As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2020

Registration No. 333-148723

Registration No. 811-22172

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No.

 

Post-Effective Amendment No.  (357)

 

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

 

 

Amendment No.  (358)

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(804) 267-7400

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

 

 The Corporation Trust Co.

Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange St., Wilmington, DE 19801

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

With Copy to:

John H. Lively

Practus, LLP

11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310

Leawood, KS 66211

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

 

 

immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b);

 

On __________ pursuant to paragraph (b);

 

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1);

 

on ____________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(1);

 

75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2); or

 

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

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

|  | This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Title of Securities Being Registered: shares of beneficial interest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MISSION-AUOUR RISK-MANAGED GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

 

PROSPECTUS

May 1, 2020

 

CLASS A SHARES

Ticker: OURAX

 

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES

Ticker: OURLX

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES

Ticker: OURIX

 

CLASS Z SHARES

Ticker: OURZX

 

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205

Richmond, Virginia 23235

 

This prospectus describes the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is authorized to offer four classes of shares, each of which are offered by this prospectus.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

 

 

 

 

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by calling or sending an email request. You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. You can inform the Fund or your financial intermediary that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling or sending an email request. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Funds held with the Mission Fund complex/your financial intermediary.

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

FUND SUMMARY 1
Investment Objective 1
Fees and Expenses 1
Portfolio Turnover 2
Principal Investment Strategies 3
Principal Risks 5
Performance Information 11
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser 13
Portfolio Managers 13
Purchase and Sale Of Fund Shares 14
Tax Information 14
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries 14
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FUND INVESTMENTS 14
Additional Information about Risk 15
THE INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISER 23
THE TRUST 28
HOW TO BUY SHARES 30
HOW TO SELL SHARES 33
Purchasing or Redeeming through a Financial Intermediary 36
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES 37
NET ASSET VALUE 39
FAIR VALUE PRICING 40
FREQUENT TRADING 41
GENERAL INFORMATION 43
DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS 45
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 50
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND 55

 

 

 

 

FUND SUMMARY

 

Investment Objective

 

The Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long term capital appreciation through exposure to global equity markets.

 

Fees and Expenses

 

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 if you or 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 in the section titled “Distribution Arrangements” in this prospectus and the section titled “Additional Information about Purchases and Sales” in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

 

Shareholder Transaction Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
  Class A
Shares
Investor Class
Shares
Institutional Class
Shares
Class Z
Shares
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a % of offering price) 5.75% None None None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None None None None

 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 
  Class A
Shares

Investor Class
Shares

Institutional Class
Shares

Class Z
Shares

Management Fee   0.60%     0.60%     0.60%     0.60%  
Distribution (12b-1) and Service Fees   0.25%     0.25%     0.00%     0.00%  
Other Expenses                        
   Shareholder Servicing Plan   0.15%     0.15%     0.09%     0.00%  
  Other Expenses   1.26%     1.25%     1.26%     1.27%  
Total Other Expenses   1.41%     1.40%     1.35%     1.27%  
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses   0.09%     0.09%     0.09%     0.09%  
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses   2.35%     2.34%     2.04%     1.96%  
Less Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (1)   (0.81%)     (0.80%)     (0.75%)     (0.75%)  

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (1) 

 

1.54% 

   

1.54% 

   

1.29% 

   

1.21% 

 
                         

 

1 

 

 

(1) Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC, dba Mission Funds Advisors (the “Adviser”), has entered into a written expense limitation agreement under which it has agreed to limit the total expenses of the Fund (exclusive of interest, distribution fees pursuant to Rule 12b-1 Plans, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses and dividend expense on short sales) to an annual rate of 1.20% of the average daily net assets of the Investor, Class A and Institutional Classes of shares of Fund and 1.12% of the Class Z shares. The Adviser may not terminate this expense limitation agreement prior to April 30, 2021. Each waiver and/or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within three years following the date such waiver and/or reimbursement was made, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and at the time the waiver or reimbursement is recouped.

 

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 effect of the Adviser’s agreement to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses is only reflected in the first year of each example shown below. 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 on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Share Class 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
Class A Shares $723 $1,193 $1,689 $3,048
Investor Class Shares $157 $654 $1,178 $2,615
Institutional Class Shares $131 $567 $1,029 $2,309
Class Z Shares $123 $543 $988 $2,225
         

Portfolio Turnover

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 26.35% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

2 

 

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) that invest in domestic and foreign (including emerging markets ): (i) equity securities of any market capitalization, including common stock, preferred stock, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and master limited partnerships (“MLPs”), (ii) fixed income securities of any credit quality, duration or maturity, including corporate bonds, high-yield bonds (also known as “junk bonds”), convertible bonds, treasuries and emerging markets bonds, and (iii) other income producing securities. The Fund may also invest in these types of securities through other exchange traded products, such as exchange traded notes (“ETNs”). The Fund may also utilize options on equity securities and levered and inverse ETFs for the purpose of managing risk associated with the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund’s investments in options would be limited to those tied to ETFs following large, broad-based equity indices such as SPY (S&P 500® Index) and EFA (MSCI EAFE Index). The primary purpose of investing in such options would be for hedging purposes and may include both the purchase and writing of options (for covered positions only). Writing of naked options is not being contemplated.

 

The Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities. For purposes of the foregoing investment requirement, the Fund considers any investment in an ETF to be an equity security. When the Fund invests in ETFs, it will consider the underlying investments in the ETFs for purposes of its 80% policy. The Fund may also invest directly in equity securities.

 

The Fund’s investment philosophy is focused on the three facets of investing that Auour (pronounced “our”) Investments, LLC (“Auour” or the “Sub-Adviser”) believes will drive performance: market participation, asset allocation, and total cost minimization.

 

Auour acts as the sub-adviser of the Fund. Auour uses an investment process called Regime-Based Investing. At the heart of Regime-Based Investing is the Sub-Adviser’s belief that market conditions will vary throughout the investment cycle and that the asset allocation should adjust accordingly.

 

The Sub-Adviser’s investment process is concentrated on determining the risk regime of the overall market and allocating the assets of the Fund to best match the regime. At the foundation of the process is an investment approach that blends fundamental investment principles with mathematics. In times of expected market duress, the intent is to reduce exposure to equity and fixed income markets through the use of cash positions, with the potential of a 100% cash position in extreme instances.

 

 

3 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1: Auour Regime Model

 

The Auour Regime Model™ (“ARM”™), a proprietary risk detection algorithm, resides within the investment process. It evaluates the market risk appetite using nine factors that Auour believes have predictive ability to aid in detecting enduring downturns. The nine factors can be grouped into four general categories: Valuation, Asset Interaction, Credit Market Behavior, and Momentum.

 

 

 

Figure 2: Components of ARM

 

4 

 

 

Based upon ARM™, market risk is categorized into one of five risk regimes with each regime having an asset allocation that optimizes to those factors that perform favorably in that particular regime. As an example, in the most aggressive risk regime, the Fund will have a higher percentage (relative to the Fund’s benchmark) of its assets in smaller company ETFs and emerging market funds. In certain extreme conditions, the Fund has the flexibility to move 100% into investment grade short term fixed income securities or money market instruments.

 

Though the ARM model is updated daily, the Sub-Adviser aims to rebalance the Fund on a monthly basis, or as market conditions warrant.

 

The Fund will normally hold between 10 and 20 securities, primarily ETFs, which the Sub-Adviser believes offer a broad exposure to the global equity markets. The allocation to any one security or ETF (other than to investment grade short term fixed income ETFs) is limited to 35% of the Fund’s assets calculated at the time of rebalancing.

 

Principal Risks

 

It is important that you closely review and understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and investment return will fluctuate based upon changes in the value of its portfolio securities. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, and the Fund could underperform other investments. There is no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Principal Risks described herein pertain to direct risks of making an investment in the Fund and/or risks of the ETFs in which the Fund will invest.

 

Market Risk. Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities in the Fund’s portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets, including fluctuation in interest rates, national and international economic conditions and general equity market conditions. Local, regional, and global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious diseases or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund’s investments.

 

Equity Risk. To the extent the Fund invests directly in equity securities or in exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) that invest in equity securities, the Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility, which is the principal risk of investing in the Fund.


5 

 

 

Dividend-Paying Securities Risk. Investing in dividend-paying securities subjects the Fund to certain risks. The company issuing such securities may fail and have to decrease or eliminate its dividend. In such an event, the Fund may not only lose the dividend payout but the stock price of the company may fall.

 

Fixed Income Securities Risk. Investing in fixed income securities subjects the Fund to interest rate risk and credit risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that increases in interest rates could cause the prices of the Fund’s investments in fixed income securities to decline. Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of bonds may not be able to meet interest or principal payments when bonds become due.

 

Geographic Focus Risk. To the extent that the Fund invests a substantial amount of its assets in one country or group of countries, its performance may at times be worse than the performance of other mutual funds that invest more broadly.

 

Foreign Securities Risk. The Fund will invest in foreign securities. These investments may involve financial, economic or political risks that are not ordinarily associated with investments in U.S. securities. Therefore, the Fund's NAV may be affected by changes in exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar, different regulatory standards, less liquidity and increased volatility, taxes and adverse social or political developments.

