of portfolio securities or in the purchase of securities directly from the issuer thereof.

4. Concentration. The Fund may not purchase any security (other than U.S. Government Securities or securities of other investment companies) if as a result more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets, taken at market value at the time of investment, would be invested in the securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the same industry.

5 . Real Estate. The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, but this policy shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate ( e.g. , REITs) or in securities of issuers engaged in the real estate business.

6 . Commodities. The Fund may purchase or sell commodities to the extent permitted by applicable law from time to time.

7 . Loans. The Fund may not make loans, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any applicable exemptive relief.

THE FOLLOWING ARE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS OF THE FUND. THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS ARE DESIGNATED AS NON-FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE CHANGED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS.

1. Pledging. The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation (1) above.  Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.

2. Borrowing. The Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings representing more than one third of its total assets are outstanding.  

3. Margin Purchases. The Fund may not purchase securities on margin, except for use of short-term credit necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, but it may make margin deposits in connection with covered transactions in options, futures, options on futures and short positions. For purposes of this restriction, the posting of margin deposits or other forms of collateral in connection with swap agreements is not considered purchasing securities on margin.



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4. Illiquid Investments. The Fund will not hold 15% or more of its net assets in securities for which there are legal or contractual restrictions on resale and other illiquid securities.

If a restriction on the Fund’s investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.

It is the Trust’s policy to:  (1) ensure that any disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interest of Trust shareholders; (2) protect the confidentiality of portfolio holdings information; (3) have procedures in place to guard against personal trading based on the information; and (4) ensure that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information does not create conflicts bet ween the interests of the Trust’s shareholders and those of the Trust’s affiliates.

The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings by mailing its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders approximately two months after the end of the fiscal year and semi-annual period.  In addition, the Fund discloses its portfolio holdings reports on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period.

The Fund may choose to make portfolio holdings available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg more frequently on a confidential basis.

Under limited circumstances, as described below, the F und’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q.  In each case, a determination has been made that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.

· The Adviser Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing the Fund’s portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for the Adviser to provide its management, administrative, and investment services to the Fund. As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of the portfolio managers in the trading of such securities, Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.

· Gemini Fund Services, LLC. Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the transfer agent, fund accountant, administrator and custody administrator for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

· Union Bank, N.A. is custodian for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

· Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C. is the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Fund’s annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.   

· Dechert LLP. Dechert LLP is counsel to the Fund; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with review of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.

Additions to List of Approved Recipients.  The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities at any time or to any persons other than those described above.  In such cases, the recipient must have a legitimate business need for the information and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential. There are no ongoing arrangements in place with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings. In no event shall the Fund, the Adviser or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings.

 



23





Compliance With Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures.  The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board with respect to compliance with the Fund’s portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.

There is no assurance that the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.

MANAGEMENT

The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s By-laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request. The Board consists of four individuals, all of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and the Adviser (“Independent Trustees”). Pursuant to the Governing Documents of the Trust, the Trustees shall elect officers including, but not limited to, a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Chief Compliance Officer. The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust’s purposes. The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.

Board Leadership Structure.   The Board is led by Mark Gersten, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since the Trust was first registered with the SEC in 2012.   Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at Board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, and (c) execution and administration of Trust policies, including (i) setting the agendas for Board meetings and (ii) providing information to Board members in advance of each Board meeting and between Board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by our shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership.  The Trust believes that its Chairman, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, the Fund and each shareholder.

Board Risk Oversight .  The Board of Trustees is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees with an Audit Committee with a separate chair.  The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary.  The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting the risk within its area of responsibilities.  Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.

Trustee Qualifications.  Generally, the Fund believe that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills.  Mark Garbin has over 20 years of experience in corporate balance sheet and income statement risk management for large asset managers.  Mr. Garbin has extensive derivatives experience and has provided consulting services to alternative asset managers.  Mr. Garbin is a CFA Charterholder and holds advanced degrees in international business, negotiation and derivatives.  Mark Gersten has over 25 years of business experience in the investment management business with a focus on mutual funds and alternative funds.  He serves as a member of another mutual fund board outside of the Fund Complex and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his service to this board and extensive experience administering mutual funds.  Mr. Gersten is a certified public account and holds an MBA in accounting.  Neil Kaufman has 28 years of experience as a corporate and securities attorney and possesses a deep understanding of the securities industry in general and financial statements in particular.  Mr. Kaufman has previously served as the Chairman of a NASDAQ-listed technology company and the Chairman of the Banking & Securities Law committee of the Nassau County Bar Association.  Anita Krug has extensive experience as an attorney advising investment advisory firms, particularly those managing hedge funds.  She also has extensive experience as a law professor whose scholarship focuses on investment advisers, hedge funds, and mutual funds. The Fund does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that collective experience of each Trustee makes them well qualified.

Trustees and Officers.  The Trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal business occupations during the past five years and other information, are shown below.   Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and Officer is 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska  68130.



25






Independent Trustees


Name, Address,

Year of Birth

Position(s) Held with Registrant

Term and Length Served

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Number of Portfolios Overseen In The Fund Complex

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

Mark Garbin

Year of Birth: 1951

Trustee, Valuation Committee Chairman

Indefinite, Since 2012

Managing Principal, Coherent Capital Management LLC (since 2007); Managing Director, Rabobank International (2006-2007)

7

None

Mark D. Gersten

Year of Birth: 1950

Chairman, Trustee, Audit Committee Chairman

Indefinite, Since 2012

Senior Vice President – Global Fund Administration Mutual Funds & Alternative Funds, AllianceBernstein LP (since 1985)

7

Independent Trustee, Schroder Mutual Funds (since 2012)

Neil M. Kaufman

Year of Birth: 1960

Trustee

Indefinite, Since 2012


Partner, Abrams Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara & Einiger, LLP (since 2011); Partner, Davidoff, Malito & Hutcher, LLP (2004-2010)

7

None

Anita K. Krug

Year of Birth: 1969

Trustee

Indefinite, Since 2012

Assistant Professor, University of Washington School of Law (since 2010); Partner, Howard Rice, P.C. (2007-2010); Associate, Howard Rice, P.C. (2002-2007)

7

None





26






Officers of the Trust


Name, Address,

Year of Birth

Position(s) Held with Registrant

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Number of Portfolios Overseen In The Fund Complex*

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

Andrew Rogers

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1969

President

Since Inception

Chief Executive Officer, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); President and Manager, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2006 - 2012); Formerly Manager, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (2006 – 2008); and President and Manager, GemCom LLC (2004 - 2011).

N/A

N/A

James P. Ash

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1976

Secretary

Since Inception

Senior Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2011 - 2012); Director of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2009 - 2011); Assistant Vice President of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2008 - 2011).

N/A

N/A

James Colantino

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1969

Treasurer

Since Inception

Vice President from 2004 to Present; Senior Fund Administrator from 1999 to 2004, Gemini Fund Services, LLC.

N/A

N/A

William B. Kimme

Year of Birth: 1962

Chief Compliance Officer

Since Inception

Senior Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (September 2011 - present); Compliance Officer, Mick & Associates (August, 2009 - September 2011); Assistant Director, FINRA (January 2000 – August 2009).

N/A

N/A


Audit Committee.  The Board has an Audit Committee that consists solely of Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the Trust’s independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust’s financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and

27






independence of the Trust’s independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor’s independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management’s responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls.  The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter.  During the past fiscal year, the Audit Committee held five meetings .    

Compensation of Directors.  The Trust pays each Independent Trustee a quarterly fee of $2,500.00, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings, to be paid at the end of each calendar quarter.  In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual fee of $2,500.00, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual fee of $2,500.00, and the Chairman of the Valuation Committee receives an additional annual fee of $2,500.00.  No “interested persons” who serve as a Trustee of the Trust will receive any compensation for their services as Trustee. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust. The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees received from the Trust during the fiscal year ending October 31, 2013.  The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, deferred compensation, pension or retirement plan.


Name and Position

Aggregate Compensation From Trust*

Total Compensation From Trust and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees

Mark Garbin

$9,375.00

$9,375.00

Mark Gersten

$11,250.00

$11,250.00

Neil Kaufman

$7,500.00

$7,500.00

Anita Krug

$7,500.00

$7,500.00


*The Trust has multiple series.  Trustees’ fees are allocated equally to each Fund in the Trust.

Trustees’ Ownership of Shares in the Fund .  As of October 1, 2013, the Trustees beneficially owned the below amounts in the Fund and the Two Roads Shared Trust.


Name of Trustee

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

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

Mark Garbin

None

None

Mark Gersten

None

None

Neil Kaufman

None

None

Anita Krug

None

None



Management Ownership

Because there were no shares outstanding as of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned 0% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

 

28






CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control.

As of the date of this SAI:

i.

no persons were “control” persons of the Fund.  This means that there were no persons (i) owning beneficially more than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, or (ii) that by acknowledgment or assertion by the controlled party or controlling party, were in control of the Fund;

ii.

no persons owned of record or were known by the Fund to beneficially own 5% or more of the Fund’s outstanding shares; and

iii.

the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned less than one percent of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Investment Adviser and Investment Advisory Agreements

Redwood Investment Management , LLC (“Adviser” or “Redwood”), located at 1117 S. Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 90035, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs.  The Adviser is wholly-owned by Michael Messinger.

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, agrees to invest the assets of the Fund in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the respective Fund’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser.  The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the Fund and, as such shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities here under, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by the Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the  issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers.  The Adviser also provides the Fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the Fund’s investments, compensates all officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors or employees of the Adviser, and all personnel of the Fund or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities. The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund was approved by the Board of the Trust, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, at a meeting held on September 18, 2013.

The following table sets forth the annual management fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets:

 

FUND

ADVISORY FEE

Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

1.50%


For its services to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual fee equal to the percentages of the Fund’s average daily net assets in the table above. In addition to the investment advisory fee, the Fund pays other expenses including costs incurred in connection with the maintenance of its securities law registration, printing and mailing prospectuses and Statements of Additional

29






Information to shareholders, certain financial accounting services, taxes or governmental fees, custodial, transfer and shareholder servicing agent costs, expenses of outside counsel and independent accountants, preparation of shareholder reports and expenses of trustee and shareholders meetings.  The fee is computed daily and payable monthly.

The Adviser has agreed contractually to waive its management fee and to reimburse expenses, other than expenses relating to dividends or interest on securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses or extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, at least until February 28, 2015 such that net annual fund operating expenses of the Fund do not exceed the percentages in the table below. Please see the section below entitled “Investment Adviser” for a definition of what are considered to be extraordinary or non-recurring expenses. Waiver/reimbursement is subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits.  No reimbursement amount will be paid to the Adviser in any fiscal quarter unless the Trust’s Board of Trustees has determined in advance that a reimbursement is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.  Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Fund’s expenses and increase its performance.



Fund

Class

Expense Cap

Minimum Duration

Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

I

1.99%

February 2 8, 2015

Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

N

2.24%

February 2 8, 2015

Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

Y

1.50%

February 2 8, 2015


Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement are paid by the Fund.  Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund is responsible for the payment of the following expenses among others: (a) the fees payable to the Adviser, (b) the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Adviser or Distributor (as defined under the section entitled “The Distributor”) (c) the fees and certain expenses of the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent (as defined under the section entitled “Transfer Agent”), including the cost of maintaining certain required records of the Fund and of pricing the Fund’s shares, (d) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants for the Fund, (e) brokerage commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Fund in connection with its securities transactions, (f) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Fund to governmental agencies, (g) the fees of any trade association of which the Fund may be a member, (h) the cost of share certificates representing shares of the Fund, (i) the cost of fidelity and liability insurance, (j) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Fund and of shares with the SEC, qualifying its shares under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the Fund’s registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes, (k) all expenses of shareholders and Trustees’ meetings (including travel expenses of trustees and officers of the Trust who are directors, officers or employees of the Adviser) and of preparing, printing and mailing reports, proxy statements and prospectuses to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders and (l) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.

The Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on 60 days’ written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of that Trust’s outstanding shares. The Investment Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.  

Codes of Ethics

The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor each have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that governs the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trus t. Under the code of ethics adopted by the Trust (the “Code”), the Trustees are permitted to invest in securities that may also be purchased by the Fund.  

30







In addition, the Trust has adopted a separate code of ethics that applies only to the Trust’s executive officers to ensure that these officers promote professional conduct in the practice of corporate governance and management. The purpose behind these guidelines is to promote i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other public communications made by the Fund; iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rule and regulations; iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and v) accountability for adherence to the Code.

Proxy Voting Policies

The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures ( “Policies”) on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to the Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser’s Proxy Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest.

Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser’s interests and the Fund’s interests, the Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the client’s directive using the recommendation of an independent third party.  If the third party’s recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client’s account. A copy of the Adviser’s proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.

More information. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available(1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at  1-855-RED-FUND (733-3863) and (2) on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.

THE DISTRIBUTOR

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (the “Distributor”) serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Trust pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement with the Trust (the “Underwriting Agreement”). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state’s securities laws and is a member of FINRA. The offering of the Fund’s shares are continuous. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, will use its best efforts to distribute the Fund’s shares.

The Underwriting Agreement provides that, unless sooner terminated, it will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board or a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of the Distributor by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

The Underwriting Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to the Distributor, or by the Distributor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days’ written notice to the Fund. The Underwriting Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

The Fund is newly organized and did not pay any compensation to the Distributor during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.

 

 

Fund

Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions

Compensation on Redemptions and Purchases

Brokerage Commissions

Other Compensation*

Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

$0

 

$0

$0

$0

*The Distributor will receive 12b-1 fees from the Fund as described under the following section entitled “Rule 12b-1 Plans”.


31






Rule 12b-1 Plans

The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for the Distributor’s account maintenance services under the Plan, a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the rate of up to 0.25% for Class N shares of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class N.  Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund’s average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Distributor. The Plan authorizes payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others (“Recipients”) to provide these services and paying compensation for these services. The Fund will bear its own costs of distribution with respect to its shares. The Fund may make other payments, such as contingent deferred sales charges imposed on certain redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant to the Plans.

The services to be provided by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assistance in the offering and sale of Fund shares and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipi ents; answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; making the Fund’s investment plan and shareholder services available; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Fund as the Distributor or the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may reasonably request. The distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or arranged by the Distributor with respect to the Fund.  

The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.  

The initial term of the Plan is one year and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and do not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”) by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. The Plan may be terminated at any time by the Trust or the Fund by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund.

The Rule 12b-1 Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributor’s compensation to be paid by the Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of Class N shares of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b- 1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. During the term of the Plan, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Distributor will preserve copies of the Plan, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.  

Any agreement related to the Plan will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or the Fund at any time upon sixty days’ written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the respective Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or the Fund; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); and (c) it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its execution or adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

The tables below include details about the type, number, and assets under management for the various types of accounts, and total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the accounts. The informa tion is as of October 11, 2013.  


32






Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

Michael Messinger

Account Type

Investment Team

Number of Accounts by Account Type

Total Assets By Account Type

Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Total assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies

None

None

None

None

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

None

None

None

None

Other Accounts

200

$80.5 million

None

None


Bruce DeLaurentis

Account Type

Investment Team

Number of Accounts by Account Type

Total Assets By Account Type

Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Total assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies

None

None

None

None

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

None

None

None

None

Other Accounts

110

$34.1 million

None

None


Conflicts of Interest

The Adviser is wholly-owned by Michael Messinger. Many of the Adviser’s clients participate in investment programs that have investment objectives, policies and strategies that are substantially similar to the Fund. Other clients of the Adviser may have differing investment programs, objectives, policies and strategies. In general, when a portfolio manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, the Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or the Adviser could receive performance-based fees on certain accounts. The procedures to address conflicts of interest, if any, are described below.

The Adviser attempts to avoid conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of the management of multiple client accounts. From time to time, a portfolio mana ger may recommend or cause a client to invest in a security or other instrument in which another client of the Adviser has an ownership position. The Adviser has adopted certain procedures intended to treat all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. To the extent that a portfolio manager seeks to purchase or sell the same security or other instrument for multiple client accounts, the Adviser may aggregate, or bunch, these orders where a portfolio manager deems this to be appropriate and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. When a bunched order is filled in its entirety, each participating client account will participate at the average share prices for the bunched order. When a bunched order is only partially filled, the securities or other instruments purchased will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to each account participating in the bunched order based upon the initial

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amount requested for the account, subject to certain exceptions. Each participating account will receive the average share price for the bunched order on the same business day.

Compensation

Due to Mr. Messinger’s direct ownership interest in the Adviser, he may receive compensation through his ownership interest to the extent that the Adviser distributes any profits o r the value of his ownership interest increases.  Mr. DeLaurentis receives a profit sharing percentage of Redwood’s net advisory fee revenue based on assets under management.

Ownership of Securities

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the portfolio managers in the Fund as of October 22, 2013.  

Name of Portfolio Manager

 

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

 

Michael Messinger

None

Bruce DeLaurentis

None


ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the portfolio managers, who are employees of the Adviser. The Adviser is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or the Adviser for the Fund’s use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.  

In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will take the following into consideration:

the best net price available;

the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer;  

the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and

the value of the expected contribution of the broker or dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis.

Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage, research and other services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than those of the Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Fund.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The Fund ’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by that Fund. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of the Fund’s portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period.  

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OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Fund Administration, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agent Services

Gemini Fund Services, LLC ( “GFS”), which has its principal office at 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, serves as administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent for the Fund pursuant to the Fund Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Fund and subject to the supervision of the Board.  GFS is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. GFS is an affiliate of the Distributor. GFS may also provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of GFS or its affiliates.

The Agreement became effective on September 18, 2013 and will remain in effect for two years from the applicable effective date for the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund, and will continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board.  The Agreement is terminable by the Board or GFS on 90 days’ written notice and may be assigned by either party, provided that the Trust may not assign this agreement without the prior written consent of GFS. The Agreement provides that GFS shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to the Agreement.  

Under the Agreement, GFS performs administrative services for the Fund, including:  (1) monitor the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Trust by others service providers; (2) monitor Fund holdings and operations for post-trade compliance with the Fund’s registration statement and applicable laws and rules; (3) prepare and coordinate the printing of semi-annual and annual financial statements; (4) prepare selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses; (5) prepare and disseminate materials for and attend and participate in meetings of the Board; (6) determine income and capital gains available for distribution and calculate distributions required to meet regulatory, income, and excise tax requirements; (7) review the Trust’s federal, state, and local tax returns as prepared and signed by the Trust’s independent public accountants; (8) prepare and maintain the Trust’s operating expense budget to determine proper expense accruals to be charged to the Fund to calculate its daily net asset value; (9) assist in and monitor the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of amendments to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, periodic reports to the Trustees, shareholders and the SEC, notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2, proxy materials and reports to the SEC on Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, N-Q and N-PX; (10) coordinate the Trust’s audits and examinations by assisting the Fund’s independent public accountants; (11) determine, in consultation with others, the jurisdictions in which shares of the Trust shall be registered or qualified for sale and facilitate such registration or qualification; (12) monitor sales of shares and ensure that the shares are properly and duly registered with the SEC; (13) monitor the calculation of performance data for the Fund; (14) prepare, or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports; (15) prepare authorization for the payment of Trust expenses and pay, from Trust assets, all bills of the Trust; (16) provide information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other information with respect to investment companies; (17) upon request, assist the Fund in the evaluation and selection of other service providers, such as independent public accountants, printers, EDGAR providers and proxy solicitors (such parties may be affiliates of GFS); (18) perform other services, recordkeeping and assistance relating to the affairs of the Trust as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request.

For the administrative services rendered to the Fund by GFS, the Fund pays GFS a fee equal to the greater of a minimum fee of $32,000 per Fund for the first 36 months following the effective date of the Fund and a minimum fee of $40,000 per Fund thereafter, or 0.10% on the first $100 million of net assets, 0.08% on the next $150 million of net assets, 0.06% on the next $250 million of net assets, 0.04% on the next $500 million of net assets, and 0.03% on net assets greater than $1 billion. The Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.

GFS also provides the Fund with accounting services, including: (i) daily computation of net asset value; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund’s listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintaining certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciling account information and balances among the Fund’s custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund.

For the fund accounting services rendered to the Fund under the Agreement for the first 36 months following the effective date for the Fund, the Fund pays GFS an annual fee of $21,600 per Fund; plus $4,800 for each additional share class; plus a bond fund fee of $4,800; plus 0.02% on net assets of $25 million to $100 million and 0.01% on net assets greater than $100 million. The Funds also pay GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.

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GFS also acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to the Agreement. Under the agreement, GFS is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

For such services rendered to the Fund under the Agreement, the Fund pays GFS a fee equal to the greater of (i) a minimum fee of $14,400.00 per share class for the first 36 months following the effective date for the Fund and a minimum fee of $18,000.00 per share class thereafter, and (ii) $16.00 per open account and $2.00 per closed account. The Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.

Custodian

Union Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”) serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custody Agreement by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian’s responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund’s cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund’s investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. The Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets. The Custodian’s principal place of business is 350 California Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104.

Chief Compliance Officer

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC ( “NLCS”), an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

Each share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means tha t the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.  

Shareholders of the Trust and any other future series of the Trust will vote in the aggregate and not by series except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interest of the shareholders of a particular series or classes. Matters such as ratification of the independent public accountants and election of Trustees are not subject to separate voting requirements and may be acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.  

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. Each share has equal dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights applicable to any shares of the Fund. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM

The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program provides for the development of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program.  The Trust’s Secretary serves as its Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limite d to, determining that the Fund’s Distributor, and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reported suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.  

As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to “freeze” the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.   

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PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

Calculation of Share Price

As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading “How Shares are Priced,” the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund.

For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are available are stated at market value. Market value is generally determined on the basis of last reported sales prices, or if no sales are reported, based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers, or pricing services. Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the last bid price. Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost. Exchange traded options, futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction.  

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares.  

Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the “NYSE Close”) on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally uses pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.  

In unusual circumstances, instead of valuing securitie s in the usual manner, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or their designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.  

The Trust expects that the holidays upon which the Exchange will be closed are as follows: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.  

Purchase of Shares

Orders for shares received by the Fund in good order prior to the close of business on the NYSE on each day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at net asset value per share computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE. Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or on a day it is not open for trading, are priced at the close of such NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined net asset value per share.  

Redemption of Shares  

The Fund will redeem all or any portion of a shareholder’s shares of the Fund when requested in accordance with the procedures set forth in the “Redemptions” section of a prospectus. Under the 1940 Act, a shareholder’s right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be suspended at times:  

(a)

when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings.

(b)

when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason;  

(c)

when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets, provided that

 

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applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or

(d)

when the Securities and Exchange Commission by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.


In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on the net asset value next determined after the termination of the suspension.

Supporting documents in addition to those listed under “Redemptions” in the prospectuses will be required from executors, administrators, Trustees, or if redemption is requested by someone other than the shareholder of record. Such documents include, but are not restricted to, stock powers, Trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor, certificates of corporate authority and waiver of tax required in some states when settling estates.  

TAX STATUS

The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. All sharehold ers should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding their investment in the Fund.  

The Fund intends to qualify and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and intends to continue to so qualify, which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders, as described more fully below. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its investment company taxable income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Investment company taxable income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Code.

I nvestment company taxable income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses, plus any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses. Net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net-short-term capital losses) for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carry forward of the Fund. Capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Under previously enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains for eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital, irrespective of the character of the original loss.  Capital loss carry forwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carry forwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and net income from “publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in Section 851(h) of the Code), and (b) diversify its holding so that, at the end of each quarter, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, or two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.

If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes to its shareholders each taxable year an amount equal to or exceeding the sum of (i) 90% of its investment company taxable income without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain disallowed deductions, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including net capital gain distributed to shareholders.  If, however, the Fund meets such distribution requirements, but chooses to retain a portion of its investment company taxable income or net capital gain, it generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained.



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The Fund intends to distribute all of its investment company taxable income and any net capital gains in accordance with the timing requiremen ts imposed by the Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year ending October 31, and no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.  

If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M in any fiscal year, it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations. Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net realized capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund.  

The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this tax.  

Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of the following year. Redemptions of shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.  In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the Fund may be “spilled back” and treated as paid by the Fund (except for the purposes of the 4% excise tax) during such taxable year.  In such case, shareholders generally will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made.

The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or o ther qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Code.  

Distributions of investment company taxable income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Because the Fund’s income is derived primarily from sources that do not pay “qualified dividend income,” dividends from the Fund generally are not expected to qualify for taxation at the long-term capital gain rates available to individuals on qualified dividend income.  Furthermore, dividends from the Fund generally are not expected to qualify for the dividends-received deduction for shareholders that are corporations. Distributions of net capital gain (“capital gain dividends”) generally are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of the Fund have been held by such shareholders.

Distributions by the Fund in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares and any such amount in excess of that basis will be treated as gain from the sale of shares, as discussed below. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the amount of cash the shareholder could have received.  

A redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.   

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain investment company taxable income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceed certain threshold amounts.

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Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.  

Due to recent legislation, the Fund (or its administrative agent) is required to report to the IRS and furnish to shareholders the cost basis information for sale transactions of shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012.  Shareholders may elect to have one of several cost basis methods applied to their account when calculating the cost basis of shares sold, including average cost, FIFO or some other specific identification method.  Unless you instruct otherwise, the Fund will use average cost as its default cost basis method, and will treat sales as first coming from shares purchased prior to January 1, 2012.  If average cost is used for the first sale of shares covered by these new rules, the shareholder may only use an alternative cost basis method for shares purchased prospectively.  Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best cost basis method for their tax situation.  Shareholders that hold their shares through a financial intermediary should contact such financial intermediary with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.

Foreign Shareholders

The foregoing discussion relates only to U.S. federal income tax law as applicable to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens and residents and domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates).  Shareholders who are not U.S. persons should consult their tax advisers regarding U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including the likelihood that distributions to them would be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate under a tax treaty) and the possibility they may be subject to U.S. estate tax. For taxable years beginning before 2014 (or a later date if extended by Congress), a portion of the Fund’s distributions received by a foreign shareholder may, however, be exempt from U.S. withholding tax to the extent properly reported by the Fund as attributable to U.S. source interest income and short-term capital gains.

Effective January 1, 2014, the Fund will be required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of taxable dividends and (effective January 1, 2017) redemption proceeds made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts.  Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.

Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements  

To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund’s transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies  

Investment by the Fund in a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF election”), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the company’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company.  

The Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings “to the market” as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may

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require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return.  

Foreign Currency Transactions

The Fund ’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated fixed income securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.

Foreign Taxation

Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to “pass through” to the Fund’s shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by that Fund will “pass through” for that year.  

Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder’s U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of the Fund’s income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated fixed income securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. A shareholder may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of his or her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. The foreign tax credit can be used to offset only 90% of the revised alternative minimum tax imposed on corporations and individuals and foreign taxes generally are not deductible in computing alternative minimum taxable income.  

Original Issue Discount, Pay-In-Kind and Market Discount Securities  

Investments by the Fund in zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities, other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently) or pay-in-kind securities will require the Fund to accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, generally prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments.  However, the Fund must distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all of its net income, including such accrued income, to shareholders to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code and avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes.  Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash to satisfy its distribution requirements.

By holding the foregoing kinds of securities, the Fund may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.  

If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Fund shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder, or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, in any single taxable year (or a greater amount over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886.  Shareholders who own portfolio securities directly are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement but, under current guidance, shareholders of regulated investment companies are not excepted.  A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure to the IRS may be subject to substantial penalties.  The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether or not the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper.  Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

41






Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund’s shares.  

A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.  

Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C., located at 4 Becker Farm Road, Roseland, New Jersey 07068 serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year.  The firm provides services including (i) audit of annual financial statements, and (ii) assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.  

LEGAL COUNSEL

Dechert LLP, One Maritime Plaza, Suite 2300, San Francisco, California 94111 serves as the Trust’s legal counsel.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and, therefore, has not produced financial statements. Once produced, you can obtain a copy of the financial statements contained in the Fund’s Annual or Semi-Annual Report without charge by calling the Fund at 1-855-RED-FUND (733-3863).




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APPENDIX A



REDWOOD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures September 30, 2013



Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“Redwood”) has a general policy of not voting proxies on behalf of clients for any securities held in a client’s managed account. including our affiliated private hedge fund  However, Redwood has been delegated proxy voting responsibility by its affiliated registered mutual fund, the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund (the “Fund”), for proxies solicited on the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio, which is managed by Redwood. These policies and procedures, which may be amended from time to time, only apply to the voting of such proxies by Redwood.

SECTION 1 - VOTING RESPONSIBILITY

Redwood’s Chief Compliance Officer has the responsibility of voting the Fund’s proxies received by Redwood (the “Responsible Voting Party”).  Redwood may delegate to a non-affiliated third party vendor, the responsibility to review proxy proposals and make voting recommendations. Redwood will ensure that any third party recommendations followed will be consistent with the Proxy Voting Guidelines.

SECTION 2- PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

The fundamental guidelines followed by Redwood in voting proxies on behalf of the Fund is to make every effort to ensure that the manner in which shares are voted is in the best interest of the Fund and the value of the specific investment.   Absent special circumstances of the types described below, it is the policy of Redwood to exercise its proxy voting discretion in accordance with the guidelines set forth below.

Proposals Specific to Mutual Funds

Redwood will invest a majority of the Fund’s assets in other registered investment companies that are not affiliated with the Fund ("Underlying Funds"), generally under the reliance of Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and is therefore required by Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act to vote proxies received from Underlying Funds in a certain manner. Notwithstanding any other guidelines provided in these procedures, it is the policy of Redwood to vote all Fund proxies received from Underlying Funds in the same proportion that all shares of the Underlying Funds are voted, or in accordance with instructions received from und shareholders, pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act.

Other Proposals

Proxies received by Redwood from issuers of securities held by the Fund that are not Underlying Funds, are initially referred to the Responsible Voting Party for voting. Redwood will vote all proxies based upon its policies or instructions. In keeping with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund, Redwood reviews all proxy proposals, even those that may be considered to be routine matters. Although these guidelines are to be followed as a general policy, in all cases each proxy proposal received from a non-Underlying Fund issuer will be considered based on the relevant facts and circumstances. Redwood may deviate from these general guidelines when it determines that the particular facts and circumstances warrant such deviation to protect the interests of Fund. These guidelines cannot provide an exhaustive list of all the issues that may arise nor can Redwood anticipate all future situations. Corporate governance issues are diverse and continually evolving and Redwood devotes time and resources to monitor these changes. The following guidelines reflect what Redwood believes to be good corporate governance and behavior:

I.

Board of Directors – Redwood supports an independent board of directors, and prefers that key committees such as audit, nominating, and compensation committees be comprised of independent  directors.

II.

Auditors – Redwood will review the role and performance of auditors. Redwood will generally vote against the ratification of auditors when there is clear and compelling evidence of accounting irregularities or negligence attributable to the auditors.

III.

Compensation – A company’s equity-based compensation plan should be in alignment with the shareholders’ long-term interests. Redwood believes that executive compensation  should be directly linked to the performance of the company. In addition, Redwood generally opposes any supermajority voting requirements as well as the payment of “greenmail.” Redwood usually supports “fair price” provisions and confidential voting.

IV.

Corporate Structure – Redwood generally opposes anti-takeover measures since they tend



43






to reduce shareholder rights. However, as with all proxy issues, Redwood conducts an independent review of each anti-takeover proposal.

V.

Capital Structure – Redwood realizes that a company's financing decisions have a

significant impact on its shareholders, particularly when they involve the issuance of additional shares of common or preferred stock or the assumption of additional debt. Redwood will carefully review, on a case-by-case basis, proposals by companies to   increase authorized shares and the purpose for the increase. Redwood will generally not  vote in favor of dual-class capital structures to increase the number of authorized shares where that class of stock would have superior voting rights. Redwood will generally vote in favor of the issuance of preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock issuance are deemed reasonable. Redwood will review proposals seeking preemptive rights on a case-by-case basis.

VI.

Social and Corporate Policy Issues – Redwood will take a holistic approach considering both the long-term and the short-term impact a social and/or corporate issue can have on the company and its value. Redwood will generally give management discretion with regard to social, environmental and ethical issues although Redwood may vote in favor of those issues that are believed to have significant economic benefits or implications.

Special Situations

Redwood may choose not to vote proxies in certain situations, such as: 1) where Redwood deems the cost of voting would exceed any anticipated benefit to the Fund, or 2) where a proxy is received for a security no longer held in the Fund’s portfolio ( i.e., Redwood had previously sold the entire position).

Any changes to the Proxy Voting Guidelines must be pre-approved in writing by Redwood’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”).

SECTION 3 - APPLICATION OF PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

It is intended that the Proxy Voting Guidelines will be applied with a measure of flexibility. Accordingly, except as otherwise provided in these policies and procedures, the Responsible Voting Party (with the pre-approval of the CCO) may vote a proxy contrary to the Proxy Voting Guidelines if it is determined that such action is in the best interests of the Fund.  In the exercise of such discretion, the Responsible Voting Party may take into account a wide array of factors relating to the matter  under consideration, the nature of the proposal, and the company involved.  Similarly, poor past performance, uncertainties about management and future directions, and other factors may lead to a conclusion that particular proposals by an issuer present unacceptable investment risks and should not be supported.  In addition, the proposals should be evaluated in context. For example, a particular proposal may be acceptable standing alone, but objectionable when part of an existing or proposed package, such as where the effect may be to entrench management.  Special circumstances or instructions from the Fund may also justify casting different votes.

The Responsible Voting Party will document the rationale for any proxy voted contrary to the Proxy Voting Guidelines.  Such information will be maintained as part of the recordkeeping process.

SECTION 4 - CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Redwood may occasionally be subject to conflicts of interest in the voting of proxies due to business or personal relationships it maintains with persons having an interest in the outcome of certain votes. For example, Redwood and/or one of its, or the Fund’s affiliates may provide investment management, brokerage, underwriting, and related services to accounts owned or controlled by companies whose management is soliciting proxies.  Redwood, its, or the Fund’s affiliates and/or employees may also occasionally have business or personal relationships with other proponents of proxy proposals, participants in proxy contests, corporate directors or candidates for directorships.



44







If at anytime, Redwood and/or the Responsible Voting Party become aware of any type of potential or actual conflict of interest relating to a particular proxy proposal, they will promptly report such conflict to the CCO.  Conflicts of interest will be handled in various ways depending on the type and materiality.  This includes:

I.

Where the Proxy Voting Guidelines outline Redwood’s voting position, as either “for” or “against” such proxy

proposal, voting will be in accordance with the Proxy Voting Guidelines.

II.

Where the Proxy Voting Guidelines outline Redwood’s voting position to be determined on a “case by case” basis for such proxy proposal, or such proposal is not listed in the Proxy Voting Guidelines, then one of the two following methods will be selected by Redwood depending upon the facts and circumstances of each situation and the requirements of applicable law:

A.

Voting the proxy in accordance with the voting recommendation of non-affiliated third party vendors. If the third party vendor’s recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, Redwood will abstain from voting the proxy.

B.

Voting the proxy pursuant to direction by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

SECTION 5 - PROXY VOTING RECORDS

Redwood will maintain the following records under these policies and procedures:

I.

A copy of all policies and procedures.

II.

A copy of each proxy statement received regarding the Fund’s securities.

III.

A record of each vote cast by Redwood on behalf of the Fund.

IV.

A copy of any document created by Redwood that was material to making a decision on how to vote proxies on behalf of the Fund or that memorialize the basis for that decision.

V.

A copy of each written request by the Fund for information on how Redwood voted proxies on behalf of the Fund, and a copy of any written response by Redwood to any (written or verbal) request for information on how Redwood voted proxies on behalf of the Fund.

The foregoing records will be retained for at least six (6) years from the end of the year the document was created.  Redwood may rely on one or more third parties to create and retain the records referred to in items II and III above.

SECTION 6 – REPORTING AND DISCLOSURES

A copy of these policies and procedures will be provided to the Fund and the Board of Trustees anytime upon request and at least annually for review and approval. In addition, information on each proxy voted will be provided to the Fund, in accordance with its written policies and procedures as follows:

I.

The Responsible Voting Party shall complete a Form N-PX Report at the time a proxy is voted on behalf of the Fund and deliver a copy to the CCO.

II.

On or around July 1 st of each year, the CCO shall review the proxy voting records to determine whether any proxy votes were cast on behalf of the Fund for which reports were not filed. If an unreported vote is discovered, the CCO shall contact the Responsible Voting Party for an explanation and documentation.

III.

Upon completion of the review, the CCO shall compile all Form N-PX reports submitted for the 12-month period ended June 30 and complete Form N-PX.  The CCO will send a completed Form N-PX to the Fund Administrator who is responsible for filing the Form N- PX with the SEC by August 1 of each year.

IV.

The CCO shall provide the Board of Trustees, at least annually, a copy of Redwood’s Proxy Voting Policy, along with a record of each proxy voted on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by Redwood as involving a conflict of interest.

The CCO will ensure that Redwood’s proxy voting policy is disclosed in the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A.




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APPENDIX B


DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGSS

A.

Long-Term Ratings


1.

Moody s Investors Service Long-Term Corporate Obligation Ratings

Moody s long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more.  They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised.  Such ratings use Moody’s Global Scale and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

Aaa

Obligations rated ‘Aaa’ are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

Aa

Obligations rated ‘Aa’ are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A

Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa

Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk.  They are considered medium grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba

Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B

Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa

Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca

Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C

Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery or interest.

Note:

Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa.  The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.


2.

Standard & Poor s Long-Term Corporate Obligation Ratings (including Preferred Stock

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:

Likelihood of payment capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;



46






• Nature of and provisions of the obligation;;

• Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default.  Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above.  (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

AAA

An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s.  The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA

An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree.  The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A

An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories.  However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB

An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters.  However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


Note:

Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics.  BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest.  While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

BB


An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues.  However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B

An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.  Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC

An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.  In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CC

An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

C



47






A C rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default.  Among others, the C rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock, or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms.

D

An obligation rated D is in payment default.  The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.  The D rating also will be used upon filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

Note:

Plus (+) or minus (-).  The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

NR

This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

3.