 

Emerging Market Securities Risk. The Fund also invests in securities of companies that trade in emerging and developing markets. In addition to the typical risks that are associated with investing in foreign securities, companies in developing countries generally do not have lengthy operating histories. Consequently, these markets may be subject to more substantial volatility and price fluctuations than securities traded in more developed markets. Trading volume of the stock exchanges in these countries may be substantially lower than that in developed markets and the purchase and sale of portfolio securities may not always be made at an advantageous price.

 

Investment Model Risk. Like all quantitatively based investment processes, the Sub-Adviser’s investment model carries a risk that the mathematical model used might be based on one or more incorrect assumptions. Rapidly changing and unforeseen market dynamics could also lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the Sub-Adviser’s model. No assurance can be given that the fund will be successful under all or any market conditions.

 

6 

 

 

Management Risk. The Sub-Adviser’s reliance on its strategy and judgments about the attractiveness, value, and potential appreciation of the particular securities and the tactical allocation among the Fund’s investments may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.

 

Currency Risk. The value of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increases or decreases as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls and speculation.

 

Management Style Risk. Different types of securities tend to shift into and out of favor with stock market investors depending on market and economic conditions. Because the Fund invests primarily in equity securities it believes are undervalued, the Fund’s performance may at times be better or worse than the performance of funds that focus on other types of equity strategies (e.g., growth stocks) or that have a broader investment style.

 

Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”) Risk. Master limited partnerships are generally considered interest-rate sensitive investments. During periods of interest rate volatility, these investments may not provide attractive returns. Depending on the state of interest rates in general, the use of MLPs could enhance or harm the overall performance of the Fund. To the extent that an MLP’s interests are all in a particular industry (such as the energy sector), the MLP will be negatively impacted by economic events adversely impacting that industry.

 

Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) Risk. REITs may be subject to certain risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate, including declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, and variations in rental income. REITs are subject to management fees and other expenses, and so when the Fund invests in REITs it will bear its proportionate share of the costs of the REIT’s operations. REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation and the possibility of failing to qualify for the tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and to maintain their exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). Additionally, distributions received by the Fund from REITs may consist of dividends, capital gains and/or return of capital. Generally, dividends received by the Fund from REIT shares and distributed to the Fund’s shareholders will not constitute “qualified income dividends” eligible for reduced tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income; therefore, the tax rate applicable to that portion of the dividend income attributable to REIT shares held by the Fund that shareholders of the Fund will receive will be taxed at a higher rate than dividends eligible for reduced tax rate application to qualified dividend income. Dividends from REITs are generally not eligible for the reduced rate of income tax on certain dividends because the income that REITs receive is primarily rent and interest income. Dividends from REITs are generally taxable as ordinary income because the income that REITs receive is primarily rent and interest income.

 

7 

 

 

Mid-Cap and Small-Cap Company Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in mid-cap and small-cap companies or in ETPs that invest in mid-cap and small-cap companies, it will be subject to additional risks. The earnings and prospects of smaller companies are more volatile than larger companies, and smaller companies may experience higher failure rates than do larger companies. The trading volume of securities of smaller companies is normally less than that of larger companies and, therefore, may disproportionately affect their market price, tending to make prices fall more in response to selling pressure than is the case with larger companies. Smaller companies may also have limited markets, product lines, or financial resources, and may lack management experience.

 

Options Risk. Options are a type of derivative instrument. The value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments. For some derivatives, it is possible to lose more than the amount invested in the derivative. If the Fund uses derivatives to “hedge” the risk of its portfolio, it is possible that the hedge may not succeed. Over the counter derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party to the contract will not fulfill its contractual obligation to complete the transaction with the Fund. Other risks of investments in derivatives include imperfect correlation between the value of these instruments and the underlying assets; risks of default by the other party to the derivative transactions; risks that the transactions may result in losses that offset gains in portfolio positions; and risks that the derivative transactions may not be liquid. Through its investments in options, the specific risks that the Fund will seek to manage include the following: interest rate, liquidity, credit and market risks. By investing in options, the Fund may be subject to the risk of counterparty default, as well as the potential for unlimited loss. Certain types of options (such as OTC or “over the counter” options) may be considered to be illiquid investments.

 

8 

 

 

Investments in Other Investment Companies and ETFs Risk. The Fund will incur higher and duplicative expenses when it invests in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). ETFs are investment companies that are traded on stock exchanges similar to stocks. Typically, ETFs hold assets such as stocks, commodities or bonds, and track an index such as a stock or bond index. There is also the risk that the Fund may suffer losses due to the investment practices of the underlying funds. When the Fund invests in an underlying mutual fund or ETF, or REIT, the Fund will be subject to substantially the same risks as those associated with the direct ownership of securities comprising the underlying fund or index on which the ETF or other vehicle is based and the value of the Fund’s investments will fluctuate in response to the performance and risks of the underlying investments or index. In addition to the brokerage costs associated with the underlying fund’s purchase and sale of the securities, ETFs, closed-end funds, and REITs incur fees that are separate from those of the Fund. As a result, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear a proportionate share of the operating expenses of these investment vehicles in addition to Fund expenses. Because the Fund is not required to hold shares of underlying funds for any minimum period, it may be subject to, and may have to pay, short-term redemption fees imposed by the underlying funds. The Fund has no control over the investments and related risks taken by the underlying funds in which it invests. The 1940 Act and the rules and regulations adopted under that statute impose conditions on investment companies which invest in other investment companies, and as a result, the Fund is generally restricted on the amount of shares of another investment company to shares amounting to no more than 3% of the outstanding voting shares of such other investment company.

 

In addition to risks generally associated with investments in investment company securities, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to traditional mutual funds: (i) an ETF’s shares may trade at a market price that is above or below its NAV; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; (iii) the ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; or (iv) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally (which is a risk of any security that trades on a listed exchange).

 

Inverse and leveraged ETFs are subject to additional risks not generally associated with traditional ETFs. To the extent that the Fund invests in inverse ETFs, the value of the Fund’s investment will decrease when the index underlying the ETF’s benchmark rises, a result that is the opposite from traditional equity or bond funds. The NAV and market price of leveraged or inverse ETFs are usually more volatile than the value of the tracked index or of other ETFs that do not use leverage. This is because inverse and leveraged ETFs use investment techniques and financial instruments that may be considered aggressive, including the use of derivative transactions and short selling techniques. The use of these techniques may cause the inverse or leveraged ETFs to lose more money in market environments that are adverse to their investment strategies than other funds that do not use such techniques.

 

9 

 

 

Preferred Securities Risk. A company’s preferred stock generally pays dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects.

 

Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities may subordinate to other securities. The total return for a convertible security depends, in part, upon the performance of the underlying security into which it can be converted. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality.

 

Leverage Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in underlying funds that are subject to leverage risk, the Fund will also be more sensitive to movement in the value of those instruments. In particular, investments in options and derivative instruments may provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure such that increases or decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified. In addition, the credit quality of securities held by underlying funds, and in turn the Fund, may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes.

 

Investing in Loans Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in underlying funds that invest in bank loans the Fund will be subject to additional risk. In addition to being subject to risks generally associated with debt instruments, such as credit, market, interest rate, liquidity and derivative risk, bank loans are also subject to the risk that the value of the collateral securing a loan may decline, be insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower or be difficult to liquidate. An underlying fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy, other insolvency laws or by the type of loan purchased. Loans and other forms of indebtedness may be structured such that they are not securities under securities laws. As such, it is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections, such as those against fraud and misrepresentation.

 

10 

 

 

Fixed Income Market or Interest Rate Risk. The price of most fixed income securities move in the opposite direction of the change in interest rates. For example, as interest rates rise, the price of fixed income securities fall. If a fixed income security is held to maturity, the change in its price before maturity may have little impact on Fund performance; however, if the Fund or an underlying fund sells a fixed income security before the maturity date, an increase in interest rates could result in a loss to the Fund. The risks associated with rising interest rates are heightened given the historically low interest rate environment as of the date of this prospectus. Interest rates may continue to rise in the future, possibly suddenly and significantly, with unpredictable effects on the financial markets and the Fund’s investments. Fixed income instruments with longer durations are subject to more volatility than those with shorter durations. In a rising interest rate environment, ETFs with exposure to fixed income securities may suffer losses due to the decrease in the prices of the underlying bonds as rates rise. The fixed income ETFs that the Fund owns generally invest in short duration U.S. government securities with maturities of 3 months or less to mitigate the risk associated with rising interest rates.

  

Performance Information

 

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for the periods indicated compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available at http://www.themissionfunds.com or by calling toll-free 800-673-0550.

 

Prior to November 7, 2017, the Fund was managed by a different investment adviser and sub-adviser. The following bar chart shows the annual returns for the Class A shares of the Fund for each full calendar year since the Adviser and Sub-Adviser began managing the Fund. Sales loads are not reflected in the bar chart and, if these amounts were reflected, returns would be less than those shown. The performance of the Fund’s Investor Class, Institutional Class and Class Z Shares will differ from the returns of the Fund’s Class A Shares shown in the bar chart because the expenses of the Classes differ.

 

11 

 

 

 

 

During the periods shown in the bar chart, the Class A shares' highest return for a calendar quarter was 9.43% (quarter ended 3/31/2019) and the Class A shares’ lowest return for a calendar quarter was -11.16% (quarter ended 12/31/2018).

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Period Ended December 31, 2019

 

The table below shows how average annual total returns of the Fund’s Class A shares compared to those of the Fund’s benchmark. The table also presents the impact of taxes on the Fund’s Class A Shares. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After tax returns for the Investor Class, Institutional Class and Class Z Shares will differ from those of Class A Shares as the expenses of the Classes differ.