Fitch International Long-Term Credit Ratings

International Long-Term Credit Ratings (LTCR) may also be referred to as Long-Term Ratings.  When assigned to most issuers, it is used as a benchmark measure of probability of default and is formally described as an Issuer Default Rating (IDR).  The major exception is within Public Finance, where IDRs will not be assigned as market convention has always focused on timeliness and does not draw analytical distinctions between issuers and their underlying obligations.  When applied to issues or securities, the LTCR may be higher or lower than the issuer rating (IDR) to reflect relative differences in recovery expectations.

The following rating scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings:

Investment Grade

AAA

Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk.  They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.  This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA

Very high credit quality.  AA ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk.  They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.  This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A

High credit quality.  A ratings denote expectations of low credit risk.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong.  This capacity, may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB

Good credit quality.  BBB ratings indicate that there are currently expectations of low credit risk.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.  This is the lowest investment grade category.


Speculative Grade

BB



48






Speculative.  BB ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.  Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

B

Highly speculative.  B ratings may indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains.  Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

CCC


Default is a real possibility.  Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic conditions.

CC

Default of some kind appears probable.

C

Default is imminent.

RD

Indicated an entity has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of obligations.

D

Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.  Default generally is defined as one of the following:

• Failure of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or interest under contractual terms of any financial obligation;

• The bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation, or other winding-up or cessation of business of an obligor

• The distressed or other coercive exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period.

Issuers will be rated D upon default.  Defaulted and distressed obligations typically are rated along the continuum of C to B ratings categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics.  Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full accordance with the terms of the obligation’s documentation during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation may be rated in the B or CCC-C categories.

Default is determined by reference to the terms of the obligations’ documentation.  Fitch will assign default ratings where it has reasonable determined that payment has not been made on a material obligation in accordance with the requirements of the obligation’s documentation, or where it believes that default ratings consistent with Fitch’s published definition of default are the most appropriate ratings to assign.

Note:



49






The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.  Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-Term rating category, to categories below CCC, or to Short-Term ratings other than F1.  (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)

B.

Preferred Stock Ratings


1.

Moody’s Investors Service


Aaa

An issue which is rated Aaa is considered to be a top-quality preferred stock.  This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stock.

Aa

An issue which is rated Aa is considered a high-grade preferred stock.  This rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance the earnings and asset protection will remain relatively well-maintained in the foreseeable future.

A

An issue which is rated A is considered to be an upper-medium preferred stock.  While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the Aaa and Aa classification, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be maintained at adequate levels.

Baa

An issue which is rated Baa is considered to be a medium-grade preferred stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured.  Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any great length of time.

Ba

An issue which is rate Ba is considered to have speculative elements and its future cannot be considered well assured.  Earnings and asset protection may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods.  Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

B

An issue which is rated B generally lacks the characteristics of a desirable investment.  Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small.

Caa

An issue which is rated Caa is likely to be in arrears on dividend payments.  This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future status of payments.

Ca

An issues which is rated Ca is speculative in a high degree and is likely to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payments.

C

This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock.  Issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.






Note:




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Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each rating classification.  The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 3 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

C.

Short Term Ratings


1.

Moody’s Investors Service


Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations.  Ratings assigned may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs, or to individual short-term debt instruments.  Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:


P-1

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.


P-2


Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.


P-3


Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.


NP


Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.


Note:


Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.


2.

Standard & Poor’s

A-1


A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong.  Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+).  This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.


A-2


A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories.  However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3




51






A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters.  However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


B


A short-term obligation rated B is regard as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of B-1, B-2, and B-3 may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the B category.  The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


B-1


A short-term obligation rated B-1 is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.


B-2


A short-term obligation rated B-2 is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.


B-3


A short-term obligation rated B-3 is regard as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.


C


A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


D


A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default.  The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.  The D ratings also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition of the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.


Note:

Dual ratings .  Standard & Poor’s assigns “dual” ratings to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure.  The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature.  The long-term rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the short-term rating symbols for the put option (for example, AAA/A-1+).  With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, note rating symbols are used with the short-term issue credit rating symbols (for example, SP-1+/A-1+).


3.

Fitch


The following ratings scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings.  A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 13 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance, in line with industry standards, to reflect unique risk characteristics of bond, tax, and revenue anticipation notes that are commonly issued with terms up to three years.  Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.



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F1

Highest credit quality.  Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2


Good credit quality.  A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

F3


Fair credit quality.  The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non investment grade.


B


Speculative.  Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.


C


High default risk.  Default is a real possibility.  Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

D


Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.


Note:


The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.  Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-term rating category, to categories below CCC, or to Short-term ratings other than F1. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)




53







LARKIN POINT EQUITY PRESERVATION FUND



A Series of Two Roads Shared Trust








 

 

Fund

 

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class R

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

 

LPAUX

LPCUX

LPIUX

LPRUX

 

 

   

 

 


STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


Dated November 1, 2013




This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund (the “Fund”) dated November 1, 2013, copies of which may be obtained without charge by contacting the Fund’s Transfer Agent, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 or by calling 1-855-852-8998. You may also obtain the prospectus for the Fund by visiting the Fund’s website:


Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

www.larkinpointfunds.com





TABLE OF CONTENTS


THE FUND

1

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

1

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

20

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

21

MANAGEMENT

22

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

27

INVESTMENT ADVISER

27

THE DISTRIBUTOR

30

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

31

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

32

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

33

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

33

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

34

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM

35

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

35

TAX STATUS

36

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

40

LEGAL COUNSEL

40

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

40

APPENDIX A

41

APPENDIX B

43

 





THE FUND


The Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund (the “Fund”) is a series of Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust organized on June 8, 2012 (the “Trust”). The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the “Board” or “Trustees”). The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges. Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares of the Fund are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable when issued and have no pre-emptive, conversion or exchange rights. Fractional shares have proportionately the same rights, including voting rights, as are provided for a full share.  


The Fund is a non-diversified series of the Trust. The Fund consists of Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R shares.  The Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies are more fully described here and in the applicable prospectus. The Board may start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.  


Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Trustee will continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his/her earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal. Shareholders can remove a Trustee to the extent provided by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, except insofar as the 1940 Act may require the election by shareholders. As a result, normally no annual or regular meetings of shareholders will be held unless matters arise requiring a vote of shareholders under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act.


TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS


The investment objective of the Fund and a description of its principal investment strategies are set forth under “Additional Information About Principal Investment Strategies and Related Risks” in the Fund’s prospectus. The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust.  


The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, strategies the Adviser may employ in pursuit of the Fund’s investment objective and a summary of related risks.


Equity Securities  


Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible bonds, warrants, rights and options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions. Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations can be significant.  


Common Stock


Common stock represents an equity (ownership) interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition, common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company’s stock price.


Preferred Stock


Preferred stock is a class of stock having a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although preferred stock is usually junior to the fixed income securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.


The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is



1






based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company’s worth.


Convertible Securities


Convertible securities include fixed income securities that may be exchanged or converted into a predetermined number of shares of the issuer’s underlying common stock at the option of the holder during a specified period. Convertible securities may take the form of convertible preferred stock, convertible bonds or debentures, units consisting of “usable” bonds and warrants or a combination of the features of several of these securities. Convertible securities are senior to common stocks in an issuer’s capital structure, but are usually subordinated to similar non-convertible securities. While providing a fixed-income stream (generally higher in yield than the income derivable from common stock but lower than that afforded by a similar nonconvertible security), a convertible security also gives an investor the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the issuing company depending upon a market price advance in the convertible security’s underlying common stock.


Depositary Receipts


American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are receipts issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in U.S. securities markets. Unsponsored ADRs may be created without the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs of the ADR facility, whereas foreign issuers typically bear certain costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights.  


Warrants


Warrants are options to purchase common stock at a specific price (usually at a premium above the market value of the optioned common stock at issuance) valid for a specific period of time. Warrants may have a life ranging from less than one year to twenty years, or they may be perpetual. However, most warrants have expiration dates after which they are worthless. In addition, a warrant is worthless if the market price of the common stock does not exceed the warrant’s exercise price during the life of the warrant. Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the warrant may tend to be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the market price of the optioned common stock.


Fixed Income Securities


Yields on fixed income securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money market and other fixed income securities markets, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. An investment in any Fund will be subjected to risk even if all fixed income securities in the Fund’s portfolio are paid in full at maturity.  All fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates or the issuer’s actual or perceived creditworthiness or ability to meet its obligations.


There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. In other words, an increase in interest rates produces a decrease in market value. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the markets’ perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the fixed income securities of that issuer. Obligations of issuers of fixed income securities (including municipal securities) are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of municipal issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures, or referenda extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the fixed income securities of that issuer. The possibility exists, therefore, that, the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its fixed income securities may become impaired.


The corporate fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate bonds and notes and short-term investments such as commercial paper and variable rate demand notes. Commercial paper (short-term promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their or their affiliate’s current obligations and is frequently unsecured. Variable and floating rate demand notes are unsecured



2






obligations redeemable upon not more than 30 days’ notice. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days’ notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.


Certificates of Deposit and Bankers’ Acceptances


The Fund may invest in certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances, which are considered to be short-term money market instruments.  


Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. Bankers’ acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity.   Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.  


Commercial Paper


The Fund may purchase commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations.  See Appendix B for more information on ratings assigned to commercial paper.


High Yield Securities


Greater Risk of Loss

These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower-rated securities will default than issuers of higher-rated securities. Issuers of lower-rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest on securities held by the Fund, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments.

Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes

The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher-rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn.

Valuation Difficulties

It is often more difficult to value lower-rated securities than higher-rated securities. If an issuer’s financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower-rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower-rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher-rated securities.

Liquidity



3






There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower-rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher-rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, the Fund may be required to sell investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely when an issuer’s financial condition is deteriorating.

Credit Quality

Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.

New Legislation

Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. As an example, in the late 1980’s, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on the Fund’s investments in lower-rated securities.

High yield, high risk investments may include the following:

Straight fixed income securities

These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.

Zero-coupon debt securities

These do not pay periodic interest but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.

Zero-fixed-coupon debt securities

These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to periodic interest-paying debt securities.

Pay-in-kind bonds

These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. These bonds are typically sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act “), usually to a relatively small number of institutional investors.

Convertible Securities

These are bonds or preferred stock that may be converted to common stock.

Preferred Stock

These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.

Loan Participations and Assignments

These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to corporations or to governments, including governments of less developed countries (“LDCs”).

Securities issued in connection with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructurings



4






In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its fixed income securities. The Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if it does not invest in such securities.

Distressed Securities

An investment in distressed securities may involve a substantial degree of risk. These instruments, which involve loans, loan participations, bonds, notes, non-performing and sub-performing mortgage loans typically are unrated, lower-rated, in default or close to default.  Many of these instruments are not publicly traded, and may become illiquid. The prices of such instruments may be extremely volatile. Securities of distressed companies are generally more likely to become worthless than the securities of more financially stable companies. Valuing such instruments may be difficult, and the Fund may lose all of its investment, or it may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than the Fund’s original investment. Issuers of distressed securities are typically in a weak financial condition and may default, in which case the Fund may lose its entire investment.

Municipal Government Obligations


In general, municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Municipal obligations generally include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. Certain types of municipal obligations are issued in whole or in part to obtain funding for privately operated facilities or projects. Municipal obligations include general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial development bonds, notes and municipal lease obligations. Municipal obligations also include additional obligations, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax, that may become available in the future as long as the Board determines that an investment in any such type of obligation is consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives. Municipal obligations may be fully or partially backed by local government, the credit of a private issuer, current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets or domestic or foreign entities providing credit support such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance.

Municipal Lease Obligations


Municipal lease obligations may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase or a conditional sales contract. They are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire land, equipment and facilities, such as vehicles, telecommunications and computer equipment and other capital assets. The Fund may invest in funds that purchase these lease obligations directly, or it may purchase participation interests in such lease obligations. States have different requirements for issuing municipal debt and issuing municipal leases. Municipal leases are generally subject to greater risks than general obligation or revenue bonds because they usually contain a “non-appropriation” clause, which provides that the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year. Such non-appropriation clauses are required to avoid the municipal lease obligations from being treated as debt for state debt restriction purposes. Accordingly, such obligations are subject to “non-appropriation” risk. Municipal leases may be secured by the underlying capital asset and it may be difficult to dispose of any such asset in the event of non-appropriation or other default.


Information on Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes


The Fund may invest in fixed time deposits, whether or not subject to withdrawal penalties. The commercial paper obligations which the Fund may buy are unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a “Master Note”) permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between the Fund as lender, and the issuer, as borrower. It permits daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Fund has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to the Fund’s investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer on demand within seven days.




5






Insured Bank Obligations


The Fund may invest in insured bank obligations. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insures the deposits of federally insured banks and savings and loan associations (collectively referred to as “banks”) up to $250,000. The Fund may purchase bank obligations, which are fully insured as to principal by the FDIC. Currently, to remain fully insured as to principal, these investments must be limited to $250,000 per bank; if the principal amount and accrued interest together exceed $250,000, the excess principal and accrued interest will not be insured. Insured bank obligations may have limited marketability.  


United States Government Obligations


The Fund may invest in United States Government Obligations. These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis.  


United States Government Agency  


The Fund may invest in securities issued by United States Government Agencies. These consist of fixed income securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States Government, including the various types of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), Farmer’s Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), the Farm Credit Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii) guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., GNMA mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., FNMA Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency’s or instrumentality’s own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Association).


Government-related guarantors (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.  


FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates (“PC’s”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC’s national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.


Foreign (Non-U.S.) Government Securities


The Fund may invest in foreign government securities, including securities issued by foreign governments, including political subdivisions, or their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or by supra-national agencies. Different kinds of foreign government securities have different types of government support. For example, some foreign government securities are supported by the full faith and credit of a foreign national government or a political subdivision and some are not. Foreign government securities of some countries may involve varying degrees of credit risk as a result of financial or political instability in those countries or the possible



6






inability of the Fund to enforce its rights against a foreign government. As with issuers of other fixed income securities, sovereign issuers may be unable or unwilling to satisfy their obligations to pay principal or interest payments.


Supra-national agencies are agencies whose member nations make capital contributions to support the agencies’ activities. Examples include the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the Asian Development Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.


As with other fixed income securities, foreign government securities expose their holders to market risk because their values typically change as interest rates fluctuate.  For example, the value of foreign government securities may fall during times of rising interest rates.  Also, yields on foreign government securities tend to be lower than those of corporate securities of comparable maturities.


In addition to investing directly in foreign government securities, the Fund may purchase certificates of accrual or similar instruments evidencing undivided ownership interests in interest payments and/or principal payments of foreign government securities. Certificates of accrual and similar instruments may be more volatile than other foreign government securities.


Mortgage Pass-Through Securities

Interests in pools of mortgage pass-through securities differ from other forms of fixed income securities (which normally provide periodic payments of interest in fixed amounts and the payment of principal in a lump sum at maturity or on specified call dates). Instead, mortgage pass-through securities provide monthly payments consisting of both interest and principal payments. In effect, these payments are a “pass-through” of the monthly payments made by the individual borrowers on the underlying residential mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities. Unscheduled payments of principal may be made if the underlying mortgage loans are repaid or refinanced or the underlying properties are foreclosed, thereby shortening the securities’ weighted average life. Some mortgage pass-through securities (such as securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae) are described as “modified pass-through securities.” These securities entitle the holder to receive all interest and principal payments owed on the mortgage pool, net of certain fees, on the scheduled payment dates regardless of whether the mortgagor actually makes the payment.

The principal governmental guarantor of mortgage pass-through securities is Ginnie Mae. Ginnie Mae is authorized to guarantee, with the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the timely payment of principal and interest on securities issued by lending institutions approved by Ginnie Mae (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers) and backed by pools of mortgage loans. These mortgage loans are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration. A “pool” or group of such mortgage loans is assembled and after being approved by Ginnie Mae, is offered to investors through securities dealers.

Government-related guarantors of mortgage pass-through securities (i.e., not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury) include Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie Mae is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Fannie Mae purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved sellers/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Mortgage pass-through securities issued by Fannie Mae are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by Fannie Mae but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.

Freddie Mac was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a U.S. government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned by stockholders. Freddie Mac issues Participation Certificates (“PCs”), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from Freddie Mac’s national portfolio. Freddie Mac guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.

Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage pass-through securities.

Private Mortgage Pass-Through Securities

Private mortgage pass-through securities, also known as “non-agency mortgage securities”, are structured similarly to the Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage pass-through securities and are issued by United States and foreign private issuers such as originators of and investors in mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks,



7






investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. These securities usually are backed by a pool of conventional fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage loans. Since private mortgage pass-through securities typically are not guaranteed by an entity having the credit status of Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, such securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancement.

Mortgage assets often consist of a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. There are usually fewer properties in a pool of assets backing commercial mortgage-backed securities than in a pool of assets backing residential mortgage-backed securities; hence they may be more sensitive to the performance of fewer mortgage assets. To lessen the effect of failures by obligors on underlying assets to make payments, those securities may contain elements of credit support, which fall into two categories: (i) liquidity protection and (ii) protection against losses resulting from ultimate default by an obligor on the underlying assets. Liquidity protection refers to the provision of advances, generally by the entity administering the pool of assets, to ensure that the receipt of payments on the underlying pool occurs in a timely fashion. Protection against losses resulting from default ensures ultimate payment of the obligations on at least a portion of the assets in the pool. This protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction or through a combination of such approaches. The degree of credit support provided for each issue is generally based on historical information respecting the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Delinquencies or losses in excess of those anticipated could adversely affect the return on an investment in a security. The Fund will not pay any fees for credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.

Securities of Other Investment Companies  


The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies.  The Fund’s investments in an underlying portfolio of Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”), mutual funds and closed-end funds involve certain additional expenses and certain tax results, which would not be present in a direct investment in the underlying funds.


Closed-End Investment Companies  


The Fund may invest its assets in “closed-end” investment companies (or “closed-end funds”), subject to the investment restrictions set forth below. The Fund may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any closed-end fund. Shares of closed-end funds are typically offered to the public in a one-time initial public offering by a group of underwriters who retain a spread or underwriting commission of between 4% or 6% of the initial public offering price. Such securities are then listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (commonly known as “NASDAQ”) and, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.  


The Fund generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market. The Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the Adviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund’s proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if the Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.  


The shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the “market discount” of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value but rather are subject to the principles of supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value.


The Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund’s shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.  



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Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end fund’s common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund’s common shareholders. The Fund’s investment in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.


Open-End Investment Companies  


The Fund may invest in shares of open-end investment companies. The Fund and any “affiliated persons,” as defined by the 1940 Act, may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding securities of any underlying fund unless: (i) the underlying investment company and/or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from such limitations from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); and (ii) the underlying investment company and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying funds, the Fund’s ability to invest fully in shares of those funds is restricted, and the Adviser must then, in some instances, select alternative investments that would not have been its first preference. The 1940 Act also provides that an underlying fund whose shares are purchased by the Fund will be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the underlying fund’s outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Shares held by the Fund in excess of 1% of an underlying fund’s outstanding securities therefore, will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of any Fund’s total assets.  Under certain circumstances an underlying fund may determine to make payment of a redemption by the Fund wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, in lieu of cash, in conformity with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In such cases, the Fund may hold securities distributed by an underlying fund until the Adviser determines that it is appropriate to dispose of such securities.


Investment decisions by the investment advisers of the underlying funds are made independently of the Fund and its Adviser. Therefore, the investment adviser of one underlying fund may be purchasing shares of the same issuer whose shares are being sold by the Adviser of the Fund. The result would be an indirect expense to the Fund without accomplishing any investment purpose.  


Exchange Traded Funds


ETFs are typically passively managed funds that track their related index and have the flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and provide the investor with diversification, cost and tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts (UITs) that have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap “creation units” in block-multiples of 50,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded after hours once the net asset value (NAV) is calculated. ETFs share many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.


Derivative Instruments


The Fund may purchase and write call and put options on securities, securities indices and foreign currencies, and enter into futures contracts and use options on futures contracts as further described below. The Fund may also enter into swap agreements with respect to foreign currencies, interest rates and securities indices. The Fund may use these techniques to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or securities prices or to attempt to achieve investment returns as part of its overall investment

strategies. The Fund may also purchase and sell options relating to foreign currencies for purposes of increasing exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees (or, as permitted by applicable regulation, enter into certain offsetting positions) to cover its obligations under options, futures, and swaps to avoid leveraging the portfolio of the Fund as described below.


The Fund considers derivative instruments to consist of securities or other instruments whose value is derived from or related to the value of some other instrument or asset, and not to include those securities whose payment of principal and/or interest depends upon cash flows from underlying assets, such as mortgage-related or asset-backed securities. The value of some derivative instruments in which the Fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of the Fund, the ability of the Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Adviser to correctly forecast interest rates and other economic factors. If the Adviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, the Fund could be exposed to the risk of loss. In addition, while the use of



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derivatives for hedging purposes can reduce losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains, and hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and security it is hedging, which means that a hedge might not be effective. The Fund might not employ any of the strategies described above, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. A decision as to whether, when and how to utilize derivative instruments involves skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived derivatives strategy may be unsuccessful. The use of derivative instruments involves brokerage fees and/or other transaction costs.


Investment in futures-related and commodity-linked derivatives may subject the Fund to additional risks, and in particular may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of futures-related and commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international

economic, political and regulatory developments. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from certain specified types of investments. It is currently unclear which types of commodities-linked derivatives fall within these specified investment types. As a result, if the Fund’s investment in commodities-linked derivatives were to exceed a certain threshold, the Fund could fail to qualify for the special tax treatment available to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code.


Margin Deposits and Cover Requirements


Margin Deposits for Futures Contracts


Unlike the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, no price is paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Fund will be required to deposit with the broker an amount of cash or cash equivalents, known as initial margin, based on the value of the contract. The nature of initial margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in securities transactions in that futures contract margin does not involve the borrowing of funds by the customer to finance the transactions. Rather, the initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the futures contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent payments, called variation margin, to and from the broker, will be made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying instruments fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” For example, when the Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the contract has risen in response to a rise in the price of the underlying instruments, that position will have increased in value and the Fund will be entitled to receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that increase in value. Conversely, where the Fund has purchased a futures contract and the price of the futures contract has declined in response to a decrease in the underlying instruments, the position would be less valuable and the Fund would be required to make a variation margin payment to the broker. At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Adviser may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, subject to the availability of a secondary market, which will operate to terminate the Fund’s position in the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or gain.


Cover Requirements for Forward Contracts, Swap Agreements, Options, Futures and Options on Futures


The Fund will comply with guidelines established by the SEC with respect to coverage of forwards, futures, swaps and options. These guidelines may, in certain instances, require segregation by the Fund of cash or liquid securities with its custodian or a designated sub-custodian to the extent the Fund’s obligations with respect to these strategies are not otherwise “covered” through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument or currency or by other portfolio positions or by other means consistent with applicable regulatory policies. Segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage of the Fund’s assets could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.


For example, when entering into a futures contract that will be cash settled, the Fund will cover (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the mark-to-market amount, if any, owed by the Fund on the futures contract. When entering into a futures contract that does not need to be settled in cash, the Fund will maintain with its custodian (and mark to market on a daily basis) liquid assets that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the full notional value of the contract. Alternatively, the Fund may “cover” its position by purchasing an option on the same futures contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held by the Fund or by entering into an agreement that enables the Fund to settle such futures contracts in cash.


To the extent the Fund writes credit default swaps, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid by the Fund in accordance with procedures established by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, or enter into offsetting positions, with a value at



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least equal to the full notional amount of the swap (minus any amounts owed to the Fund). Such segregation or “earmarking” will ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will limit any potential leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio. Also, the Fund does not invest more than 25% of its assets in contracts with any one counterparty.

Foreign Currency Transactions


The Fund may engage in foreign currency transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, options, swaps, and other strategic transactions in connection with investments in securities of non-U.S. companies. The Fund will conduct their foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot ( i.e. , cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or through forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies.


The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts (forward contracts) in order to protect against possible losses on foreign investments resulting from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, as well as to increase exposure to a foreign currency or to shift exposure to foreign currency fluctuations from one country to another. A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an agreed price on a future date which is individually negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their customers. Although foreign exchange dealers often do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies. However, forward contracts may limit the potential gains which could result from a positive change in such currency relationships. The Fund will segregate or “earmark” assets determined to be liquid by the Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, to cover the Fund’s obligations under forward foreign currency exchange contracts entered into for non-hedging purposes.


The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines in the U.S. dollar value of foreign portfolio securities and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of foreign securities to be acquired. As with other kinds of options, however, the writing of an option on foreign currency will constitute only a partial hedge, up to the amount of the premium received, and the Fund could be required to purchase or sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring losses. The purchase of an option on foreign currency may constitute an effective hedge against fluctuation in exchange rates although, in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund’s position, the Fund may forfeit the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.


The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether it is hedging its assets or its liabilities, and will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis ( i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlement with respect to each interest rate swap will be calculated on a daily basis and an amount of cash or other liquid assets (marked to market daily) having an aggregate net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be segregated or “earmarked.” The Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of all counterparties on an ongoing basis. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. There is no limit on the amount of interest rate swap transactions that may be entered into by the Fund, subject to the segregation requirement described above. These transactions may in some instances involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets by the Fund or its counterparty to collateralize obligations under the swap. Under the documentation currently used in those markets, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of the payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate swap that is not collateralized defaults, the Fund would risk the loss of the net amount of the payments that it contractually is entitled to receive.


While the Adviser is authorized to hedge against currency risk, it is not required to do so. The Adviser may choose not to hedge currency exposure.


Securities Options


The Fund may purchase and write (i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.


A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the



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security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security.


Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 100®. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the AMEX Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index.


Options on stock indices are currently traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Pacific Stock Exchange and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.


The Fund’s obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by the Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transactions costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have incurred a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument or liquidate the assets held in a segregated account, as described in the Cover Requirements section, until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. In such circumstances, the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.


If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold). If an option written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.


Certain Risks Regarding Options


There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.


Successful use by the Fund of options on stock indices will be subject to the ability of the Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, the Fund’s ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or



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during a market decline, through transactions in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by the Fund. Inasmuch as the Fund’s securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Fund bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the Fund’s securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indices acquired by the Fund.


The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.


There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.


Options on Futures Contracts


The Fund may purchase and sell options on the same types of futures in which it may invest. Options on futures are similar to options on underlying instruments except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by the delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.  


Dealer Options


The Fund may engage in transactions involving dealer options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to dealer options. While the Fund might look to a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, if the Fund were to purchase a dealer option it would need to rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.


Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while dealer options may not. Consequently, the Fund may generally be able to realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a dealer option, the Fund may generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom the Fund originally wrote the option. While the Fund will seek to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and which are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless the Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With respect to options written by the Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to the Fund. For example, because the Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security it writes, the Fund may not sell the assets, which it has segregated to secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair the Fund’s ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be advantageous.


The Staff of the SEC has taken the position that purchased dealer options are illiquid securities. The Fund may treat the cover used for written dealer options as liquid if the dealer agrees that the Fund may repurchase the dealer options they have written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the



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maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option. Accordingly, the Fund will treat dealer options as subject to the Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities. If the SEC changes its position on the liquidity of dealer options, the Fund will change their treatment of such instruments accordingly.


Spread Transactions


The Fund may purchase covered spread options from securities dealers. These covered spread options are not presently exchange-listed or exchange-traded. The purchase of a spread option gives the Fund the right to put securities that it owns at a fixed dollar spread or fixed yield spread in relationship to another security that the Fund does not own, but which is used as a benchmark. The risk to the Fund, in addition to the risks of dealer options described above, is the cost of the premium paid as well as any transaction costs. The purchase of spread options will be used to protect the Fund against adverse changes in prevailing credit quality spreads, i.e., the yield spread between high quality and lower quality securities. This protection is provided only during the life of the spread options.


Repurchase Agreements


The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (such as the Fund) purchases a security (known as the “underlying security”) from a securities dealer or bank. Any such dealer or bank must be deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. At that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon price on a designated future date. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at an agreed upon rate due to the Fund on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund generally will be unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities. Repurchase agreements must be “fully collateralized,” in that the market value of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) must at all times be equal to or greater than the repurchase price. Therefore, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by the underlying securities.  


Repurchase agreements are generally for a short period of time, often less than a week, and will generally be used by the Fund to invest excess cash or as part of a temporary defensive strategy. Repurchase agreements that do not provide for payment within seven days will be treated as illiquid securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default by the seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses. These losses could result from: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security while the Fund is seeking to enforce its rights under the repurchase agreement; (b) possible reduced levels of income or lack of access to income during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.


Swaps

Swap Agreements

Swap agreements are typically two-party, uncleared contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments.  The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index.  Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.”  Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”).  Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term.  Swap agreements often do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets.  Accordingly, if a swap is entered into on a net basis, if the other party to a swap agreement defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any.  The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to a swap agreement entered into on a net basis will be accrued daily and an amount of cash or liquid asset having an aggregate NAV at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in an account with the Fund’s custodian that satisfies the 1940 Act.  The Fund will also establish and maintain such accounts with respect to its total obligations under any swaps that are not entered into on a net basis.  Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities.  Because most swap agreements are two-party contracts and may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund illiquid investment limitations.  The Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy.  The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty.  



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The Fund may enter into a swap agreement in circumstances where the Adviser believes that it may be more cost effective or practical than buying the underlying securities or a futures contract or an option on such securities.  The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer.  The counterparty will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks, futures contracts or other underlying assets represented in the index, plus the dividends that would have been received on those instruments.  The Fund will agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks, futures contracts or other underlying assets.  Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.  

The Fund may enter into total return swap agreements. Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the change in market value of underlying assets, which may include a specified security, futures contract, basket of securities or futures contracts, defined portfolios of bonds, loans and mortgages, or securities indices during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security, commodity or market. Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Total return swaps are a mechanism for the user to accept the economic benefits of asset ownership without utilizing the balance sheet. The other leg of the swap, usually the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), is spread to reflect the non-balance sheet nature of the product. Total return swaps can be designed with any underlying asset agreed between two parties. Typically no notional amounts are exchanged with total return swaps. Total return swap agreements entail the risk that a party will default on its payment obligations to the Fund thereunder. Swap agreements also entail the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty. Generally, the Fund will enter into total return swaps on a net basis ( i.e. , the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).

The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are traded in the over-the-counter market.  The Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of Fund transactions in swap agreements. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

Credit Default Swaps

In a credit default swap, one party makes a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default by a third party, typically an emerging country, on its obligation. The Fund may use credit default swaps to provide a measure of protection against defaults of sovereign issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where the Fund owns or has exposure to the sovereign issuer) and may use credit default swaps to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default. In connection with these agreements, cash or liquid securities may be set aside as collateral by the Fund’s custodian in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement. The Fund earns interest on cash set aside as collateral. Swaps are marked to market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss. These financial instruments are not actively traded on financial markets. The values assigned to these instruments are based upon the best available information and because of the uncertainty of the valuation, these values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these instruments existed, and the differences could be material. Payments received or made at the end of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss. Entering into these agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market, and documentation risk. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and related regulatory developments requires the clearing and exchange-trading of certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps.  The Dodd-Frank Act will ultimately require the clearing of many additional types of OTC derivative instruments that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“ CFTC ”) and SEC recently defined as “swaps” including non-deliverable foreign exchange forwards, OTC foreign exchange options and swaptions.  Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing will take place on a phased-in basis based on type of market participant and CFTC approval of contracts for central clearing.  The Adviser will continue to monitor developments in this area, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swap agreements.



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Trading in Futures Contracts


A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made. Brokerage fees are incurred when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Entering into a contract to buy is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position. Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position.  


Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures contract, and to maintain the Fund’s open positions in futures contracts, the Fund would be required to deposit with its futures broker in a segregated account an amount of cash, U.S. Government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid securities, known as “initial margin.”


The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.


If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in underlying instrument or index in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund.


These subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” The Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.


Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying instrument or index and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.  


For example, one contract in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index future is a contract to buy 25 pounds sterling multiplied by the level of the UK Financial Times 100 Share Index on a given future date. Settlement of a stock index futures contract may or may not be in the underlying instrument or index. If not in the underlying instrument or index, then settlement will be made in cash, equivalent over time to the difference between the contract price and the actual price of the underlying asset at the time the stock index futures contract expires.  

The Fund’s futures contracts may be subject to periods of illiquidity because of market conditions, regulatory considerations and other reasons. For example, commodity exchanges limit fluctuations in certain futures contract prices during a single day by regulations referred to as “daily limits.” During a single day, no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. Once the price of a futures contract for a particular commodity has increased or decreased by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in the commodity futures contracts can neither be taken nor liquidated unless the traders are willing to effect trades at or within the limit. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. Such market conditions could prevent the Fund from promptly liquidating its futures contracts.

Over-the-Counter Instruments

The trading of over-the-counter instruments subjects the Fund to a variety of risks including: (1) counterparty risk; (2) basis risk; (3) interest rate risk; (4) settlement risk; (5) legal risk; and (6) operational risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that the Fund’s counterparties might default on their obligation to pay or perform generally on their obligations. The over-the-counter markets and some foreign markets are “principals’ markets.” That means that performance of the contract is the responsibility only of the individual firm or



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member on the other side of the trade and not any exchange or clearing corporation. Such “counterparty risk” is accentuated for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where the Fund has concentrated its transactions with a single or small group of counterparties. Basis risk is the risk attributable to the movements in the spread between the derivative contract price and the future price of the underlying instrument. Interest rate risk is the general risk associated with movements in interest rates. Settlement risk is the risk that a settlement in a transfer system does not take place as expected. Legal risk is the risk that a transaction proves unenforceable in law or because it has been inadequately documented. Operational risk is the risk of unexpected losses arising from deficiencies in a firm’s management information, support and control systems and procedures. Transactions in over-the-counter derivatives may involve other risks as well, as there is no exchange market on which to close out an open position. It may be impossible to liquidate an existing position, to assess the value of a position or to assess the exposure to risk.

Regulatory Risks of Derivative Use


In February 2012, the CFTC adopted certain regulatory changes that will subject advisers to certain registered investment companies to registration with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) if an investment company is unable to meet certain trading and marketing limitations. These rules became effective on January 1, 2013. In relation to these regulatory changes adopted by the CFTC, the Fund’s Adviser intends to rely on an exemption from the CFTC’s CPO registration requirements. However, it is possible that the Adviser may be required to register as a CPO in the future and comply with any applicable reporting, disclosure or other regulatory requirements. Compliance with CFTC regulatory requirements will increase Fund expenses.  Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop.

It is also possible that additional government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures, options and swap agreements, may limit or prevent the Fund from using such instruments as a part of its investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent the Fund from being able to achieve its investment objective. It is impossible to fully predict the effects of past, present or future legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse. It is possible that legislative and regulatory activity could limit or restrict the ability of the Fund to use certain instruments as a part of its investment strategy. Limits or restrictions applicable to the counterparties with which the Fund may engage in derivative transactions could also prevent the Fund from using certain instruments.


There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Fund or the ability of the Fund to continue to implement its investment strategy. The futures, options and swaps markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading. The regulation of futures, options and swaps transactions in the U.S. is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action.


In 2010, the U.S. government enacted legislation that provides for new regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements. The CFTC and certain futures exchanges have also established limits, referred to as “position limits,” on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in particular options and futures contracts. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, may be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the applicable position limits have been exceeded. Thus, even if the Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by the Adviser and its affiliates may be aggregated for this purpose. The trading decisions of the Adviser may have to be modified and positions held by the Fund may have to be liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the profitability of the Fund.


The SEC has in the past adopted interim rules requiring reporting of all short positions on securities above a certain de minimis threshold and is expected to adopt rules requiring monthly public disclosure in the future. In addition, other non-U.S. jurisdictions where the Fund may trade have adopted reporting requirements. If the Fund’s securities short positions or its strategy become generally known, it could have a significant effect on the Adviser’s ability to implement its investment strategy. In particular, it would make it more likely that other investors could cause a “short squeeze” in the securities held short by the Fund forcing the Fund to cover its positions at a loss. Such reporting requirements may also limit the Adviser’s ability to access management and other personnel at certain companies where the Adviser seeks to take a short position. In addition, if other investors engage in copycat behavior by taking positions in the same issuers as the Fund, the cost of borrowing securities to sell short could increase drastically and the availability of such securities to the Fund could decrease drastically. Such events could make the Fund unable to execute its investment strategy. In addition, the SEC recently proposed additional restrictions on short sales. If the SEC were to adopt additional restrictions regarding short sales, they could restrict the Fund’s ability to engage in short sales of securities in certain circumstances, and the Fund may be unable to execute its investment strategy as a result.



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The SEC and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions may adopt (and in certain cases, have adopted) bans on short sales of certain securities in response to market events. Bans on short selling may make it impossible for the Fund to execute certain investment strategies and may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to generate returns.


Structured Notes, Bonds and Debentures


Typically, the value of the principal and/or interest on these instruments is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indexes or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relevant change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in the loss of the Fund’s entire investment. The value of structured securities may move in the same or the opposite direction as the value of the Reference, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, the change in interest rate or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of the change in the value of the Reference so that the security may be more or less volatile than the Reference, depending on the multiple. Consequently, structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk and volatility than other types of debt obligations.


When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements


The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis. In this event, the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) will segregate liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment in a separate account as discussed in the Cover Requirements section. Normally, the Custodian will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment. In such a case, the Fund may be required subsequently to segregate additional assets in order to assure that the value of the account remains equal to the amount of the Fund’s commitment. It may be expected that the Fund’s net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash.


The Fund does not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative purposes but only in furtherance of its investment objectives. Because the Fund will segregate liquid assets to satisfy its purchase commitments in the manner described, the Fund’s liquidity and the ability of the Adviser to manage them may be affected in the event the Fund’s forward commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued securities and delayed settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net assets.


The Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. In these cases the Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss. When the Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment and delayed settlement transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in the Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.


The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase, forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when determining the market value of the Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to purchase the securities. The Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until it has paid for and delivered on the settlement date.