 

12 

 

 

Return Before Taxes 1 Year Since Inception
Class A Shares 17.58%

4.89%

(11/7/2017)

Class A Shares

– with maximum load of 5.75%

10.82%

2.03%

(11/7/2017)

Investor Class Shares 17.61%

2.99%

(2/5/2018)

Institutional Class Shares 17.86%

3.36%

(1/10/2018)

Class Z Shares 17.95%

3.43%

(1/10/2018)

Return After Taxes - Class A Shares
– with maximum load of 5.75%

1 Year

Since Inception

(11/7/2017)

Return After Taxes on Distributions 10.58% 1.59%
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 6.81% 1.49%
MSCI-ACWI Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) 24.05% 3.54%

 

Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser

 

Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC, dba Mission Funds Advisors (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. The Adviser has retained Auour Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), to be responsible for the day to day management of the Fund’s investments, subject to supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees.

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Kenneth J. Doerr, Managing Principal of the Sub-Adviser, has served as a portfolio manager to the Fund since November 2017.

 

Joseph B. Hosler, Managing Principal of the Sub-Adviser, has served as a portfolio manager to the Fund since November 2017.

 

Robert Z. Kuftinec, Managing Principal of the Sub-Adviser, has served as a portfolio manager to the Fund since November 2017.

 

13 

 

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

You may purchase, redeem or exchange shares of the Fund on days when the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for regular trading through a financial advisor, by mail (Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235), by wire, or by calling toll free at 1-800-628-4077. Purchases and redemptions by telephone are only permitted if you previously established this option on your account. The minimum initial purchase or exchange into the Fund is $1,000 for Investor Class Shares and Class A Shares, $100,000 for Institutional Class Shares, and $10,000,000 for the Class Z Shares. Subsequent investments must be in amounts of $100 for all share classes. The Fund may waive minimums for purchases or exchanges through employer-sponsored retirement plans.

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund intends to make distributions that will generally be taxed as ordinary income or capital gain, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account, in which case your distributions generally will be taxed when withdrawn from the tax-deferred account.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of 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 FUND INVESTMENTS

 

The Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (the “Fund”) seeks long term capital appreciation through exposure to global equity markets. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in ETFs that invest in domestic and foreign, including emerging markets) (i) equity securities of any market capitalization, including common stock, preferred stock, REITs and MLPs, (ii) fixed income securities of any credit quality, duration or maturity, including corporate bonds, high-yield bonds (also known as “junk bonds”), convertible bonds, treasuries and emerging markets bonds, and (iii) other income producing securities (including bank loans). The Fund may also invest in these types of securities through other exchange traded products (such as ETNs). ETFs, ETNs and other exchange traded products may be referred to as ETPs. The Fund may also utilize options on equity securities and levered and inverse ETFs for the purpose of managing risk associated with the Fund’s portfolio. In addition, the Fund may invest directly in equity securities.

 

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The Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities. For purposes of the foregoing investment requirement, the Fund considers any investment in an ETF to be an equity security.

 

Additional Information about Risk

 

It is important that you closely review and understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The Fund’s NAV and investment return will fluctuate based upon changes in the value of its portfolio securities. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, and the Fund could underperform other investments. There is no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Below are some of the specific risks of investing in the Fund. Insofar as the Fund invests in ETFs or other similar investments, it may be directly subject to the risks described in this section of the prospectus.

 

Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. The prices of securities held by the Fund may decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the Fund; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; the spread of infectious diseases or other public health issues; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations. The equity securities purchased by the Fund may involve large price swings and potential for loss. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.

 

Management Risk. The Fund is subject to management risk as an actively-managed investment portfolio. The Sub-Adviser’s investment approach may fail to produce the intended results. If the Sub-Adviser’s perception of an ETF’s, ETN’s or other exchange traded product’s value is not realized in the expected time frame, the Fund’s overall performance may suffer.

 

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Other Investment Company Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in ETPs, the Fund indirectly will bear their proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the ETPs. Therefore, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. In addition, the Fund may be affected by losses of the ETPs and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the ETPs (such as the use of leverage). The Fund have no control over the investments and related risks taken by the ETPs in which it invests. Because the Fund are not required to hold shares of ETPs for any minimum period, it may be subject to, and may have to pay, short-term redemption fees imposed by the ETPs.

 

Exchange-Traded Fund Risk. In addition to risks generally associated with investments in investment company securities, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to traditional mutual funds: (i) an ETF’s shares may trade at a market price that is above or below its NAV; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; (iii) the ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; or (iv) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.

 

Index Management Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in an ETP that is intended to track a target index, it is subject to the risk that the ETP may track its target index less closely. For example, an adviser to the ETP may select securities that are not fully representative of the index, and the ETP’s transaction expenses, and the size and timing of its cash flows, may result in the ETP’s performance being different than that of its index. Additionally, the ETP will generally reflect the performance of its target index even when the index does not perform well.

 

Health Crisis Risk. A widespread health crisis, such as a global pandemic, could cause substantial market volatility, exchange trading suspensions or restrictions and closures of securities exchanges and businesses, impact the ability to complete redemptions, and adversely impact Fund performance. An outbreak of an infectious respiratory illness, COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, was first detected in China in December 2019 and spread globally. As of the date of this prospectus, this outbreak has resulted in travel restrictions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, supply chain disruptions, disruptions in markets, lower consumer demand, layoffs, defaults and other significant economic impacts, as well as general concern and uncertainty. These types of market disruptions may adversely impact the Fund’s investments, including impairing hedging activity to the extent the Fund engages in such activity, as expected correlations between related markets or instruments may no longer apply. In addition, to the extent the Fund invests in short-term instruments that have negative yields, the Fund’s value may be impaired as a result. Any suspension of trading in markets in which the Fund invests will have an impact on the Fund and its investments and will impact the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities in those markets. The impact of this outbreak has adversely affected the economies of many nations and the entire global economy and may impact individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen. The duration of the outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with any certainty.

 

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In the past, governmental and quasigovernmental authorities and regulators throughout the world have responded to major economic disruptions with a variety of fiscal and monetary policy changes, including direct capital infusions into companies and other issuers, new monetary policy tools, and lower interest rates. An unexpected or sudden reversal of these policies, or the ineffectiveness of such policies, is likely to increase market volatility, which could adversely affect the Fund’s investments.

 

The outbreak could also impair the information technology and other operational systems upon which the Fund’s service providers rely and could otherwise disrupt the ability of employees of the Fund’s service providers to perform critical tasks relating to the Fund. Other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future could have similar or other unforeseen effects. Public health crises may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, and economic risks in certain countries or globally.

 

Equity Risk. To the extent the Fund invests directly in equity securities or in ETPs that invest in equity securities, it is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Historically, the equity markets have moved in cycles, and the value of an ETP’s equity securities may fluctuate drastically from day to day. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by such companies may suffer a decline in response. These factors contribute to price volatility.

 

Dividend-Paying Securities Risk. To the extent the Fund invests directly in dividend-paying securities or in ETPs that invest in dividend-paying securities it will be subject to certain risks. The company issuing such securities may fail and have to decrease or eliminate its dividend. In such an event, an ETP, and in turn the Fund, may not only lose the dividend payout but the stock price of the company may fall.

 

Small- and Mid-Cap Risk. To the extent the Fund invests directly in small- and mid-cap companies or in ETPs that invest in small- and mid-cap companies, the Fund will be subject to additional risks. These include: (1) the earnings and prospects of smaller companies are more volatile than larger companies; (2) smaller companies may experience higher failure rates than do larger companies; (3) the trading volume of securities of smaller companies is normally less than that of larger companies and, therefore, may disproportionately affect their market price, tending to make them fall more in response to selling pressure than is the case with larger companies; and (4) smaller companies may have limited markets, product lines or financial resources and may lack management experience.

 

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Volatility Risk. Equity securities tend to be more volatile than other investment choices. The value of an individual ETP can be more volatile than the market as a whole. This volatility affects the value of the Fund’s shares.

 

Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy involves active trading and may result in a high portfolio turnover rate. A high portfolio turnover can result in correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses. A high portfolio turnover may result in the distribution to shareholders of additional capital gains for tax purposes, some of which may be taxable at ordinary income rates. These factors may negatively affect performance.

 

Foreign Securities Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in ETPs that invest in foreign securities, they may be subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, currency risk, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social and economic instability, currency devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available information, limited trading markets and greater volatility.

 

Emerging Markets Securities Risk. To the extent that the Fund invests in ETPs that invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the risk may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies.

 

Fixed Income Securities Risk. While fixed income securities normally fluctuate less in price than stocks, there have been extended periods of increases in interest rates that have caused significant declines in fixed income securities prices. The values of fixed income securities may be affected by changes in the credit rating or financial condition of their issuers. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the higher the degree of risk as to the payment of interest and return of principal.

 

Credit Risk. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when due. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will default on its obligation.

 

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Change in Rating Risk. If a rating agency gives a debt security a lower rating, the value of the debt security will decline because investors will demand a higher rate of return.

 

Interest Rate Risk. The value of the Fund may fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates and market conditions. As interest rates increase, the value of the Fund’s income-producing investments may go down. For example, bonds tend to decrease in value when interest rates rise. Debt obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields but are subject to greater price movements as a result of interest rate changes than debt obligations with shorter maturities.

 

Duration Risk. Prices of fixed income securities with longer effective maturities are more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with shorter effective maturities.

 

Prepayment Risk. Certain types of fixed income securities such as mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to fluctuations in yield due to prepayment rates that may be faster or slower than expected.

 

Income Risk. The Fund’s income could decline due to falling market interest rates. In a falling interest rate environment, the Fund may be required to invest its assets in lower-yielding securities. Because interest rates vary, it is impossible to predict the income or yield of the Fund for any particular period.

 

High-Yield Securities (“Junk Bond”) Risk. To the extent that the Fund invests in ETPs that invest in high-yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as “junk bonds”), the Fund may be subject to greater levels of interest rate and credit risk than funds that do not invest in such securities. Junk bonds are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. An economic downturn or period of rising interest rates could adversely affect the market for these securities and reduce the Fund’s ability to sell these securities (liquidity risk). If the issuer of a security is in default with respect to interest or principal payments, the Fund may lose its entire investment, which will affect the Fund’s return.

 

Industry or Sector Focus Risk. To the extent the ETPs in which the Fund invests focus their investments in a particular industry or sector, the Fund’s shares may be more volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a fund investing in a broader range of securities. One reason for dedicating assets to a specific industry or sector is to capitalize on performance momentum due to significant changes in market conditions, economic conditions, geopolitical conditions, etc. Another reason for dedicating assets to a specific industry or sector would be to reduce downside exposure due to a significant change in market conditions, economic conditions, geopolitical conditions, etc.

 

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Derivatives Risk. The ETPs in the Fund’s portfolio may utilize derivatives, such as futures contracts, put and call options on stocks and stock indices, and index futures contracts and options thereon. There is no guarantee such strategies will work.

 

The value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments. For some derivatives, it is possible to lose more than the amount invested in the derivative. Other risks of investments in derivatives include imperfect correlation between the value of these instruments and the underlying assets; risks of default by the other party to the derivative transactions; risks that the transactions may result in losses that offset gains in portfolio positions; and risks that the derivative transactions may not be liquid.

 

While futures contracts are generally liquid instruments, under certain market conditions they may become illiquid. As a result, an ETP, may not be able to close out a position in a futures contract at a time that is advantageous. The price of futures can be highly volatile; using them could lower total return, and the potential loss from futures can exceed the ETP’s initial investment in such contracts. The ETPs’ use of derivatives may magnify losses.

 

If the ETPs are not successful in employing such instruments in managing its portfolio, the Fund’s performance will be worse than if it did not invest in ETPs employing such strategies. Successful use by an ETP of derivatives will be subject to its ability to correctly predict movements in the direction of the securities generally or of a particular market segment. In addition, ETPs will pay commissions and other costs in connection with such investments, which may increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce the return. In utilizing certain derivatives, an ETP’s losses are potentially unlimited. Derivative instruments may also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses.

 

With respect to fixed income securities, an ETP may use derivatives to seek to manage the risks described below.

 

Interest rate risk. This is the risk that the market value of bonds owned by the ETPs will fluctuate as interest rates go up and down.

 

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Yield curve risk. This is the risk that there is an adverse shift in market interest rates of fixed income investments held by the ETPs. The risk is associated with either flattening or steepening of the yield curve, which is a result of changing yields among comparable bonds with different maturities. If the yield curve flattens, then the yield spread between long-and short-term interest rates narrows and the price of a bond will change. If the curve steepens, then the spread between the long- and short-term interest rates increases which means long-term bond prices decrease relative to short-term bond prices.

 

Prepayment risk. This is the risk that the issuers of bonds owned by the ETPs will prepay them at a time when interest rates have declined. Because interest rates have declined, the ETPs may have to reinvest the proceeds in bonds with lower interest rates, which can reduce the ETPs’ and the Fund’s returns.

 

Liquidity risk. This is the risk that assets held by the ETPs may not be liquid.

 

Credit risk. This is the risk that an issuer of a bond held by the ETPs may default.

 

Market risk. This is the risk that the value of a security or portfolio of securities will change in value due to a change in general market sentiment or market expectations.

 

Inflation risk. This is the risk that the value of assets or income will decrease as inflation shrinks the purchasing power of a particular currency.

 

Commodity Risk. Some of the ETPs may invest directly or indirectly in physical commodities, such as gold, silver, and other precious materials. Accordingly, the Fund may be affected by changes in commodity prices which can move significantly in short periods of time and be affected by new discoveries or changes in government regulation.

 

In August 2011, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) announced that it would stop issuing private letter rulings authorizing favorable tax treatment for funds that invest indirectly in commodities or derivatives based upon commodities. The IRS has previously issued a number of private letter rulings to funds in this area, concluding that such investments generate “qualifying income” for regulated investment company (“RIC”) qualification purposes. It is unclear how long this suspension will last. The IRS has not indicated that any previously issued rulings in this area will be affected by this suspension. This suspension of guidance by the IRS means that the tax treatment of such investments is now subject to some uncertainty.

 

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RIC Qualification Risk. To qualify for treatment as a RIC under the Code, the Fund must meet certain income source, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. Among other means of not satisfying the qualifications to be treated as a RIC, the Fund’s investments in ETFs that invest in physical commodities may make it more difficult for the Fund to meet these requirements. If, in any year, the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any reason, the Fund would be taxed as an ordinary corporation and would become (or remain) subject to corporate income tax. The resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce the Fund’s net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on the Fund and its shareholders. In such case, distributions to shareholders generally would be eligible (i) for treatment as qualified dividend income in the case of individual shareholders, and (ii) for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders, provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied. In such circumstances, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a RIC that is accorded special treatment.

 

Strategy Risk. Investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund’s investment strategy may not be successful. Additionally, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser may not implement the investment strategy successfully and the Fund may fail to attract sufficient assets to realize economies of scale. Any of the foregoing could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such liquidation could have negative tax consequences.

 

Temporary Investments. To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities.  These short-term debt securities include: treasury bills, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities, money market instruments, including money market funds, and repurchase agreements.  While the Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited.  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. When the Fund takes such a position, it may not achieve its investment objective.

 

Preferred Securities Risk. A company’s preferred stock generally pays dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects.

 

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Convertible Securities Risk. Convertible securities may subordinate to other securities. The total return for a convertible security depends, in part, upon the performance of the underlying security into which it can be converted. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality.

 

Leverage Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in underlying funds that are subject to leverage risk, the Fund will also be more sensitive to movement in the value of those instruments. In particular, investments in options and derivative instruments may provide the economic effect of financial leverage by creating additional investment exposure such that increases or decreases in the value of the Fund’s portfolio will be magnified. In addition, the credit quality of securities held by underlying funds, and in turn the Fund, may be lowered if an issuer’s financial condition changes.

 

Investing in Loans Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in underlying funds that invest in bank loans the Fund will be subject to additional risk. In addition to being subject to risks generally associated with debt instruments, such as credit, market, interest rate, liquidity and derivative risk, bank loans are also subject to the risk that the value of the collateral securing a loan may decline, be insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower or be difficult to liquidate. An underlying fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy, other insolvency laws or by the type of loan purchased. Loans and other forms of indebtedness may be structured such that they are not securities under securities laws. As such, it is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections, such as those against fraud and misrepresentation.

 

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISER

 

Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC, dba Mission Funds Advisers (the “Adviser”), located at 5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1000, Dallas, Texas 75225, manages the investments of the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement"). As of March 31, 2020, the Adviser had approximately $13.8 million in assets under management. Mr. Michael A. Young is President of the Adviser and Mr. Jeffrey J. Groves is Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser.

 

The Adviser has entered into a sub-advisory agreement (the "Sub-Advisory Agreement") with Auour Investments, LLC located at 162 Main St., Suite 2, Wenham, MA 01984. The Sub-Adviser is controlled by Joseph B. Hosler, Robert Z. Kuftinec and Kenneth J. Doerr. As of March 31, 2020, the Sub-Adviser had approximately $250 million in assets under management. The Sub-Adviser has provided investment advisory services to high net worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans and charitable organizations since March 15, 2013.

 

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The Adviser oversees the Sub-Adviser to ensure it complies with the investment policies and guidelines of the Fund and monitors the Sub-Adviser's adherence to its investment style. In addition, the Adviser periodically assesses the Fund's investment policies and recommends changes regarding the policies to the Board where appropriate. Finally, the Adviser is responsible for executing portfolio transactions for the Fund in accordance with the Sub-Adviser’s direction on the implementation of the Fund’s investment program. Under the Advisory Agreement, the monthly compensation paid to the Adviser is accrued daily at an annual rate of 0.60%.

 

Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day decision-making with respect to the Fund's investment program. The Sub-Adviser, with the Adviser's oversight, manages the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, continuously reviews, supervises and administers the investment program of the Fund, determines in its discretion the securities to be purchased or sold and provides the Trust and its agents with records relating to its activities. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser at the annualized rate of 0.45%.