Illiquid and Restricted Securities


The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale (e.g., because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and securities that are otherwise not readily marketable (e.g., because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Foreign securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.  


Restricted and other illiquid securities may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. The Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests from shareholders. The Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.  



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A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a “safe harbor” from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory, Inc.  


Under guidelines adopted by the Trust’s Board, the Fund’s Adviser may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered. A determination of whether such a security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination, the Adviser will consider, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and among other factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security (e.g., debt or equity, date of maturity, terms of dividend or interest payments, and other material terms) and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer); and (6) the rating of the security and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. In the case of commercial paper, the Adviser will also determine that the paper (1) is not traded flat or in default as to principal and interest, and (2) is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two National Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”) or, if only one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or, if the security is unrated, the Adviser determines that it is of equivalent quality.   


Rule 144A securities and Section 4(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Adviser to determine if the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions. Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.  


Lending Portfolio Securities


For the purpose of achieving income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities or cash or cash equivalents (cash, U.S. Government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned, (2) the Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of securities loaned, (3) the Fund will receive any interest or dividends received on the loaned securities, and (4) the aggregate value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total assets of the Fund.  


Short Sales


The Fund may employ “short selling” for both (1) investment purposes and (2) for defensive purposes as a hedging strategy.  For investment purposes, when the Adviser believes that particular index, company or sector is relatively overvalued, the Fund may sell a security short with the expectation that it can be repurchased at a lower price, thus generating a gain for the Fund.  For defensive purposes, when the Adviser believes that a security or group of securities in the Fund is susceptible to a decline in value, the Fund may sell a security short with the expectation any decline in value of the security sold short will serve to offset some of the decline in value suffered by the Fund’s portfolio of securities.  A short sale strategy is different than a long-only strategy because it consists of selling borrowed shares in the hope that they can be bought back later at a lower price.


The Fund may sell securities short involving the use of derivative instruments and to offset potential declines in long positions in similar securities. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own or have the right to acquire (or that it owns but does not wish to deliver) in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline.  


When the Fund makes a short sale, the broker-dealer through which the short sale is made must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the party purchasing the security. The Fund is required to make a margin deposit in connection with such short sales; the Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and will often be obligated to pay over any dividends and accrued interest on borrowed securities.  



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If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund covers its short position, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.


To the extent the Fund sells securities short, it will provide collateral to the broker-dealer and (except in the case of short sales “against the box”) will maintain additional asset coverage in the form of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities with its custodian in a segregated account in an amount at least equal to the difference between the current market value of the securities sold short and any amounts required to be deposited as collateral with the selling broker (not including the proceeds of the short sale). The Fund does not intend to enter into short sales (other than short sales “against the box”) if immediately after such sales the aggregate of the value of all collateral plus the amount in such segregated account exceeds 50% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. This percentage may be varied by action of the Board of Trustees. A short sale is “against the box” to the extent the Fund contemporaneously owns, or has the right to obtain at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short.


Short sales create a risk that the Fund will be required to close the short position by buying the security at a time when the security has appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. A short position in a security poses more risk than holding the same security long.  Because a short position loses value as the security’s price increases, the loss on a short sale is theoretically unlimited.  


To the extent that the Fund uses short sales as a hedging technique, the Fund is subject to correlation risk. Specifically, the correlation between the security sold short and the hedged security may be imperfect, reducing the expected benefit to the Fund of a short sale, or there may be no correlation at all.  It is possible that the market value of the securities the Fund holds in long positions will decline at the same time that the market value of the securities the Fund has sold short increases, thereby increasing the Fund’s potential volatility.


In addition, any gain on a short sale is decreased, and any loss is increased, by the amount of any payments, such as lender fees, replacement of dividends or interest that the Fund may be required to make with respect to the borrowed securities.  Market factors may prevent the Fund from closing out a short position at the most desirable time or at a favorable price. The lender of the borrowed securities may require the Fund to return the securities on short notice, which may require the Fund to purchase the borrowed securities at an unfavorable price, resulting in a loss.  You should be aware that any strategy that includes selling securities short could suffer significant losses.  Short selling will also result in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), which reduce the Fund’s return, and may result in higher taxes.


INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS


The Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions that may not be changed without approval by a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Fund which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.


1. Borrowing Money. The Fund may not borrow money, except to the extent permitted under applicable securities laws.


2. Senior Securities. The Fund may not issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted under applicable securities laws


3. Underwriting. The Fund may not act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter under applicable securities laws in the disposition of portfolio securities or in the purchase of securities directly from the issuer thereof.


4. Concentration. The Fund may not purchase any security (other than U.S. Government Securities or securities of other investment companies) if as a result more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets, taken at market value at the time of investment, would be invested in the securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the same industry.


5. Real Estate. The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, but this policy shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate ( e.g. , REITs) or in securities of issuers engaged in the real estate business.


6. Commodities. The Fund may purchase or sell commodities to the extent permitted by applicable law from time to time.



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7. Loans. The Fund may not make loans, except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any applicable exemptive relief.


THE FOLLOWING ARE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS OF THE FUND. THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS ARE DESIGNATED AS NON-FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE CHANGED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS.


1. Pledging. The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation (1) above.  Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.


2. Borrowing. The Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings representing more than one third of its total assets are outstanding.  


3. Margin Purchases. The Fund may not purchase securities on margin, except for use of short-term credit necessary for clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, but it may make margin deposits in connection with covered transactions in options, futures, options on futures and short positions. For purposes of this restriction, the posting of margin deposits or other forms of collateral in connection with swap agreements is not considered purchasing securities on margin.


4. Illiquid Investments. The Fund will not hold 15% or more of its net assets in securities for which there are legal or contractual restrictions on resale and other illiquid securities.


If a restriction on the Fund’s investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.



POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS


The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.


It is the Trust’s policy to:  (1) ensure that any disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interest of Trust shareholders; (2) protect the confidentiality of portfolio holdings information; (3) have procedures in place to guard against personal trading based on the information; and (4) ensure that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information does not create conflicts between the interests of the Trust’s shareholders and those of the Trust’s affiliates.


The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings by mailing its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders approximately two months after the end of the fiscal year and semi-annual period.  In addition, the Fund discloses its portfolio holdings reports on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period.


The Fund may choose to make portfolio holdings available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg more frequently on a confidential basis.


Under limited circumstances, as described below, the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q.  In each case, a determination has been made that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.


· The Adviser Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing the Fund’s portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for the Adviser to provide its management, administrative, and investment services to the Fund. As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of the portfolio managers in the trading of such securities, Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.



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· Gemini Fund Services, LLC. Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the transfer agent, fund accountant, administrator and custody administrator for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.


· Union Bank, N.A. is custodian for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.


· Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C. is the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Fund’s annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.   


· Dechert LLP. Dechert LLP is counsel to the Fund; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with review of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.


Additions to List of Approved Recipients.  The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities at any time or to any persons other than those described above.  In such cases, the recipient must have a legitimate business need for the information and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential. There are no ongoing arrangements in place with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings. In no event shall the Fund, the Adviser or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings.


Compliance With Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures.  The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board with respect to compliance with the Fund’s portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.


There is no assurance that the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.


MANAGEMENT


The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s By-laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request. The Board consists of four individuals, all of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and the Adviser (“Independent Trustees”). Pursuant to the Governing Documents of the Trust, the Trustees shall elect officers including, but not limited to, a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Chief Compliance Officer. The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust’s purposes. The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.


Board Leadership Structure.   The Board is led by Mark Gersten, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since the Trust was first registered with the SEC in 2012.   Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at Board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, and (c) execution and administration of Trust policies, including (i) setting the agendas for Board meetings and (ii) providing information to Board members in advance of each Board meeting and between Board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by our shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership.  The Trust believes that its Chairman, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, the Fund and each shareholder.


Board Risk Oversight .  The Board of Trustees is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees with an Audit Committee with a separate chair.  The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary.  The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting the risk within its area of responsibilities.  Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through



22






the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.


Trustee Qualifications.  Generally, the Fund believe that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills.  Mark Garbin has over 20 years of experience in corporate balance sheet and income statement risk management for large asset managers.  Mr. Garbin has extensive derivatives experience and has provided consulting services to alternative asset managers.  Mr. Garbin is a CFA Charterholder and holds advanced degrees in international business, negotiation and derivatives.  Mark Gersten has over 25 years of business experience in the investment management business with a focus on mutual funds and alternative funds.  He serves as a member of another mutual fund board outside of the Fund Complex and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his service to this board and extensive experience administering mutual funds.  Mr. Gersten is a certified public account and holds an MBA in accounting.  Neil Kaufman has 28 years of experience as a corporate and securities attorney and possesses a deep understanding of the securities industry in general and financial statements in particular.  Mr. Kaufman has previously served as the Chairman of a NASDAQ-listed technology company and the Chairman of the Banking & Securities Law committee of the Nassau County Bar Association.  Anita Krug has extensive experience as an attorney advising investment advisory firms, particularly those managing hedge funds.  She also has extensive experience as a law professor whose scholarship focuses on investment advisers, hedge funds, and mutual funds. The Fund does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that collective experience of each Trustee makes them well qualified.

 

Trustees and Officers.  The Trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal business occupations during the past five years and other information, are shown below.   Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and Officer is 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska  68130.



Independent Trustees


Name, Address,

Year of Birth

Position(s) Held with Registrant

Term and Length Served

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Number of Portfolios Overseen In The Fund Complex

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

Mark Garbin

Year of Birth: 1951

Trustee, Valuation Committee Chairman

Indefinite, Since 2012

Managing Principal, Coherent Capital Management LLC (since 2007); Managing Director, Rabobank International (2006-2007)

7

None

Mark D. Gersten

Year of Birth: 1950

Chairman, Trustee, Audit Committee Chairman

Indefinite, Since 2012

Senior Vice President – Global Fund Administration Mutual Funds & Alternative Funds, AllianceBernstein LP (since 1985)

7

Independent Trustee, Schroder Mutual Funds (since 2012)

Neil M. Kaufman

Year of Birth: 1960

Trustee

Indefinite, Since 2012


Partner, Abrams Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara & Einiger, LLP (since 2011); Partner, Davidoff, Malito & Hutcher, LLP (2004-2010)

7

None



23









Anita K. Krug

Year of Birth: 1969

Trustee

Indefinite, Since 2012

Assistant Professor, University of Washington School of Law (since 2010); Partner, Howard Rice, P.C. (2007-2010); Associate, Howard Rice, P.C. (2002-2007)

7

None



Officers of the Trust


Name, Address,

Year of Birth

Position(s) Held with Registrant

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Number of Portfolios Overseen In The Fund Complex*

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

Andrew Rogers

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1969

President

Since Inception

Chief Executive Officer, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); President and Manager, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2006 - 2012); Formerly Manager, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (2006 – 2008); and President and Manager, GemCom LLC (2004 - 2011).

N/A

N/A

James P. Ash

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1976

Secretary

Since Inception

Senior Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2011 - 2012); Director of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2009 - 2011); Assistant Vice President of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2008 - 2011).

N/A

N/A

James Colantino

450 Wireless Blvd.

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1969

Treasurer

Since Inception

Vice President from 2004 to Present; Senior Fund Administrator from 1999 to 2004, Gemini Fund Services, LLC.

N/A

N/A



24









William B. Kimme

Year of Birth: 1962

Chief Compliance Officer

Since Inception

Senior Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (September 2011 - present); Compliance Officer, Mick & Associates (August, 2009 - September 2011); Assistant Director, FINRA (January 2000 – August 2009).

N/A

N/A


Audit Committee.  The Board has an Audit Committee that consists solely of Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the Trust’s independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust’s financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust’s independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor’s independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management’s responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls.  The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter.  During the past fiscal year, the Audit Committee held five meetings.    


Compensation of Directors.  The Trust pays each Independent Trustee a quarterly fee of $2,500.00, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings, to be paid at the end of each calendar quarter.  In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual fee of $2,500.00, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual fee of $2,500.00, and the Chairman of the Valuation Committee receives an additional annual fee of $2,500.00.  No “interested persons” who serve as a Trustee of the Trust will receive any compensation for their services as Trustee. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust. The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees received from the Trust during the fiscal year ending October 31, 2013.  The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, deferred compensation, pension or retirement plan.


Name and Position

Aggregate Compensation From Trust*

Total Compensation From Trust and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees

Mark Garbin

$9,375.00

$9,375.00

Mark Gersten

$11,250.00

$11,250.00

Neil Kaufman

$7,500.00

$7,500.00

Anita Krug

$7,500.00

$7,500.00


*The Trust has multiple series.  Trustees’ fees are allocated equally to each Fund in the Trust.


Trustees’ Ownership of Shares in the Fund .  As of October 1, 2013, the Trustees beneficially owned the below amounts in the Fund and the Two Roads Shared Trust.

 

Name of Trustee

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

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

Mark Garbin

None

None



25







Mark Gersten

None

None

Neil Kaufman

None

None

Anita Krug

None

None



Management Ownershipp


Because there were no shares outstanding as of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned 0% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.



26







CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS


A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control.


As of the date of this SAI:


i.

no persons were “control” persons of the Fund.  This means that there were no persons (i) owning beneficially more than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Fund, or (ii) that by acknowledgment or assertion by the controlled party or controlling party, were in control of the Fund;

ii.

no persons owned of record or were known by the Fund to beneficially own 5% or more of the Fund’s outstanding shares; and

iii.

the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned less than one percent of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

INVESTMENT ADVISER


Investment Adviser and Investment Advisory Agreements


Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC (“Adviser” or “ Larkin Point ”), located at 47 West River Road, Suite D, Rumson, NJ 07760, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs.   The Adviser is controlled by Larkin Point Capital Investors LLC, a holding company for which Michael Winchell serves as managing member.  Mr. Hon is a principal of Larkin Point Capital Investors LLC.


Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, agrees to invest the assets of the Fund in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the respective Fund’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser.  The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the Fund and, as such shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities here under, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by the Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the  issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers.  The Adviser also provides the Fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the Fund’s investments, compensates all officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors or employees of the Adviser, and all personnel of the Fund or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities. The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund was approved by the Board of the Trust, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, at a meeting held on September 18, 2013.


The following table sets forth the annual management fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets:


FUND

ADVISORY FEE

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

1.05%





27








For its services to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual fee equal to the percentages of the Fund’s average daily net assets in the table above. In addition to the investment advisory fee, the Fund pays other expenses including costs incurred in connection with the maintenance of its securities law registration, printing and mailing prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information to shareholders, certain financial accounting services, taxes or governmental fees, custodial, transfer and shareholder servicing agent costs, expenses of outside counsel and independent accountants, preparation of shareholder reports and expenses of trustee and shareholders meetings.  The fee is computed daily and payable monthly.


The Adviser has agreed contractually to waive its management fee and to reimburse expenses, other than expenses relating to dividends or interest on securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses or extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, at least until February 28, 2015 such that net annual fund operating expenses of the Fund do not exceed the percentages in the table below. Please see the section below entitled “Investment Adviser” for a definition of what are considered to be extraordinary or non-recurring expenses. Waiver/reimbursement is subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits.  No reimbursement amount will be paid to the Adviser in any fiscal quarter unless the Trust’s Board of Trustees has determined in advance that a reimbursement is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.  Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Fund’s expenses and increase its performance.


Fund

Class

Expense Cap

Minimum Duration

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

A

1.95%

February 28, 2015

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

C

2.70%

February 28, 2015

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

I

1.70%

February 28, 2015

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

R

2.20%

February 28, 2015


Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement are paid by the Fund.  Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund is responsible for the payment of the following expenses among others: (a) the fees payable to the Adviser, (b) the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Adviser or Distributor (as defined under the section entitled “The Distributor”) (c) the fees and certain expenses of the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent (as defined under the section entitled “Transfer Agent”), including the cost of maintaining certain required records of the Fund and of pricing the Fund’s shares, (d) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants for the Fund, (e) brokerage commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Fund in connection with its securities transactions, (f) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Fund to governmental agencies, (g) the fees of any trade association of which the Fund may be a member, (h) the cost of share certificates representing shares of the Fund, (i) the cost of fidelity and liability insurance, (j) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Fund and of shares with the SEC, qualifying its shares under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the Fund’s registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes, (k) all expenses of shareholders and Trustees’ meetings (including travel expenses of trustees and officers of the Trust who are directors, officers or employees of the Adviser) and of preparing, printing and mailing reports, proxy statements and prospectuses to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders and (l) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.


The Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on 60 days’ written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of that Trust’s outstanding shares. The Investment Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.  


Codes of Ethics



28







The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor each have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that governs the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trust. Under the code of ethics adopted by the Trust (the “Code”), the Trustees are permitted to invest in securities that may also be purchased by the Fund.  

In addition, the Trust has adopted a separate code of ethics that applies only to the Trust’s executive officers to ensure that these officers promote professional conduct in the practice of corporate governance and management. The purpose behind these guidelines is to promote i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other public communications made by the Fund; iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rule and regulations; iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and v) accountability for adherence to the Code.


Proxy Voting Policies


The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Policies”) on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to the Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser’s Proxy Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest.


Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser’s interests and the Fund’s interests, the Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the client’s directive using the recommendation of an independent third party.  If the third party’s recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client’s account. A copy of the Adviser’s proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.


More information . Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available(1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at 1-855-852-8998 and (2) on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.




29







THE DISTRIBUTOR


Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (the “Distributor”) serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Trust pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement with the Trust (the “Underwriting Agreement”). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state’s securities laws and is a member of FINRA. The offering of the Fund’s shares are continuous. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, will use its best efforts to distribute the Fund’s shares.


The Underwriting Agreement provides that, unless sooner terminated, it will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board or a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of the Distributor by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.


The Underwriting Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to the Distributor, or by the Distributor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days’ written notice to the Fund. The Underwriting Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.


The Fund is newly organized and did not pay any compensation to the Distributor during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013.


Fund

Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions

Compensation on Redemptions and Purchases

Brokerage Commissions

Other Compensation*

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

$0

$0

$0

$0

*The Distributor will receive 12b-1 fees from the Fund as described under the following section entitled “Rule 12b-1 Plans”.


Rule 12b-1 Plans


The Trust has adopted Distribution Plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plans”) pursuant to which the Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for Distributor’s account maintenance services under Plans, a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the rate of up to 0.25% for Class A shares, up to 1.00% for Class C shares, and up to 0.50% for Class R shares of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the relevant class.  Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund’s average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Distributor. The Rule 12b-1 Plans authorize payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others (“Recipients”) to provide these services and paying compensation for these services. The Fund will bear its own costs of distribution with respect to its shares. The Fund may make other payments, such as contingent deferred sales charges imposed on certain redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant to the Plans.


The services to be provided by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assistance in the offering and sale of Fund shares and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipients; answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; making the Fund’s investment plan and shareholder services available; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Fund as the Distributor or the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may reasonably request. The distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or arranged by the Distributor with respect to the Fund.  


The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.  



30






The initial term of each Plan is one year and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and do not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”) by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Plan. A Plan may be terminated at any time by the Trust or the Fund by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund.


A Rule 12b-1 Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributor’s compensation to be paid by the Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected class of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b- 1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Rule 12b-1 Plan. During the term of a Rule 12b-1 Plan, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Distributor will preserve copies of each Rule 12b-1 Plan, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.  


Any agreement related to a Rule 12b-1 Plan will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or the Fund at any time upon sixty days’ written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the respective Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or the Fund; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); and (c) it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its execution or adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement.


PORTFOLIO MANAGERS


The tables below include details about the type, number, and assets under management for the various types of accounts, and total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the accounts. The information is as of October 1, 2013.  


Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund


Michael Winchell


Account Type

Investment Team

Number of Accounts by Account Type

Total Assets By Account Type

Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Total assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Registered Investment Companies

0

$0

0

$0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

0

$0

0

$0

Other Accounts

0

$0

0

$0


Charles H. C. Hon


Account Type

Investment Team

Number of Accounts by Account Type

Total Assets By Account Type

Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee

Total assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee



31







Registered Investment Companies

0

$0

0

$0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

0

$0

0

$0

Other Accounts

0

$0

0

$0


Conflicts of Interest


The Adviser does not manage any accounts other than the Fund. The procedures to address conflicts of interest, if any, are described below.


The Adviser’s majority owner is Larkin Point Capital Investors LLC, a holding company whose managing member is Michael Winchell.  Mr. Hon is a principal of Larkin Point Capital Investors LLC.  The remaining ownership interest in the Adviser is held by Larkin Partners, LLC , a separate holding company owned by Michael Winchell.   Larkin Point Capital Investors LLC and Larkin Partners, LLC (the “Affiliates”) currently do not manage assets for other accounts.  Further neither the Adviser nor its portfolio managers currently manage assets for accounts other than the Fund.  In the event the Adviser and/or its Affiliates manage other accounts each will adopt policies and procedures to address actual and potential conflicts of interest. In general, when a portfolio manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, the Adviser or an affiliate may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or the Adviser or an affiliate could receive performance-based fees on certain accounts. The procedures to address conflicts of interest, if any, are described below.


Compensation


Under the Portfolio Management Agreement between the Adviser and each portfolio manager, the Adviser pays each portfolio Manager a salary. After both eighteen months and when the Fund’s assets under management reach at least $100 million, the portfolio managers will be eligible for discretionary bonuses.  Discretionary bonuses will be determined by Mr. Winchell, in his capacity as the managing member of the Adviser, and will be based upon factors including, performance of the Fund relative to its benchmark, overall growth of the Fund’s assets under management and other job performance factors deemed appropriate by the managing member.  Additionally, due to Mr. Winchell and Mr. Hon’s indirect ownership interest in the Adviser, they may receive compensation through their respective ownership interests to the extent that the Adviser distributes any profits or the value of their respective ownership interests increase.  

 

Ownership of Securities


The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the portfolio managers in the Fund as of October 22, 2013.  


Name of Portfolio Manager

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

Michael Winchell

None

Charles H. C. Hon

None



ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE


Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the portfolio managers, who are employees of the Adviser. The Adviser is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but


32






need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or the Adviser for the Fund’s use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.  


In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will take the following into consideration:

the best net price available;

the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer;  

the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and

the value of the expected contribution of the broker or dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis.


Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage, research and other services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than those of the Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Fund.


PORTFOLIO TURNOVER


The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by that Fund. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of the Fund’s portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period.  



OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS


Fund Administration, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agent Services


Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”), which has its principal office at 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, serves as administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent for the Fund pursuant to the Fund Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Fund and subject to the supervision of the Board.  GFS is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. GFS is an affiliate of the Distributor. GFS may also provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of GFS or its affiliates.


The Agreement became effective on September 18, 2013 and will remain in effect for two years from the applicable effective date for the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund, and will continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board.  The Agreement is terminable by the Board or GFS on 90 days’ written notice and may be assigned by either party, provided that the Trust may not assign this agreement without the prior written consent of GFS. The Agreement provides that GFS shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to the Agreement.  


Under the Agreement, GFS performs administrative services for the Fund, including:  (1) monitor the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Trust by others service providers; (2) monitor Fund holdings and operations for post-trade compliance with the Fund’s registration statement and applicable laws and rules; (3) prepare and coordinate the printing of semi-annual and annual financial statements; (4) prepare selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses; (5) prepare and disseminate materials for and attend and participate in meetings of the Board; (6) determine income and capital gains available for distribution and calculate distributions required to meet regulatory, income, and excise tax requirements; (7) review the Trust’s federal, state, and local tax returns as prepared and signed by the Trust’s independent public accountants; (8) prepare and maintain the Trust’s operating expense budget to determine proper expense accruals to be charged to the Fund to calculate its daily net asset value; (9) assist in and monitor the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of amendments to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, periodic reports to the Trustees, shareholders and the SEC, notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2, proxy materials and reports to the SEC on Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, N-Q and N-PX; (10) coordinate the Trust’s



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audits and examinations by assisting the Fund’s independent public accountants; (11) determine, in consultation with others, the jurisdictions in which shares of the Trust shall be registered or qualified for sale and facilitate such registration or qualification; (12) monitor sales of shares and ensure that the shares are properly and duly registered with the SEC; (13) monitor the calculation of performance data for the Fund; (14) prepare, or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports; (15) prepare authorization for the payment of Trust expenses and pay, from Trust assets, all bills of the Trust; (16) provide information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other information with respect to investment companies; (17) upon request, assist the Fund in the evaluation and selection of other service providers, such as independent public accountants, printers, EDGAR providers and proxy solicitors (such parties may be affiliates of GFS); (18) perform other services, recordkeeping and assistance relating to the affairs of the Trust as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request.


For the administrative services rendered to the Fund by GFS, the Fund pays GFS a fee equal to the greater of a minimum fee of $20,000.000 per Fund for a six-month period following the first 90 days following the effective date and a minimum fee of $40,000.000 per Fund thereafter, or 0.10% on the first $100 million of net assets, 0.08% on the next $150 million of net assets, 0.06% on the next $250 million of net assets, 0.04% on the next $500 million of net assets, and 0.03% on net assets greater than $1 billion. The Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.


GFS also provides the Fund with accounting services, including: (i) daily computation of net asset value; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund’s listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintaining certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciling account information and balances among the Fund’s custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund.


For the fund accounting services rendered to the Fund under the Agreement, for the first six months following the effective date for the Fund, the Fund pays GFS an annual fee of $13,500 per Fund and $27,000 per Fund thereafter; plus $6,000 for each additional share class; plus a bond fund fee of $6,000; plus 0.02% on net assets of $25 million to $100 million and 0.01% on net assets greater than $100 million. The Funds also pay GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.

GFS also acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to the Agreement. Under the agreement, GFS is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.


For such services rendered to the Fund under the Agreement, the Fund pays GFS a fee equal to the greater of (i) a minimum fee of $9,000 per share class for the for a six-month period following the first 90 days following the effective date for the Fund and a minimum fee of $18,000.00 per share class thereafter, and (ii) $16.00 per open account and $2.00 per closed account.  The Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses.


Custodian


Union Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”) serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custody Agreement by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian’s responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund’s cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund’s investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. The Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets. The Custodian’s principal place of business is 350 California Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104.


Chief Compliance Officer


Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust.


DESCRIPTION OF SHARES


Each share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.



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Shareholders of the Trust and any other future series of the Trust will vote in the aggregate and not by series except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interest of the shareholders of a particular series or classes. Matters such as ratification of the independent public accountants and election of Trustees are not subject to separate voting requirements and may be acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.  


The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. Each share has equal dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights applicable to any shares of the Fund. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.


ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM


The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program provides for the development of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program.  The Trust’s Secretary serves as its Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.


Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Fund’s Distributor, and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reported suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.  


As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to “freeze” the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.   


PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES


Calculation of Share Price


As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading “How Shares are Priced,” the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund.


For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are available are stated at market value. Market value is generally determined on the basis of last reported sales prices, or if no sales are reported, based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers, or pricing services. Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the last bid price. Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost. Exchange traded options, futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction.  


Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares.  


Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the “NYSE Close”) on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally uses pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced

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using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.  


In unusual circumstances, instead of valuing securities in the usual manner, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or their designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.  


The Trust expects that the holidays upon which the Exchange will be closed are as follows: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.  


Purchase of Shares


Orders for shares received by the Fund in good order prior to the close of business on the NYSE on each day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at net asset value per share computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE. Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or on a day it is not open for trading, are priced at the close of such NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined net asset value per share.  


Redemption of Shares  


The Fund will redeem all or any portion of a shareholder’s shares of the Fund when requested in accordance with the procedures set forth in the “Redemptions” section of a prospectus. Under the 1940 Act, a shareholder’s right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be suspended at times:  


(a) when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings.

(b) when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason;  

(c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or

(d) when the Securities and Exchange Commission by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.


In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on the net asset value next determined after the termination of the suspension.


Supporting documents in addition to those listed under “Redemptions” in the prospectuses will be required from executors, administrators, Trustees, or if redemption is requested by someone other than the shareholder of record. Such documents include, but are not restricted to, stock powers, Trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor, certificates of corporate authority and waiver of tax required in some states when settling estates.  


TAX STATUS


The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. All shareholders should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding their investment in the Fund.  


The Fund intends to qualify and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and intends to continue to so qualify, which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders, as described more fully below. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its investment company taxable income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Investment company taxable income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Code.


Investment company taxable income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses, plus any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses. Net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net-short-term capital losses)



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for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carry forward of the Fund. Capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Under previously enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains for eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital, irrespective of the character of the original loss.  Capital loss carry forwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carry forwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.


To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and net income from “publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in Section 851(h) of the Code), and (b) diversify its holding so that, at the end of each quarter, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, or two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.


If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes to its shareholders each taxable year an amount equal to or exceeding the sum of (i) 90% of its investment company taxable income without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain disallowed deductions, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including net capital gain distributed to shareholders.  If, however, the Fund meets such distribution requirements, but chooses to retain a portion of its investment company taxable income or net capital gain, it generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained.


The Fund intends to distribute all of its investment company taxable income and any net capital gains in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year ending October 31, and no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.  


If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M in any fiscal year, it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations. Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net realized capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund.  


The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (i.e., the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this tax.  


Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of the following year. Redemptions of shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.  In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the Fund may be “spilled back” and treated as paid by the Fund (except for the purposes of the 4% excise tax) during such taxable year.  In such case, shareholders generally will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made.


The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Code.  


Distributions of investment company taxable income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Because the Fund’s income is derived primarily from sources that do not pay “qualified



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dividend income,” dividends from the Fund generally are not expected to qualify for taxation at the long-term capital gain rates available to individuals on qualified dividend income.  Furthermore, dividends from the Fund generally are not expected to qualify for the dividends-received deduction for shareholders that are corporations. Distributions of net capital gain (“capital gain dividends”) generally are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of the Fund have been held by such shareholders.


Distributions by the Fund in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares and any such amount in excess of that basis will be treated as gain from the sale of shares, as discussed below. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the amount of cash the shareholder could have received.  


A redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.   


For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain investment company taxable income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceed certain threshold amounts.


Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld.  


Due to recent legislation, the Fund (or its administrative agent) is required to report to the IRS and furnish to shareholders the cost basis information for sale transactions of shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012.  Shareholders may elect to have one of several cost basis methods applied to their account when calculating the cost basis of shares sold, including average cost, FIFO or some other specific identification method.  Unless you instruct otherwise, the Fund will use average cost as its default cost basis method, and will treat sales as first coming from shares purchased prior to January 1, 2012.  If average cost is used for the first sale of shares covered by these new rules, the shareholder may only use an alternative cost basis method for shares purchased prospectively.  Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best cost basis method for their tax situation.  Shareholders that hold their shares through a financial intermediary should contact such financial intermediary with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.


Foreign Shareholders


The foregoing discussion relates only to U.S. federal income tax law as applicable to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens and residents and domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates).  Shareholders who are not U.S. persons should consult their tax advisers regarding U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including the likelihood that distributions to them would be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate under a tax treaty) and the possibility they may be subject to U.S. estate tax. For taxable years beginning before 2014 (or a later date if extended by Congress), a portion of the Fund’s distributions received by a foreign shareholder may, however, be exempt from U.S. withholding tax to the extent properly reported by the Fund as attributable to U.S. source interest income and short-term capital gains.



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Effective January 1, 2014, the Fund will be required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of taxable dividends and (effective January 1, 2017) redemption proceeds made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts.  Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.


Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements  


To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund’s transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.


Passive Foreign Investment Companies  


Investment by the Fund in a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF election”), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the company’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company.  


The Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings “to the market” as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return.  


Foreign Currency Transactions


The Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated fixed income securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.


Foreign Taxation


Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to “pass through” to the Fund’s shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by that Fund will “pass through” for that year.  


Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder’s U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of the Fund’s income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated fixed income securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. A shareholder may be unable to



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claim a credit for the full amount of his or her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. The foreign tax credit can be used to offset only 90% of the revised alternative minimum tax imposed on corporations and individuals and foreign taxes generally are not deductible in computing alternative minimum taxable income.  


Original Issue Discount, Pay-In-Kind and Market Discount Securities  


Investments by the Fund in zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities, other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently) or pay-in-kind securities will require the Fund to accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, generally prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments.  However, the Fund must distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all of its net income, including such accrued income, to shareholders to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code and avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes.  Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash to satisfy its distribution requirements.


By holding the foregoing kinds of securities, the Fund may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.  


If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Fund shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder, or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, in any single taxable year (or a greater amount over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886.  Shareholders who own portfolio securities directly are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement but, under current guidance, shareholders of regulated investment companies are not excepted.  A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure to the IRS may be subject to substantial penalties.  The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether or not the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper.  Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.


Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund’s shares.  


A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.  


Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.


INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


Rothstein, Kass & Company, P.C., located at 4 Becker Farm Road, Roseland, New Jersey 07068, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year.  The firm provides services including (i) audit of annual financial statements, and (ii) assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.  


LEGAL COUNSEL


Dechert LLP, One Maritime Plaza, Suite 2300, San Francisco, California 94111 serves as the Trust’s legal counsel.



FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The Fund has not yet commenced operations and, therefore, has not produced financial statements. Once produced, you can obtain a copy of the financial statements contained in the Fund’s Annual or Semi-Annual Report without charge by calling the Fund at 1-855-852-8998.



40






APPENDIX A


PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES


LARKIN POINT INVESTMENT ADVISORS LLC


Larkin Point Investment Advisors, LLC (“LPIA”) LPIA will vote proxies on behalf of its individual clients.  In order to fulfill its responsibilities under the Advisers Act, LPIA has adopted the following policies and procedures for proxy voting with regard to companies in the investment portfolio of the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund, and with regard to companies in the investment portfolios of all other clients of LPIA.


LPIA’s primary purpose and fiduciary responsibility is to maximize shareholder value, which is defined as share price and dividend appreciation.  LPIA will vote proxies in the best interests of the Fund and clients, and will generally vote for, against, consider on a case-by-case basis, or abstain from voting as indicated below.  Because of the extenuating circumstances associated with specific proxy issues, LPIA’s votes may differ from time to time from the indications noted.  In addition, the list may not include all proxies on which LPIA votes. LPIA will also act, in its best judgment, on behalf of the Fund and clients on certain corporate actions that impact shareholder value, such as tender offers and bankruptcy proceedings.


VOTING PROXIES


1)

All proxies sent to clients that are actually received by LPIA (to vote on behalf of the client) will be provided to the CIO.


2)

The CIO will generally adhere to the following  procedures (subject to limited  exception):


a)

A written record of each proxy received by the Adviser (on behalf of its clients) will be kept in LPIA's files;


b)

The CIO will determine  which portfolio and/or Fund holds the security to which the proxy relates;


c)

Prior to voting any proxies, the CIO will determine if there are any conflicts of interest related to the proxy in question in accordance with the general guidelines set forth below.  If a conflict is identified, the CIO will then make a determination (which may be in consultation with outside legal counsel) as to whether the conflict is material.


d)

If no material conflict is identified pursuant to these procedures, the CIO will vote the proxy in accordance with the guidelines set forth below.  The CIO will deliver the proxy in accordance with instructions related to such proxy in a timely and appropriate manner.


CONFLICTS OF INTEREST


Determination of Material  Conflict

1)

As stated above, in evaluating how to vote a proxy, the CIO will first determine whether there is a conflict of interest related to the proxy in question between LPIA and the Fund, and/or other clients. This examination will include (but will not be limited to) an evaluation of whether the LPIA has any relationship with the company (or an affiliate of the company) to which the proxy relates outside of an investment in such company by a LPIA client.



41





2)

If a conflict is identified and deemed “material” by the CIO, LPIA will determine whether voting  in accordance with the proxy voting guidelines outlined  below is in the best interests of the client (which may include utilizing an independent third party to vote such proxies).


3)

With respect to material conflicts, LPIA will determine whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to affected clients give such clients the opportunity to vote the proxies in question themselves.  However, with respect to ERISA clients whose advisory contract reserves the right to vote proxies  when an Adviser has determined that a material conflict exists that affects its best judgment  as a fiduciary to the ERISA client, LPIA will:


a)

Give the ERISA client the opportunity to vote the proxies in question themselves; or


b)

Follow designated special proxy voting procedures related to voting proxies pursuant to the terms of the investment management agreement with such ERISA clients (if any).


TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST PROXY VOTING


As a Fund of Funds, The Fund(s) is subject to Section 12(d)(1)(F) under the 1940 Act.  Section 12(d)(1)(F) requires that shares of underlying  investment companies be voted "in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security."


Therefore, with regard to the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund, which is a series of the Two Roads Shared Trust (the “Trust”), LPIA will submit voting instructions for any proxies received for shares held by the Trust as follows:


WITH RESPECT TO EACH PROPOSAL ON THE ATTACHED  PROXY BALLOT,  PLEASE VOTE OUR SHARES IN THE SAME PROPORTION AS THE VOTE OF ALL OTHER HOLDERS OF SUCH SECURITY.


DISCLOSURE OF PROCEDURES.


A summary of above these proxy voting procedures will be included in the LPIA’s Form ADV Part 2 and will be updated  whenever these policies and procedures are updated.   Clients will be provided  with contact information  as to how they can obtain information  about:  (i) the Adviser's proxy voting procedures; and (ii) how the Adviser voted proxies that are relevant to the affected client.


RECORD-KEEPING REQUIREMENTS.


THE CIO AND THE CCO W ILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING FILES REL ATING TO THE ADVISER'S PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES.


Records will be maintained and preserved for five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on a record, with records for the first two years kept in the offices of the Adviser.


Records of the following will be included in the files:


1)

Copies of these proxy voting policies and procedures, and any amendments thereto;


2)

A copy of each proxy statement that the Adviser actually received; provided,  however, that the Adviser may rely on obtaining  a copy of proxy statements from the SEC’s EDGAR system for those proxy statements that are so available;

3)

A record of each vote that the Adviser casts;

4)

A copy of any document  that the Adviser created that was material to making a decision how to vote the proxies, or memorializes that decision (if any); and

5)

A copy of each written request for information  on how the Adviser voted such client’s proxies and a copy of any written response to any request for information  on how the Adviser voted proxies on behalf of clients.