 

The Adviser has entered into a written expense limitation agreement under which it has agreed to waive its fees and reimburse Fund expenses in order to limit the total expenses of the Fund (exclusive of interest, distribution fees pursuant to Rule 12b-1 Plans, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses and dividend expense on short sales) to an annual rate of 1.20% of the average daily net assets of the Investor, Class A and Institutional Classes of shares of Fund and 1.12% of the Class Z shares. The Adviser may not terminate this expense limitation agreement prior to April 30, 2021. Each waiver and/or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within three years following the date such waiver and/or reimbursement was made, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and at the time the waiver or reimbursement is recouped. Pursuant to a separate agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser dated October 2, 2017, which is described in more detail in the Fund’s SAI, the Sub-Adviser has agreed that it will forgo its sub-advisory fees until the Adviser, under the terms of the expense limitation agreement, is no longer required to waive its fees and reimburse Fund expenses. Accordingly, insofar as the assets of the Fund are at a level that requires wavier and reimbursement of expense, the Adviser will be waiving its entire fee and the Sub-Adviser will also waive its fee owed to it from the Adviser. However, where assets rise to the level that the Adviser is collecting its fee (either in whole or part), the Sub-Adviser will collect a corresponding amount of its sub-advisory fee. Further, fees that have been waived by the Sub-Adviser can be recaptured for up to three years as asset levels of the Fund increase subject to, among other conditions, the ability of the Adviser to recapture fees waived and expenses reimbursed pursuant to an expense limitation agreement that it has in place for the Fund.

 

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A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and the Sub-Advisory Agreement is available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the period ended December 31, 2019.

 

General Information

 

Historical Performance of Accounts Similar to the Fund.

 

You should note that historical performance of the accounts similar to the Fund is not indicative of future performance of the Fund.

 

The table in this section shows supplemental performance data for Instinct Global Equity Composite (“Composite”), which is intended to assist prospective investors in making informed investment decisions. The table contained does not show performance data for the Fund. The Composite is composed of all accounts that are managed by the Sub-Adviser and that have investment objectives, strategies, and policies substantially similar to the Fund. As of March 31, 2020, the Composite consisted of 255 advisory accounts. As of this date, the total assets of the Composite were approximately $44.4 million. The Composite is presented net of all fees and expenses and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

 

The Fund’s performance results may be lower than those of the Composite because private advisory accounts are not subject to certain investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed on mutual funds by the 1940 Act or the Code which, if applicable, could have adversely affected the performance of those accounts.

 

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As of March 31, 2020

 

  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020***
Instinct Global Equity Composite (Net)* 1.7% 7.2% -3.5% 10.0% 19.9% -6.99% 17.96% -12.91%
Instinct Global Equity Composite (Gross)** 1.7% 8.1% -2.6% 11.2% 21.1% -6.10% 19.09% -12.71%
MSCI ACWI 1.7% 4.2% -2.4% 7.9% 24.0% -9.41% 26.60% -21.36%

 

* Returns are net of all fees and transaction costs.
** Returns are gross of management fees but include transaction and underlying vehicle fees.
*** As of March 31, 2020

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2020

 

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  Trailing 1 Year (Annualized)
Trailing 3 Year
Instinct Global Equity Composite (Net)* -6.1% 2.8%
Instinct Global Equity Composite (Gross)** -5.2% 3.7%
MSCI ACWI -11.3% 1.5%

 

* Returns are net of all fees and transaction costs.
** Returns are gross of management fees but include transaction and underlying vehicle fees.
*** As of March 31, 2020

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Auour Investments’ founders are Kenneth J. Doerr, Joseph B. Hosler, and Robert Z. Kuftinec and they have a combined 70 years of institutional investment experience. They constitute the investment committee and are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

 

Kenneth J. Doerr. Ken Doerr co-founded Auour Investments, LLC in 2013. His 27 years of experience includes successfully managing funds with both growth and value mandates, long/short hedge funds, long-only portfolios, quantitative research, and risk modeling. Prior to joining Auour, Ken was a private investor. From 2006 to 2009 he was a Senior Portfolio Manager Mid/Mid-Cap Growth and Head of Quantitative Research for Evergreen Investments Fundamental Equity Group. From 2005 through 2006, Ken was Founding Partner, Chief Investment Officer of Trilene Endeavour Partners, a newly-organized firm offering a Market Neutral U.S. Equity Hedge Fund. Ken was a Portfolio Manager at 2100 Capital Group in 2004, a subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan, managing the 2100 Capital Endeavour Fund, a market neutral equity hedge fund. From 2000 through 2003, Ken was a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Putnam Investments where he managed a $1 billion dollar sub-account of the Mid-Cap Putnam Vista Fund, a growth fund, and a $3.5 billion sub-account of the Specialty Growth Putnam New Opportunities Fund. Ken served as a member of the portfolio team at Equinox Capital Management that managed a $4.5 billion dollar sub-advisor account of Vanguard Windsor II, a large cap-value oriented fund. He was the portfolio manager for the Equinox Mid-Cap Value Fund. Before joining Equinox, Ken was a Senior Quantitative Analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein. He earned an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Brown University and a B.E. in Electrical Engineering from the Cooper Union.

 

Joseph B. Hosler CFA. Joe Hosler co-founded Auour Investments, LLC in 2013. Joe brings 24 years of investment experience serving the needs of large institutional clients. His background includes portfolio management and investment analysis, predominantly focused on domestic and international public companies. Prior to the founding of Auour, Joe led investment activities within various sectors at Pioneer (2010 – 2013), Babson Capital (2003 – 2009), Putnam Investments (2000 – 2003), and Independence Investment Associates (IIA) (1995 – 2000). While at IIA, Joe drove the effort to design, develop, and launch one of the first quantitatively driven tax efficient investment approaches focused on individuals and taxable organizations. Joe holds an MBA from the Darden School of the University of Virginia, as well as, a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University. He served on the Board of Trustees and as the Treasurer of Glen Urquhart School and volunteered as an advisor at North Shore InnoVentures.

 

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Robert Z. Kuftinec. Robert Kuftinec co-founded Auour Investments, LLC in 2013. Robert has 25 years of investment experience. He has a background in investing and corporate finance having worked in both investment banking and private equity. Prior to the founding of Auour, Robert was a Managing Director at TransOcean Capital, from 2005 – 2013, where he was responsible for significant foreign equity and real estate investments in the United States. Prior to TransOcean, he was a Managing Director at Overture Capital Partners, from 2001 – 2005, a private equity investment firm focused on the middle market, and, from 1996 – 2001, a Managing Director at Shields & Company, a Boston-based investment bank. Robert has been active on several corporate Boards of Directors including those at the Deutsche Asset Management Small Cap Fund (NYSE), Stronghaven, Inc., and Halcore Inc. He also has been a board member and treasurer at several non-profit organizations. He has an undergraduate degree from Babson College and earned an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.

 

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

 

THE TRUST

 

The Fund is a series of the World Funds Trust, an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware statutory trust on April 9, 2007. The Trustees supervise the operations of the Fund according to applicable state and federal law, and the Trustees are responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs.

 

Rule 12b-1 Fees

 

The Board has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan for the Fund's Investor Class Shares and Class A Shares (the "12b-1 Plan") in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan, the Fund may finance from the assets of the Investor Class Shares and the Class A Shares certain activities or expenses that are intended primarily to result in the sale of shares of such classes. The Fund finances these distribution and service activities through payments made to First Dominion Capital Corp. (the "Distributor"). The payment made to the Distributor is computed on an annualized basis reflecting the average daily net assets of the class, up to a maximum of 0.25% for expenses of the Investor Class Shares or Class A Shares. Because these fees are paid out of the Investor Class Shares' or Class A Shares’ assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost more than paying other types of sales charges.

 

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The 12b-1 Plan, while primarily intended to compensate for shareholder services expenses, was adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and it therefore may be used to pay for certain expenditures related to financing distribution related activities of the Fund.

 

Shareholder Services Plan

 

The Fund has adopted a shareholder services plan on behalf of its Class A Shares, Investor Class and Institutional Class Shares. Under the shareholder services plan, the Fund may pay an authorized firm up to 0.15% on an annualized basis of average daily net assets attributable to its customers who are shareholders. For this fee, the authorized firms may provide a variety of services, including but not limited to: (i) arranging for bank wires; (ii) responding to inquiries from shareholders concerning their investment in the Fund; (iii) assisting shareholders in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; (iv) providing information periodically to shareholders showing their position in shares; (v) forwarding shareholder communications from the Fund such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual reports, and dividend distribution and tax notices to shareholders; (vi) processing purchase, exchange and redemption requests from shareholders and placing orders with the Fund or its service providers; (vii) providing sub-accounting with respect to shares beneficially owned by shareholders; and (viii) processing dividend payments from the Fund on behalf of shareholders.

 

Because the Fund has adopted the shareholder services plan to compensate authorized firms for providing the types of services described above, the Fund believes the shareholder services plan is not covered by Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which relates to payment of distribution fees. The Fund, however, intends to generally follow the procedural requirements of Rule 12b-1 in connection with the implementation and administration of each shareholder services plan.

 

An authorized firm generally represents in a service agreement used in connection with the shareholder services plan that all compensation payable to the authorized firm from its customers in connection with the investment of their assets in the Fund will be disclosed by the authorized firm to its customers. It also generally provides that all such compensation will be authorized by the authorized firm’s customers.

 

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The Fund does not monitor the actual services being performed by an authorized firm under the plan and related service agreement. The Fund also does not monitor the reasonableness of the total compensation that an authorized firm may receive, including any service fee that an authorized firm may receive from the Fund and any compensation the authorized firm may receive directly from its clients.

 

Shareholder Servicing

 

Certain financial intermediaries that maintain "street name" or omnibus accounts with the Fund provide sub-accounting, recordkeeping and/or administrative services to the Fund and are compensated for such services by the Fund. These service fees may be paid in addition to the fees paid under the 12b-1 Plan. For more information, please refer to the SAI.