Appendix B

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS

A.

Long-Term Ratings


1.

Moody s Investors Service Long-Term Corporate Obligation Ratings

Moody s long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more.  They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised.  Such ratings use Moody’s Global Scale and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.

Aaa

Obligations rated ‘Aaa’ are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

Aa

Obligations rated ‘Aa’ are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A

Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa

Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk.  They are considered medium grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba

Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B

Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa

Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca

Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C

Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery or interest.


Note:

Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa.  The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.


2.

Standard & Poor s Long-Term Corporate Obligation Ratings (including Preferred Stock



43






Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:

Likelihood of payment capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

• Nature of and provisions of the obligation;

• Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default.  Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above.  (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

AAA

An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s.  The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA

An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree.  The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A

An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories.  However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB

An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters.  However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


Note:

Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics.  BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest.  While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

BB


An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues.  However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B

An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.  Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC

An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.  In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CC

44






 

An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

C

A C rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default.  Among others, the C rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock, or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms.

D

An obligation rated D is in payment default.  The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.  The D rating also will be used upon filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.



Note:

Plus (+) or minus (-).  The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

NR

This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

3.

Fitch International Long-Term Credit Ratings

International Long-Term Credit Ratings (LTCR) may also be referred to as Long-Term Ratings.  When assigned to most issuers, it is used as a benchmark measure of probability of default and is formally described as an Issuer Default Rating (IDR).  The major exception is within Public Finance, where IDRs will not be assigned as market convention has always focused on timeliness and does not draw analytical distinctions between issuers and their underlying obligations.  When applied to issues or securities, the LTCR may be higher or lower than the issuer rating (IDR) to reflect relative differences in recovery expectations.

The following rating scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings:

Investment Grade

AAA

Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk.  They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.  This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA

Very high credit quality.  AA ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk.  They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments.  This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A

High credit quality.  A ratings denote expectations of low credit risk.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong.  This capacity, may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB



45






Good credit quality.  BBB ratings indicate that there are currently expectations of low credit risk.  The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.  This is the lowest investment grade category.



Speculative Grade

BB

Speculative.  BB ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.  Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

B

Highly speculative.  B ratings may indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains.  Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

CCC


Default is a real possibility.  Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic conditions.

CC

Default of some kind appears probable.

C

Default is imminent.

RD

Indicated an entity has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of obligations.

D

Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.  Default generally is defined as one of the following:

• Failure of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or interest under contractual terms of any financial obligation;

• The bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation, or other winding-up or cessation of business of an obligor

• The distressed or other coercive exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period.

Issuers will be rated D upon default.  Defaulted and distressed obligations typically are rated along the continuum of C to B ratings categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics.  Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full accordance with the terms of the obligation’s documentation during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation may be rated in the B or CCC-C categories.

Default is determined by reference to the terms of the obligations’ documentation.  Fitch will assign default ratings where it has reasonable determined that payment has not been made on a material obligation in accordance with the requirements of the



46






obligation’s documentation, or where it believes that default ratings consistent with Fitch’s published definition of default are the most appropriate ratings to assign.

Note:

The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.  Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-Term rating category, to categories below CCC, or to Short-Term ratings other than F1.  (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)

B.

Preferred Stock Ratings


1.

Moody’s Investors Service


Aaa

An issue which is rated Aaa is considered to be a top-quality preferred stock.  This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stock.

Aa

An issue which is rated Aa is considered a high-grade preferred stock.  This rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance the earnings and asset protection will remain relatively well-maintained in the foreseeable future.

A

An issue which is rated A is considered to be an upper-medium preferred stock.  While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the Aaa and Aa classification, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be maintained at adequate levels.

Baa

An issue which is rated Baa is considered to be a medium-grade preferred stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured.  Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any great length of time.

Ba

An issue which is rate Ba is considered to have speculative elements and its future cannot be considered well assured.  Earnings and asset protection may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods.  Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

B

An issue which is rated B generally lacks the characteristics of a desirable investment.  Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small.

Caa

An issue which is rated Caa is likely to be in arrears on dividend payments.  This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future status of payments.

Ca

An issues which is rated Ca is speculative in a high degree and is likely to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payments.

C

This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock.  Issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

Note:



47







Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each rating classification.  The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 3 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

C.

Short Term Ratings


1.

Moody’s Investors Service


Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations.  Ratings assigned may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs, or to individual short-term debt instruments.  Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.

Moody’s employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:


P-1

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.


P-2


Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.


P-3


Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.


NP


Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.


Note:


Canadian issuers rated P-1 or P-2 have their short-term ratings enhanced by the senior-most long-term rating of the issuer, its guarantor or support-provider.


2.

Standard & Poor’s


A-1


A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong.  Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+).  This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.


A-2


A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories.  However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.



48







A-3


A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters.  However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


B


A short-term obligation rated B is regard as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of B-1, B-2, and B-3 may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the B category.  The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


B-1


A short-term obligation rated B-1 is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.


B-2


A short-term obligation rated B-2 is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.


B-3


A short-term obligation rated B-3 is regard as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.


C


A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.


D


A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default.  The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period.  The D ratings also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition of the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.


Note:

Dual ratings .  Standard & Poor’s assigns “dual” ratings to all debt issues that have a put option or demand feature as part of their structure.  The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature.  The long-term rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term maturity and the short-term rating symbols for the put option (for example, AAA/A-1+).  With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, note rating symbols are used with the short-term issue credit rating symbols (for example, SP-1+/A-1+).


3.

Fitch




49






The following ratings scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings.  A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 13 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance, in line with industry standards, to reflect unique risk characteristics of bond, tax, and revenue anticipation notes that are commonly issued with terms up to three years.  Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.

F1

Highest credit quality.  Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2


Good credit quality.  A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

F3


Fair credit quality.  The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non investment grade.


B


Speculative.  Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.


C


High default risk.  Default is a real possibility.  Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

D


Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.


Note:


The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories.  Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-term rating category, to categories below CCC, or to Short-term ratings other than F1. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)






50






TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST


PART C

OTHER INFORMATION


Item 28.

 

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

 

 

(a)

(1)

Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated October 15, 2012 3

 

(2)

Certificate of Trust as filed with the State of Delaware on June 8, 2012 1

 

 

 

(b)

 

Registrant’s By–Laws 1

 

 

 

(c)

 

Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders – see relevant portions of Certificate of Trust and By-Laws

 

 

 

(d)

(1)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, with respect to the Belvedere Alternative Income Fund 2

 

(2)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and LJM Funds Management, Ltd. 2

 

(3)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund 4

 

(4)

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Anfield Capital Management, LLC and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund 4

 

(5)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, with respect to the Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund 3

 

(6)

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Auriga Capital Management, LLC and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, with respect to the Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund 3

 

(7)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Superfund Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Superfund Managed Futures Strategy Fund 5

 

(8)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and West Shore Group, LLC with respect to the West Shore Real Return Income Fund 6

 

(9)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC with respect to the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund 6

 

(10)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund 6

 

(11)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and IronHorse Capital, LLC with respect to the Conductor Global Fund 7

 

 

 

(e)

 

Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC 3

 

 

 

(f)

 

Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts – None

 

 

 

(g)

 

Custodial Agreement between the Registrant and Union Bank, N.A. 2

 

 

 

(h)

(1)

Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC 2

 

(2)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, with respect to the Belvedere Alternative Income Fund 2

 

(3)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and LJM Funds Management, Ltd., with respect to the LJM Growth and Preservation Fund and LJM Income Plus Fund 2

 

(4)

Consulting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC 2

 

(5)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund 4

 

(6)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, Belvedere Asset Management, LLC and Auriga Capital Management, LLC with respect to the Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund 3

 

(7)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and West Shore Group, LLC with respect to the West Shore Real Return Income Fund 6

 

(8)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC with respect to the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund 6

 

(9)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund 6

 

(10)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and IronHorse Capital, LLC with respect to the Conductor Global Fund 7

 

 

 

(i)

 

Legal Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP 6

 

 

 

(j)

(1)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - None

 

(2)

Powers of Attorney 5

 

 

 

(k)

 

Omitted Financial Statements – None

 

 

 

(l)

 

Subscription Agreement 2

 

 

 

(m)

(1)

Class A Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 6

 

(2)

Class C Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 6

 

(3)

Class R Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 6

 

(4)

Class A1 Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 6

 

(5)

Class N Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 6

 

 

 

(n)

 

Amended Rule 18f-3 Plan 6

 

 

 

(o)

 

Reserved

 

 

 

(p)

(1)

Code of Ethics for the Trust 2

 

(2)

Code of Ethics for Belvedere Asset Management, LLC 2

 

(3)

Code of Ethics for LJM Funds Management, Ltd 4

 

(4)

Code of Ethics for Northern Lights Distributors, LLC 2

 

(5)

Code of Ethics for Anfield Capital Management, LLC 3

 

(6)

Code of Ethics for Auriga Capital Management, LLC 3

 

(7)

Code of Ethics for Superfund Advisors, Inc. 5

 

(8)

Code of Ethics for West Shore Group, LLC 6

 

(9)

Code of Ethics for Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC 6

 

(10)

Code of Ethics for Redwood Investment Management, LLC 6

 

(11)

Code of Ethics for IronHorse Capital, LLC 7


1 Previously filed on June 28, 2012 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

2 Previously filed on October 26, 2012 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

3 Previously filed on March 14, 2013 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

4 Previously filed on May 9, 2013 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

5 Previously filed on June 5, 2013 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

6 Filed Herewith.

7 To be filed by amendment.


Item 29. Control Persons.


None.


Item 30. Indemnification.


Article VIII, Section 2(a) of the Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that to the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of Trustees and officers are permitted by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act of 2002, the officers and Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any act or omission of:  any agent or employee of the Trust; any investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust; or with respect to each Trustee and officer, the act or omission of any other Trustee or officer, respectively.  The Trust, out of the Trust Property, is required to indemnify and hold harmless each and every officer and Trustee from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever arising out of or related to such officer’s or Trustee’s performance of his or her duties as an officer or Trustee of the Trust.  This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a Trustee or officer of the Trust whether or not such person is a Trustee or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.  Nothing contained in the Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust indemnifies, holds harmless or protects any officer or Trustee from or against any liability to the Trust or any shareholder to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.


Article VIII, Section 2(b) of the Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or document whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust, the officers or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in such Person’s capacity as Trustee and/or as officer, and such Trustee or officer, as applicable, shall not be personally liable therefore, except as described in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 2 of Article VIII.


Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Delaware law and the Amended Agreement and Declaration of the Registrant or the By-Laws of the Registrant, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Trust in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.



Section 11 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC (“BAM”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(1), and Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreements between Registrant and BAM, incorporated herein by reference to exhibits (d)(3) and (d)(4), respectively, provides for the indemnification of BAM against certain losses.


Section 11 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and LJM Funds Management, Ltd. (“LJM”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(2), provides for the indemnification of LJM against certain losses.


Section 11 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Superfund Advisors, Inc. (“Superfund”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(7), provides for the indemnification of Superfund against certain losses.


Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and West Shore Group, LLC (“West Shore”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(8), provides for the indemnification of West Shore against certain losses.


Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Larkin Point Investment Advisors, LLC (“Larkin Point”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(9), provides for the indemnification of Larkin Point against certain losses.

Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“Redwood”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(10), provides for the indemnification of Redwood against certain losses.



The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (NLD), its several officers and directors, and any person who controls NLD within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which NLD, its officers and directors, or any such controlling persons, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon: (i) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any Prospectus, (ii) any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in any of them not misleading, (iii) the Registrant’s  failure to maintain an effective Registration statement and Prospectus with respect to Shares of the Funds that are the subject of the claim or demand, or (iv)  the Registrant’s failure to provide NLD with advertising or sales materials to be filed with the FINRA on a timely basis.


The Fund Services Agreement with Gemini Fund Services, LLC (GFS) provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold GFS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Registrant’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement, or which arise out of the Registrant’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Registrant’s performance under or in connection with this Agreement.


The Consulting Agreement with Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (NLCS) provides that the Registrant agree to indemnify and hold NLCS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Trust’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement, or which arise out of the Trust’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Trust’s performance under or in connection with the Agreement.  NLCS shall not be liable for, and shall be entitled to rely upon, and may act upon information, records and reports generated by the Trust, advice of the Trust, or of counsel for the Trust and upon statements of the Trust’s independent accountants, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such records and reports.



Item 31. Activities of Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser.


Certain information pertaining to the business and other connections of each Adviser of each series of the Trust is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the section of the respective Prospectus captioned “Investment Adviser” and to the section of the respective Statement of Additional Information captioned “Investment Advisory and Other Services.”  The information required by this Item 31 with respect to each director, officer or partner of each Adviser is incorporated by reference to the Adviser’s Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Each Adviser’s Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, and may be requested by File No. as follows:


Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, the Adviser to the Belvedere Alternative Income Fund, Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund and Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund -- File No.801-76961


LJM Funds Management, Ltd., the Adviser to the LJM Growth and Preservation Fund and the LJM Income Plus Fund -- File No. 801-76983


Anfield Capital Management, LLC, sub-Adviser to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund – File No. 801-77714


Auriga Capital Management, LLC, sub-Adviser to the Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund – File No. 801-71272


Superfund Advisors, Inc., the Adviser to the Superfund Managed Futures Strategy Fund – File No. 801-77984


West Shore Group, LLC, the Adviser to the West Shore Real Return Income Fund – File No. 801-78178


Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC, the Adviser to the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund – File No. 801-78636


Redwood Investment Management, LLC, the Adviser to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund – File No. 801-78563


IronHorse Capital, LLC, the Adviser to the Conductor Global Fund – File No. [

]



Item 32. Principal Underwriter.


(a) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, the principal underwriter to the Trust also acts as principal underwriter for the following investment companies:

AdvisorOne Funds, AmericaFirst Quantitative Funds, Arrow Investments Trust, Compass EMP Funds Trust, Copeland Trust, Dominion Funds, Inc., Equinox Funds Trust, GL Beyond Income Fund, Miller Investment Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust, Nile Capital Investment Trust, North Country Funds, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, Northern Lights ETF Fund Trust, Northern Lights Variable Trust, OCM Mutual Fund, Roge Partners Funds, Resource Real Estate Diversified Income Fund, The DMS Funds, The Multi-Strategy Growth & Income Fund, The Saratoga Advantage Trust, Total Income+ Real Estate Fund, Tributary Funds, Inc., and Vertical Capital Income Fund.

 

(b) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The principal business address of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the following are the members and officers of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC:


Name

Positions and Offices

with Underwriter

Positions and Offices

with the Trust

Brian Nielsen

Manager, CEO, Secretary

None

Bill Wostoupal

President

None

Daniel Applegarth

Treasurer

None

Mike Nielsen

Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer

None


 (c) Not Applicable.


Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.


The following entities prepare, maintain and preserve the records required by Section 31 (a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, for the Registrant.  These services are provided to the Registrant for such periods prescribed by the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act and such records are the property of the entity required to maintain and preserve such records and will be surrendered promptly on request.


1.

Union Bank, National Association, 350 California Street 6 th  Floor, San Francisco, California 94104 (records relating to its function as custodian)

2.

Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (records relating to its functions as administration, accounting and transfer agent and Registrant’s Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and Minutes)

3.

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (records relating to its function as principal underwriter)

4.

Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, located at 610 Newport Center Drive, Suite 600, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)

5.

LJM Funds Management, Ltd., One Financial Place, 440 S. La Salle Street, Suite 2301, Chicago, IL 60605 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)

6.

Superfund Advisors, Inc., Superfund Office Building, Grand Anse P.O. Box 1803 St. Georges, Grenada W.I (records relating to its function as investment adviser)

7.

West Shore Group, LLC, 21 East Euclid Avenue, Haddonfield, NJ 08033 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)

8.

Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC, 47 West River Road, Suite D, Rumson, NJ 07760 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)

9.

Redwood Investment Management, LLC, 1117 S. Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90035  (records relating to its function as investment adviser)

10.

IronHorse Capital LLC, The First Capital Building, 555 Perkins Extended, Suite 450, Memphis, TN 38117  (records relating to its function as investment adviser)


Item 34. Management Services. Not Applicable.


Item 35. Undertakings.  Not Applicable.






SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Hauppauge, State of New York, on the 22 nd day of October, 2013.


Two Roads Shared Trust


By: /s/ Andrew Rogers

Andrew Rogers*

President and Principal Executive Officer



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



Signature

Title

Date

 

 

 

Mark D. Gersten*

_________________________

Trustee & Chairman

October 22, 2013

Mark Garbin*

_________________________

Trustee

October 22, 2013

Neil M. Kaufman*

_________________________

Trustee

October 22, 2013

Anita K. Krug*

_________________________

Trustee

October 22, 2013

Andrew Rogers*

_________________________

President and Principal Executive Officer

October 22, 2013

James Colantino*

 _________________________

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

October 22, 2013


*By:   _/s / James P. Ash

James P. Ash- Attorney in fact







Exhibit Index


 

 

 

EX-99

(d)(8)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and West Shore Group, LLC with respect to the West Shore Real Return Income Fund

EX-99

(d)(9)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC with respect to the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

EX-99

(d)(10)

Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

EX-99

(h)(7)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and West Shore Group, LLC with respect to the West Shore Real Return Income Fund

EX-99

(h)(8)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC with respect to the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

EX-99

(h)(9)

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

EX-99

(i)

Legal Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP

EX-99

(m)(1)

Class A Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1

EX-99

(m)(2)

Class C Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1

EX-99

(m)(3)

Class R Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1

EX-99

(m)(4)

Class A1 Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1

EX-99

(m)(5)

Class N Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1

EX-99

(n)

Amended Rule 18f-3 Plan

EX-99

(p)(8)

Code of Ethics for West Shore Group, LLC

EX-99

(p)(9)

Code of Ethics for Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC

EX-99

(p)(10)

Code of Ethics for Redwood Investment Management, LLC

 

 

 











INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT


INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT made as of this 1 st day of July, 2013 by and between Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and West Shore Group, LLC (the “Adviser”).


1.

The Trust is an open-end investment company which has separate investment portfolios. This Agreement shall pertain to the West Shore Real Return Income Fund (the “Fund”). The Trust engages in the business of investing and reinvesting the assets of the Fund in the manner and in accordance with the investment objective and restrictions applicable to the Fund as specified in the Trust’s registration statement, as amended from time to time (the “Registration Statement”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”). Copies of the Registration Statement have been furnished to the Adviser. Any amendments to those documents shall be furnished to the Adviser promptly. Pursuant to a Distribution Contract (the “Distribution Contract”), between the Trust and the Trust’s principal underwriter (the “Distributor”), the Trust has employed the Distributor to serve as principal underwriter for the shares of beneficial interest of the Trust.


2.

The Trust hereby appoints the Adviser to provide the investment advisory services specified in this Agreement and the Adviser hereby accepts such appointment.


3.

(a) The Adviser shall, at its expense, (i) employ or associate with itself such persons as it believes appropriate to assist it in performing its obligations under this Agreement and (ii) provide all services, equipment and facilities necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Adviser may from time to time seek research assistance and rely on investment management resources available to it through its affiliated companies, but in no case shall such reliance relieve the Adviser of any of its obligations hereunder, nor shall the Trust be responsible for any additional fees or expenses hereunder as a result.


(b) The Trust shall be responsible for all of its expenses and liabilities, including compensation of its Trustees who are not affiliated with the Adviser, the Distributor or any of their affiliates; taxes and governmental fees; interest charges; fees and expenses of the Trust’s independent accountants and legal counsel; trade association membership dues; fees and expenses of any custodian (including maintenance of books and accounts and calculation of the net asset value of shares of the Trust), transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent of the Trust; expenses of issuing, redeeming, registering and qualifying for sale shares of beneficial interest in the Trust; expenses of preparing and printing share certificates, prospectuses and reports to shareholders, notices, proxy statements and reports to regulatory agencies; the cost of office supplies, including stationery; travel expenses of all officers, Trustees and employees; insurance premiums; brokerage and other expenses of executing portfolio transactions; expenses of shareholders’ meetings; organizational expenses; and extraordinary expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust may enter into a separate agreement, which shall be controlling over this Agreement, as amended, pursuant to which some or all of the foregoing expenses of this Section 3(b) shall be the responsibility of the other party or parties to that agreement.




4.

(a) Subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, the Adviser will: (a) provide a program of continuous investment management for the Fund with regard to the Fund’s investment of its assets (the “Portfolio”) in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and limitations as stated in the Fund’s Prospectus and statement of additional information included as part of the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as they may be amended from time to time, copies of which shall be provided to the Adviser by the Trust; (b) make investment decisions for the Fund, including, but not limited to, the selection and management of investment sub-advisers for the Fund, in which case any of the duties of the Adviser set forth herein may be delegated to such investment sub- advisers subject to approval by the Trust’s board of trustees (“Board of Trustees”); (c) if investment sub-advisers are appointed with respect to the Fund, monitor and evaluate the performance of the investment sub-advisers under their respective sub-advisory agreements in light of the investment objectives and policies of the Fund, and render to the Trustees such periodic and special reports related to such performance monitoring as the Trustees may reasonably request, and analyze and recommend changes in investment sub-advisers as the Adviser may deem appropriate; (d) place orders to purchase and sell investments for the Fund; and (e) provide office space, secretarial and clerical services and wire and telephone services necessary to provide the investment advisory duties set forth in this Section 4.


In performing its investment management services to the Fund under the terms of this Agreement, the Adviser will provide the Fund with ongoing investment guidance and policy direction.


The Adviser further agrees that, in performing its duties hereunder, it will:


(a) comply with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, the Advisers Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and with any applicable procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees;


(b) use reasonable efforts to manage the Portfolio so that the Fund will qualify, and continue to qualify, as regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Code and regulations issued thereunder;


(c) place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund in accordance with applicable policies expressed in the Fund’s Registration Statement, established through written guidelines determined by the Trust and provided to the Adviser, and in accordance with applicable legal requirements;


(d) furnish to the Trust whatever statistical information the Trust may reasonably request with respect to the Fund. In addition, the Adviser will keep the Trust and the Trustees informed of developments materially affecting the Fund and shall, on the Adviser’s own initiative, furnish to the Trust from time to time whatever information the Adviser believes appropriate for this purpose;


(e) make available to the Trust, promptly upon its request, such copies of its investment records and ledgers with respect to the Fund as may be required to assist the Trust in its compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Adviser will furnish the Trustees with such periodic and special reports regarding the Fund as they may reasonably request;


(f) meet quarterly with the Trust’s Board of Trustees to explain its investment management activities, and any reports related to the Fund as may reasonably be requested by the Trust;


(g) immediately notify the Trust in the event that the Adviser or any of its affiliates:

 

(1) becomes aware that it is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; or (2) becomes aware that it is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority. The Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust immediately of any material fact known to the Adviser respecting or relating to the Adviser that is not contained in the Registration Statement regarding the Fund, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect; and


(h) in making investment decisions for the Fund, use no material non-public information that may be in its possession or in the possession of any of its affiliates, nor will the Adviser seek to obtain any such information.


5.

The Adviser shall give the Trust the benefit of the Adviser’s best judgment and efforts in rendering services under this Agreement. The Adviser may rely on information reasonably believed by it to be accurate and reliable. As an inducement for the Adviser’s undertaking to render services under this Agreement, the Trust agrees that neither the Adviser nor its members, officers, directors, or employees shall be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred in connection with, any act or omission or mistake in judgment connected with or arising out of any services rendered under this Agreement, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in performance of the Adviser’s duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of the Adviser’s obligations and duties under this Agreement. This provision shall govern only the liability to the Trust of the Adviser and that of its members, officers, directors, and employees, and shall in no way govern the liability to the Trust or the Adviser or provide a defense for any other person including persons that provide services for the Fund as described in this Agreement.


6.

In consideration of the services to be rendered by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Fund shall pay the Adviser a monthly fee on the first business day of each month, based upon the average daily value (as determined on each business day at the time set forth in the Prospectus for determining net asset value per share) of the net assets of the Fund, during the preceding month, at the annual rates provided for in Exhibit A, as such Exhibit A may be amended from time to time.


If the fees payable to the Adviser pursuant to this Section 6 begin to accrue before the end of any month or if this Agreement terminates before the end of any month, the fees for the period from that date to the end of that month or from the beginning of that month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion which the period bears to the full month in which the effectiveness or termination occurs. For purposes of calculating the monthly fees, the value of the net assets of the Fund shall be computed in the manner specified in the Prospectus for the computation of net asset value. For purposes of this Agreement, a “business day” is any day a Fund is open for business or as otherwise provided in the Trust’s Prospectus.


7.

(a) This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund on July 1, 2013 (and, with respect to any amendment, the date of the amendment) and shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund for a period of more than two years from that date and shall continue thereafter only so long as the continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or by the Trust’s Board of Trustees and (ii) by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose, of a majority of the Trust’s trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party.


(b) This Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the Trust’s entire Board of Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser or by the Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust. This Agreement (or any supplement hereto) shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).


8.

Except to the extent necessary to perform the Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Adviser, or any affiliate of the Adviser, or any employee of the Adviser, to engage in any other business or to devote time and attention to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.


9.

The investment management services of the Adviser to the Trust under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive as to the Adviser and the Adviser will be free to render similar services to others.


10.

It is understood that the names “West Shore Group, LLC” or “West Shore” or any derivative thereof or logo associated with those names and other servicemarks and trademarks owned by the Adviser or its affiliates are the valuable property of the Adviser and its affiliates, and that the Trust and/or the Fund may use such names (or derivatives or logos) only as permitted by the Adviser.


11.

Notices of any kind to be given to the Adviser by the Trust shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to the Adviser at Three Logan Square, 1717 Arch Street, 39th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, or to such other address or to such individual as shall be specified by the Adviser. Notices of any kind to be given to the Trust by the Adviser shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, or to such other address or to such individual as shall be specified by the Trust.


12.

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original.



13.

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, provided that nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act.


(a) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and, to this extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise with regard to any party hereunder, such provisions with respect to other parties hereto shall not be affected thereby.


(b) The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience only and in no way define any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.





[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank.]





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.





TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST,

On behalf of the West Shore Real Return Income Fund


By:  /s/ Andrew Rogers

Name: Andrew Rogers

Title: President





WEST SHORE GROUP, LLC


By:  /s/ Steven Cordasco

Name: Steven Cordasco

Title: Principal






Investment Advisory Agreement

EXHIBIT A

(as of July 1, 2013)

Two Roads Shared Trust




Fund

Investment Advisory Fee

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

1.00%










INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT


INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT made as of this 18 th day of September, 2013 by and between Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and Larkin Point Investment Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”).


1.

The Trust is an open-end investment company which has separate investment portfolios. This Agreement shall pertain to the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund (the “Fund”). The Trust engages in the business of investing and reinvesting the assets of the Fund in the manner and in accordance with the investment objective and restrictions applicable to the Fund as specified in the Trust’s registration statement, as amended from time to time (the “Registration Statement”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”). Copies of the Registration Statement have been furnished to the Adviser. Any amendments to those documents shall be furnished to the Adviser promptly. Pursuant to a Distribution Contract (the “Distribution Contract”), between the Trust and the Trust’s principal underwriter (the “Distributor”), the Trust has employed the Distributor to serve as principal underwriter for the shares of beneficial interest of the Trust.


2.

The Trust hereby appoints the Adviser to provide the investment advisory services specified in this Agreement and the Adviser hereby accepts such appointment.


3.

(a) The Adviser shall, at its expense, (i) employ or associate with itself such persons as it believes appropriate to assist it in performing its obligations under this Agreement and (ii) provide all services, equipment and facilities necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Adviser may from time to time seek research assistance and rely on investment management resources available to it through its affiliated companies, but in no case shall such reliance relieve the Adviser of any of its obligations hereunder, nor shall the Trust be responsible for any additional fees or expenses hereunder as a result.


(b) The Trust shall be responsible for all of its expenses and liabilities, including compensation of its Trustees who are not affiliated with the Adviser, the Distributor or any of their affiliates; taxes and governmental fees; interest charges; fees and expenses of the Trust’s independent accountants and legal counsel; trade association membership dues; fees and expenses of any custodian (including maintenance of books and accounts and calculation of the net asset value of shares of the Trust), transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent of the Trust; expenses of issuing, redeeming, registering and qualifying for sale shares of beneficial interest in the Trust; expenses of preparing and printing share certificates, prospectuses and reports to shareholders, notices, proxy statements and reports to regulatory agencies; the cost of office supplies, including stationery; travel expenses of all officers, Trustees and employees; insurance premiums; brokerage and other expenses of executing portfolio transactions; expenses of shareholders’ meetings; organizational expenses; and extraordinary expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust may enter into a separate agreement, which shall be controlling over this Agreement, as amended, pursuant to which some or all of the foregoing expenses of this Section 3(b) shall be the responsibility of the other party or parties to that agreement.

4.

(a) Subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, the Adviser will: (a) provide a program of continuous investment management for the Fund with regard to the Fund’s investment of its assets (the “Portfolio”) in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and limitations as stated in the Fund’s Prospectus and statement of additional information included as part of the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as they may be amended from time to time, copies of which shall be provided to the Adviser by the Trust; (b) make investment decisions for the Fund, including, but not limited to, the selection and management of investment sub-advisers for the Fund, in which case any of the duties of the Adviser set forth herein may be delegated to such investment sub- advisers subject to approval by the Trust’s board of trustees (“Board of Trustees”); (c) if investment sub-advisers are appointed with respect to the Fund, monitor and evaluate the performance of the investment sub-advisers under their respective sub-advisory agreements in light of the investment objectives and policies of the Fund, and render to the Trustees such periodic and special reports related to such performance monitoring as the Trustees may reasonably request, and analyze and recommend changes in investment sub-advisers as the Adviser may deem appropriate; (d) place orders to purchase and sell investments for the Fund; and (e) provide office space, secretarial and clerical services and wire and telephone services necessary to provide the investment advisory duties set forth in this Section 4.


In performing its investment management services to the Fund under the terms of this Agreement, the Adviser will provide the Fund with ongoing investment guidance and policy direction.


The Adviser further agrees that, in performing its duties hereunder, it will:


(a) comply with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, the Advisers Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and with any applicable procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees;


(b) use reasonable efforts to manage the Portfolio so that the Fund will qualify, and continue to qualify, as regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Code and regulations issued thereunder;


(c) place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund in accordance with applicable policies expressed in the Fund’s Registration Statement, established through written guidelines determined by the Trust and provided to the Adviser, and in accordance with applicable legal requirements;


(d) furnish to the Trust whatever statistical information the Trust may reasonably request with respect to the Fund. In addition, the Adviser will keep the Trust and the Trustees informed of developments materially affecting the Fund and shall, on the Adviser’s own initiative, furnish to the Trust from time to time whatever information the Adviser believes appropriate for this purpose;


(e) make available to the Trust, promptly upon its request, such copies of its investment records and ledgers with respect to the Fund as may be required to assist the Trust in its compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Adviser will furnish the Trustees with such periodic and special reports regarding the Fund as they may reasonably request;


(f) meet quarterly with the Trust’s Board of Trustees to explain its investment management activities, and any reports related to the Fund as may reasonably be requested by the Trust;


(g) immediately notify the Trust in the event that the Adviser or any of its affiliates:

(1) becomes aware that it is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; or (2) becomes aware that it is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority. The Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust immediately of any material fact known to the Adviser respecting or relating to the Adviser that is not contained in the Registration Statement regarding the Fund, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect; and


(h) in making investment decisions for the Fund, use no material non-public information that may be in its possession or in the possession of any of its affiliates, nor will the Adviser seek to obtain any such information.


5.

The Adviser shall give the Trust the benefit of the Adviser’s best judgment and efforts in rendering services under this Agreement. The Adviser may rely on information reasonably believed by it to be accurate and reliable. As an inducement for the Adviser’s undertaking to render services under this Agreement, the Trust agrees that neither the Adviser nor its members, officers, directors, or employees shall be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred in connection with, any act or omission or mistake in judgment connected with or arising out of any services rendered under this Agreement, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in performance of the Adviser’s duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of the Adviser’s obligations and duties under this Agreement. This provision shall govern only the liability to the Trust of the Adviser and that of its members, officers, directors, and employees, and shall in no way govern the liability to the Trust or the Adviser or provide a defense for any other person including persons that provide services for the Fund as described in this Agreement.


6.

In consideration of the services to be rendered by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Fund shall pay the Adviser a monthly fee on the first business day of each month, based upon the average daily value (as determined on each business day at the time set forth in the Prospectus for determining net asset value per share) of the net assets of the Fund, during the preceding month, at the annual rates provided for in Exhibit A, as such Exhibit A may be amended from time to time.


If the fees payable to the Adviser pursuant to this Section 6 begin to accrue before the end of any month or if this Agreement terminates before the end of any month, the fees for the period from that date to the end of that month or from the beginning of that month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion which the period bears to the full month in which the effectiveness or termination occurs. For purposes of calculating the monthly fees, the value of the net assets of the Fund shall be computed in the manner specified in the Prospectus for the computation of net asset value. For purposes of this Agreement, a “business day” is any day a Fund is open for business or as otherwise provided in the Trust’s Prospectus.


7.

(a) This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund on [         ] (and, with respect to any amendment, the date of the amendment) and shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund for a period of more than two years from that date and shall continue thereafter only so long as the continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or by the Trust’s Board of Trustees and (ii) by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose, of a majority of the Trust’s trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party.


(b) This Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the Trust’s entire Board of Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser or by the Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust. This Agreement (or any supplement hereto) shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).


8.

Except to the extent necessary to perform the Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Adviser, or any affiliate of the Adviser, or any employee of the Adviser, to engage in any other business or to devote time and attention to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.


9.

The investment management services of the Adviser to the Trust under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive as to the Adviser and the Adviser will be free to render similar services to others.


10.

It is understood that the names “Larkin Point Investment Advisors, LLC” or “Larkin Point” or any derivative thereof or logo associated with those names and other servicemarks and trademarks owned by the Adviser or its affiliates are the valuable property of the Adviser and its affiliates, and that the Trust and/or the Fund may use such names (or derivatives or logos) only as permitted by the Adviser.


11.

Notices of any kind to be given to the Adviser by the Trust shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to the Adviser at 7 West River Road, Suite D, Rumson, NJ 07760, or to such other address or to such individual as shall be specified by the Adviser. Notices of any kind to be given to the Trust by the Adviser shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, or to such other address or to such individual as shall be specified by the Trust.


12.

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original.

 


13.

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, provided that nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act.


(a)

If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and, to this extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise with regard to any party hereunder, such provisions with respect to other parties hereto shall not be affected thereby.


(b)

The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience only and in no way define any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.





[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank.]





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.





TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST,

On behalf of the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund


By:  /s/ Andrew Rogers

 Name: Andrew Rogers

Title: President




LARKIN POINT INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC




By:  /s/ Michael Winchell

 Name: Michael Winchell

Title: Managing Member





Investment Advisory Agreement

EXHIBIT A

(as of September 18, 2013)

Two Roads Shared Trust


 

 

Fund

Investment Advisory Fee

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

1.05%





INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT


INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT made as of this 18 th day of September, 2013 by and between Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and Redwood Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”).


1.

The Trust is an open-end investment company which has separate investment portfolios. This Agreement shall pertain to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund (the “Fund”). The Trust engages in the business of investing and reinvesting the assets of the Fund in the manner and in accordance with the investment objective and restrictions applicable to the Fund as specified in the Trust’s registration statement, as amended from time to time (the “Registration Statement”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”). Copies of the Registration Statement have been furnished to the Adviser. Any amendments to those documents shall be furnished to the Adviser promptly. Pursuant to a Distribution Contract (the “Distribution Contract”), between the Trust and the Trust’s principal underwriter (the “Distributor”), the Trust has employed the Distributor to serve as principal underwriter for the shares of beneficial interest of the Trust.


2.

The Trust hereby appoints the Adviser to provide the investment advisory services specified in this Agreement and the Adviser hereby accepts such appointment.


3.

(a) The Adviser shall, at its expense, (i) employ or associate with itself such persons as it believes appropriate to assist it in performing its obligations under this Agreement and (ii) provide all services, equipment and facilities necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Adviser may from time to time seek research assistance and rely on investment management resources available to it through its affiliated companies, but in no case shall such reliance relieve the Adviser of any of its obligations hereunder, nor shall the Trust be responsible for any additional fees or expenses hereunder as a result.


(b) The Trust shall be responsible for all of its expenses and liabilities, including compensation of its Trustees who are not affiliated with the Adviser, the Distributor or any of their affiliates; taxes and governmental fees; interest charges; fees and expenses of the Trust’s independent accountants and legal counsel; trade association membership dues; fees and expenses of any custodian (including maintenance of books and accounts and calculation of the net asset value of shares of the Trust), transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursing agent of the Trust; expenses of issuing, redeeming, registering and qualifying for sale shares of beneficial interest in the Trust; expenses of preparing and printing share certificates, prospectuses and reports to shareholders, notices, proxy statements and reports to regulatory agencies; the cost of office supplies, including stationery; travel expenses of all officers, Trustees and employees; insurance premiums; brokerage and other expenses of executing portfolio transactions; expenses of shareholders’ meetings; organizational expenses; and extraordinary expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust may enter into a separate agreement, which shall be controlling over this Agreement, as amended, pursuant to which some or all of the foregoing expenses of this Section 3(b) shall be the responsibility of the other party or parties to that agreement.


4.

(a) Subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, the Adviser will: (a) provide a program of continuous investment management for the Fund with regard to the Fund’s investment of its assets (the “Portfolio”) in accordance with the Fund’s investment objectives, policies and limitations as stated in the Fund’s Prospectus and statement of additional information included as part of the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as they may be amended from time to time, copies of which shall be provided to the Adviser by the Trust; (b) make investment decisions for the Fund, including, but not limited to, the selection and management of investment sub-advisers for the Fund, in which case any of the duties of the Adviser set forth herein may be delegated to such investment sub- advisers subject to approval by the Trust’s board of trustees (“Board of Trustees”); (c) if investment sub-advisers are appointed with respect to the Fund, monitor and evaluate the performance of the investment sub-advisers under their respective sub-advisory agreements in light of the investment objectives and policies of the Fund, and render to the Trustees such periodic and special reports related to such performance monitoring as the Trustees may reasonably request, and analyze and recommend changes in investment sub-advisers as the Adviser may deem appropriate; (d) place orders to purchase and sell investments for the Fund; and (e) provide office space, secretarial and clerical services and wire and telephone services necessary to provide the investment advisory duties set forth in this Section 4.


In performing its investment management services to the Fund under the terms of this Agreement, the Adviser will provide the Fund with ongoing investment guidance and policy direction.


The Adviser further agrees that, in performing its duties hereunder, it will:


(a) comply with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, the Advisers Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and with any applicable procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees;


(b) use reasonable efforts to manage the Portfolio so that the Fund will qualify, and continue to qualify, as regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Code and regulations issued thereunder;


(c) place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund in accordance with applicable policies expressed in the Fund’s Registration Statement, established through written guidelines determined by the Trust and provided to the Adviser, and in accordance with applicable legal requirements;


(d) furnish to the Trust whatever statistical information the Trust may reasonably request with respect to the Fund. In addition, the Adviser will keep the Trust and the Trustees informed of developments materially affecting the Fund and shall, on the Adviser’s own initiative, furnish to the Trust from time to time whatever information the Adviser believes appropriate for this purpose;


(e) make available to the Trust, promptly upon its request, such copies of its investment records and ledgers with respect to the Fund as may be required to assist the Trust in its compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Adviser will furnish the Trustees with such periodic and special reports regarding the Fund as they may reasonably request;


(f) meet quarterly with the Trust’s Board of Trustees to explain its investment management activities, and any reports related to the Fund as may reasonably be requested by the Trust;


(g) immediately notify the Trust in the event that the Adviser or any of its affiliates:

(1) becomes aware that it is subject to a statutory disqualification that prevents the Adviser from serving as investment adviser pursuant to this Agreement; or (2) becomes aware that it is the subject of an administrative proceeding or enforcement action by the SEC or other regulatory authority. The Adviser further agrees to notify the Trust immediately of any material fact known to the Adviser respecting or relating to the Adviser that is not contained in the Registration Statement regarding the Fund, or any amendment or supplement thereto, but that is required to be disclosed therein, and of any statement contained therein that becomes untrue in any material respect; and


(h) in making investment decisions for the Fund, use no material non-public information that may be in its possession or in the possession of any of its affiliates, nor will the Adviser seek to obtain any such information.


5.

The Adviser shall give the Trust the benefit of the Adviser’s best judgment and efforts in rendering services under this Agreement. The Adviser may rely on information reasonably believed by it to be accurate and reliable. As an inducement for the Adviser’s undertaking to render services under this Agreement, the Trust agrees that neither the Adviser nor its members, officers, directors, or employees shall be subject to any liability for, or any damages, expenses or losses incurred in connection with, any act or omission or mistake in judgment connected with or arising out of any services rendered under this Agreement, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in performance of the Adviser’s duties, or by reason of reckless disregard of the Adviser’s obligations and duties under this Agreement. This provision shall govern only the liability to the Trust of the Adviser and that of its members, officers, directors, and employees, and shall in no way govern the liability to the Trust or the Adviser or provide a defense for any other person including persons that provide services for the Fund as described in this Agreement.


6.

In consideration of the services to be rendered by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Fund shall pay the Adviser a monthly fee on the first business day of each month, based upon the average daily value (as determined on each business day at the time set forth in the Prospectus for determining net asset value per share) of the net assets of the Fund, during the preceding month, at the annual rates provided for in Exhibit A, as such Exhibit A may be amended from time to time.


If the fees payable to the Adviser pursuant to this Section 6 begin to accrue before the end of any month or if this Agreement terminates before the end of any month, the fees for the period from that date to the end of that month or from the beginning of that month to the date of termination, as the case may be, shall be prorated according to the proportion which the period bears to the full month in which the effectiveness or termination occurs. For purposes of calculating the monthly fees, the value of the net assets of the Fund shall be computed in the manner specified in the Prospectus for the computation of net asset value. For purposes of this Agreement, a “business day” is any day a Fund is open for business or as otherwise provided in the Trust’s Prospectus.


7.

(a) This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund on [         ] (and, with respect to any amendment, the date of the amendment) and shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund for a period of more than two years from that date and shall continue thereafter only so long as the continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or by the Trust’s Board of Trustees and (ii) by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose, of a majority of the Trust’s trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party.


(b) This Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the Trust’s entire Board of Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser or by the Adviser on 60 days’ written notice to the Trust. This Agreement (or any supplement hereto) shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).


8.

Except to the extent necessary to perform the Adviser’s obligations under this Agreement, nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Adviser, or any affiliate of the Adviser, or any employee of the Adviser, to engage in any other business or to devote time and attention to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.


9.

The investment management services of the Adviser to the Trust under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive as to the Adviser and the Adviser will be free to render similar services to others.


10.

It is understood that the names “Redwood Investment Management, LLC” or “Redwood” or any derivative thereof or logo associated with those names and other servicemarks and trademarks owned by the Adviser or its affiliates are the valuable property of the Adviser and its affiliates, and that the Trust and/or the Fund may use such names (or derivatives or logos) only as permitted by the Adviser.


11.

Notices of any kind to be given to the Adviser by the Trust shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to the Adviser at 117 S. Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90035, or to such other address or to such individual as shall be specified by the Adviser. Notices of any kind to be given to the Trust by the Adviser shall be in writing and shall be duly given if mailed or delivered to 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, or to such other address or to such individual as shall be specified by the Trust.


12.

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original.



13.

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, provided that nothing herein shall be construed in a manner inconsistent with the 1940 Act.


(a) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and, to this extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable. To the extent that any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise with regard to any party hereunder, such provisions with respect to other parties hereto shall not be affected thereby.


(b) The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience only and in no way define any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.





[The remainder of this page is intentionally blank.]





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.





TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST,

On behalf of the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund


By:  /s/ Andrew Rogers

 Name: Andrew Rogers

Title: President




REDWOOD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC




By:  /s/ Michael Messinger

 Name: Michael Messinger

Title: Principal














Investment Advisory Agreement

EXHIBIT A

(as of September 18, 2013)

Two Roads Shared Trust




Fund

Investment Advisory Fee

Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

1.50%






\




TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST

OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION

AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

WITH RESPECT TO THE WEST SHORE REAL RETURN INCOME FUND



THIS OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is effective as of the 1 st day of July 2013, by and between TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of the WEST SHORE REAL RETURN INCOME FUND (the “Fund”), a series of the Trust, and the Adviser to the Fund, West Shore Group, LLC (“West Shore” or the “Adviser”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS , West Shore renders advice and services to the Fund pursuant to the terms and provisions of an Investment Management Agreement between the Trust and West Shore dated as of the 1 st day of  July, 2013 (the “Advisory Agreement”); and

WHEREAS , the Fund is responsible for, and has assumed the obligation for, payment of certain expenses pursuant to the Advisory Agreement that have not been assumed by West Shore; and

WHEREAS , the Adviser desires to limit the Fund’s Operating Expenses (as that term is defined in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement) pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and the Trust (on behalf of the Fund) desires to allow the Adviser to implement those limits; and

WHEREAS , as a condition to the continuation of its contractual relationships with the Advisers, the Trust has required that the Adviser grant to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to a designated account of the Adviser established with Gemini Fund Services, LLC, Transfer Agent to the Fund, or its successor and assigns (the “Securities Intermediary”), for so long the Fund’s assets remain below $10 million;

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:

1. Limit on Operating Expenses .  The Adviser hereby, jointly and severally, agrees to limit the Fund’s current Operating Expenses to an annual rate, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the month, to the amounts listed in Appendix A (the “Annual Limit”).  In the event that the current Operating Expenses of the Fund, as accrued each month, exceed its Annual Limit, the Adviser will pay to the Fund, on a monthly basis, the excess expense within the first ten days of the month following the month in which such Operating Expenses were incurred (each payment, a “Fund Reimbursement Payment”).  

2. Definition .  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Operating Expenses” with respect to the Fund is defined to include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the operation of the Fund and including West Shore’s investment advisory or management fee detailed in the Advisory Agreement, any Rule 12b-l fees and/or shareholder services fees and other expenses described in the Advisory Agreement, but does not include:  (i) any front-end or contingent deferred loads; (ii) brokerage fees and commissions, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses; (iii) borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); (iv) taxes; and (v) extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser)).

3. Reimbursement of Fees and Expenses .  The Adviser retains its right to receive in future years on a rolling three year basis, reimbursement of any Fund Reimbursement Payments paid by such Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, if such reimbursement can be achieved within the Operating Expense Limitations listed in Appendix A.

4. Collateral Account and Security Interest .  At any time when the Fund’s assets are below $10 million, the Adviser, for value received, hereby pledge, assign, set over and grant to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to an account to be established and maintained by the Advisers with the Securities Intermediary and designated as a collateral account (the “Collateral Account”), including any replacement account established with any successor, together with all dividends, interest, stock-splits, distributions, profits and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof and any and all other rights as may now or hereafter derive or accrue therefrom (collectively, the “Collateral”) to secure the payment of any required Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses (as defined in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement).  For so long as this Agreement is in effect, any transfers or conveyances of Collateral to any party shall require the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), except as specified in Section 7(a)(ii) of this Agreement, below.  In addition, the Trust will not issue entitlement orders, redeem or otherwise take any action with respect to the Collateral or Collateral Account unless a Collateral Event (defined below under Section 5 of this Agreement) has occurred or is continuing.

5. Collateral Event .  In the event that either (a) the Adviser does not make the Fund Reimbursement Payment due in connection with a particular calendar month by the tenth day of the following calendar month or (b) the Board enacts a resolution calling for the liquidation of the Fund (either (a) or (b), a “Collateral Event”), then, in either event, the Board shall have absolute discretion to redeem any shares or other Collateral held in the Collateral Account and utilize the proceeds from such redemptions or such other Collateral to make any required Fund Reimbursement Payment, or to cover any costs or expenses which the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, estimates will be required in connection with the liquidation of the Fund (the “Liquidation Expenses”).  Pursuant to the terms of Paragraph 6 of this Agreement, upon authorization from the Board, but subject to the provisions of the Control Agreement, no further instructions shall be required from the Adviser for the Securities Intermediary to transfer any Collateral from the Collateral Account to the Fund.  The Adviser acknowledges that in the event the Collateral available in the Collateral Account is insufficient to cover the full cost of any Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses, the Fund shall retain the right to receive from the Adviser any costs in excess of the value of the Collateral.

6. Control Agreement; Appointment of Attorney-in-Fact .  The Adviser agrees to execute and deliver to the Board, in form and substance satisfactory to the Board, a Control Agreement by, between and among the Trust, the Adviser and the Securities Intermediary (the “Control Agreement”) pursuant to and consistent with Section 8-106(c) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, which shall terminate when the Collateral Account is no longer required under this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing, for so long as the Collateral Account is required under the Agreement,  the Adviser hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Trust, through any officer thereof, with full power of substitution, as the Adviser’s true and lawful Attorney-in-Fact, with full irrevocable power and authority in place and stead of the Adviser and in the name of the Adviser or in the Trust's own name, from time to time, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate actions and to execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments which the Board deems necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Agreement, which power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trust shall have the right and power following any Collateral Event to receive, endorse and collect all checks and other orders for the payment of money made payable to the Adviser representing any interest payment, dividend, or other distribution payable in respect of or to the Collateral, or any part thereof, and to give full discharge for the same.  So long as a Collateral Event has occurred and is continuing, the Board, in its discretion, may direct the Adviser or the Adviser’s agent to transfer the Collateral in certificated or uncertificated form into the name and account of the Trust or its designee.

7. Covenants .  So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, the Adviser represents and covenants as follows:

(a)No later than 120 days after the Fund becomes operational, the Adviser shall invest at least $30,000 in the Collateral Account, unless the Fund’s assets have reached $10 million by that time (in which case no Collateral Account is required until Fund assets fall below $10 million for more than 30 days).  Once the Collateral Account is established:  (i) the Adviser will maintain at least $30,000 in said account, such that additional amounts will be deposited by the Adviser where Fund outflows or negative Fund performance reduce the Collateral Account below $30,000 for a period of more than thirty days; (ii) when the Fund reaches $10 million or more in net assets, the Adviser may withdraw all assets from said account, less the minimum amount required to maintain the account open; and (iii) the Adviser hereby agrees to deposit and maintain $30,000 in the Collateral Account within 30 days of Fund assets falling below $10 million, where assets have not risen above $10 million at the end of that 30-day period.  The Collateral Account may be closed completely upon the Fund assets reaching $20 million.

(b)To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Adviser agrees not to challenge any action taken by the Board or the Trust in executing the terms of this Agreement; provided that the action does not constitute willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties of the Board under this Agreement, the Advisory Agreement, or to Fund shareholders.

(c)The Trust will not issue entitlement orders, redeem or otherwise take any action with respect to the Collateral or Collateral Account unless a Collateral Event (defined above under Section 5 of this Agreement) has occurred or is continuing.

8. Term .  This Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall remain in effect until February 28, 2015, unless sooner terminated as provided in Paragraph 9 of this Agreement.  Upon mutual written consent of West Shore and the Trust, the Agreement shall continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust.

9. Termination .  This Agreement may be terminated at any time, and without payment of any penalty, by the Board, on behalf of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice West Shore.  This Agreement may not be terminated by West Shore without the consent of the Board and the other party.  This Agreement and the Control Agreement will automatically terminate, with respect to the Fund listed in Appendix A, if the Advisory Agreement for the Fund is terminated and the Fund continues to operate under the management of a new investment adviser, with such termination effective upon the effective date of the Advisory Agreement’s termination for the Fund.

10. Assignment .  This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned without the written consent of the other party.

11. Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute or rule, or shall be otherwise rendered invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

12. Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or rule, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(Signature Page follows)




IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested by their duly authorized officers, all on the day and year first above written.


TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST,

On behalf of the West Shore Real Return Income Fund



By:  /s/ Andrew Rogers

Name: Andrew Rogers

Title: President





WEST SHORE GROUP, LLC


By:  /s/ Steven Cordasco

Name: Steven Cordasco

Title: Principal





Appendix A

Fund

Operating Expense Limit

WEST SHORE REAL RETURN INCOME FUND

 

Class A

2.15%

Class I

1.75%

Class N

2.00%

Class R

2.25%

 





OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

THIS OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is effective as of the 18 th day of September, 2013, by and between TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of the LARKIN POINT EQUITY PRESERVATION FUND (the “Fund”), a series of the Trust, and the Adviser to the Fund, Larkin Point Investment Advisors, LLC (“Larkin Point” or the “Adviser”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS , Larkin Point renders advice and services to the Fund pursuant to the terms and provisions of an Investment Management Agreement between the Trust and Larkin Point dated as of the18th day of  September, 2013 (the “Advisory Agreement”); and

WHEREAS , the Fund is responsible for, and has assumed the obligation for, payment of certain expenses pursuant to the Advisory Agreement that have not been assumed by Larkin Point; and

WHEREAS , the Adviser desires to limit the Fund’s Operating Expenses (as that term is defined in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement) pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and the Trust (on behalf of the Fund) desires to allow the Adviser to implement those limits; and

WHEREAS , as a condition to the continuation of its contractual relationships with the Advisers, the Trust has required that the Adviser grant to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to a designated account of the Adviser established with Gemini Fund Services, LLC, Transfer Agent to the Fund, or its successor and assigns (the “Securities Intermediary”), for so long the Fund’s assets remain below $10 million;

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:

1. Limit on Operating Expenses .  The Adviser hereby, jointly and severally, agrees to limit the Fund’s current Operating Expenses to an annual rate, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the month, to the amounts listed in Appendix A (the “Annual Limit”).  In the event that the current Operating Expenses of the Fund, as accrued each month, exceed its Annual Limit, the Adviser will pay to the Fund, on a monthly basis, the excess expense within the first ten days of the month following the month in which such Operating Expenses were incurred (each payment, a “Fund Reimbursement Payment”).  

2. Definition .  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Operating Expenses” with respect to the Fund is defined to include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the operation of the Fund and including Larkin Point’s investment advisory or management fee detailed in the Advisory Agreement, any Rule 12b-l fees and/or shareholder services fees and other expenses described in the Advisory Agreement, but does not include:  (i) any front-end or contingent deferred loads; (ii) brokerage fees and commissions, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses; (iii) borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); (iv) taxes; and (v) extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser)).

3. Reimbursement of Fees and Expenses .  The Adviser retains its right to receive in future years on a rolling three year basis, reimbursement of any Fund Reimbursement Payments paid by such Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, if such reimbursement can be achieved within the Operating Expense Limitations listed in Appendix A.

4. Collateral Account and Security Interest .  At any time when the Fund’s assets are below $10 million, the Adviser, for value received, hereby pledge, assign, set over and grant to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to an account to be established and maintained by the Advisers with the Securities Intermediary and designated as a collateral account (the “Collateral Account”), including any replacement account established with any successor, together with all dividends, interest, stock-splits, distributions, profits and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof and any and all other rights as may now or hereafter derive or accrue therefrom (collectively, the “Collateral”) to secure the payment of any required Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses (as defined in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement).  For so long as this Agreement is in effect, any transfers or conveyances of Collateral to any party shall require the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), except as specified in Section 7(a)(ii) of this Agreement, below.  In addition, the Trust will not issue entitlement orders, redeem or otherwise take any action with respect to the Collateral or Collateral Account unless a Collateral Event (defined below under Section 5 of this Agreement) has occurred or is continuing.

5. Collateral Event .  In the event that either (a) the Adviser does not make the Fund Reimbursement Payment due in connection with a particular calendar month by the tenth day of the following calendar month or (b) the Board enacts a resolution calling for the liquidation of the Fund (either (a) or (b), a “Collateral Event”), then, in either event, the Board shall have absolute discretion to redeem any shares or other Collateral held in the Collateral Account and utilize the proceeds from such redemptions or such other Collateral to make any required Fund Reimbursement Payment, or to cover any costs or expenses which the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, estimates will be required in connection with the liquidation of the Fund (the “Liquidation Expenses”).  Pursuant to the terms of Paragraph 6 of this Agreement, upon authorization from the Board, but subject to the provisions of the Control Agreement, no further instructions shall be required from the Adviser for the Securities Intermediary to transfer any Collateral from the Collateral Account to the Fund.  The Adviser acknowledges that in the event the Collateral available in the Collateral Account is insufficient to cover the full cost of any Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses, the Fund shall retain the right to receive from the Adviser any costs in excess of the value of the Collateral.

6. Control Agreement; Appointment of Attorney-in-Fact .  The Adviser agrees to execute and deliver to the Board, in form and substance satisfactory to the Board, a Control Agreement by, between and among the Trust, the Adviser and the Securities Intermediary (the “Control Agreement”) pursuant to and consistent with Section 8-106(c) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, which shall terminate when the Collateral Account is no longer required under this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing, for so long as the Collateral Account is required under the Agreement,  the Adviser hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Trust, through any officer thereof, with full power of substitution, as the Adviser’s true and lawful Attorney-in-Fact, with full irrevocable power and authority in place and stead of the Adviser and in the name of the Adviser or in the Trust's own name, from time to time, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate actions and to execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments which the Board deems necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Agreement, which power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trust shall have the right and power following any Collateral Event to receive, endorse and collect all checks and other orders for the payment of money made payable to the Adviser representing any interest payment, dividend, or other distribution payable in respect of or to the Collateral, or any part thereof, and to give full discharge for the same.  So long as a Collateral Event has occurred and is continuing, the Board, in its discretion, may direct the Adviser or the Adviser’s agent to transfer the Collateral in certificated or uncertificated form into the name and account of the Trust or its designee.

7. Covenants .  So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, the Adviser represents and covenants as follows:

(a)No later than 120 days after the Fund becomes operational, the Adviser shall invest at least $30,000 in the Collateral Account, unless the Fund’s assets have reached $10 million by that time (in which case no Collateral Account is required until Fund assets fall below $10 million for more than 30 days).  Once the Collateral Account is established:  (i) the Adviser will maintain at least $30,000 in said account, such that additional amounts will be deposited by the Adviser where Fund outflows or negative Fund performance reduce the Collateral Account below $30,000 for a period of more than thirty days; (ii) when the Fund reaches $10 million or more in net assets, the Adviser may withdraw all assets from said account, less the minimum amount required to maintain the account open; and (iii) the Adviser hereby agrees to deposit and maintain $30,000 in the Collateral Account within 30 days of Fund assets falling below $10 million, where assets have not risen above $10 million at the end of that 30-day period.  The Collateral Account may be closed completely upon the Fund assets reaching $20 million.

(b)To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Adviser agrees not to challenge any action taken by the Board or the Trust in executing the terms of this Agreement; provided that the action does not constitute willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties of the Board under this Agreement, the Advisory Agreement, or to Fund shareholders.

(c)The Trust will not issue entitlement orders, redeem or otherwise take any action with respect to the Collateral or Collateral Account unless a Collateral Event (defined above under Section 5 of this Agreement) has occurred or is continuing.

8. Term .  This Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall remain in effect until February 28, 2015, unless sooner terminated as provided in Paragraph 9 of this Agreement.  Upon mutual written consent of Larkin Point and the Trust, the Agreement shall continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust.

9. Termination .  This Agreement may be terminated at any time, and without payment of any penalty, by the Board, on behalf of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice Larkin Point.  This Agreement may not be terminated by Larkin Point without the consent of the Board and the other party.  This Agreement and the Control Agreement will automatically terminate, with respect to the Fund listed in Appendix A, if the Advisory Agreement for the Fund is terminated and the Fund continues to operate under the management of a new investment adviser, with such termination effective upon the effective date of the Advisory Agreement’s termination for the Fund.

10. Assignment .  This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned without the written consent of the other party.

11. Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute or rule, or shall be otherwise rendered invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

12. Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or rule, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(Signature Page follows)




IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested by their duly authorized officers, all on the day and year first above written.


TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST,

On behalf of the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund



By:  /s Andrew Rogers

Name: Andrew Rogers

Title: President





LARKIN POINT INVESTMENT ADVISORS, LLC



By:  /s/ Michael Winchell

Name: Michael Winchell

Title: Managing Member





Appendix A

Fund

Operating Expense Limit

LARKIN POINT EQUITY PRESERVATION FUND

 

Class A

1.95%

Class C

2.70%

Class I

1.70%

Class R

2.20%

 





OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

THIS OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is effective as of the 18 th day of September, 2013, by and between TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of the REDWOOD MANAGED VOLATILITY FUND (the “Fund”), a series of the Trust, and the Adviser to the Fund, Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“Redwood” or the “Adviser”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS , Redwood renders advice and services to the Fund pursuant to the terms and provisions of an Investment Management Agreement between the Trust and Redwood dated as of the18th day of  September, 2013 (the “Advisory Agreement”); and

WHEREAS , the Fund is responsible for, and has assumed the obligation for, payment of certain expenses pursuant to the Advisory Agreement that have not been assumed by Redwood; and

WHEREAS , the Adviser desires to limit the Fund’s Operating Expenses (as that term is defined in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement) pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and the Trust (on behalf of the Fund) desires to allow the Adviser to implement those limits; and

WHEREAS , as a condition to the continuation of its contractual relationships with the Adviser, the Trust has required that the Adviser grant to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to a designated account of the Adviser established with Gemini Fund Services, LLC, Transfer Agent to the Fund, or its successor and assigns (the “Securities Intermediary”), for so long the Fund’s assets remain below $10 million;

NOW THEREFORE , in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:

1. Limit on Operating Expenses .  The Adviser hereby, jointly and severally, agrees to limit the Fund’s current Operating Expenses to an annual rate, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the month, to the amounts listed in Appendix A (the “Annual Limit”).  In the event that the current Operating Expenses of the Fund, as accrued each month, exceed its Annual Limit, the Adviser will pay to the Fund, on a monthly basis, the excess expense within the first ten days of the month following the month in which such Operating Expenses were incurred (each payment, a “Fund Reimbursement Payment”).  

2. Definition .  For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Operating Expenses” with respect to the Fund is defined to include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the operation of the Fund and including Redwood’s investment advisory or management fee detailed in the Advisory Agreement, any Rule 12b-l fees and/or shareholder services fees and other expenses described in the Advisory Agreement, but does not include:  (i) any front-end or contingent deferred loads; (ii) brokerage fees and commissions, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses; (iii) borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); (iv) taxes; and (v) extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser)).

3. Reimbursement of Fees and Expenses .  The Adviser retains its right to receive in future years on a rolling three year basis, reimbursement from the Fund of any Fund Reimbursement Payments paid by such Adviser pursuant to this Agreement, if such reimbursement can be achieved within the Operating Expense Limitations listed in Appendix A.

4. Collateral Account and Security Interest .  At any time when the Fund’s assets are below $10 million, the Adviser, for value received, hereby pledges, assigns, sets over and grants to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to an account to be established and maintained by the Adviser with the Securities Intermediary and designated as a collateral account (the “Collateral Account”), including any replacement account established with any successor, together with all dividends, interest, stock-splits, distributions, profits and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof and any and all other rights as may now or hereafter derive or accrue therefrom (collectively, the “Collateral”) to secure the payment of any required Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses (as defined in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement).  For so long as this Agreement is in effect, any transfers or conveyances of Collateral to any party shall require the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), except as specified in Section 7(a)(ii) of this Agreement, below.  In addition, the Trust will not issue entitlement orders, redeem or otherwise take any action with respect to the Collateral or Collateral Account unless a Collateral Event (defined below under Section 5 of this Agreement) has occurred or is continuing.

5. Collateral Event .  In the event that either (a) the Adviser does not make the Fund Reimbursement Payment due in connection with a particular calendar month by the tenth day of the following calendar month or (b) the Board enacts a resolution calling for the liquidation of the Fund (either (a) or (b), a “Collateral Event”), then, in either event, the Board shall have absolute discretion to redeem any shares or other Collateral held in the Collateral Account and utilize the proceeds from such redemptions or such other Collateral to make any required Fund Reimbursement Payment, or to cover any costs or expenses which the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, reasonably estimates will be required in connection with the liquidation of the Fund (the “Liquidation Expenses”).  Pursuant to the terms of Paragraph 6 of this Agreement, upon authorization from the Board, but subject to the provisions of the Control Agreement (defined below under Section 6), no further instructions shall be required from the Adviser for the Securities Intermediary to transfer any Collateral from the Collateral Account to the Fund.  The Adviser acknowledges that in the event the Collateral available in the Collateral Account is insufficient to cover the full cost of any Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses, the Fund shall retain the right to receive from the Adviser any costs in excess of the value of the Collateral.

6. Control Agreement; Appointment of Attorney-in-Fact .  The Adviser agrees to execute and deliver to the Board, in form and substance satisfactory to the Board, a Control Agreement by, between and among the Trust, the Adviser and the Securities Intermediary (the “Control Agreement”) pursuant to and consistent with Section 8-106(c) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, which shall terminate when the Collateral Account is no longer required under this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing, for so long as the Collateral Account is required under the Agreement,  the Adviser hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Trust, through any officer thereof, with full power of substitution, as the Adviser’s true and lawful Attorney-in-Fact, with full irrevocable power and authority in place and stead of the Adviser and in the name of the Adviser or in the Trust's own name, from time to time, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate actions and to execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments which the Board deems necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Agreement, which power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trust shall have the right and power following any Collateral Event to receive, endorse and collect all checks and other orders for the payment of money made payable to the Adviser representing any interest payment, dividend, or other distribution payable in respect of or to the Collateral, or any part thereof, and to give full discharge for the same.  So long as a Collateral Event has occurred and is continuing, the Board, in its discretion, may direct the Adviser or the Adviser’s agent to transfer the Collateral in certificated or uncertificated form into the name and account of the Trust or its designee.

7. Covenants .  So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, the Adviser represents and covenants as follows:

(a)No later than 120 days after the Fund becomes operational, the Adviser shall invest at least $30,000 in the Collateral Account, unless the Fund’s assets have reached $10 million by that time (in which case no Collateral Account is required until Fund assets fall below $10 million for more than 30 days).  Once the Collateral Account is established:  (i) the Adviser will maintain at least $30,000 in said account, such that additional amounts will be deposited by the Adviser where Fund outflows or negative Fund performance reduce the Collateral Account below $30,000 for a period of more than thirty days; (ii) when the Fund reaches $10 million or more in net assets, the Adviser may withdraw all assets from said account, less the minimum amount required to maintain the account open; and (iii) the Adviser hereby agrees to deposit and maintain $30,000 in the Collateral Account within 30 days of Fund assets falling below $10 million, where assets have not risen above $10 million at the end of that 30-day period.  The Collateral Account may be closed completely, and any Collateral in the Collateral Account distributed to the Adviser, upon the Fund assets reaching $20 million.

(b)To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Adviser agrees not to challenge any action taken by the Board or the Trust in executing the terms of this Agreement; provided that the action does not constitute willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties of the Board under this Agreement, the Advisory Agreement, or to Fund shareholders.

(c)The Trust will not issue entitlement orders, redeem or otherwise take any action with respect to the Collateral or Collateral Account unless a Collateral Event (defined above under Section 5 of this Agreement) has occurred or is continuing.

8. Term .  This Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall remain in effect for at least one year following the date the Fund’s registration statement becomes effective, unless sooner terminated as provided in Paragraph 9 of this Agreement.  Upon mutual written consent of Redwood and the Trust, the Agreement shall continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust.

9. Termination .  This Agreement may be terminated at any time, and without payment of any penalty, by the Board, on behalf of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice Redwood.  This Agreement may not be terminated by Redwood without the consent of the Board and the other party.  This Agreement and the Control Agreement will automatically terminate, with respect to the Fund listed in Appendix A, if the Advisory Agreement for the Fund is terminated and the Fund continues to operate under the management of a new investment adviser, with such termination effective upon the effective date of the Advisory Agreement’s termination for the Fund.

10. Assignment .  This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned without the written consent of the other party.

11. Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute or rule, or shall be otherwise rendered invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

12. Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to preempt, or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or rule, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(Signature Page follows)





IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested by their duly authorized officers, all on the day and year first above written.


TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST,

On behalf of the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund



By:  /s/ Andrew Rogers

 Name: Andrew Rogers

Title: President





REDWOOD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC



By:  /s/ Michael Messinger

 Name: Michael Messinger

Title: Principal






Appendix A

Fund

Operating Expense Limit

REDWOOD MANAGED VOLATILITY FUND

 

Class I

1.99%

Class N

2.24%

Class Y

1.50%

 



[OPINIONOFCOUNSEL002.GIF]

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www.dechert.com


October 22, 2013  


Two Roads Shared Trust

17605 Wright Street

Omaha, Nebraska  68130


Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:


This opinion is given in connection with the filing by Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), of Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (“Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (“1933 Act”) and Amendment No. 20 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) relating to an indefinite amount of shares of beneficial interest of the West Shore Real Return Income Fund, the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund and the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund, each a series of the Trust (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The shares of beneficial interest of each Fund are hereinafter referred to as the “Shares.”


We have examined the following Trust documents: (1) the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; (2) the Trust’s By-Laws; (3) each Fund’s registration statement filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); (4) pertinent provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware; and (5) such other Trust records, certificates, documents and statutes that we have deemed relevant in order to render the opinions expressed herein.


Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that:


1.

The Trust is a statutory trust duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; and


2.

The Shares to be offered for sale by the Trust, when issued in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.


This letter expresses our opinion as to the Delaware statutory trust law governing matters such as the due organization of the Trust and the authorization and issuance of the Shares, but does not extend to the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the State of Delaware or to federal securities or other laws.


The opinions expressed herein are solely for your benefit and may not be relied on in any manner or for any purpose by any other person. We express no opinion as to any other matter other than as expressly set forth above and no other opinion is intended or may be inferred herefrom. The opinions expressed herein are given as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation and hereby disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change after the date of this opinion pertaining to any matter referred to herein.


We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Dechert LLP as counsel to the Registrant in each Fund’s Registration Statement and in any revised or amended versions thereof, until such time as we revoke such consent. In giving such consent, however, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.


Very truly yours,


/s/ Dechert LLP


Dechert LLP



TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST


CLASS A MASTER DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN

PURSUANT TO RULE 12 b-1


Adopted August 29, 2012

Amended December 7, 2012 and March 21, 2013


WHEREAS, Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of its separate series listed on Exhibit A (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and


WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest without par value (the “Shares”), which may be divided into one or more series of Shares; and


WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreement relating hereto (the “Qualified Trustees”), having determined, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit each Fund;


NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for the Class A Shares of each Fund, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, on the following terms and conditions:


1.

Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services .


a.

Distribution Activities .  As set forth on Exhibit A , a Fund may pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2 hereof) for activities related to the distribution of Class A Shares of the Fund, which may include, but are not limited to, the following ("Distribution Activities"):  (a) the making of payments, including payment of incentive compensation, to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others that are engaged in the sale of Class A Shares of the Fund, or that may be advising shareholders of the Fund regarding the purchase, sale or retention of Class A Shares of the Fund; (b) incurring expenses of maintaining personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Fund has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or support distribution of Class A Shares of the Fund; (c) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Fund for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Fund; (d) incurring costs of formulating and implementing  marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (f) incurring costs of obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Fund may, from time to time, deem advisable; and (g) incurring costs of implementing and operating this Plan.  The Trust also is authorized to engage in Distribution Activities related to the distribution of Class A Shares of the Funds, either directly or indirectly through persons with whom the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan, including, without limitation, the Distributor.


b.

Shareholder Services .  As set forth on Exhibit A , a Fund may pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2 hereof) for Shareholder Services.  For purposes of this Plan “Shareholder Services” shall mean those services of securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others rendered in connection with the holding of Class A Shares of the Fund for shareholders in omnibus accounts or as shareholders of record or in providing shareholder support or administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders or that are rendered to shareholders of the Fund’s Class A Shares and not otherwise provided by the Trust’s transfer agent, including, but not limited to, allocated overhead, office space and equipment, telephone facilities and expenses, answering routine inquiries regarding the Trust or the Fund, processing shareholder transactions, and in providing such other shareholder services as the Trust or the Fund may reasonably request.


2.

Fees .  


a.

Distribution Fees and Shareholder Service Fees .  Each Fund is authorized to pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) for Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services at the annualized rates set forth on Exhibit A .  The “Distribution Fee Rate” shall mean the rate authorized by the Board under this Plan for payment of Distribution Activities by the Fund. The “Shareholder Servicing Fee Rate” shall mean the rate authorized by the Board under this Plan for payment of Shareholder Services by the Fund.  The applicable rate shall be applied to the average daily net assets attributable to Class A Shares of the Fund.  In no event shall the rate paid for Distribution Activities exceed 0.75% and the rate paid for Shareholder Services exceed 0.25% per annum.  


b.

Fees in Relation to Expenses .  The amount of fees payable by each Fund pursuant to this Section 2 may be greater or lesser than the expenses actually incurred by such Fund or by the Distributor or other financial intermediary on behalf of such Fund in connection with the performance of Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services.



3.

Term and Termination .

 

(a)

This Plan shall become effective with respect to each Fund listed on Exhibit A (which may be amended) upon:  (i) execution of an exhibit adopting this Plan; and (ii) the first issuance of Class A shares of the Fund.


(b)

Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in effect for one year from the effective date and shall continue in effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a majority of both:  (i) the Trustees of the Trust; and (ii) the Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.


(c)

This Plan may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class A Shares of the Funds; and Exhibit A shall be amended accordingly.  If this Plan is terminated with respect to a Fund, the Fund will not be required to make any payments for expenses incurred after the date of termination.


4.

Amendments .  All material amendments to this Plan must be approved in the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 3(b) hereof.  In addition, this Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of expenditures provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class A Shares of the Fund to which the increase applies.


5.

Selection and Nomination of Trustees .  While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.


6.

Quarterly Reports .  The Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the Trustees and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.


7.

Recordkeeping .  The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreement and all reports made pursuant to Section 6 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the agreements or such reports, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.


8.

Limitation of Liability .  A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this Plan are not binding upon the Trustees, the shareholders of the Trust individually or, with respect to each Fund, the assets or property of any other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and property of each Fund, respectively.


9.

Incorporation by Reference .   Exhibit A to this Plan (as the same may be amended from time to time) shall be deemed part of this Plan and is incorporated herein by this reference.





EXHIBIT A


TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST


C LASS A

 M ASTER D ISTRIBUTION AND S HAREHOLDER S ERVICING P LAN


As Amended:  September 18, 2013



Fund Name

Distribution Fee Rate

Shareholder Servicing Fee Rate

Belvedere Alternative Income Fund

0.25%

0.00%

LJM Preservation and Growth Fund

0.25%

0.00%

LJM Income Plus Fund

0.25%

0.00%

Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund

0.25%

0.00%

Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund

0.25%

0.00%

Superfund Managed Futures Strategy Fund

0.25%

0.00%

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

0.25%

0.15%

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

0.25%

0.00%

 

 

 





TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST


CLASS C MASTER DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN

PURSUANT TO RULE 12 b-1


Adopted August 29, 2012

Amended December 12, 2012 and March 21, 2013


WHEREAS, Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of its separate series listed on Exhibit A (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and


WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest without par value (the “Shares”), which may be divided into one or more series of Shares; and


WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreement relating hereto (the “Qualified Trustees”), having determined, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit each Fund;


NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for the Class C Shares of each Fund, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, on the following terms and conditions:


1.

Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services .


a.

Distribution Activities .  As set forth on Exhibit A , a Fund may pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2 hereof) for activities related to the distribution of Class C Shares of the Fund, which may include, but are not limited to, the following ("Distribution Activities"):  (a) the making of payments, including payment of incentive compensation, to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others that are engaged in the sale of Class C Shares of the Fund, or that may be advising shareholders of the Fund regarding the purchase, sale or retention of Class C Shares of the Fund; (b) incurring expenses of maintaining personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Fund has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or support distribution of Class C Shares of the Fund; (c) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Fund for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Fund; (d) incurring costs of formulating and implementing  marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (f) incurring costs of obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Fund may, from time to time, deem advisable; and (g) incurring costs of implementing and operating this Plan.  The Trust also is authorized to engage in Distribution Activities related to the distribution of Class C Shares of the Funds, either directly or indirectly through persons with whom the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan, including, without limitation, the Distributor.


b.