 

Other Expenses

 

In addition to the 12b-1 fees and the investment advisory fees, the Fund pays all expenses not assumed by the Adviser, including, without limitation, the following: the fees and expenses of its independent accountants and legal counsel; the fees and expenses of its transfer agent, fund accounting agent and administrator; the costs of printing and mailing to shareholders annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information, and supplements thereto; the costs of printing registration statements; bank transaction charges and custodian’s fees; any proxy solicitors’ fees and expenses; filing fees; any federal, state, or local income or other taxes; any interest; any membership fees of the Investment Company Institute and similar organizations; fidelity bond and Trustees’ liability insurance premiums; and any extraordinary expenses, such as indemnification payments or damages awarded in litigation or settlements made.

 

Portfolio Holdings

 

A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s SAI.

 

HOW TO BUY SHARES

 

You may purchase shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries, such as fund supermarkets or through brokers or dealers or banks who are authorized by the Distributor to sell shares of the Fund (collectively, "Financial Intermediaries"). You may also purchase shares directly from the Distributor. You may request a copy of this prospectus by calling toll-free at (800) 673-0550. Financial Intermediaries who offer shares of the Fund may require the payment of fees from their individual clients, which may be different from those described in this prospectus. For example, Financial Intermediaries may charge transaction fees or set different minimum investment amounts. Financial Intermediaries may also have policies and procedures that are different from those contained in this prospectus. Investors should consult their Financial Intermediary regarding its procedures for purchasing and selling shares of the Fund as the policies and procedures may be different. The price you pay for a share of the Fund is the NAV next determined upon receipt of your purchase request by Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"), the Fund's transfer and dividend disbursing agent or a Financial Intermediary. The Fund will be deemed to have received your purchase or redemption order when the Financial Intermediary receives the order. Such Financial Intermediaries are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Fund’s behalf.

 

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Certain Financial Intermediaries may have agreements with the Fund that allow them to enter confirmed purchase and redemption orders on behalf of clients and customers. Under this arrangement, the Financial Intermediary must send your payment to the Fund by the time the Fund prices its shares on the following business day.

 

The Fund is not responsible for ensuring that a Financial Intermediary carries out its obligations. You should look to the financial intermediary through whom you wish to invest for specific instructions on how to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund.

 

Fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are not insured by the FDIC, Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency and are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of principal amount invested. Neither the Fund nor the Fund’s distributor is a bank. You should read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

 

Small Account Balances. If the value of your account falls below the minimum account balance of $1,000, the Fund may ask you to increase your balance. If the account value is still below the minimum balance after 60 days, the Fund may close your account and send you the proceeds. The Fund will not close your account if it falls below this amount solely as a result of Fund performance. Please check with your Financial Intermediary concerning required minimum account balances. You should note that should such a redemption occur with regards to a non-retirement account, such redemption would be subject to taxation. Please refer to the section entitled “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes” below.

 

Proper Form. Your order to buy shares is in proper form when your completed and signed account application and check or wire payment is received. Your written request to sell or exchange shares is in proper form when written instructions signed by all registered owners, with a signature guarantee if necessary, is received by the Fund.

 

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Minimum Investments. The minimum initial investment for Class A Shares and Investor Class Shares is $1,000; $100,000 for Institutional Class Shares; and $10,000,000 for Class Z Shares. Subsequent investments must be in amounts of $100 or more for any share class. The Trust may waive the minimum initial investment requirement for purchases made by trustees, officers and employees of the Trust. The Trust may also waive the minimum investment requirement for purchases by its affiliated entities and certain related advisory accounts and retirement accounts (such as IRAs). The Trust may also change or waive policies concerning minimum investment amounts at any time. The Trust retains the right to refuse to accept an order.

 

Customer Identification Program. Federal regulations require that the Trust obtain certain personal information about you when opening a new account. As a result, the Trust must obtain the following information for each person that opens a new account:

 

Name;
Date of birth (for individuals);
Residential or business street address (although post office boxes are still permitted for mailing); and
Social security number, taxpayer identification number, or other identifying number.

 

You may also be asked for a copy of your driver's license, passport, or other identifying document in order to verify your identity. In addition, it may be necessary to verify your identity by cross referencing your identification information with a consumer report or other electronic database. Additional information may be required to open accounts for corporations and other entities.

 

After an account is opened, the Trust may restrict your ability to purchase additional shares until your identity is verified. The Trust also may close your account or take other appropriate action if it is unable to verify your identity within a reasonable time.

 

If your account is closed for this reason, your shares will be redeemed at the NAV next calculated after the account is closed.

 

Purchases by Mail. For initial purchases, the account application should be completed, signed and mailed to the Transfer Agent at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235 together with your check payable to the Fund. When you buy shares, be sure to specify the class of shares in which you choose to invest. For subsequent purchases, include with your check the tear-off stub from a prior purchase confirmation or otherwise identify the name(s) of the registered owner(s) and social security number(s).

 

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Investing by Wire. You may purchase shares by requesting your bank to transmit by wire directly to the Transfer Agent. To invest by wire, please call the Fund toll-free at (800) 673-0550 or the Transfer Agent toll-free at (800) 628-4077 to advise the Fund of your investment and to receive further instructions. Your bank may charge you a small fee for this service. Once you have arranged to purchase shares by wire, please complete and mail the account application promptly to the Transfer Agent. This account application is required to complete the Fund's records. You will not have access to your shares until the Fund's records are complete. Once your account is opened, you may make additional investments using the wire procedure described above. Be sure to include your name and account number in the wire instructions you provide your bank.

 

General. The Trust reserves the right in its sole discretion to withdraw all or any part of the offering of shares of the Fund when, in the judgment of the Fund's management, such withdrawal is in the best interest of the Fund. An order to purchase shares is not binding on, and may be rejected by, the Fund until it has been confirmed in writing by the Fund and payment has been received. Once accepted, the purchase will be effected at the NAV next determined after the request was received by the Fund. The Fund offers the ability to purchase shares through a Statement of Intention or a Right of Accumulation that may reduce sales charges on your purchases of shares. See above, review the SAI or call the Fund at (800) 673-0550 for further information. The price you pay for a share of the Fund is the NAV next determined upon receipt by the Transfer Agent or Financial Intermediary.

 

Other Purchase Information. You may purchase and redeem Fund shares, or exchange shares of the Fund for those of another, by contacting any broker authorized by the Distributor to sell shares of the Fund, by contacting the Fund toll-free at (800) 673-0550 or by contacting the Transfer Agent at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235 or by telephoning toll-free at (800) 628-4077. Brokers may charge transaction fees for the purchase or sale of the Fund's shares, depending on your arrangement with the broker.

 

HOW TO SELL SHARES

 

You may redeem your shares of the Fund at any time and in any amount by contacting your Financial Intermediary or by contacting the Fund by mail or telephone. For your protection, the Transfer Agent will not redeem your shares until it has received all information and documents necessary for your request to be considered in “proper form.” The Transfer Agent will promptly notify you if your redemption request is not in proper form. The Transfer Agent cannot accept redemption requests which specify a particular date for redemption or which specify any special conditions. The Fund’s procedure is to redeem shares at the NAV next determined after the Transfer Agent receives the redemption request in proper form. Payment of redemption proceeds will be made promptly as instructed via check, wire or automated clearing house (ACH), but no later than the seventh calendar day following the receipt of the request in proper form. The Fund may suspend the right to redeem shares for any period during which the NYSE is closed or the SEC determines that there is an emergency. In such circumstances, you may withdraw your redemption request or permit your request to be held for processing after the suspension is terminated.

 

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The Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests through cash holdings or cash equivalents and anticipates using these types of holdings on a regular basis. The Fund typically expects to pay redemption proceeds for shares redeemed within the following days after receipt by the transfer agent of a redemption request in proper form: (i) for payment by check, the Fund typically expects to mail the check within two business days; and (ii) for payment by wire or ACH, the Fund typically expects to process the payment within two business days. Payment of redemption proceeds may take up to 7 days as permitted under the 1940 Act. Under unusual circumstances as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Fund may suspend the right of redemption or delay payment of redemption proceeds for more than 7 days. When shares are purchased by check or through ACH, the proceeds from the redemption of those shares will not be paid until the purchase check or ACH transfer has been converted to federal funds, which could take up to 15 calendar days.

 

To the extent cash holdings or cash equivalents are not available to meet redemption requests, the Fund will meet redemption requests by either (i) rebalancing their overweight securities or (ii) selling portfolio assets. In addition, if the Fund determine that it would be detrimental to the best interest of the Fund’s remaining shareholders to make payment in cash, the Fund may pay redemption proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution-in-kind of readily marketable securities.

 

If you sell your shares through a securities dealer or investment professional, it is such person's responsibility to transmit the order to the Fund in a timely fashion. Any loss to you resulting from failure to do so must be settled between you and such person.

 

Delivery of the proceeds of a redemption of shares purchased and paid for by check shortly before the receipt of the redemption request may be delayed until the Fund determines that the Transfer Agent has completed collection of the purchase check, which may take up to 15 days. Also, payment of the proceeds of a redemption request for an account for which purchases were made by wire may be delayed until the Fund receives a completed account application for the account to permit the Fund to verify the identity of the person redeeming the shares and to eliminate the need for backup withholding.