Shareholder Services .  As set forth on Exhibit A , a Fund may pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2 hereof) for Shareholder Services.  For purposes of this Plan “Shareholder Services” shall mean those services of securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others rendered in connection with the holding of Class C Shares of the Fund for shareholders in omnibus accounts or as shareholders of record or in providing shareholder support or administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders or that are rendered to shareholders of the Fund’s Class C Shares and not otherwise provided by the Trust’s transfer agent, including, but not limited to, allocated overhead, office space and equipment, telephone facilities and expenses, answering routine inquiries regarding the Trust or the Fund, processing shareholder transactions, and in providing such other shareholder services as the Trust or the Fund may reasonably request.


2.

Fees .  


a.

Distribution Fees and Shareholder Service Fees .  Each Fund is authorized to pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) for Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services at the annualized rates set forth on Exhibit A .  The “Distribution Fee Rate” shall mean the rate authorized by the Board under this Plan for payment of Distribution Activities by the Fund. The “Shareholder Servicing Fee Rate” shall mean the rate authorized by the Board under this Plan for payment of Shareholder Services by the Fund.  The applicable rate shall be applied to the average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares of the Fund.  In no event shall the rate paid for Distribution Activities exceed 0.75% and the rate paid for Shareholder Services exceed 0.25% per annum.  


b.

Fees in Relation to Expenses .  The amount of fees payable by each Fund pursuant to this Section 2 may be greater or lesser than the expenses actually incurred by such Fund or by the Distributor or other financial intermediary on behalf of such Fund in connection with the performance of Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services.

 

3.

Term and Termination .


(a)

This Plan shall become effective with respect to each Fund listed on Exhibit A (which may be amended) upon:  (i) execution of an exhibit adopting this Plan; and (ii) the first issuance of Class C Shares of the Fund.


(b)

Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in effect for one year from the effective date and shall continue in effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a majority of both:  (i) the Trustees of the Trust and; and (ii) the Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.



(c)

This Plan may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class C Shares of the Fund; and Exhibit A shall be amended accordingly.  If this Plan is terminated with respect to a Fund, the Fund will not be required to make any payments for expenses incurred after the date of termination.


4.

Amendments .  All material amendments to this Plan must be approved in the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 3(b) hereof.  In addition, this Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of expenditures provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class C Shares of the Fund to which the increase applies.


5.

Selection and Nomination of Trustees .  While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.


6.

Quarterly Reports .  The Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the Trustees and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.


7.

Recordkeeping .  The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreement and all reports made pursuant to Section 6 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the agreements or such reports, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.


8.

Limitation of Liability .  A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this Plan are not binding upon the Trustees, the shareholders of the Trust individually or, with respect to each Fund, the assets or property of any other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and property of each Fund, respectively.


9.

Incorporation by Reference .   Exhibit A to this Plan (as the same may be amended from time to time) shall be deemed part of this Plan and is incorporated herein by this reference.







 

 

 



EXHIBIT A


TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST


C LASS C

 M ASTER D ISTRIBUTION AND S HAREHOLDER S ERVICING P LAN


As Amended:  September 18, 2013


Fund Name

Distribution Fee Rate

Servicing Fee Rate

Belvedere Alternative Income Fund

0.75%

0.25%

LJM Preservation and Growth Fund

0.75%

0.25%

LJM Income Plus Fund

0.75%

0.25%

Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund

0.75%

0.25%

Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund

0.75%

0.25%

Superfund Managed Futures Strategy Fund

0.75%

0.25%

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

0.75%

0.25%






TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST


CLASS R MASTER DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN

PURSUANT TO RULE 12 b-1


Adopted December 7, 2012

Amended March 21, 2013


WHEREAS, Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of its separate series listed on Exhibit A (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and


WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest without par value (the “Shares”), which may be divided into one or more series of Shares; and


WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreement relating hereto (the “Qualified Trustees”), having determined, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit each Fund;


NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for the Class R Shares of each Fund, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, on the following terms and conditions:


1.

Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services .


a.

Distribution Activities .  As set forth on Exhibit A , a Fund may pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2 hereof) for activities related to the distribution of Class R Shares of the Fund, which may include, but are not limited to, the following ("Distribution Activities"):  (a) the making of payments, including payment of incentive compensation, to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others that are engaged in the sale of Class R Shares of the Fund, or that may be advising shareholders of the Fund regarding the purchase, sale or retention of Class R Shares of the Fund; (b) incurring expenses of maintaining personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Fund has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or support distribution of Class R Shares of the Fund; (c) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Fund for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Fund; (d) incurring costs of formulating and implementing  marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (f) incurring costs of obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Fund may, from time to time, deem advisable; and (g) incurring costs of implementing and operating this Plan.  The Trust also is authorized to engage in Distribution Activities related to the distribution of Class R Shares of the Funds, either directly or indirectly through persons with whom the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan, including, without limitation, the Distributor.


b.

Shareholder Services .  As set forth on Exhibit A , a Fund may pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2 hereof) for Shareholder Services.  For purposes of this Plan “Shareholder Services” shall mean those services of securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others rendered in connection with the holding of Class R Shares of the Fund for shareholders in omnibus accounts or as shareholders of record or in providing shareholder support or administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders or that are rendered to shareholders of the Fund’s Class R Shares and not otherwise provided by the Trust’s transfer agent, including, but not limited to, allocated overhead, office space and equipment, telephone facilities and expenses, answering routine inquiries regarding the Trust or the Fund, processing shareholder transactions, and in providing such other shareholder services as the Trust or the Fund may reasonably request.


2.

Fees .  


a.

Distribution Fees and Shareholder Service Fees .  Each Fund is authorized to pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) for Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services at the annualized rates set forth on Exhibit A .  The “Distribution Fee Rate” shall mean the rate authorized by the Board under this Plan for payment of Distribution Activities by the Fund. The “Shareholder Servicing Fee Rate” shall mean the rate authorized by the Board under this Plan for payment of Shareholder Services by the Fund.  The applicable rate shall be applied to the average daily net assets attributable to Class R Shares of the Fund.  In no event shall the rate paid for Distribution Activities exceed 0.75% and the rate paid for Shareholder Services exceed 0.25% per annum.  


b.

Fees in Relation to Expenses .  The amount of fees payable by each Fund pursuant to this Section 2 may be greater or lesser than the expenses actually incurred by such Fund or by the Distributor or other financial intermediary on behalf of such Fund in connection with the performance of Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services.



3.

Term and Termination .

 

(a)

This Plan shall become effective with respect to each Fund listed on Exhibit A (which may be amended) upon:  (i) execution of an exhibit adopting this Plan; and (ii) the first issuance of Class R shares of the Fund.


(b)

Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in effect for one year from the effective date and shall continue in effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a majority of both:  (i) the Trustees of the Trust; and (ii) the Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.


(c)

This Plan may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class R Shares of the Funds; and Exhibit A shall be amended accordingly.  If this Plan is terminated with respect to a Fund, the Fund will not be required to make any payments for expenses incurred after the date of termination.


4.

Amendments .  All material amendments to this Plan must be approved in the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 3(b) hereof.  In addition, this Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of expenditures provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class R Shares of the Fund to which the increase applies.


5.

Selection and Nomination of Trustees .  While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.


6.

Quarterly Reports .  The Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the Trustees and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.


7.

Recordkeeping .  The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreement and all reports made pursuant to Section 6 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the agreements or such reports, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.


8.

Limitation of Liability .  A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this Plan are not binding upon the Trustees, the shareholders of the Trust individually or, with respect to each Fund, the assets or property of any other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and property of each Fund, respectively.


9.

Incorporation by Reference .   Exhibit A to this Plan (as the same may be amended from time to time) shall be deemed part of this Plan and is incorporated herein by this reference.





EXHIBIT A


TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST


CLASS R

 M ASTER D ISTRIBUTION AND S HAREHOLDER S ERVICING P LAN


As Amended:  September 18, 2013


Fund Name

Distribution Fee Rate

Shareholder Servicing Fee Rate

Belvedere Alternative Income Fund

0.25%

0.25%

Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund

0.25%

0.25%

Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund

0.25%

0.25%

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

0.25%

0.25%

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

0.25%

0.25%





TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST


CLASS A1 MASTER DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN

PURSUANT TO RULE 12 b-1


Adopted December 7, 2012

Amended March 21, 2013


WHEREAS, Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of its separate series listed on Exhibit A (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and


WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest without par value (the “Shares”), which may be divided into one or more series of Shares; and


WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreement relating hereto (the “Qualified Trustees”), having determined, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit each Fund;


NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for the Class A1 Shares of each Fund, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, on the following terms and conditions:



1.

Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services .


a.

Distribution Activities .  As set forth on Exhibit A , a Fund may pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2 hereof) for activities related to the distribution of Class A1 Shares of the Fund, which may include, but are not limited to, the following ("Distribution Activities"):  (a) the making of payments, including payment of incentive compensation, to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others that are engaged in the sale of Class A1 Shares of the Fund, or that may be advising shareholders of the Fund regarding the purchase, sale or retention of Class A1 Shares of the Fund; (b) incurring expenses of maintaining personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Fund has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or support distribution of Class A1 Shares of the Fund; (c) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Fund for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Fund; (d) incurring costs of formulating and implementing  marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (f) incurring costs of obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Fund may, from time to time, deem advisable; and (g) incurring costs of implementing and operating this Plan.  The Trust also is authorized to engage in Distribution Activities related to the distribution of Class A1 Shares of the Funds, either directly or indirectly through persons with whom the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan, including, without limitation, the Distributor.


b.

Shareholder Services .  As set forth on Exhibit A , a Fund may pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2 hereof) for Shareholder Services.  For purposes of this Plan “Shareholder Services” shall mean those services of securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others rendered in connection with the holding of Class A1 Shares of the Fund for shareholders in omnibus accounts or as shareholders of record or in providing shareholder support or administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders or that are rendered to shareholders of the Fund’s Class A1 Shares and not otherwise provided by the Trust’s transfer agent, including, but not limited to, allocated overhead, office space and equipment, telephone facilities and expenses, answering routine inquiries regarding the Trust or the Fund, processing shareholder transactions, and in providing such other shareholder services as the Trust or the Fund may reasonably request.


2.

Fees .  


a.

Distribution Fees and Shareholder Service Fees .  Each Fund is authorized to pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) for Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services at the annualized rates set forth on Exhibit A .  The “Distribution Fee Rate” shall mean the rate authorized by the Board under this Plan for payment of Distribution Activities by the Fund. The “Shareholder Servicing Fee Rate” shall mean the rate authorized by the Board under this Plan for payment of Shareholder Services by the Fund.  The applicable rate shall be applied to the average daily net assets attributable to Class A1 Shares of the Fund.  In no event shall the rate paid for Distribution Activities exceed 0.75% and the rate paid for Shareholder Services exceed 0.25% per annum.  


b.

Fees in Relation to Expenses .  The amount of fees payable by each Fund pursuant to this Section 2 may be greater or lesser than the expenses actually incurred by such Fund or by the Distributor or other financial intermediary on behalf of such Fund in connection with the performance of Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services.


3.

Term and Termination .

 

(a)

This Plan shall become effective with respect to each Fund listed on Exhibit A (which may be amended) upon:  (i) execution of an exhibit adopting this Plan; and (ii) the first issuance of Class A1 shares of the Fund.


(b)

Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in effect for one year from the effective date and shall continue in effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a majority of both:  (i) the Trustees of the Trust; and (ii) the Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.


(c)

This Plan may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class A1 Shares of the Funds; and Exhibit A shall be amended accordingly.  If this Plan is terminated with respect to a Fund, the Fund will not be required to make any payments for expenses incurred after the date of termination.


4.

Amendments .  All material amendments to this Plan must be approved in the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 3(b) hereof.  In addition, this Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of expenditures provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class A1 Shares of the Fund to which the increase applies.


5.

Selection and Nomination of Trustees .  While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.


6.

Quarterly Reports .  The Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the Trustees and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.


7.

Recordkeeping .  The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreement and all reports made pursuant to Section 6 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the agreements or such reports, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.


8.

Limitation of Liability .  A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this Plan are not binding upon the Trustees, the shareholders of the Trust individually or, with respect to each Fund, the assets or property of any other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and property of each Fund, respectively.


9.

Incorporation by Reference .   Exhibit A to this Plan (as the same may be amended from time to time) shall be deemed part of this Plan and is incorporated herein by this reference.







EXHIBIT A


TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST


C LASS A1

 M ASTER D ISTRIBUTION AND S HAREHOLDER S ERVICING P LAN


Date Last Amended:  March 21, 2013



Fund Name

Distribution Fee Rate

Shareholder Servicing Fee Rate

Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund

0.40%

0.00%

Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund

0.40%

0.00%






TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST


CLASS N MASTER DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN

PURSUANT TO RULE 12 b-1


Adopted July 1, 2013


WHEREAS, Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of its separate series listed on Exhibit A (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and


WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest without par value (the “Shares”), which may be divided into one or more series of Shares; and


WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreement relating hereto (the “Qualified Trustees”), having determined, in the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties under state law and under Section 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a reasonable likelihood that this Plan will benefit each Fund;


NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for the Class N Shares of each Fund, in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, on the following terms and conditions:


1.

Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services .


a.

Distribution Activities .  As set forth on Exhibit A , a Fund may pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2 hereof) for activities related to the distribution of Class N Shares of the Fund, which may include, but are not limited to, the following ("Distribution Activities"):  (a) the making of payments, including payment of incentive compensation, to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others that are engaged in the sale of Class N Shares of the Fund, or that may be advising shareholders of the Fund regarding the purchase, sale or retention of Class N Shares of the Fund; (b) incurring expenses of maintaining personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Fund has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or support distribution of Class N Shares of the Fund; (c) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Fund for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Fund; (d) incurring costs of formulating and implementing  marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (f) incurring costs of obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Fund may, from time to time, deem advisable; and (g) incurring costs of implementing and operating this Plan.  The Trust also is authorized to engage in Distribution Activities related to the distribution of Class N Shares of the Funds, either directly or indirectly through persons with whom the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan, including, without limitation, the Distributor.


b.

Shareholder Services .  As set forth on Exhibit A , a Fund may pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2 hereof) for Shareholder Services.  For purposes of this Plan “Shareholder Services” shall mean those services of securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others rendered in connection with the holding of Class N Shares of the Fund for shareholders in omnibus accounts or as shareholders of record or in providing shareholder support or administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders or that are rendered to shareholders of the Fund’s Class N Shares and not otherwise provided by the Trust’s transfer agent, including, but not limited to, allocated overhead, office space and equipment, telephone facilities and expenses, answering routine inquiries regarding the Trust or the Fund, processing shareholder transactions, and in providing such other shareholder services as the Trust or the Fund may reasonably request.


2.

Fees .  


a.

Distribution Fees and Shareholder Service Fees .  Each Fund is authorized to pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) for Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services at the annualized rates set forth on Exhibit A .  The “Distribution Fee Rate” shall mean the rate authorized by the Board under this Plan for payment of Distribution Activities by the Fund. The “Shareholder Servicing Fee Rate” shall mean the rate authorized by the Board under this Plan for payment of Shareholder Services by the Fund.  The applicable rate shall be applied to the average daily net assets attributable to Class N Shares of the Fund.  In no event shall the rate paid for Distribution Activities exceed 0.75% and the rate paid for Shareholder Services exceed 0.25% per annum.  


b.

Fees in Relation to Expenses .  The amount of fees payable by each Fund pursuant to this Section 2 may be greater or lesser than the expenses actually incurred by such Fund or by the Distributor or other financial intermediary on behalf of such Fund in connection with the performance of Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services.



3.

Term and Termination .

 

(a)

This Plan shall become effective with respect to each Fund listed on Exhibit A (which may be amended) upon:  (i) execution of an exhibit adopting this Plan; and (ii) the first issuance of Class N shares of the Fund.


(b)

Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in effect for one year from the effective date and shall continue in effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a majority of both:  (i) the Trustees of the Trust; and (ii) the Qualified Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.


(c)

This Plan may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time by the vote of a majority of the Qualified Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class N Shares of the Funds; and Exhibit A shall be amended accordingly.  If this Plan is terminated with respect to a Fund, the Fund will not be required to make any payments for expenses incurred after the date of termination.


4.

Amendments .  All material amendments to this Plan must be approved in the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 3(b) hereof.  In addition, this Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of expenditures provided for in Section 2 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Class N Shares of the Fund to which the increase applies.


5.

Selection and Nomination of Trustees .  While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust.


6.

Quarterly Reports .  The Treasurer of the Trust shall provide to the Trustees and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.


7.

Recordkeeping .  The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreement and all reports made pursuant to Section 6 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the agreements or such reports, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.


8.

Limitation of Liability .  A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the Trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this Plan are not binding upon the Trustees, the shareholders of the Trust individually or, with respect to each Fund, the assets or property of any other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and property of each Fund, respectively.


9.

Incorporation by Reference .   Exhibit A to this Plan (as the same may be amended from time to time) shall be deemed part of this Plan and is incorporated herein by this reference.







EXHIBIT A


TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST


CLASS N

 M ASTER D ISTRIBUTION AND S HAREHOLDER S ERVICING P LAN


As Amended:  September 18, 2013



Fund Name

Distribution Fee Rate

Shareholder Servicing Fee Rate

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

0.25%

0.00%

Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

0.25%

0.00%





TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST RULE 18f-3 MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN



This Multiple Class Plan (the “Plan”) is adopted in accordance with Rule 18f-3 (the “Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), by Two Roads Shared Trust (the “Trust”) on behalf of each series of the Trust that has multiple classes of shares (each a “Fund”).  A majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act), having determined that the Plan is in the best interests of the shareholders of each class of each Fund and the shareholders of the Trust as a whole, have approved the Plan.


The provisions of the Plan are:


1.

General Description of Classes.   Each class of shares of a Fund shall represent interests in the same portfolio of investments of such Fund, shall have no exchange privileges or conversion features within that Fund unless an exchange or conversion feature is described in the Fund’s Prospectus, and shall be identical in all respects, except that, as provided for in such Fund’s Prospectus, each class shall differ with respect to:   (i) Rule 12b-1 Plans that may be adopted with respect to the class; (ii) distribution and related services and expenses; (iii) differences relating to sales loads, purchase minimums, eligible investors and exchange privileges; and (iv) the designation of each class of shares.  The classes of shares designated by each Fund are set forth in Exhibit A .


2.

Allocation of Income and Class Expenses.


a.

Each class of shares shall have the same rights, preferences, voting powers, restrictions and limitations, except as follows:


(i)       expenses related to the distribution of a class of shares or to the services  provided  to  shareholders of a  class  of  shares  shall  be borne solely by such class;


(ii)       the following expenses attributable to the shares of a particular class will be borne solely by the class to which they are attributable:


(a)    asset-based  distribution,  account  maintenance  and shareholder service fees;


(b)       extraordinary  non-recurring  expenses  including  litigation and other legal expenses relating to a particular class; and


(c)       such  other  expenses  as  the  Trustees  determine  were incurred by a specific class and are appropriately paid by that class.



(iii)      Income,  realized  and  unrealized  capital  gains  and  losses,  and expenses that are not allocated to a specific class pursuant to this Section 2, shall be allocated to each class of a Fund on the basis of the net asset value of that class in relation to the net asset value of the Fund.


b.

Investment advisory fees, custodial fees, and other expenses relating to the management of a Fund’s assets shall not be allocated on a class-specific basis.


3.

Voting Rights. Each class of shares will have exclusive voting rights with respect to matters that exclusively affect such class and separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class.


4.

Dividends/Distributions.  Each Fund pays out as dividends substantially all of its net investment income (which comes from dividends and interest it receives from its investments) and net realized short-term and long-term capital gains as described in each Fund’s Prospectus.  All dividends and/or distributions will be paid in the form of additional shares of the class of shares of the Fund to which the dividends and/or distributions relate, unless the shareholder elects to receive cash.  Dividends paid by each Fund are calculated in the same manner and at the same time with respect to each class.


5.

Exchanges.    Shares  of  a  Fund  may  be  exchanged  without  payment  of  any exchange fee for shares of another Fund of the same class at their respective net asset values, provided said Funds are advised by the same adviser.


6.

Class Designation.  Subject to the approval by the Trustees of the Trust, each Fund may alter the nomenclature for the designations of one or more of its classes of shares.


7.

Additional Information.  This Plan is qualified by and subject to the terms of each Fund’s then current Prospectus for the applicable class of shares of the Fund; provided, however, that none of the terms set forth in any such Prospectus shall be inconsistent with the terms of this Plan.  Each Fund’s Prospectus contains additional information about each class of shares of such Fund and any multiple class structure of such Fund.


8.

Effective Date.  This Plan will become effective as of the date and year when any Fund of the Trust commences operations, provided that this Plan shall not become effective with respect to a Fund or a class of shares of a Fund unless first approved by a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the Act).  This Plan may be terminated or amended at any time with respect to a Fund or a class of shares thereof by a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the Act).


9.

Miscellaneous.   Any reference in this Plan to information in a Fund’s Prospectus shall mean information in such Fund’s Prospectus, as the same may be amended or supplemented  from  time  to  time,  or  in  such  Fund’s  Statement  of  Additional Information, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.










IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this Multi-Class Plan as of the 15th day of

October, 2012.


TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST





By:  /s/ Andrew Rogers


Andrew Rogers, President



APPENDIX A


Funds and Classes as of September 18, 2013


Fund

Classes

Alternative Avenue Fund

Investor Class

Belvedere Alternative Income Fund

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class R

LJM Preservation and Growth Fund

Class A  

Class C

Class I

LJM Income Plus Fund

Class A

Class C

Class I

Anfield Universal Fixed income Fund

Class A

Class A1

Class C

Class I

Class R

Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund

Class A

Class A1

Class C

Class I

Class R

Superfund Managed Futures Strategy Fund

Class A

Class C

Class I

West Shore Real Return Income Fund

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class R

Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund

Class A

Class C

Class I

Class R

Redwood Managed Volatility Fund

Class I

Class N

Class Y






WEST SHORE GROUP LLC CODE OF ETHICS

(Section 204a and Rule 204A-1)

A.

Code of Conduct

The Firm has established this Code of Ethics (the “Code”) pursuant to Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).  As an investment adviser, the Firm has an undivided duty of loyalty to act solely in the best interests of its clients, an obligation which includes the responsibility to make full and fair disclosure of all material facts, especially where the Firm ’s interests may conflict with those of its clients.  In carrying on its daily affairs, the Firm and all Firm Associated Persons (also known as “Supervised Persons”), shall act in a fair, lawful and ethical manner, in accordance with the rules and regulations imposed by the Firm ’s governing regulatory authority (e.g., United States Securities and Exchange Commission, state bureau of securities, etc.).  

All Firm personnel should review this Code, as well as the Firm ’s internal policies and procedures, in an effort to be aware of their responsibilities pertaining to client service.  To the extent that any term within the Firm ’s Compliance Manual, or any other Firm policy, is inconsistent with any term contained within this Code, the Code shall control.  Any violation of this Code or any other Firm policy and/or procedure shall be subject to the Firm ’s disciplinary procedures, which may include termination of employment.

B.

Scope of the Code

The terms of this Code apply to all of the Firm ’s supervised persons and sets forth the standard of conduct by which each individual should carry out his/her respective obligations. Specifically, this document presents the Firm ’s fundamental standard of conduct and shall address issues pertaining to:

·

Privacy of Client Non-Public Personal Information ( See Section X of this Manual);

·

Insider Trading;

·

Personal Securities Transactions;

·

Receipt of Gifts;

·

Political Contributions.

As discussed in paragraph E below, the rules on the issue of reporting securities transactions pertain to the securities accounts in which any Firm Associated Person has any direct or indirect beneficial interest.  Of particular concern (but not exclusive) are securities in which client assets may be invested, including stocks, options, futures and options on futures, but generally not those which are excluded from the definition of “reportable securities” (e.g. bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, shares of unaffiliated registered open-end investment companies, etc.) ( see definition section below) .

C.

Standards of Business Conduct

All Firm personnel shall act in accordance with the requirements of the Advisers Act, which sets forth numerous policies and procedures pertaining to the Firm ’s advisory business. The Firm , as a fiduciary, has an obligation to act consistent with the Advisers Act, but to also place the clients’ interests above those of the advisory firm.  To that end, all supervised persons should avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise the advisory firm’s ability to act in the clients’ best interests.  For example, the Firm has determined that supervised persons should not accept inappropriate cash or gifts from any client, service provider or other third party.  Such an activity by an Associated Person, in addition to any proposed outside business activity ( see Section XXVII), are subject to pre-approval by the Chief Compliance Officer.

In a similar vein, it shall be against Firm policy for any Firm representative to use the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce:

(i)

to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud a client or prospective client;  

(ii)

to engage in any transaction, practice, or course of business which defrauds or deceives a client or prospective client;  

(iii)

to knowingly sell any security to or purchase any security from a client when acting as principal for his or her own account, or to knowingly effect a purchase or sale of a security for a client’s account when also acting as broker for the person on the other side of the transaction, without disclosing to the client in writing before the completion of the transaction the capacity in which the adviser is acting and obtaining the client’s consent to the transaction; and

(iv)

to engage in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative practices.

The Firm is aware of concerns surrounding nonpublic information, specifically in the areas of client service and securities trading.  The Firm ’s standard of business conduct relative to client nonpublic personal information is consistent with the terms of Regulation S-P, in that it has established a Privacy Program that includes the delivery to all prospective and current clients a Privacy Notice detailing the framework within which client information is secured, as well as an internal Privacy Policy to be reviewed and executed by all Firm Associated Persons.  The Privacy Policy and Notice create appropriate standards for the security of client personal information, and detail the framework within which client information is secured ( see Section X for additional information on the Firm ’s privacy initiatives).  

As it relates to nonpublic information in the securities trading area, the Firm ’s standard of business conduct focuses upon non-disclosure.  No person associated with the Firm shall disclose “material nonpublic” ( see definition below ) information about a company or about the market for that company’s securities: (a) to any person except to the extent necessary to carry out the Firm ’s legitimate business obligations, or (b) in circumstances in which the information is likely to be used for unlawful trading.  No Firm employee who is in possession of material nonpublic information about a company, or about the market for that company’s securities, is permitted to purchase or sell those securities until the information becomes public and sufficient time has passed such that the market would have already reacted.

Finally, it is, and always has been, the policy of the Firm that it and each such supervised person comply with the aforementioned standards and to recognize that the Firm has a fiduciary obligation towards its clients.  Supervised persons should be fully aware of the high value the Firm has placed and continues to place on the adherence by all supervised persons to ethical conduct at all times, and all supervised persons are urged to comply not only with the letter of their respective fiduciary duties, but also to the ideals of the Firm .  In addition, all supervised persons are required to comply with those federal securities laws which apply to the business of the Firm , and your execution of the Annual Acknowledgment of the Policies and Procedures, if you are a supervised person, constitutes your agreement that you have complied, and will continue to comply, with such applicable laws.  For purposes of this paragraph, “federal securities laws” means the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a-aa), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78a — mm), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-204, 116 Stat. 745 (2002)), the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a), the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80b), Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (Pub. L. No. 106-102, 113 Stat. 1338 (1999)), any rules adopted by the Commission under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. 5311 — 5314; 5316 — 5332) as it applies to funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the SEC or the Department of the Treasury.

D.

Insider Trading

The securities laws prohibit trading by a person while in the possession of material nonpublic information about a company or about the market for that company’s securities.  The securities laws also prohibit a person who is in possession of material nonpublic information from communicating any such information to others.  

Section 204A of the Act requires that investment advisers maintain and enforce written policies reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material nonpublic information by the investment adviser or any person associated with the investment adviser.

Insider trading violations are likely to result in harsh consequences for the individuals involved, including exposure to investigations by the SEC , criminal and civil prosecution, disgorgement of any profits realized or losses avoided through use of the nonpublic information, civil penalties of up to $1 million or three times such profits or losses, whichever is greater, exposure to additional liability in private actions, and incarceration .  

Trading on Material Nonpublic Information

No employee of the investment adviser who is in possession of material nonpublic information about a company, or about the market for that company’s securities, is permitted to purchase or sell those securities until the information becomes public and the market has had time to react to it. Should you have any doubt regarding the propriety of a proposed securities transaction, you should seek advice from the Chief Compliance Officer, who has been designated by the Firm to handle such matters.

Disclosure of Material Nonpublic Information

No person associated with the Firm shall disclose material nonpublic information about a company or about the market for such that company’s securities: (a) to any person except to the extent necessary to carry out the legitimate business obligations of the investment adviser, or (b) in circumstances in which the information is likely to be used for unlawful trading.

Questions about the Firm’s Insider Trading Policy

While compliance with the law and with a Firm ’s policies and procedures described above is each individual’s responsibility, interpretive questions may arise, such as whether certain information is material or nonpublic, or whether trading restrictions should be applicable in a given situation. Any questions should immediately be addressed with the Chief Compliance Officer who has been designated by the Firm to respond to such questions.

Violations

Violations of the Firm ’s policies and procedures relative to prohibitions against insider trading will be regarded with the utmost seriousness and will constitute grounds for immediate dismissal.

A copy of Rule 204A is enclosed at Exhibit “C”.

E.

Personal Securities Transactions

All Access Persons ( see Definitions section below) must submit for the Firm ’s review, a report of his/her personal securities transactions and securities holdings periodically, as provided and further explained herein.  One purpose of the Rule is to provide the Firm with information on “scalping” (i.e., a practice whereby the owner of shares (e.g., an Access Person) of a security recommends that security for investment and then immediately sells it at a profit upon the rise in the market price which follows the recommendation), as well as potentially abusive “soft dollar” or brokerage practices.  In addition, this requirement can help detect insider trading, “front-running” (i.e., personal trades executed prior to those of the Firm ’s clients) and other potentially abusive practices.

Initial and Annual Holding Reports on Current Securities Holdings of Access Persons

Each Access Person of the Firm must provide the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee with a written report of the Access Person’s current securities holdings within 10 days after the person becomes an Access Person, which information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person becomes an Access Person. Additionally, each Access Person must provide the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee with a written report of the Access Person’s current securities holdings at least once each 12-month period thereafter on a date the Firm selects, and the information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the report was submitted; provided, however that at any time that the Firm has only one Access Person, he or she shall not be required to submit any securities report described above.

Each securities holdings report must provide, at a minimum, the following information:

(i)

the title and type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable security (as defined below) in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined below);

(ii)

the name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the Access Person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the Access Person’s direct or indirect benefit; and

(iii)

the date the Access Person submits the report.

Holdings Report : A copy of the Holdings Report form is included at Exhibit “O”. In the alternative, if the Access Person affirms, in writing, that all of his/her holdings are included on certain hard copy year-end or electronic statements which are provided or made available to the CCO, then the submission of the  Holdings Report is not required. ( See Account Status Verification form also included at Exhibit “O”.)

Transaction Reports

Each Access Person must provide the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee with a written record of his/her personal securities transactions no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter, which report must cover all transactions (other than those pursuant to an “automatic investment plan” as defined in Rule 204A-1(e)(2)) during the quarter. The report must provide, at a minimum, the following information about each transaction (other than pursuant to an “automatic investment plan” as defined in Rule 204A-1(e)(2)) involving a reportable security ( see definition section below) in which the Access Person had, or as a result of the transaction acquired, any direct or indirect “beneficial ownership” ( see definition section below) :

(i)

The date of the transaction, the title, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, interest rate and maturity date, number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable security involved;

(ii)

The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);

(iii)

The price of the security at which the transaction was effected;

(iv)

The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and

(v)

The date the Access Person submits the report.

The security transaction reporting requirement may be satisfied by providing duplicate broker trade confirmations or account statements of all such transactions to the Firm no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter.

Alternative Reporting Methods

In the alternative to the security transaction reporting requirement, the Firm may require: (1) all personal securities transactions for its Access Persons be executed with or through a broker-dealer/custodian of the Firm ’s choosing; or, (2) its Access Persons to maintain all investment accounts with a broker-dealer/custodian of the Firm ’s choosing, provided that the broker-dealer/custodian and/or Access Person complies with the submission of the broker trade confirmations or account statements to the Firm as referenced in the last paragraph. In addition, if the Firm is provided with ongoing electronic access to all required accounts, then the access person will be relived of his/her responsibility to provide statements to the Firm , provided that the access person affirms, in writing, that all of his /her accounts are maintained at such broker-dealer/custodian.( See Account Status Verification form also included at Exhibit “O”).

Exceptions

The above holdings and transactions reporting requirements do not apply to transactions effected in any account over which a particular Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control. In addition, the holdings and transactions reporting requirements do not apply to securities which are excluded from the definition of reportable security ( see definition section below) .

Investment Policy and Procedures

No Access Person of the Firm may effect for himself or herself or for his or her immediate family (i.e., spouse, minor children, and adults living in the same household as the officer, director, or employee, and trusts for which the employee serves as a trustee or in which the employee has a beneficial interest) (collectively “Covered Persons”) any transactions in a security which is being actively purchased or sold, or is being considered for purchase or sale, on behalf of any Firm clients, unless in accordance with the following Firm Procedures.

1.

Firm Procedures

In order to implement the Firm ’s Investment Policy, the following procedures have been put into place with respect to the Firm and its Covered Persons:

a.

If the Firm is purchasing or considering for purchase any exchange listed security on behalf of the Firm ’s client, no Covered Person may transact in that security prior to the client purchase having been completed by the Firm , or until a decision has been made not to purchase the security on behalf of the client; and  

b.

If the investment adviser is selling or considering the sale of any exchange listed security on behalf of a Firm client, no Covered Person may transact in that security prior to the sale on behalf of the client having been completed by the Firm , or until a decision has been made not to sell the security on behalf of the client.

2.

Exceptions

a.

This Investment Policy has been established recognizing that some securities being considered for purchase and sale on behalf of the Firm ’s clients trade in sufficiently broad markets to permit transactions to be completed without any appreciable impact on the markets of the securities.  Under certain circumstances, exceptions may be made to the policies stated above per the authorization of the Chief Compliance Officer, who has been designated by the Firm to address any prospective exceptions.( See Pre-Clearance Form included at Exhibit “O”); and

b.

Open-end mutual funds and/or the investment subdivisions which may comprise a variable insurance product are purchased or redeemed at a fixed net asset value price per share specific to the date of purchase or redemption.  As such, transactions in open-end mutual funds and/or variable insurance products by Covered Persons are not likely to have an impact on the prices of the fund shares in which clients invest, and are therefore not prohibited by the Firm ’s Investment Policy.

Restricted Securities (to the extent applicable)

Certain of the Firm ’s clients may be publicly traded companies (and/or senior executive officers and/or management of publicly traded companies), a current list of which publicly traded companies (to the extent applicable) shall be annexed hereto and made a part hereof as Schedule “A” (the “ Restricted Securities ”).  In addition, Schedule “A” may also include the securities of public companies which the Firm is currently recommending or considering recommending to its clients.  All securities listed on Schedule “A” shall be designated as the Restricted Securities .  The purchase and/or sale of any of the Restricted Securities is prohibited unless expressly approved in advance by the Chief Compliance Officer. .( See Pre-Clearance Form included at Exhibit “O”);  Schedule “A” shall be updated and/or amended quarterly, and each person shall be required to acknowledge his/her ongoing compliance relative to the Restricted Securities on a quarterly basis. Failure to comply with this policy shall be cause for immediate dismissal from the Firm .

Pre-approval Required for IPO’s and Limited Offerings

The acquisition of a beneficial ownership ( see definition section below) interest in any security in an initial public offering (as defined in Rule 204A-1(e)(6)) or in a limited offering (as defined in Rule 204A-1(e)(7)) by an Access Person is prohibited unless expressly approved in advance by the Chief Compliance Officer, provided, however that at any time that the Firm has only one Access Person, he or she shall not be required to obtain pre-approval for an initial public offering or limited offering. The Firm shall maintain a record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, approving the acquisition of such securities by Access Persons for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted.

Retention of Certain Records

A record of each securities holdings report and transaction report, including any duplicate broker trade confirmation or account statements provided by an Access Person (or his/her broker/dealer or custodian) in lieu of a securities transactions report, shall be maintained by the Firm for the time period required by the Act .  In addition, a record of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were, Access Persons of the Firm shall be maintained.

F.

Definitions

“Access Persons” [either] means:

(i)

any of the Firm ’s supervised persons (as defined below) who: (A) has access to nonpublic information regarding any Firm clients’ purchase or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any reportable fund (as defined under Rule 204A-1(e)(9)), or (B) is involved in making securities recommendations to Firm clients, or who has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic; or

(ii)

[Since providing investment advice is the Firm ’s primary business, all of the Firm ’s directors, officers, members and/or partners.]

“Beneficial ownership” means an Access Person having or sharing a direct or indirect pecuniary interest (i.e., the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit) in the reportable securities (or initial public offering or limited offering, as the case may be), directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise.

“Material” information means any information about a company, or the market for its securities, that, if disclosed, is likely to affect the market price of the company’s securities or to be considered important by the reasonable investor in deciding whether to purchase or sell those securities. Examples of information about a company which should be presumed to be “material” include, but are not limited to, matters such as (a) dividend increases or decreases, (b) earnings estimates, (c) changes in previously released earnings estimates, (d) significant new products or discoveries, (e) developments regarding major litigation by or against the company, (f) liquidity or solvency problems, (g) significant merger or acquisition proposals, or (h) similar major events which would be viewed as having materially altered the information available to the public regarding the Firm or the market for any of its securities. The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

“Nonpublic” information means information that has not been publicly disclosed. Information about a company is considered to be nonpublic information if it is received under circumstances which indicate that it is not yet in general circulation.