 

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Redemption by Mail. To redeem shares by mail, send a written request for redemption, signed by the registered owner(s) exactly as the account is registered, to: the name of the Fund, Attn: Redemptions, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235. Certain written requests to redeem shares may require signature guarantees. For example, signature guarantees may be required if you sell a large number of shares, if your address of record on the account application has been changed within the last 30 days, or if you ask that the proceeds be sent to a different person or address. Signature guarantees are used to help protect you and the Fund. You can obtain a signature guarantee from most banks or securities dealers, but not from a Notary Public. Please call the Transfer Agent at (800) 628-4077 to learn if a signature guarantee is needed or to make sure that it is completed appropriately in order to avoid any processing delays. There is no charge to shareholders for redemptions by mail.

 

Redemption by Telephone. You may redeem your shares by telephone provided that you requested this service on your initial account application. If you request this service at a later date, you must send a written request along with a signature guarantee to the Transfer Agent. Once your telephone authorization is in effect, you may redeem shares by calling the Transfer Agent toll-free at (800) 628-4077. There is no charge to shareholders for redemptions by telephone. If it should become difficult to reach the Transfer Agent by telephone during periods when market or economic conditions lead to an unusually large volume of telephone requests, a shareholder may send a redemption request by overnight mail to the Transfer Agent at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235.

 

Redemption by Wire. If you request that your redemption proceeds be wired to you, please call your bank for instructions prior to writing or calling the Transfer Agent. Be sure to include your name, Fund name, Fund account number, your account number at your bank and wire information from your bank in your request to redeem by wire. The Fund will not be responsible for any losses resulting from unauthorized transactions (such as purchases, sales or exchanges) if it follows reasonable security procedures designed to verify the identity of the investor. You should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you receive them. There is no charge for shareholders for redemptions by wire.

 

Redemption in Kind. The Fund typically expects to satisfy requests by using holdings of cash or cash equivalents or selling portfolio assets. On a less regular basis, and if the Adviser believes it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders not to sell portfolio assets, the Fund may satisfy redemption requests by using short-term borrowing from the Fund’s custodian to the extent such arrangements are in place with the custodian. In addition to paying redemption proceeds in cash, the Fund reserves the right to make payment for a redemption in securities rather than cash, which is known as a “redemption in kind.” While the Fund does not intend, under normal circumstances, to redeem its shares by payment in kind, it is possible that conditions may arise in the future which would, in the opinion of the Trustees, make it undesirable for the Fund to pay for all redemptions in cash. In such a case, the Trustees may authorize payment to be made in readily marketable portfolio securities of the Fund, either through the distribution of selected individual portfolio securities or a pro-rata distribution of all portfolio securities held by the Fund. Securities delivered in payment of redemptions would be valued at the same value assigned to them in computing the Fund’s NAV per share. Shareholders receiving them may incur brokerage costs when these securities are sold and will be subject to market risk until such securities are sold. An irrevocable election has been filed under Rule 18f-1 of the 1940 Act, wherein the Fund must pay redemptions in cash, rather than in kind, to any shareholder of record of the Fund who redeems during any 90-day period, the lesser of (a) $250,000 or (b) 1% of the Fund’s net assets at the beginning of such period. Redemption requests in excess of this limit may be satisfied in cash or in kind at the Fund’s election. The Fund’s methods of satisfying shareholder redemption requests will normally be used during both regular and stressed market conditions.

 

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Purchasing or Redeeming through a Financial Intermediary

 

You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund through an authorized financial intermediary (such as a financial planner or adviser). To purchase or redeem shares at the NAV of any given day, your financial intermediary must receive your order before the close of regular trading on the NYSE that day. Your financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting all purchase and redemption requests, investment information, documentation, and money to the Fund on time. Your financial intermediary may charge additional transaction fees for its services and/or set different minimum amounts. Financial intermediaries may also have policies and procedures that are different from those contained in this prospectus. Investors should consult their financial intermediary regarding its procedures for purchasing and selling shares of the Fund as the policies and procedures may be different. The price you pay for a share of the Fund is the NAV next determined upon receipt of your purchase request by the Transfer Agent or financial intermediary. The Fund will be deemed to have received your purchase or redemption order when the financial intermediary receives the order. Such financial intermediaries are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Fund’s behalf.

 

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Certain financial intermediaries may have agreements with the Fund that allow them to enter confirmed purchase and redemption orders on behalf of clients and customers. Under this arrangement, the financial intermediary must send your payment to the Fund by the time the Fund prices its shares on the following business day.

 

The Fund is not responsible for ensuring that a financial intermediary carries out its obligations. You should look to the financial intermediary through whom you wish to invest for specific instructions on how to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund.

 

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

 

Dividends and Capital Gain Distributions. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually for the Fund. The Fund intends to distribute annually any net capital gain.

 

Dividends and distributions will automatically be reinvested in additional shares of the Fund, unless you elect to have the distributions paid to you in cash. There are no sales charges or transaction fees for reinvested dividends and all shares will be purchased at NAV. Shareholders will be subject to tax on all dividends and distributions whether paid to them in cash or reinvested in shares. If the investment in shares is made within an IRA, all dividends and capital gain distributions must be reinvested.

 

Unless you are investing through a tax deferred retirement account, such as an IRA, it is not to your advantage to buy shares of the Fund shortly before the next distribution, because doing so can cost you money in taxes. This is known as "buying a dividend". To avoid buying a dividend, check the Fund's distribution schedule before you invest.

 

Taxes. The following information is meant as a general summary of the federal income tax provisions regarding the taxation of the shareholders. Additional tax information appears in the SAI. Shareholders should rely on their own tax advisers for advice about the particular federal, state, and local tax consequences of investing in the Fund.

 

The Fund will distribute all or substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gain to its shareholders at least annually. Shareholders may elect to take in cash or reinvest in additional Fund shares any dividends from net investment income or capital gains distributions. Although the Fund is not taxed on amounts it distributes, shareholders will generally be taxed on distributions, regardless of whether distributions are paid by the Fund in cash or are reinvested in additional Fund shares. Distributions to non-corporate investors attributable to ordinary income and short-term capital gains are generally taxed as ordinary income, although certain income dividends may be taxed to non-corporate shareholders as qualified dividend income at long-term capital gains rates provided certain holding period requirements are satisfied. Distributions of long-term capital gains are generally taxed as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long a shareholder has held Fund shares. Distributions may be subject to state and local taxes, as well as federal taxes.

 

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Taxable distributions paid by the Fund to corporate shareholders will be taxed at corporate tax rates. Corporate shareholders may be entitled to a dividends-received deduction ("DRD") for a portion of the dividends paid and designated by the Fund as qualifying for the DRD provided certain holding period requirements are met.

 

In general, a shareholder who sells or redeems shares will realize a capital gain or loss, which will be long-term or short-term, depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the Fund shares, provided that any loss recognized on the sale of Fund shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares. An exchange of shares may be treated as a sale and any gain may be subject to tax.

 

Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which may entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of or exemption from taxes on such income. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax for the Fund in advance since the amount of the assets to be invested within various countries is not known. If more than 50% of the total assets of the Fund at the close of its taxable year consist of foreign stocks or securities, the Fund may “pass through” to you certain foreign income taxes (including withholding taxes) paid by the Fund. This means that you will be considered to have received as an additional dividend your share of such foreign taxes, but you may be entitled to either a corresponding tax deduction in calculating your taxable income, or, subject to certain limitations, a credit in calculating your federal income tax.

 

As with all mutual funds, the Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (presently at the rate of 24%) on all taxable distributions payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification numbers or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, it is a way in which the IRS ensures it will collect taxes otherwise due. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

 

Possible Tax Law Changes. At the time that this prospectus is being prepared, the coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting the United States. Various administrative and legislative changes to the federal tax laws are under consideration, but it is not possible at this time to determine whether any of these changes will take place or what the changes might entail.

 

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Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisers to ensure distributions and sale of Fund shares are treated appropriately on their income tax returns.

 

Cost Basis Reporting. Federal law requires that mutual fund companies report their shareholders' cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the IRS on the Fund’s shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s when “covered” securities are sold. Covered securities are any RIC and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012. The Fund has chosen average cost as their standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way the Fund will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing NAVs, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund’s standing tax lot identification method is the method covered shares will be reported on your Consolidated Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than the Fund’s standing method and will be able to do so at the time of your purchase or upon the sale of covered shares. Please refer to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service regulations or consult your tax adviser with regard to your personal circumstances.

 

For those securities defined as "covered" under current IRS cost basis tax reporting regulations, the Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. The Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not "covered." The Fund and its service providers do not provide tax advice. You should consult independent sources, which may include a tax professional, with respect to any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method.

 

NET ASSET VALUE

 

The Fund's share price, called its NAV per share, is determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE (generally, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each business day that the NYSE is open (the "Valuation Time"). As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund has been informed that the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. NAV per share is computed by adding the total value of the Fund's investments and other assets attributable to the Fund’s Class A, Institutional Class, Investor Class or Class Z Shares, subtracting any liabilities attributable to the applicable class, and then dividing by the total number of applicable class’ shares outstanding. Due to the fact that different expenses may be charged against shares of different classes of the Fund, the NAV of the various classes of the Fund may vary.