“Reportable security” means any security defined in Section 202(a)(18) of the Act (generally, all securities of every kind and nature), except that it does not include:

(i)

Direct obligations of the Government of the United States;

(ii)

Bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements;

(iii)

Shares issued by money market funds;

(iv)

Shares issued by open-end funds other than reportable funds (as defined in Rule 204A-1(e)(9)); and

(v)

Shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more open-end funds, none of which are reportable funds (as defined in Rule 204A-1(e)(9)). This exception is aimed at variable insurance contracts that are funded by insurance company separate accounts organized as unit investment trusts. (Note: although not specifically excluded from the definition of reportable security, it is presumed the variable insurance products are included within this exception).

“Supervised person” means any partner, officer, director (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), or employee of the Firm , or other person who provides investment advice on behalf of the Firm and is subject to the supervision and control of the Firm .

G.

Administration and Enforcement of Code :

The Chief Compliance Officer shall be responsible for administering and enforcing this Code, a necessary part of which is supervising employees through the implementation process.  Should any Associated Person have any questions regarding the applicability of this Code, (s)he should address those questions with the Chief Compliance Officer.  Pursuant to Section 203(e)(6) of the Act, the Firm and Chief Compliance Officer shall not be deemed to have failed to supervise any person if –

·

there have been established procedures, and a system for applying such procedures, which would reasonably be expected to prevent and detect, insofar as practicable, any such violation by such other person, and

·

the Chief Compliance Officer has reasonably discharged the duties and obligations incumbent upon that position by reason of such procedures and system without reasonable cause to believe that such procedures and system were not being complied with.

While compliance with the law and with a Firm ’s policies and procedures described above is each individual’s responsibility, interpretive questions may arise, such as whether certain information is material or nonpublic, or whether trading restrictions should be applicable in a given situation. All violations of this Code should be reported to the Chief Compliance Officer.  Any questions should immediately be addressed with the Chief Compliance Officer who has been designated by the Firm to respond to such questions.

H.

Recordkeeping

In addition to the above, the Code of Ethics currently in effect, or that at any time in the past five years was in effect, must be maintained by the Firm .  Additionally, a copy of the executed Annual Acknowledgment of the Policies and Procedures (an unexecuted copy of which is located on the last page of this document) of each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, a supervised person must be maintained by the Firm . Furthermore, the Firm is required to maintain a record of any violation of the Code of Ethics (but this does not include any initial reports by employees that informed the Firm of a violation of Firm policies, procedures and/or Code of Ethics), and of any action taken as a result of the violation.

In addition, the Firm shall maintain the following books and records:

·

Ongoing list of Access Persons.

·

Access Person Acknowledgement Form memorializing receipt of this Code of Ethics.

·

Holdings Reports as discussed above.

·

Quarterly Transaction Reports as discussed above.

·

Record of any Chief Compliance Officer decision to approve an Access Persons’ personal security transaction and the underlying rationale supporting that decision.  

·

Records of Code of Ethics violations and any resulting remedial action, not including any “whistleblower” reports made by supervised persons.

I.

Gifts and Entertainment

Receipt of Gifts :  It is the policy of the Firm to achieve a balance relative to the receipt/acceptance of gifts from clients or vendors with the avoidance of conflicts of interest or appearances of impropriety.  As such, receipt of a holiday gift or expression of thanks from a client for a job well done is not prohibited, provided that the gift is not cash or a cash equivalent, which are prohibited by the Firm .  However, all non-cash gifts from vendors, the estimated value of which clearly exceeds $200, should be reported to the Chief Compliance Officer.  The above policy recognizes that the dollar value of attendance at certain functions (dinner, golf outing, sporting event) will exceed $200, and is not intended to be prohibited by this policy.  However, attendance at such vendor sponsored events should be reported to the Chief Compliance Officer so that a determination can be made that it (they) is (are) neither excessive nor create(s) the potential for a conflict of interest. The Firm ’s Chief Compliance Officer may determine to maintain a Gifts Log ( See Exhibit “P”)

Gifts to Clients : Although the Firm does not prohibit gifts to clients, including a gesture of appreciation for referring a prospective new client, all Firm personnel must be mindful that such gifts should not be of a magnitude and/or frequency to potentially raise issues that the gift(s) rise to a level that the client is receiving non-cash compensation for acting as a solicitor.  Solicitor arrangements are governed on both a SEC and state level.  (See Solicitor discussion at Section XXI herein.)

J.

Political Contributions

It is the policy of the Firm to avoid conflicts of interest or appearances of impropriety in connection with the provision of advisory services for compensation to any government client and to identify risk exposures for the Firm and its clients. ( See discussion at Section XXIX herein.)

A copy of the required Firm Holdings Report, Acknowledgements, Account Status Verification and Pre-Clearance forms, and Schedule “A” (to the extent applicable) are enclosed at Exhibit “O”.  The CCO shall forward any revisions and/or additions to the Code of Ethics to all employees upon the adoption thereof.  A copy of Rule 204A-1 is enclosed at Exhibit “C”.

PLEASE NOTE :  All Code of Ethics violations must be immediately reported to the CCO.




Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC



Code of Ethics




Effective August 21, 2013



    











[P9LPIACODEOFETHICS002.GIF]



TABLE OF CONTENTS


1

CODE OF ETHICS

4

1.1

STATEMENT OF GENERAL POLICY FOR CODE OF ETHICS

4

1.2

DEFINITIONS FOR CODE OF ETHICS

5

1.3

STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT

6

1.4

PROHIBITION AGAINST INSIDER TRADING

7
1.4.1

Introduction

7
1.4.2

General Policy Regarding Use of Inside Information

7
1.4.3

What is Material Information?

7
1.4.4

What is Non-Public Information?

8
1.4.5

Identifying  Inside Information

8
1.4.6

Contacts with Public Companies, Funds or Other Issuers

9
1.4.7

Tender Offers

9
1.5

PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS

10
1.5.1

General Policy Regarding Personal Securities Transactions

10
1.5.2

Pre-Clearance Requirements

10
1.5.3

Reporting Requirements

10
1.5.4

Initial and Annual Holdings Reports and Quarterly Transaction Reports

11
1.5.5

Exempt Transactions

12
1.5.6

Monitoring and Review of Personal Securities Transactions

12
1.6

GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

13
1.6.1

Gift Policy

13
1.6.2

Entertainment  Policy

13
1.7

PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF CLIENT INFORMATION

14
1.7.1

Regulation S-P.

14
1.7.2

Privacy Notice

14
1.7.3

Confidential  Client Information

15
1.7.4

Non-Disclosure of Confidential  Client Information

15
1.7.5

Responsibilities of Supervised Persons Regarding Client Information

15
1.7.6

Security of Confidential  Client Information

16
1.7.7

Security Breach

16
1.7.8

Document Disposal

16
1.7.9

Inadvertent Document Display

17
1.7.10

Enforcement and Review of Confidentiality and Privacy Policies

17
1.8

TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST PRIVACY POLICY

17
1.9

OUTSIDE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

18
1.9.1

Approval to Engage in Investment-Related Outside Business Activities

18
1.9.2

Reporting Certain Types of Outside Activity

18
1.9.3

Prohibited  Activities

19
1.10

SERVICE AS AN OFFICER OR DIRECTOR

19
1.11

POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

20
1.11.1

New Employee Reporting Requirement

20
1.12

RECORDS

21
1.13

REPORTING VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF ETHICS AND SANCTIONS

22
1.13.1

Whistleblower  and Anti-Retaliation  Policy

22
1.13.2

Anti- retaliation

23
1.14

CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES

23
1.14.1

initial Certification

23
1.14.2

Acknowledgment of Amendments

23
1.14.3

 Annual Certification

23
1.14.4

Further Information

23
 

 

 
 

 

 







CODE OF ETHICS




1.1

STATEMENT OF GENERAL POLICY FOR CODE OF ETHICS


This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) has been adopted by LPIA and is designed to comply with

Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act, and Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, and applicable  state laws and regulations, including,  without  limitation, the laws of the State of New Jersey. Rule

204A-1 under the Advisers Act requires all investment advisors registered with the SEC to adopt codes of ethics that set forth standards of conduct and require compliance with federal securities laws.  In addition,  Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act requires advisers to registered investment companies to each adopt and administer a written code of ethics that sets forth standards of conduct and requires compliance with applicable  federal securities laws.  The CCO will ensure that LPIA complies with the applicable  provisions of Rule 204A-1 and Rule 17j-1.


This Code establishes rules of conduct for all supervised persons of LPIA and is designed to, among other things, govern personal securities trading activities in the accounts of supervised persons, immediate  family/household accounts and accounts in which a supervised person has a beneficial interest. The Code is based upon the principle  that LPIA and its supervised persons owe a fiduciary duty to LPIA clients to conduct their affairs, including  their personal securities transactions, in such a manner as to avoid (i) serving their own personal

interests ahead of clients, (ii) taking inappropriate advantage of their position  within LPIA and (iii) any actual or potential  conflicts of interest or any abuse of their position  of trust and responsibility.


This Code is intended  to reflect fiduciary principles that govern the conduct of LPIA and its supervised persons in those situations where LPIA acts as an investment adviser as defined

under the Advisers Act (and the rules of the State of New Jersey). The purpose of the Code is to preclude activities, which may lead to or give the appearance of conflicts of interest, insider trading and other forms of prohibited or unethical business conduct. The excellent name and reputation  of LPIA continues to be a direct reflection  of the conduct of each supervised person.


Pursuant to Section 206 of the Advisers Act and/or Rule 17j-1(b) of the 1940 Act, both LPIA and its supervised persons are prohibited from engaging  in fraudulent, deceptive  or manipulative conduct. Compliance with this section involves more than acting with honesty and good  faith alone. It means that LPIA has an affirmative duty of utmost good  faith to act solely in the best interest of its advisory clients.


LPIA and its supervised persons are subject to the following  specific fiduciary obligations when dealing with clients:


•  The duty to have a reasonable, independent basis for the investment advice provided;


•  The duty to obtain best execution for a client’s transactions where LPIA is in a position  to direct brokerage transactions for the client;


•  The duty to ensure that investment advice is suitable to meeting  the client’s individual objectives, needs and circumstances; and


•  A duty to be loyal to clients.


In meeting its fiduciary responsibilities  to its clients, LPIA expects every supervised person to demonstrate  the highest standards of ethical conduct for continued  employment with LPIA.



Strict compliance with the provisions of the Code shall be considered a basic condition  of employment with LPIA. Supervised persons are urged to seek the advice of the CCO for any questions about the Code or the application  of the Code to their individual circumstances. Supervised persons should also understand that a material breach of the provisions of the Code may constitute  grounds for disciplinary action, including  termination  of employment with LPIA.


A LL SUPERVISED PERSONS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND  HAVE AGREED AS A REQUIREMENT OF THEIR  EMPLOYMENT , TO REVIEW , BE FAMILIAR  WITH, AND  COMPLY WITH THIS CODE.  SUPERVISED PERSONS MUST COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS  APPLICABLE TO THE BUSINESS IN WHICH THEY ENGAGE , INCLUDING AMONG OTHERS , SECURITIES AND OTHER FEDERAL , STATE AND LOCAL LAWS .


Although  not expected to know the details of each law governing  our business activities, each supervised person is expected to be familiar with and comply with LPIA wide policies and procedures, as they apply to his or her business responsibilities  and, when in doubt,  to seek advice from the CEO, CCO or other appropriate personnel.


The provisions of the Code are not all-inclusive. Rather, they are intended  as a guide for supervised persons in their conduct. In those situations where a supervised person may be uncertain as to the intent or purpose of the Code, he/she is advised to consult with the CCO. The CCO may grant exceptions to certain provisions contained in the Code only in those situations when it is clear beyond dispute that the interests of our clients will not be adversely affected or compromised.  All questions arising in connection  with personal securities trading should be resolved in favor of the client even at the expense of the interests of supervised persons.



1.2

DEFINITIONS FOR CODE OF ETHICS


For the purposes of this Code, the following  definitions  shall apply:


•  “Access person” means any supervised person who:


1.   Has access to non-public  information  regarding  any client’s purchase or sale of securities, or non-public  information  regarding  the portfolio holdings of any fund the adviser or its control affiliates manage; or


2.   Is involved in making securities recommendations to clients that are not public.


A supervised person who has access to non-public  information  regarding  the portfolio holdings of affiliated mutual funds, if any, is also an access person.


•  “Account” means accounts of any access person and includes accounts of the access person’s immediate  family members (any relative by blood  or marriage living in the supervised person’s household), and any account in which he or she has a direct or indirect beneficial interest, such as trusts and custodial accounts or other accounts in which the supervised person has beneficial interest or exercises investment discretion.


•  “Beneficial  ownership” shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under

Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in determining whether a person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of Section 16 of such Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.


•   “Reportable Fund” includes any fund for which you serve as an investment adviser as defined in Section 2(a)(20) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

• Reportable security” means any security as defined in Section 202(a)(18) of the Advis ers Act, except that it does not include:


3.   Direct Obligations of the United States Government;


4.   Open-end  investment company shares, including  money market mutual funds, that are not Reportable Funds;


5.   Banker’s acceptances, bank certificate of deposits, commercial paper and high- quality short-term debt instruments, including  repurchase agreements;


6.   Interests in variable insurance products or variable annuities, whether affiliated or unaffiliated;  and


7.   Interests in any account where the adviser or any supervised person has no direct or indirect influence or control.



1.3

STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT


LPIA places the highest priority on maintaining  its reputation  for integrity  and professionalism. That reputation  is a vital business asset. The confidence and trust placed in LPIA and its supervised persons by our clients is something we value and endeavor to protect.  The following  standards of business conduct set forth policies and procedures to achieve these

goals.


This Code is intended  to comply with the various provisions of the Advisers Act and also requires that all supervised persons comply with the various applicable  provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and applicable  rules and regulations adopted  by the SEC and state regulatory authorities such as the New Jersey Securities Bureau.


Section 204A of the Advisers Act requires the establishment and enforcement  of policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of material, non-public  information by investment advisers. Such policies and procedures are contained in this Code.


Section 17 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder require the establishment and enforcement  of policies and procedures reasonably necessary to prevent LPIA and its access persons from engaging  in certain conduct, including  prohibited conduct as set forth in Rule 17j-1.  Provisions in this Code will be interpreted to comply with Section 17 and Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act.


The Code also contains policies and procedures with respect to personal securities transactions of all of LPIA’ access persons as defined herein. These procedures cover transactions in a reportable  security in which an access person has a beneficial interest or accounts over which the access person exercises control as well as transactions by members of the access person’s immediate  family.


Section 206 of the Advisers Act makes it unlawful for LPIA or its agents or supervised persons to employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any client or prospective  client, or to engage in fraudulent, deceptive  or manipulative  practices. This Code contains provisions that prohibit these and other enumerated activities and that are reasonably necessary to detect and prevent violations of the Code, the Advisers Act and rules thereunder.



1.4

PROHIBITION AGAINST INSIDER TRADING



1.4.1

Introduction


Trading securities while in possession of material, non-public  information,  or improperly communicating that information  to others may expose supervised persons and LPIA to stringent penalties. Criminal sanctions may include a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or ten years imprisonment. The SEC can recover the profits gained or losses avoided through  the illegal trading, impose a penalty of up to three times the illicit windfall, and/or issue an order permanently barring you from the securities industry. In addition,  violators may be subject to state level sanctions.  Finally, supervised persons and LPIA may be sued by investors seeking to recover damages for insider trading violations.


The rules contained in this Code apply to securities trading and information  handling by supervised persons of LPIA and their immediate  family members.


The law of insider trading is unsettled and continuously developing. An individual legitimately may be uncertain about the application  of the rules contained in this Code in a particular circumstance. Often, a single question can avoid disciplinary action or complex legal problems. You must notify the CCO immediately  if you have any reason to believe that a violation of this Code has occurred or is about to occur. In the absence of CCO, contact the CEO immediately.



1.4.2

General Policy Regarding Use of Inside Information


Improper  use of inside information  when conducting  any securities transaction is a serious violation of securities laws and will not be tolerated.  Any person having access to material, non- public information  will violate anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws by effecting transactions or communicating such information  for the purpose of effecting  transactions in such securities without  public disclosure of the information.



SUPERVISED PERSONS WILL NOT PURCHASE OR SELL A SECURITY , EITHER PERSONALLY OR ON BEHALF OF OTHERS, WHILE IN THE Possession OF MATERIAL, NON - PUBLIC INFORMATION .



S UPERVISED PERSONS  ARE ALSO FORBIDDEN TO  COMMUNICATE MATERIAL, NON -PUBLIC INFORMATION  TO  OTHERS  IN  VIOLATION  OF THE LAW . THIS  POLICY APPLIES  TO  ALL SUPERVISED PERSONS  AND EXTENDS TO  ACTIVITIES WITHIN  AND OUTSIDE OF THEIR DUTIES WITH LPIA .





1.4.3

What is Material Information?


Information  is material where there is a substantial likelihood  that a reasonable investor would consider it important  in making his or her investment decisions. Generally, this includes any information  the disclosure of which will have a substantial effect on the price of a company’s securities. No simple test exists to determine  when information  is material; assessments of materiality involve a highly fact-specific inquiry. For this reason, you should direct any questions about whether information  is material to the CCO.


Material information  often relates to a company’s (or fund or other publicly traded entity) results and operations, including,  for example, dividend  changes, earnings results, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidation problems, and extraordinary management developments. Material information  may also relate to proposed  trades or trading positions of significant shareholders with or involving a publicly held entity.


Material information  also may relate to the market for a company’s securities. Information about a significant order to purchase or sell securities may, in some contexts, be material. Pre- publication information  regarding  reports in the financial press also may be material. You should also be aware that the term “material non-public  information” relates not only to issuers but may also relate to LPIA’s securities recommendations and securities holdings and transactions.



1.4.4

What is Non-Public Information?


Information  is “public” when it has been disseminated broadly to investors in the marketplace. For example, information  is public after it has become available to the general public through  the internet, general media outlets, SEC filings or some other publication of general circulation, and after sufficient time has passed so that the information  has been disseminated widely.



1.4.5

Identifying  Inside Information


Before executing any trade for yourself or others, including  client accounts, you must determine  whether you may have access to material, non-public  information.  If you think that you might have access to material, non-public  information,  you should take the following  steps:



1 .    R EPORT THE  INFORMATION AND ANY PROPOSED  TRADE IMMEDIATELY TO THE CCO.


2.    D O  NOT PURCHASE OR SELL THE SECURITIES  ON BEHALF OF YOURSELF OR OTHERS, INCLUDING CLIENT ACCOUNTS  MANAGED BY LPIA.

3.    D O  NOT COMMUNICATE THE INFORMATION  INSIDE OR OUTSIDE LPI A, OTHER  THAN TO THE CCO, OR THE CEO IN THE CCO’ S  ABSENCE .

 

4.    A FTER THE CCO HAS REVIEWED THE ISSUE, LPI A WILL DETERMINE WHE THER THE INFORMATION  IS MATERIAL AND NON - PUBLIC AND, IF SO , WHAT ACTION   LPI A WILL TAKE .



You should consult with the CCO before taking any action. This high degree of caution will protect  you, our clients and LPIA.



1.4.6

Contacts with Public Companies, Funds or Other Issuers


Contacts with public companies, managers or advisors to funds (including exchange traded funds) may represent an important part of our research efforts. LPIA may make investment decisions on the basis of conclusions formed through  such contacts and analysis of publicly available information.  Difficult legal issues arise, however, when, in the course of these contacts, a supervised person of LPIA or other person subject to this Code becomes aware of material, non-public  information.  This could happen, for example, if an issuer’s Chief Financial Officer prematurely discloses quarterly results to an analyst, or an investor relations representative makes selective disclosure of adverse news to a handful of investors or a fund’s advisors selectively discloses trading activity. In such situations, LPIA must make a judgment  as to its further conduct. To protect  yourself, clients and LPIA, you should contact the CCO immediately if you believe you may have received material, non-public  information.



1.4.7

Tender Offers


Tender offers represent a particular concern in the law of insider trading for two reasons. First, tender offer activity often produces extraordinary gyrations in the price of the target company’s securities. Trading during this time period is more likely to attract regulatory attention  (and produces a disproportionate percentage  of insider trading cases). Second, the

SEC has adopted  a rule which expressly forbids trading and “tipping” while in the possession of material, non-public  information  regarding  a tender offer received from a tender offeror, the target company or anyone acting on behalf of either. Supervised persons of LPIA and others subject to this Code should exercise extreme caution any time they become aware of non-public information  relating to a tender offer.


Restricted Lists


Although  LPIA does not typically expect to receive confidential  information  from companies or other interested parties with respect to which LPIA has established a put or call or other future or hedging  position,  it may, if it receives such information,  take appropriate procedures to add such securities to its restricted list in certain securities.


Access persons are prohibited from personally, or on behalf of a client, purchasing or selling securities during any period that the issuers of such securities are listed on the restricted list. Securities issued by companies about which a number of supervised persons are expected to regularly have material, non-public  information  should generally be placed on the restricted list.





1.5

PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS



1.5.1

General Policy Regarding Personal Securities Transactions


LPIA has adopted the following  principles governing  investment activities by LPIA

supervised persons:


•  The interests of client accounts will at all times be placed first;


•  All personal securities transactions will be conducted  in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential  conflict of interest or any abuse of an individual’s position  of trust and responsibility;  and


•  Access persons must not take inappropriate advantage of their positions.


Access persons are prohibited from using non-public  information  regarding  LPIA portfolio holdings, model changes, or client transactions for their personal benefit. Specifically, access persons are prohibited from using advance knowledge  to trade ahead of or otherwise benefit from such knowledge.



1.5.2

Pre-Clearance Requirements


Participation in IPOs : No access person shall acquire beneficial ownership of any securities in an initial public offering for his/her Account, as defined herein, without  the prior written approval of the CCO who has been provided  with full details of the proposed  transaction (including written certification  that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the access person’s activities on behalf of a client) and, if approved,  will be subject to continuous monitoring for possible future conflicts.


Participation in Private Offerings : No access person shall acquire beneficial ownership of any securities in a private offering for his/her Account, as defined herein, without  the prior written approval of the CCO who has been provided  with full details of the proposed transaction (including written certification  that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the access person’s activities on behalf of a client) and, if approved,  will be subject to continuous monitoring for possible future conflicts.


Investing in ETFs and Client Holdings List :  LPIA maintains a list of securities, including, without  limitations,  puts, calls, options, and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), in which LPIA or its clients maintain positions; this list is known as the Client Holdings List. Access persons are required to receive written approval from the CCO prior to buying or selling ETFs and any other securities on the Client Holdings List.


Advance trade clearance in no way waives or absolves any access person of the obligation to abide by the provisions, principles and objectives of this Code. The CCO monitors all transactions by all access persons in order to ascertain any pattern of conduct which may evidence conflicts (or potential  conflicts) with the principles and objectives of the Code, including  a pattern of front-running.



1.5.3

Reporting Requirements


Every access person shall provide initial and annual holding  reports and quarterly transaction reports to the CCO that must contain the information  described below. LPIA typically utilizes Compliance 11 to obtain these reports. Where the CCO is unable to obtain holdings and transaction information  from Compliance 11, access persons must arrange for all brokerage firms holding  their accounts to send automatic duplicate  brokerage account statements and trade confirmations of all securities transactions to the attention  of the CCO.


In a situation where an access person has a beneficial interest or transacts in a reportable security that is not held at a brokerage account (e.g., holding  physical stock certificates,

investing in a private fund, etc.), the access person is reminded  that he or she must, with respect to any such reportable  security, provide initial and annual holding  reports and quarterly transaction reports to the CCO.


The CCO will review all holdings and transactions reports and document  this review.



1.5.4

Initial and Annual Holdings Reports and Quarterly Transaction Reports




INITIAL  HOLDINGS  REPORT: U NLESS  OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY  C OMPLIANCE  11, EVERY ACCESS PERSON MUST , NO LATER THAN TEN  (10) DAYS AFTER THE PERSON BECOMES AND  ACCESS PERSON, FILE A REPORT CONTAINING THE INFORMATION BELOW WITH RESPECT  TO HOLDINGS  IN ALL REPORTABLE SECURITIES IN WHICH THE ACCESS PERSON HAD ANY DIRECTOR  INDIRECT BENEFICIAL OWNERS HIP .




Note that the information  must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person becomes an access person.


•  The title and type of security, and as applicable  the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable  security in which the access person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;


•  The name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the access person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the access person's direct or indirect benefit; and

•  The date the access person submits the report.




ANNUAL HOLDINGS  REPORT: U NLESS  OTHERWISE  PROVIDED  BY   C OMPLIANCE   11, EVERY  ACCESS PERSON  MUST ,   AT  LEAST  ONCE  EACH   12- MONTH  PERIOD,   FILE  A  REPORT CONTAINING THE INFORMATION BELOW WITH RESPECT  TO HOLDINGS IN ALL REPORTABLE SECURITIES IN WHICH THE ACCESS PERSON HAD ANY DIRECTOR  INDIRECT BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP .




Note that the information  must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the person becomes an access person.


•  The title and type of security, and as applicable  the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable  security in which the access person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;

•  The name of any broker, dealer or bank with which the access person maintains an account in which any securities are held for the access person's direct or indirect benefit; and

•  The date the access person submits the report.


U NLE S S  O T H E R W I S E P R O V IDE D B Y C OMP L I A N C E 11, EVERY A C C ESS PERSON MUS T , NO   LAT E R  T H A N  T H I R T Y (30 )   DAY S  A F T E R  T HE E ND O F EAC H Q UART E R , FIL E A Q U A RTERLY TRAN SAC TIO N  REPORT C ONT A I N I N G T H E F OLL OWING  INF O R M A T ION  W ITH RESPECT  TO A N Y TRAN SAC TIO N  D U RIN G T HE Q UART E R  I N  A R E P O RTABLE  SECU RITY I N  W HICH T HE ACCES S PERSON H A D A N Y D I RECT O R  I N D I RECT B ENEFICIAL O W N E R S HIP :



•  The date of the transaction, the title and exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each reportable  security;


•  The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition);


•  The price of the reportable  security at which the transaction was effected;


•  The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through  whom the transaction was effected; and


•  The date the access person submits the report.



1.5.5

Exempt Transactions


An access person need   NOT submit:


•  A report with respect to transactions effected for, or securities held in, any account over which the person has no direct or indirect influence or control;


•  A report with respect to transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan;



1.5.6

Monitoring and Review of Personal Securities Transactions


The CCO, or a designee, will monitor  and review all reports required under the Code for compliance with LPIA’s policies regarding  personal securities transactions and applicable  SEC rules and regulations, in addition  to any State or SRO regulations. The CCO may also initiate inquiries of access persons regarding  personal securities trading. Access persons are required to cooperate  with such inquiries and any monitoring or review procedures employed  by LPIA. Any transactions for any accounts of the CCO will be reviewed and approved  by the CEO. The CCO shall at least annually identify all access persons who are required to file reports pursuant to the Code and will inform such access persons of their reporting obligations.



1.6

GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT


LPIA and its supervised persons should not accept gifts, favors, or other things of value that could influence its decision-making  or make it feel beholden  to a third party. LPIA and its supervised persons should also not offer gifts, favors, or other things of value that could be viewed as overly generous or aimed at influencing  decision-making  or making a third party feel beholden  to LPIA.


The term “gift” includes the giving or receipt of gratuities, merchandise, service, and the enjoyment or use of property  or facilities for personal use.  The term “gift” includes meals, tickets to events and other entertainment that does not qualify as “business entertainment.”


“Business entertainment” is considered part of a business relationship and occurs when LPIA’s supervised person is in the presence of a third party (either when the third party is being entertained  by the supervised person or vice versa).  If LPIA’s supervised person and the third party contact do not both plan to be present, the item will be considered a gift.



1.6.1

Gift Policy


•   Annual Limit : Supervised persons are permitted to give gifts to a third party, or accept gifts from a third party, so long as their aggregate  annual value does not exceed the equivalent of $100 USD. To determine  an item’s value, supervised persons should use the higher of cost, face, or market value (i.e., what it would cost to purchase on the open market).


•   Holiday Exception : During the “holiday season” (defined as the third Thursday in November  through January 5th of the following  year) it may be customary for persons or entities with which LPIA conducts business to send various food items (including wine) to firms and its supervised persons.  It is not necessary to report such food items during the holiday season or include their value in the annual limit.


•   Personal Relationships : Gifts offered or received in connection  with a bona fide personal relationship are excluded from this policy (e.g., personal gift given in recognition of a life event, such as a baby or wedding  gift, etc.).


•   Cash : Under no circumstances should cash or cash equivalents (e.g., gift certificates, etc.) be given to or accepted from a third party.


•   Exceptions : If a supervised person believes that it is appropriate to give or receive a gift with a value exceeding the $100 USD annual limit, he or she must obtain written approval from the CCO before (whenever feasible) the gift is given or received.



1.6.2

Entertainment  Policy


•   Acceptable  Entertainment :  Entertainment  involving personnel associated with third parties may only be used to foster and promote  business relationships. Supervised persons may attend business meals, business related conferences, sporting  events and other entertainment events at the expense of the giver, so long as the expense is reasonable and both the supervised person(s) and the giver are present. Such entertainment may also be provided  by LPIA’s supervised persons.


•   Travel : Supervised persons may not accept or offer air transportation, hotel or other accommodations  without  obtaining  prior written approval from the CCO.


•   Reporting : Business entertainment given to or received from a third party must be reported  if the aggregate  annual value of such entertainment exceeds the equivalent of $500 USD.


•   Personal Relationships : Entertainment  offered or received in connection  with a bona fide personal relationship is excluded from this policy (e.g., dinner at the home of a long-time personal friend).



1.7

PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY  OF CLIENT INFORMATION



1.7.1

Regulation S-P


As a registered investment adviser, LPIA and all supervised persons, must comply with SEC Regulation S-P, which requires investment advisers to adopt policies and procedures to protect the “non-public personal information” of natural person clients. “Non-public information”, under Regulation S-P, includes personally identifiable financial information  and any list, description  or grouping that is derived from personally identifiable financial information.  Personally identifiable financial information  is defined to include information  resulting from transactions and any information  obtained  in providing products or services. Pursuant to Regulation S-P, LPIA has adopted policies and procedures to safeguard the information  of natural person clients.


LPIA is also is required to provide “clear and conspicuous” notices reflecting  its privacy policies and procedures to a natural person client initially at the time a relationship is established and annually thereafter. The initial notice must be provided  at the time such client enters into an investment management agreement.



1.7.2

Privacy Notice


LPIA’s Privacy Notice will include, at a minimum, the following:


1.   A general description  of its policies and procedures to protect  the confidentiality, security and integrity  of customers’ non-public  personal information;


2.   Categories of customers non-public  personal information  collected;


3.   Categories of customers non-public  personal information  disclosed;


4.   If applicable,  categories of affiliates or non-affiliated third parties that may receive the information;  and


5.   If applicable,  an explanation of a customer’s right to opt out and the method  used to exercise that right.


In certain circumstances, LPIA is permitted to share client non-public  personal information with nonaffiliated  third parties without providing the client notice of and an opportunity to opt out. Such circumstances include sharing information:


1.   With a non-affiliate  if necessary to effect, administer, or enforce a transaction that a client requests or authorizes.


2.   In connection with processing or servicing a financial product  or service a client authorizes.

3.   In connection with maintaining  or servicing the customer’s account with the institution. Under these exceptions, LPIA does not need to provide the client the opportunity to opt

out before sharing the client’s nonpublic  personal information.


The CCO will be responsible for training supervised persons and making sure everyone is aware of and complies with LPIA’s privacy policies and procedures. The CCO is also responsible for maintaining  a Privacy Notice for natural person clients and all required records pertaining  to such document.  Client Services will be responsible for ensuring that all natural person clients receive the initial delivery and annual delivery of respective Privacy Notices.



1.7.3

Confidential  Client Information


In the course of investment advisory activities of LPIA, LPIA gains access to non-public information  about its clients. Such information  may include a person’s status as a client, personal financial and account information,  the allocation of assets in a client portfolio, the composition of investments in any client portfolio, information  relating to services performed  for or transactions entered into on behalf of clients, and data or analyses derived from such non-public  personal information  (collectively referred to as “Confidential Client Information”).


A LL C ONF I D E N T I A L C LIE N T I NFO R M A T I O N , WHE T H E R  R E L A T I N G T O   LPI A CURR E N T O R FORMER C L I ENTS , IS S U B J E C T T O  T H E C ODE ’ S  POL I C I ES A N D PROC E DUR E S . A NY DOU B T S ABO UT T HE CON F I D E N T I ALI T Y O F I N F O R M ATI O N MUS T B E R E S O L V E D I N  FAV O R  O F CON F I DEN T I ALI T Y .



1.7.4

Non-Disclosure of Confidential  Client Information


All information  regarding  LPIA clients is confidential.  Information  may only be disclosed when the disclosure is consistent with LPIA policy and the client’s direction.  LPIA does not share Confidential  Client Information  with any third parties, except in the following  circumstances:


•  As necessary to provide services that the client requested or authorized, or to maintain and service the client’s account. LPIA will require that any financial intermediary,  agent or other service provider utilized by LPIA (such as broker-dealers or sub-advisers) comply with substantially similar standards for the non-disclosure and protection of Confidential  Client Information  and use of information  provided  by LPIA only for the performance of the specific service requested by LPIA.


•  As required by regulatory authorities or law enforcement  officials who have jurisdiction over LPIA, or as otherwise required by any applicable  law. In the event LPIA is compelled  to disclose Confidential  Client Information,  LPIA shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, provide prompt  notice to the clients affected, so that the clients may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. If no protective  order or other appropriate remedy is obtained,  LPIA shall disclose only such information,  and only in such detail, as is legally required.


•  To the extent reasonably necessary to prevent fraud, unauthorized transactions or liability.



1.7.5

Responsibilities of Supervised Persons Regarding Confidential  Client Information


A LL S U P E R V I S E D P E RSON S  A RE PROH I BITED , EITHER D U RIN G O R  A FTER THE TERMI N A TIO N  O F THEIR  EMPLO YMENT W I TH LPI A , FROM D I SCL O SIN G C ONF I D E N T I A L C LIE N T I NFO R M A T I O N  T O  A NY P E RSON O R ENTITY  O U TSIDE LPI A , INC L U D ING F A M ILY MEMBE R S , EXCEPT U N D ER THE C I R CUMS T ANCES DES CRI B E D ABO V E .



A supervised person is permitted to disclose Confidential  Client Information  only to such other supervised persons who need to have access to such information  to deliver LPIA services to the client.


A supervised person, upon termination  of their employment with LPIA, must return all copies in their possession of documents containing  Confidential  Client Information  to LPIA.


Any supervised person who violates the non-disclosure policy described above will be subject to disciplinary action, including  possible termination,  whether or not he or she benefitted from the disclosed information.



1.7.6

Security of Confidential  Client Information


LPIA enforces the following  policies and procedures to protect  the security of Confidential Client Information:


•  LPIA restricts access to Confidential  Client Information  to those access persons who need to know such information  to provide LPIA’s services to clients;


•  Any supervised person who is authorized to have access to Confidential  Client Information  in connection  with the performance of such person’s duties and responsibilities is required to keep such information  in a secure compartment, file or receptacle on a daily basis as of the close of each business day;


•  All electronic or computer  files containing  any Confidential  Client Information  shall be password secured and firewall protected from access by unauthorized persons;


•  Any conversations involving Confidential  Client Information,  if appropriate at all, must be conducted  by supervised persons in private, and care must be taken to avoid any unauthorized persons overhearing or intercepting such conversations.



1.7.7

Security Breach


Supervised Persons should report any suspicious or unauthorized use of client information to the CCO. The CCO will be responsible for conducting  a reasonable investigation  to determine  whether a security breach occurred and the likelihood  of the information  being misused.


In the event of a security breach, LPIA will assess the breach and identify which systems and the types of information  that were compromised.  LPIA will then take steps to contain and control the breach and to prevent further unauthorized access or use. LPIA will also, if required, provide notice of the breach to clients, the SEC, or the proper state securities authority.


The CCO will prepare and archive a report of each security breach including  when the breach occurred, the information  stolen, and an explanation of the steps taken to prevent a reoccurrence of the breach.



1.7.8

Document Disposal


Consistent with LPIA’s goal of safeguarding client non-public  personal information,  LPIA has established a policy to specifically address the methods by which such information  will be properly  disposed. It is LPIA’s policy to undertake reasonable measures to protect  the unauthorized  access or use of client non-public  personal information  in connection  with its disposal. To that end, LPIA has established the following  procedures relative to the disposal of client information:


•  All hard copy records containing  client information  shall be transferred to a format that cannot practicably be read or reconstructed  (e.g., through  burning, pulverizing or shredding of papers, etc.).


•  All client information  stored on electronic media shall be erased such that the information  cannot practicably be read or reconstructed.


•  Whenever LPIA engages a third-party  service provider for assistance with client information  disposal procedures, or enters into a business relationship with a third-party service provider that is engaged in the business of record destruction,  the CCO shall perform due diligence  relative to the service provider’s privacy policies and procedures.


•  All unnecessary documents containing  information  that could reasonably be used to identify a client, employee or vendor, irrespective of source, use, or content shall be disposed of using clearly marked shredding receptacles.


This disposal policy is a necessary component of LPIA’s safeguarding rule established pursuant to Regulation S-P. Any questions pertaining  to the safeguard, destruction,  or retention of client information  should be directed  to LPIA’s CCO prior to any action being taken which may result in violation.



1.7.9

Inadvertent Document Display


It is important to keep confidential  documents from being inadvertently  seen by visitors to the office. Client documents must not be left unattended  in public areas, such as on the fax machine, in printer trays, on counter tops or filing cabinets, or in conference rooms. Care should also be taken to clear desks and workspaces of client information  when not in use, or when visitors are expected.



1.7.10      Enforcement and Review of Confidentiality and Privacy Policies


The CCO is responsible for reviewing, maintaining  and enforcing LPIA’s confidentiality and privacy policies and is also responsible for conducting appropriate employee training to ensure adherence to these policies. Any exceptions to this policy require the prior written approval of the CCO.



1.8

TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST PRIVACY POLICY


This manual hereby incorporates the Trust Privacy Policy as it pertains to LPIA’s role as adviser to Registered Funds. The Two Roads Trust Policies and Procedures manual is available to any supervised person upon request. Any suspected violation of Trust Privacy Policy or LPIA’s privacy policy must be reported  immediately  to the CCO.



1.9

OUTSIDE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES



1.9.1

Approval to Engage in Investment-Related Outside Business Activities


Employment  in an investment-related outside business activity may result in a conflict of interest with LPIA and therefore must be reviewed and approved  by the CCO prior to the supervised person engaging  in that outside activity.


Before engaging  in an investment-related outside business activity, supervised persons must provide the Chief Compliance Officer with the following  information:


1.   The supervised person’s name;


2.   Name of the other business or organization;


3.   Address of the other activity;


4.   Nature of the other activity;


5.   Position, title, or relationship with the other activity;


6.   Start date of the relationship;


7.   Approximate number of hours per month devoted  to the other activity;


8.   Number of hours devoted  during securities trading hours, and;


9.   Brief description  of the responsibilities  of the outside activity.


Certain outside business activities of investment adviser representatives must be disclosed on that person’s U4. In addition,  certain outside business activities must also be reported  on LPIA’s Form ADV. LPIA maintains final discretion to approve or reject all outside business activities.





1.9.2

 Reporting Certain Types of Outside Activity


T HE F O L L O W I N G ACTI V I T IES  M U S T B E REPORTED BY A SUPERVISE D P E R S O N  T O  T H E CCO PRIO R  TO ENG A G I N G I N  THE A C TIVITY :



•  Being employed  or compensated  by any other entity;


•  Being active in any other business including  part-time,  evening or weekend employment;


•  Serving as an officer, director, partner, or some other similar capacity for any other entity;


•  Ownership interest in any non-publicly  traded company or other private investments; or


•  Any public speaking or writing activities that are conducted  outside of a supervised person’s employment or responsibilities  with LPIA.





S UPE R V I S E D P E R S O N S  ARE REQU I RED TO SIG N  A ND R E T U R N  A N   A NNUA L C OMP L I A N C E P ROG RAM C ERTIFIC A TIO N  FORM TO THE CCO THA T I N C L U D ES THE SUPERVISED PERSON ’ S ATT E S T ATI O N  R E G ARD I N G T H E E X I S T E NCE O F A NY O U T S I DE B U S I NES S  ACTI V I T I E S .



1.9.3

Prohibited  Activities


T HE FOLLOWING OUTSIDE BUSINESS  ACTIVITIES ARE NOT PERMITTED BY LPIA ( UNLESS A WRITTEN  EXCEPTION  IS PROVIDED BY THE CCO) .


•  Employment  with another investment adviser.


•  Employment  with a bank.


•  Employment  with a real estate development firm.


•  Employment  with an insurance company.


•  Membership  with an Investment Club.




1.10   

SERVICE AS AN OFFICER OR DIRECTOR


No access person shall serve as an Officer or on the Board of Directors of any publicly or privately traded company or ETF or mutual fund (excluding affiliates of LPIA) without  the prior written authorization of both the CCO and the CEO. Approval will be based upon a determination that any such board service or officer position  would be consistent with the interests of LPIA clients. Where board service or an officer position  is approved,  LPIA shall implement  a “Chinese Wall” or other appropriate procedure  to isolate such person from making decisions relating to the securities of the company, ETF or mutual fund and any derivatives related thereto.



1.11    POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS


SEC Rule 206(4)-5 under the Advisers Act addresses political contributions by certain investment advisers.


First, the Rule prohibits  an investment adviser from providing advisory services for compensation,  either directly or through  a pooled  investment vehicle, for two years if the investment adviser or certain of its supervised persons have made a political  contribution to an individual in a position  to influence the award of a management contract.


There is a de minimis exception  to this rule which allows for individuals to contribute up to

$350 to a candidate per election if the contributor is allowed to vote for the candidate and up to

$150 per candidate per election if the contributor is not allowed to vote for the candidate

(referred to in this section as the “de minimis amounts”).


Second, the Rule prohibits  investment advisers from paying any third party solicitor, unless the third party solicitor is a regulated  person, such as an SEC registered broker-dealer  or registered investment adviser, who will be subject to similar pay-to-play restrictions, or is an executive officer, general partner, managing member (or, in each case, a person with a similar status or function), or employee of the investment adviser.


Finally, the Rule prohibits  an investment adviser and certain of its supervised persons from soliciting or coordinating any person or political  action committee  to make a contribution to an official of a government  entity to which the investment adviser is providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services or payment to a political  party of a state or locality where the investment adviser is providing or seeking to provide investment advisory services to a government  entity.



1.11.1      New Employee Reporting Requirement


S UPE R V I S E D P ERSON S  W I L L PROV I D E A L I S T O F A N Y POL I TIC A L C ONT R I B U T I ONS M A D E IN  T H E P R IOR  24 MON T H S  A S  P A R T O F T H E N EW EMPLO YEE PROC E DUR E S . I F THE S UPE R V I S E D P ERSON (N EW E MPL O Y E E )  IND ICA T E S  A C O N T R IBU TIO N  H A S  B EEN M A D E , THE CCO WIL L D O C U M E N T T H E C O NTR I B U T I O N  A ND I NFO R M T H E CEO .


Request for Approval of Political Contributions


Supervised persons of LPIA are only allowed to make a contribution to an elected official or candidate is such contribution is NOT in excess of the de minimis amounts described above.


I F A SUPERVI SED PERSON W I S H E S  T O  M A K E A P OLI T I C A L C ONT R I B U T I O N  I N  EXCESS O F THE D E M I N I M I S  AMO UNT DES CRI B E D A B O V E , THE I N D I VID U A L M U ST OBT A I N  A P P R OVA L FROM THE C HIE F C OMP L I A N C E O FFIC ER PRIO R  TO M A K I NG T H E C O NTR I B U T I O N .


Compliance Monitoring of Political Contributions


The CCO will perform a search for any contributions made by Supervised Persons of LPIA each quarter and report ANY contributions made to the CEO (including de minimis amounts).



1.12    RECORDS


The Chief Compliance Officer shall maintain and cause to be maintained in a readily accessible place the following  records:


•  A copy of any Code adopted  by LPIA which is or has been in effect during the past six years;


•  A record of any violation of the Code and any action that was taken as a result of such violation for a period of six years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred;


•  A record of all written acknowledgements of receipt of the Code and amendments thereto for each person who is currently, or within the last six years was, an access person, which shall be retained for six years after the individual ceases to be an access person of LPIA;


•  A copy of each report made pursuant to Rule 204A-1 of the Advisers Act, including  any brokerage confirmations  and account statements made in lieu of these reports;


•  A copy of each report made pursuant to Rule 17j-1(d) or record made pursuant to Rule

17j-1(f) under the 1940 Act;


•  A list of all persons who are, or within the preceding  six years have been, access persons; and


•  A record of any decision and reasons supporting such decision to approve an access person’s acquisition of securities in IPOs and limited  offerings within the past six years after the end of the fiscal year in which such approval is granted.





1.13    REPORTING VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF ETHICS AND SANCTIONS


All supervised persons shall promptly report to the CCO all apparent violations of the Code. Any retaliation  for the reporting of a violation under this Code will constitute  a violation of the Code.


The CCO shall promptly report to the CEO, and/or other senior management as directed, all apparent material violations of the Code. When the CCO finds that a violation otherwise reportable  to the CEO could not be reasonably found to have resulted in a fraud, deceit, or a manipulative  practice in violation of Section 206 of the Advisers Act and/or Rule 17j-1(b) under the 1940 Act, the CCO may, in his/her own discretion, submit a written memorandum  of such finding  and the reasons therefor to a reporting file created for this purpose in lieu of reporting the matter to the CEO.


The CEO shall consider reports made to him/her hereunder and shall determine  whether or not the Code of Ethics has been violated and what sanctions, if any, should be imposed. Possible sanctions may include reprimands, monetary fine or assessment, or suspension or termination  of the supervised person’s position  with LPIA.


If any supervised person believes the CCO has violated any provision of the Code of Ethics, he or she should immediately  report those concerns to the CEO (who will retain outside counsel to advise LPIA). If any supervised person believes the CEO has violated any provision of the Code of Ethics, he or she should immediately  report those concerns to the CCO and to the President (who will retain outside counsel to advise LPIA).



1.13.1      Whistleblower  and Anti-Retaliation  Policy


I T I S  THE RESPON SIB I L ITY O F A L L P E R S O N N E L TO C O M PLY W I TH THE C ODE A N D T O REPORT  VIO L A TIO N S  O R  SUSPECTED  V I O L A TIO N S  IN  A C C O R D A N C E  W ITH  T HE W HIS T L E B L O W E R  P OLI C Y .


If you know of or suspect a violation of applicable  laws or regulations, the Code, or any of LPIA’s related policies, you must immediately  report that information  to the CCO.


Alleged  misconduct includes, but is not limited  to:


Ø?  Allegations of breach of confidentiality


Ø?  Theft


Ø?  Fraud


Ø?  Misappropriation or misuse of funds or securities


Ø?  Forgery


Ø?  Unsuitable investments


Ø?  Misrepresentation


Ø?  Unauthorized trading


Ø?  Other inappropriate financial dealings


Investigations of Suspected Violations


All reported  violations will be promptly investigated  by the CCO. The CCO will document the investigation  and any remedial actions taken.  Reports of violations or suspected violations will be kept confidential  to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate investigation.



1.13.2      Anti- retaliation


N O  DIRECTOR , OFFICER  OR EMPLOYEE OR OTHER PERSONNEL WHO IN GOOD FAITH REPORTS A VIOLATION OF THE C ODE SHALL SUFFER HARASSMENT, RETALIATION  OR ADVERSE EMPLOYMENT CONSEQUENCE . AN EMPLOYEE WHO  RETALIATES  AGAINST A PERSON WHO  HAS  REPORTED  A VIOLATION IN  GOOD FAITH IS  SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINE UP TO   AND INCLUDING TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT .



1.14    CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES



1.14.1      Initial Certification


A LL S U P E R V I S E D P E R S O N S  W I L L B E PROV I D ED W ITH A C O P Y O F T H E C ODE A N D M U S T INITIAL L Y C E R T IFY IN WRI T I N G T O  T H E CCO THA T THEY H A VE :


•  Received a copy of the Code;


•  Read and understood  all provisions of the Code;


•  Agreed to abide by the Code; and


•  Reported all account holdings as required by the Code.



1.14.2      Acknowledgment of Amendments


A LL S U P E R V I S E D P E R S O N S  SHA L L RECEIV E A N Y AME N D M E N T S  T O  T HE C ODE A N D M U S T CER T I F Y T O  T HE CCO IN W R ITING T H A T T H E Y HAVE :


•  Received a copy of the amendment;


•  Read and understood  the amendment;  and


•  Agreed to abide by the Code as amended.



1.14.3      Annual Certification


A LL S U P E R V I S E D P E R S O N S  M U ST A N N U A L L Y C ERTIFY  IN W R ITING T O  T H E CCO THA T THEY H A VE :


•  Read and understood  all provisions of the Code;


•  Complied  with all requirements of the Code; and


•  Submitted  all holdings and transactions reports as required by the Code.



1.14.4      Further Information


Any and all supervised persons should contact the CCO directly regarding  any inquiries pertaining  to the Code or the policies established herein. Under circumstances where this Code requires a supervised person to provide a report or obtain approval from the CCO, the CCO will provide such reports and obtain approval from the CEO or his designee.




Defined Terms:




Beneficial Ownership


Definition of Access Person


Definition of Material Communication


Entertainment Reports


Notice to Clients of Privacy Breach


Pre-Approval of Outside Business Activities


Pre-Approval to Serve as an Officer or Director of Another Company


Pre-Approval of Political Gifts


Pre-Clearance Requirements


Prohibition Against Insider Trading


Prohibition Against Disclosure of Client Information


Prohibition Against Certain Outside Business Activities


Reportable Security


Restricted Lists


Requirement to Report Access to Material,  Non-Public Information


Requirement to Seek Pre-Clearance Requirement to Disclose Initial Holdings Requirement to Disclose Annual Holdings Requirement to Disclose Quarterly Transaction Requirement to Disclose Gifts

Requirement to Report Political Contributions Requirement to Disclose Outside Business Activities Requirement to Report Violations of Code of Ethics Required Certification of Code of Ethics




EXHIBIT C


RE DWOOD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC CODE OF ETHICS

DATED September, 2013


This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) applies to all Access Persons, as defined in Section 1(a) below, of Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“RIM” or the “Firm”). This Code supersedes all previous versions of RIM’s Code.


1.    Definitions


(a)   Access Person ” means, for the purposes of the Code, all officers, directors and employees of the Firm and any other person(s) that the Firm may deem from time to time to be an access person.


(b) Beneficial Ownership” means any interest in a security for which an Access Person can directly or indirectly receive a monetary benefit, which may include the right to buy or

sell a security, to direct the purchase or sale of a security, or to vote or direct the voting of a security ( see Appendix 1 of this section for Examples of Beneficial Ownership ).  Note: This broad definition of “beneficial ownership” does not necessarily apply for purposes

of other securities laws or for purposes of estate or income tax reporting or liability.  An

employee may declare that the reporting or recording of any securities transaction should not be construed as an admission that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security for other purposes.


(c)  “Exchange Traded Funds” (“ETFs”) are shares of ownership in either a fund, unit investment trusts or depository receipts that hold portfolios of common stocks that closely track the performance and dividend yield of specific indices.


(d) “Exempt Transactions” means any transaction exempt from the pre-clearance, holding and/or reporting requirements under the Code. Such transactions are still subject to the Code of Ethics, and may still be reviewed by the CCO.


(e)  “Federal Securities Laws” means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as it applies to fund and investment advisers, Title V of

the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, any rules adopted by the SEC under any of these statutes and any rules adopted thereunder by the SEC, Department of Labor or the Department of Treasury.


(f)   Initial Public Offering ” means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.


(g)  “Limited Offering” means an offering that is exempt from registration under the

Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to section 4(2) or section 4(6) (15 U.S.C. 77d(2) or

77(d)(6)) or pursuant to 230.504, 230.505, or 230.506 of this chapter.


(h) Personal Account” means every account for which an Access Person may directly or indirectly influence or control the investment decisions of the account and otherwise be deemed to have Beneficial Ownership. This typically includes, but may not be limited to, accounts of (a) any Access Person, (b) the spouse of such Access Person, (c) any children living in the same household of such Access Person, and/or (d) any other person residing in the same household of such Access Person, if such Access person has a beneficial interest in such account(s). Each of the above accounts is considered a personal account

of the Access Person.


(i)  “Prohibited Transactions” means a personal securities transaction prohibited by this Code.


(j)   Purchase or sale of a security ” means the buying or selling of any stock and includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a security or the purchase or sale of a security that is exchangeable for or convertible into a security.


(k) Reportable Fund”   means (i) any fund for which the Firm serves as an investment adviser as defined in section 2(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940; or (ii) any fund whose investment adviser or principal underwriter controls the Firm, is controlled by the Firm, or is under common control with the Firm.  For purposes of this section, control has the same meaning as it does in section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act.


(l)  “Restricted Securities” means Covered Securities that have been identified by the CCO as securities that are under consideration for either purchase or sale in client portfolios or being actively traded in client portfolios.


(m) “Secondary Offering” means an offering of securities of a publicly traded company that prior to the offering were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


(n) “Securities” or “Covered Securities” means securities that are covered by the Code.

Such covered securities include, but are not necessarily limited to:

Equity securities including common and preferred stock, which do not fall within the Exempted Transactions listed in section 4(b)(1) below;

Restricted Securities;

Corporate and Municipal bonds;

Exchange Trade Funds;

Reportable Funds;

Investments convertible into, or exchangeable for, stock or debt securities;

Any derivative instrument relating to any of the above securities, including options, warrants and futures; and

Any interest in a partnership investment in any of the foregoing.


2.    Fiduciary Obligations and Ethical Principles


The Firm and its Access Persons have an ongoing fiduciary responsibility to the Firm’s clients and must ensure that the needs of the clients always come first. The Firm holds its Access Persons to a very high standard of integrity and business practices. In serving its clients, the Firm and its Access Persons must at all times deal with clients in an honest and ethical manner and comply with all the Federal and State Securities Laws.



While affirming its confidence in the integrity and good faith of its Access Persons, the Firm understands that the knowledge of present or future client portfolio transactions and the power to influence client portfolio transactions, if held by such individuals, places them in a position where their personal interests might become conflicted with the interests of the Firm’s clients. Such conflicts of interest could arise, for example, if securities are bought or sold for personal accounts in a manner that either competes with the purchase or sale of securities for clients results in an advantageous position for the personal accounts.


Because the Firm is a fiduciary to its clients, Access Persons must avoid actual and potential conflicts of interest with the Firm’s clients. Therefore, in view of the foregoing and in accordance with the provisions of Rule 204a-1 under the Investment Advisers Act and Rule

17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Firm has adopted this Code to outline and prohibit certain types of activities that are deemed to create conflicts of interest (or at least the potential for or the appearance of such a conflict) and to outline reporting requirements and enforcement procedures.


In addition, Access Persons must adhere to the following general principles as well as to the

Code’s specific provisions:


(a)

At all times, the interests of the Firm’s clients must come first;

(b)

Personal securities transactions must be conducted consistent with the Code in a manner that avoids any actual or potential conflict of interest; and

(c)

No inappropriate  advantage should ever be taken that is contrary to the Firm’s

responsibilities and duties to its clients.


3.    Unlawful Actions


It is unlawful for any Access Person:


(a)

To employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud a client;

(b)

To make any untrue statement of a material fact to any of the Firm’s clients or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to a client, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;

(c)

To engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would

operate as a fraud or deceit on a client; or

(d)

To engage in any manipulative practice with respect to a client.


4.   Information about Redwood


Redwood generally trades open-end mutual funds for its clients.   These funds price daily at their closing net asset value (“NAV”).   The fund family is the buyer and seller at that day’s closing NAV so long as the trade is placed prior to the close of market hours.  Fund family prospectuses give these fund families the right to reject trades, although it is extremely rare. Access Persons are encouraged to invest in Redwood’s strategies for all or a part of their accounts, without a conflict.


5.    Procedures regarding trading by Access Persons in Personal Accounts



(a)  Preclearance Approval:


i.   No Access Person may purchase or sell any IPO or Limited Offering without written pre-approval (via paper or email) by the CCO.  This includes secondary offerings and offerings made on the Internet, and any private placements..


ii.   At the discretion of the CCO and in accordance with the Firm’s written policy and procedures regarding aggregated block trades, Access Person transactions may be included in an aggregated block trade for clients, so long as it is in the same direction ( i.e., all buys or all sells), for the same security and requested on the same day the aggregated block trade takes place.


(b) Exempt Securities:


No Access Person shall be required to pre-clear or report transactions in the following securities :


Open-end mutual funds (this excludes closed-end mutual funds and ETFs which must be reported)

U.S. treasury bonds, treasury notes, treasury bills, U.S. Savings Bonds, and other instruments issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities

Debt instruments issued by a banking institution, such as bankers’ acceptances and bank certificates of deposit (this excludes corporate or high yield bonds which must be reported Commercial Paper

Repurchase agreements


(c) Exempt Transactions:


No Access Person shall be required to pre-clear the following transactions:


Transactions that take place in any Exempt Security (see 5b above);

Transactions that take place in an account where the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or control ( e.g. discretionary managed accounts)

Purchases that are part of an Automatic Reinvestment Plan


(d)   Market Timing Prohibited :  No Access Person shall engage in aggressive trading or market timing activities. For the purposes of the Code, "market timing" shall be defined as two round trips (2 purchase and 2 redemptions), regardless of size, of any Reportable Fund within a 30 day period, unless doing so would result in a substantial loss. Under this circumstance, the Access Person must obtain approval from the CCO or designee (or Managing Member in the case of the CCO) in advance of the sale of the Reportable Fund and provide a written detailed explanation of the hardship. Monthly, RIM will monitor the flow of shareholder money in and out of the Fund, watching for market timing.


(e)  Misuse of Non-Public Information :  No Access Person shall divulge or act upon any material, non-public information as such activity is defined hereto in Appendix 2: Redwood Investment Management, LLC Insider Trading Policies and Procedures , which are incorporated herein. Upon initial execution of this Code and annually thereafter, all Access Persons are required to read the Insider Trading Policies and Procedures, sign and date the acknowledgment of receipt and understanding form contained at the end of the section and send the executed form to the CCO within 15 days of receipt. See Appendix 3 for the Insider Trading Acknowledgement Form .


6.    Conflicts of Interest Issues


(a) Charitable Donations :  In order to avoid any potential or real conflicts of interests with clients, the Firm and its Access Persons are prohibited from making any type of charitable donation either directly or indirectly, to any non-affiliated charitable organization:


i.

That is a client or potential client of the Firm;

ii.

Where  a  donation  has  been  requested  by  a  client,  potential  client  or consultant.


Access Persons must report all charitable donations to the CCO within 10 days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the contribution was made. Access Persons must disclose the following information about each contribution:


i.

Name of charitable organization receiving the donation.

 

ii.     Amount and type of donation.

iii.

Date donation was made.


(b) Gifts: No Access Person shall accept or give any gift or other item (for the purpose of this Code “gifts” include but are not limited to cash, merchandise, prizes, travel expenses, entertainment tickets) of more than $500 in value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of the Firm. All gifts given and received must be reported to the CCO at the time the gift was given and/or received.  Meals, entertainment and travel in the presence of the person or entity that does or seeks to

do business with RIM are permitted outside the $500 limit, so long as reasonable, but must be reported to the CCO above $500 per person.  See Appendix 4 for Gift Reporting Form.


(c)  Service on Boards : No Access Person shall serve on the board of directors of a company, institution, endowment, charity, or any other organization without prior written authorization by the CCO. If board service is authorized, such Access Person shall at all times ensure that they have no role in making any type of investment decisions with respect to the company, unless otherwise approved by the CCO. To receive pre-clearance authorization for board service, please complete the Redwood Investment Management, LLC Outside Business Activities Form found in Appendix 5 .


Note: Should a written agreement with an Access Person state otherwise, then the Access Person is deemed to have prior written authorization of the CCO.


(d) Outside Business Activities : While associated with RIM, no Access Person will accept outside employment or receive outside compensation without completing Redwood Investment Management, LLC Outside Business Activities Form ( Appendix

5 ) and obtaining written pre-approval by the CCO.  (Please note: This procedure must be followed even if the outside activity is performed without receiving compensation.)


Note: Should a written agreement with an Access Person state otherwise, then the Access Person is deemed to have prior written authorization of the CCO so long as documentation of outside business activities are provided to Redwood’s CCO.


(e)  Volunteer Work :  While associated with RIM, no Access Person may be involved with any type of activity which may bring negative publicity to RIM or its affiliates.


7.

Reporting and Compliance Procedures


(a)  Brokerage Statements : All Access Persons shall complete the Outside Brokerage Account Form ( see Appendix 6 ) and otherwise provide all necessary information to the CCO so that the Firm may direct such broker(s) to send the CCO a copy of each trade confirmation and brokerage account statement generated for each of the Access Person’s Personal Brokerage Account(s) in which he/she has a beneficial interest.


(b)  Submission of Quarterly Reports :  In order for the Firm to monitor compliance with the Code, every Access Person shall be required to report to the CCO the information described below, or in the alternative, cause the Firm to receive or be provided with monthly and/or quarterly confirmations that contain the following information:


i.

The date of the transaction (either trade date or settlement date), the name of the Security, the symbol, the number of shares, the maturity date and/or the interest rate, if applicable, and the principal amount of each Security involved;

ii.

The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition);

iii.

The price of the Security at which the transaction was effected;

iv.

The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected; and

v.

The name and account number of the Personal Account.


For transactions in personal brokerage accounts for which RIM has not timely received a quarterly transaction report or statement, the Access Person is required to complete and submit Redwood Investment Management, LLC Personal Securities Transaction Report ( see Appendix 7 ) within 30 days following quarter-end.


(c)  Initial and Annual Holdings Reports: No later than 10 days after becoming an Access Person, and annually thereafter, each Access Person must submit to the CCO a report of his or her personal securities holdings in Redwood Investment Management, LLC Initial/Annual Holdings Report ; ( see Appendix 8 ).  The report must include the following information, which must be as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the report was submitted:


i.

The title and type of security, and as applicable the exchange ticker symbol

or CUSIP number, number of shares, and principal amount of each reportable security in which the Access Person has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership;



ii.

The name of the broker, dealer or bank with which the Access Person maintains an account in which the securities are held; and

iii.

The date the Access Person submits the report.


8.

Administration of the Code


(a)   The CCO will review all reports and other information submitted under this

Code. This review will include, but not be limited to: 1) an assessment of

whether the Access Person followed the required procedures, 2) an assessment of whether the Access Person has traded in the same securities as the Firm’s clients and if so, determining whether the client terms for the transactions were more favorable, 3) an assessment of any trading patterns that may indicate abuse, and

4) performing any other assessment that may be necessary to determine whether

there have been any violations of the Code.

(b) Access Persons are required to immediately report any potential violation or violation of this Code of which he or she becomes aware, to the CCO.  No Access Person will be sanctioned for reporting a potential violation or violation.


(c)   Each Access Person shall receive a copy of the Code annually and anytime the Code is amended. Upon receipt, each Access Person is required to read and understand the requirements of the Code and then submit to the CCO, the Code of Ethics Acknowledgment Form ( Appendix 9 ), which states that the Access Person has read, understands and agrees to abide by the Code. The Acknowledgment Form must be submitted no later than 30 days from the date of receipt of the Code and any amendments thereto.


9.    Violations of the Code


The CCO will assess whether any violation has occurred. If it is determined that a violation has occurred, the CCO and the Owner may impose such sanctions as deemed appropriate, including, but not limited to suspension of personal trading privileges for a period, disgorging of profits made by the violator, fines and/or dismissal from RIM.


10. Exceptions


The CCO may grant written exceptions to the provisions of the Code based on equitable considerations ( e.g., rapid markets, hardship, satisfaction of a court order, etc.). The exceptions may be granted to individuals or classes of individuals with respect to particular transactions, classes of transactions or all transactions, and may apply to past as well as future transactions, provided that no exception will be granted where the exceptions would result in

a violation of any Federal or State Securities Law.


11.   Record keeping Requirements


The CCO, will be responsible for maintaining the following records pertaining to the Code for a minimum of five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the information was obtained and/or in effect, the first two years on-site in an accessible place, with the exception of (c) below, which will be kept for five years after the individual ceases to be deemed an Access Person.



(a) A list of all of the Firm’s Access Persons, which will include every person who was deemed an Access Person at any time within the past five years, even if they are no longer deemed as such.


(b) Copies of the Code and all amendments thereto.


(c) Copies of all the written acknowledgments required in section 8(c) above submitted by each Access Person.


(d) A record of any violation of the Code and any action taken as a result of the violation. (e) Copies of each report submitted by an Access Person required in sections 7(b) above. (f) Copies of all brokerage statements submitted in accordance with section 6(a) above. (g) All pre-clearance decisions and the reasons supporting the decision.

(h) Copies of all written exceptions granted under section 9 above.


Any Access Person having questions relating to the Code should contact the CCO.



REDWOOD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC EXAMPLES OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP


Securities held by an Access Person for their own benefit, regardless of the form in which held;


Securities held by others for a Access Person’s benefit, such as securities held by custodians, brokers, relatives, executors or administrators;


Securities held by a pledge for an Access Person’s account;


Securities held by a trust in which an Access Person has an income or remainder interest, unless the Access Person’s only interest is to receive principal (a) if some other remainderman dies before distribution or (b) if some other person can direct by Will a distribution of trust property or income to the Access Person;


Securities held by an Access Person as trustee or co-trustee, where the Access Person or any member of their immediate family (i.e., spouse, children or their descendants, stepchildren, parents and their ancestors, and stepparents, in each case treating a legal adoption as a blood relationship) has an income or remainder interest in the trust;


Securities held by a trust of which the Access Person is the settler, if the Access Person has the power to revoke the trust without obtaining the consent of all the beneficiaries;


Securities held by a general or limited partnership in which the Access Person is either

the general partner of such partnership or a controlling partner of such entity (e.g., Access

Person owns more than 25% of the partnership’s general or limited partnership interests);


Securities held by a personal holding company controlled by a Access Person alone or jointly with others;


Securities held in the name of minor children of a Access Person or in the name of any relative of a Access Person or of their spouse (including an adult child) who is presently sharing the Access Person’s home;


Securities held in the name of any person other than a Access Person and those listed above, if by reason of any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement, or other arrangement the Access Person obtains benefits equivalent to those of ownership; and


Securities held in the name of any person other than an Access Person, even though the Access Person does not obtain benefits equivalent to those of ownership (as described above), if the Access Person can vest or re-vest title in himself.





REDWOOD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC INSIDER TRADING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES


The Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988 (“1988 Act”) further extends the safeguards of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as it pertains to "insider trading."


An "insider" is a person with access to material key information about a publicly traded company before it is announced to the public. Typically, the term refers to corporate officers, directors and key employees, but may be extended to include relatives and/or others in a position to capitalize on insider information. Additionally, persons may be characterized as "temporary" or "constructive" insiders if they have access to material non-public information for a legitimate purpose in the context of a transaction for a particular company. Examples include, but are not limited to accountants, attorneys and even printers who print financial information.


"Insider Information" describes material non-public information regarding corporate events that have not yet been made public. For example, the officers of a Firm know in advance if the company is about to be acquired or if the latest earning report is going to differ significantly from information previously released. If information reasonably influences the purchase, sale or market value of a company's securities and such information has not yet been publicized in a widely used medium,

then it is considered insider information.


The Firm’s employees are prohibited from acting upon material non-public information. The 1988

Act authorizes civil penalties of up to three times the profit gained or lost for trades which were based on inside information. Criminal liability may result in a fine of up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment.


A.  POLICIES


In working with clients, Access Persons may receive insider information. For instance, a client may be an officer or director of a Firm that is undergoing material structural changes, or perhaps clients may be “temporary insiders” due to contact with corporate officers or directors. Access Persons are prohibited from using inside information when placing any trades of securities for clients. Furthermore, Access Persons may not transact any trades for their own accounts or for the benefit of any third-party clients based upon such information.


If an Access Person is unsure or suspects that he/she may have obtained or may be perceived to have obtained insider information, please notify the CCO.


B.  PROCEDURES


Any Access Person who becomes aware of information, which could be classified as material, non- public information, should immediately advise the CCO.  In addition, if inside information is received the CCO will place that security on the Firm’s restricted list.


Be sure that insider information is not communicated (or tipped) in any way.






RE DW O O D I NVE S T M E NT M ANAG E M E NT , L L C INSIDER TRADING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM

AND

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE






___________________________________

NAME (PLEASE PRINT)


1.    Redwood Investment Management, LLC Insider Trading Policies and Procedures (“Insider Trading Policy”) updated as of September, 2013, has been provided to me for my review.


2.   I certify that I have read and understand the Insider Trading Policy and will comply with these policies and procedures during the course of my association with RIM.


3.   I agree to promptly report to the CCO any violation, or possible violation, of the Insider

Trading Policy of which I became aware.


4.   I understand that violation of the Insider Trading Policy will be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal and may also be a violation of federal and/or state securities laws.





____________________________________

SIGNATURE




____________________________________

DATE












Redwood Investment Management, LLC

Date:




Gift Reporting Form

Submitted by:

 

Name

Relationship

With

Person(s)

Description of

Gift(s)

Estimated

Value

Giving or

Receiving

Reason for

Gift

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



RE DW O O D I NVE S T M E NT M ANAG E M E NT , L L C OUTSIDE BUSINESS ACTIVITY APPROVAL FORM

Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“RIM”) requires its employees and Access Persons to report any outside employment/compensation other than through their affiliation with RIM.

Instructions: Please check all that apply:


1.

I understand that I must provide written documentation to RIM prior to accepting (a) any board position or assignment with a non-public entity (including any church, not-for- profit organization or college/university) where I am to serve in an investment-related position, (b) any type of board position regardless if investment related or not, and/or (c) any outside compensation while still employed or associated with RIM.  Should I have an agreement with Redwood that states this is acceptable, then that is deemed to be written documentation of approval by RIM.


2.

I understand that during my relationship with RIM, I will not engage in any activities with any other Investment Firms, defined as Registered Investment Advisors and/or Broker/Dealers.  Should I decide to engage in those services, I will promptly notify RIM and terminate my relationship with RIM 30 days prior to any paid relationship with any other Investment Firm.


3.

I have provided written documentation to the CCO of all outside employment and compensation other than through my employment at or association with RIM.


4.

I have provided written documentation to the CCO of all outside employment and compensation other than through my employment at or association with RIM.


5.

I have accepted a position or assignment with a non-public company for which I hold an investment related position:



(Name of Company)



(Title/Main Responsibilities)

(Start Date)


6.

I have accepted   outside employment (including a board position or assignment) and/or

 

I am receiving outside compensation while I am associated with RIM:



(Name of Company)



(Title/Position)

(Start Date)


7.

I have not accepted, but request permission to accept outside employment and/or compensation in addition to my employment at RIM:



(Name of Company)



(Title/Position)

(Start Date)


ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: I hereby certify that all information provided above is true and correct.




Signature:  

Date:  


Name (Print):  

Title:  


For Compliance Use Only:

Permission from Compliance has been   0 Granted   0 Denied for this Employee/Access Person to engage in outside business activity as outlined above.


Compliance Approval by:  


Date:  


REDWOOD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC OUTSIDE BROKERAGE ACCOUNTS REPORTING FORM


Instructions. Please provide the following information for each securities account you hold at an institution outside of Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“RIM”). If you have no such accounts outside of RIM, mark the appropriate box below, print your name and return the form as instructed. RIM will send a letter of authorization to each custodian permitting the account to be maintained and requesting that copies of duplicate statements be provided to RIM. Any questions should be directed to the CCO. If you have more than three outside brokerage accounts to report, please use additional forms.


1. Please Check one:    o   Employee

o Investment Advisory Representative

o Temporary Personnel



Name

IAR ID Number

Telephone Number


2.    o Add Account

o Remove Account

o Existing Account



Account Registration

Account Number



Name and Address of Financial Institution



Account Type (e.g. Custodial, Roth IRA)

Relationship to you



3.    o Add Account

o Remove Account

o Existing Account



Account Registration

Account Number



Name and Address of Financial Institution



Account Type (e.g. Custodial, Roth IRA)

Relationship to you



4.    o Add Account

o Remove Account

o Existing Account


Account Registration

Account Number



Name and Address of Financial Institution



Account Type (e.g. Custodial, Roth IRA)

Relationship to you


5. Acknowledgement and Certification. I acknowledge that the above list represents all outside securities accounts in which I have direct or indirect beneficial interest as defined in RIM’s Code of Ethics. I hereby acknowledge that I have received a copy of RIM’s Code of Ethics. I further acknowledge that it is my responsibility to read, understand and comply by the policies outlined in RIM’s Code of Ethics.


o By marking this box, I have acknowledged and agreed to the statement above.

o I do not have any securities account held at an institution outside of RIM.



Signature

Date


Print Name

Title/Affiliation







Code of Ethics – Appendix 7


RE DWOOD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT , LLC

Submitted By:

QUARTERLY PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTION REPORT

Date:



No Trades to Report:



Account Name


Acct

#


Full Security Name


Ticker Symbol/ CUSIP

Date

Of Transactio n

Transaction

Type: Buy/Sell Short/Long


No. of

Shares

Broke

r- Dealer Used

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


REDWOOD INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC INITIAL/ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORT



Annual Holdings Declaration


Redwood Investment Management, LLC mandates each Access Person to complete this declaration of personal securities holdings within 30 days of receipt.   The Access Person must declare:  1) all personal securities holdings owned by the Access Person as of the date of this declaration, including securities in accounts where the Access Person is listed as a joint owner, beneficiary or has control over the account (such as a trustee), and 2) securities owned by the Access Person’s immediate family members living in the same household.


Date: ______________



I,

declare that the following is a complete list of the securities

held by me, including all securities in accounts where I am a beneficiary and/or exercise control, and my immediate family members that live in my household as of the end of calendar year

_____.


In lieu of listing each security, I am attaching a copy of each account statement, which lists the securities I am required to declare and includes all required information about each security as outlined in the RIM Code of Ethics.


Brokerage accounts:


Owner’s name:                                                                                      Brokerage Firm:                                                                                    Account number:                                                                                


Owner’s name:                                                                                      Brokerage Firm:                                                                                    Account number:                                                                                


Owner’s name:                                                                                      Brokerage Firm:                                                                                    Account number:                                                                                


Owner’s name:                                                                                      Brokerage Firm:                                                                                    Account number:                                                                                


Partnerships:


Owner’s name:  

 Partnership:    


Owner’s name:  




Partnership:    


Owner’s name:  

 Partnership:    


Owner’s name:  

 Partnership:    



Securities Not Held in Any Account:


Owner’s name:                                                                                      Security:                                                                                                 Location:                                                                                              


Owner’s name:                                                                                      Security:                                                                                                 Location:                                                                                              


Owner’s name:                                                                                      Security:                                                                                                 Location:                                                                                              


Owner’s name:                                                                                      Security:                                                                                                 Location:                                                                                              








Signature and Date





Addendum


Types of Securities for Inclusion on Annual Holdings Declaration





College Savings Programs

If the program does not invest in any type of security and is not held at a brokerage Firm, it does not need to be reported.


Foundations

If the employee owns/created the foundation, it should be reported as an outside business activity, but not a security holding.  Donations to foundations or charities do not need to be reported. An employee should not donate to a foundation or charity in exchange for receiving business from

the foundation or charity.


Private Partnerships

Private partnerships and private funds need to be reported.


Real Estate

Ownership in real property does not need to be reported. Investments in REITs or private placements/funds that invest in real estate do need to be reported.


Annuities/Insurance Programs

The product needs to be reported only if it invests in securities.


401Ks

The holdings do not need to be reported if the 401K only invests in unaffiliated third party open end mutual funds.  If the 401K invests in any other type of security that is not considered “exempt”, then the holdings need to be reported.


IRA’s

IRA’s need to be reported if the account holds any type of reportable security.