 

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Shares of the Fund are bought or exchanged at the public offering price per share next determined after a request has been received in proper form. The public offering price of the Fund's shares is equal to the NAV plus the applicable front-end sales charge, if any. Shares of the Fund held by you are sold or exchanged at the NAV per share next determined after a request has been received in proper form, less any applicable deferred sales charge. Any request received in proper form before the Valuation Time, will be processed the same business day. Any request received in proper form after the Valuation Time, will be processed the next business day.

 

FAIR VALUE PRICING

 

The Fund's securities are valued at current market prices. Investments in securities traded on the national securities exchanges are valued at the last reported sale price. Investments in securities included in the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Other securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sales are reported on a given date are valued at the last reported bid price. Short-term debt securities (less than 60 days to maturity) are valued at their fair market value using amortized cost. Depositary Receipts will be valued at the closing price of the instrument last determined prior to the Valuation Time unless the Trust is aware of a material change in value. Securities for which such a value cannot be readily determined on any day will be valued at the closing price of the underlying security adjusted for the exchange rate. The value of a foreign security is determined as of the close of trading on the foreign exchange on which it is traded or as of the scheduled close of trading on the NYSE, whichever is earlier. Portfolio securities that are listed on foreign exchanges may experience a change in value on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund. Generally, trading in corporate bonds, U.S. government securities and money market instruments is substantially completed each day at various times before the scheduled close of the NYSE. The value of these securities used in computing the NAV is determined as of such times.

 

The Trust has a policy that contemplates the use of fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund when market prices are unavailable as well as under special circumstances, such as: (i) if the primary market for a portfolio security suspends or limits trading or price movements of the security; and (ii) when an event occurs after the close of the exchange on which a portfolio security is principally traded that is likely to have changed the value of the security. The Trust may use fair value pricing more often due to the Fund’s global focus.

 

When the Trust uses fair value pricing to determine the NAV per share of the Fund, securities will not be priced on the basis of quotations from the primary market in which they are traded, but rather may be priced by another method that the Board believes accurately reflects fair value. Any method used will be approved by the Board and results will be monitored to evaluate accuracy. The Trust's policy is intended to result in a calculation of the Fund's NAV that fairly reflects security values as of the time of pricing. However, fair values determined pursuant to the Trust's procedures may not accurately reflect the price that the Fund could obtain for a security if it were to dispose of that security as of the time of pricing.

 

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FREQUENT TRADING

 

Frequent purchases and redemptions ("Frequent Trading") of shares of the Fund may present a number of risks to other shareholders of the Fund. These risks may include, among other things, dilution in the value of shares of the Fund held by long-term shareholders, interference with the efficient management by the Adviser of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, and increased brokerage and administration costs. Due to the potential of an overall adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions affecting the sale price of portfolio securities, the Fund could face untimely losses as a result of having to sell portfolio securities prematurely to meet redemptions. Current shareholders of the Fund may face unfavorable impacts as portfolio securities concentrated in certain sectors may be more volatile than investments across broader ranges of industries as sector-specific market or economic developments may make it more difficult to sell a significant amount of shares at favorable prices to meet redemptions. Frequent Trading may also increase portfolio turnover, which may result in increased capital gains taxes for shareholders of the Fund. These capital gains could include short-term capital gains taxed at ordinary income tax rates.

 

Funds that invest in foreign securities may be at a greater risk for excessive trading. Investors may attempt to take advantage of anticipated price movements in securities held by the Fund based on events occurring after the close of a foreign market that may not be reflected in the Fund's NAV (referred to as "price arbitrage"). Such arbitrage opportunities may also arise in mutual funds which do not invest in foreign securities. To the extent that the Fund does not accurately value securities, short-term arbitrage traders may dilute the NAV of the Fund, which negatively impacts long-term shareholders. Although the Fund has adopted fair valuation policies and procedures intended to reduce the Fund's exposure to price arbitrage and other potential pricing inefficiencies, under such circumstances there is potential for short-term arbitrage trades to dilute the value of Fund shares.

 

The Trustees have adopted a policy that is intended to identify and discourage Frequent Trading by shareholders of the Fund under which the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer and Transfer Agent will monitor Frequent Trading through the use of various surveillance techniques. Under these policies and procedures, shareholders may not engage in more than four "round-trips" (a purchase and sale or an exchange in and then out of the Fund) within a rolling twelve-month period. Shareholders exceeding four round-trips will be investigated by the Fund and if, as a result of this monitoring, the Fund believes that a shareholder has engaged in frequent trading, it may, in its discretion, ask the shareholder to stop such activities or refuse to process purchases in the shareholder’s accounts. The intent of the policies and procedures is not to inhibit legitimate strategies, such as asset allocation, dollar cost averaging or similar activities that may nonetheless result in Frequent Trading of Fund shares. To minimize harm to the Fund and its shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to reject any exchange or purchase of Fund shares with or without prior notice to the account holder. In the event the foregoing purchase and redemption patterns occur, it shall be the policy of the Trust that the shareholder’s account and any other account with the Fund under the same taxpayer identification number shall be precluded from investing in the Fund (including investment that are part of an exchange transaction) for such time period as the Trust deems appropriate based on the facts and circumstances (including, without limitation, the dollar amount involved and whether the Investor has been precluded from investing in the Fund before); provided that such time period shall be at least 30 calendar days after the last redemption transaction. The above policies shall not apply if the Trust determines that a purchase and redemption pattern is not a Frequent Trading pattern or is the result of inadvertent trading errors.

 

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These policies and procedures will be applied uniformly to all shareholders and, subject to certain permissible exceptions as described above, the Fund will not accommodate abusive Frequent Trading. The policies also apply to any account, whether an individual account or accounts with Financial Intermediaries such as investment advisers, broker dealers or retirement plan administrators, commonly called omnibus accounts, where the intermediary holds Fund shares for a number of its customers in one account. Omnibus account arrangements permit multiple investors to aggregate their respective share ownership positions and purchase, redeem and exchange Fund shares without the identity of the particular shareholder(s) being known to the Fund. Accordingly, the ability of the Fund to monitor and detect Frequent Trading activity through omnibus accounts may be limited and there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify shareholders who may be engaging in Frequent Trading through omnibus accounts or to curtail such trading. However, the Fund will establish information sharing agreements with intermediaries as required by Rule 22c-2 under the 1940 Act that require sharing of information about you and your account, and otherwise use reasonable efforts to work with intermediaries to identify excessive short-term trading in underlying accounts.

 

If the Fund identifies that excessive short-term trading is taking place in a participant-directed employee benefit plan account, the Fund or its Adviser or Transfer Agent will contact the plan administrator, sponsor or trustee to request that action be taken to restrict such activity. However, the ability to do so may be constrained by regulatory restrictions or plan policies. In such circumstances, it is generally not the policy of the Fund to close the account of an entire plan due to the activity of a limited number of participants. However, the Fund will take such actions as deemed appropriate in light of all the facts and circumstances.

 

42 

 

 

The Fund’s policies provide for ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of current policies and surveillance tools, and the Trustees reserves the right to modify these or adopt additional policies and restrictions in the future. Shareholders should be aware, however, that any surveillance techniques currently employed by the Fund or other techniques that may be adopted in the future, may not be effective, particularly where the trading takes place through certain types of omnibus accounts. As noted above, if the Fund is unable to detect and deter trading abuses, the Fund’s performance, and its long-term shareholders, may be harmed. In addition, shareholders may be harmed by the extra costs and portfolio management inefficiencies that result from Frequent Trading, even when the trading is not for abusive purposes.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Signature Guarantees. To help protect you and the Fund from fraud, signature guarantees are required for: (1) all redemptions ordered by mail if you require that the check be made payable to another person or that the check be mailed to an address other than the one indicated on the account registration; (2) all requests to transfer the registration of shares to another owner; and (3) all authorizations to establish or change telephone redemption service, other than through your initial account application. Signature guarantees may be required for certain other reasons. For example, a signature guarantee may be required if you sell a large number of shares or if your address of record on the account has been changed within the last thirty (30) days.

 

In the case of redemption by mail, signature guarantees must appear on either: (1) the written request for redemption; or (2) a separate instrument of assignment (usually referred to as a "stock power") specifying the total number of shares being redeemed. The Trust may waive these requirements in certain instances.

 

An original signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine so that you are protected from unauthorized account transactions. Notarization is not an acceptable substitute. Acceptable guarantors only include participants in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP2000). Participants in STAMP2000 may include financial institutions such as banks, savings and loan associations, trust companies, credit unions, broker-dealers and member firms of a national securities exchange.

 

43 

 

 

Automatic Investment Plan. Existing shareholders, who wish to make regular monthly investments in amounts of $100 or more, may do so through the Automatic Investment Plan. Under the Automatic Investment Plan, your designated bank or other financial institution debits a pre-authorized amount from your account on or about the 15th day of each month and applies the amount to the purchase of Fund shares. To use this service, you must authorize the transfer of funds by completing the Automatic Investment Plan section of the account application and sending a blank voided check.

 

Exchange Privilege. To the extent the Adviser or Sub-Adviser manages other funds in the Trust, you may exchange all or a portion of your shares in the Fund for shares of the same class of certain other funds of the Trust managed by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser having different investment objectives, provided that the shares of the fund you are exchanging into are registered for sale in your state of residence. An exchange is treated as a redemption and purchase and may result in realization of a gain or loss on the transaction. You won't pay a deferred sales charge on an exchange; however, when you sell the shares you acquire in an exchange, you will pay a deferred sales charge based on the date you bought the original shares you exchanged. As of the date of this prospectus, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser do not manage any other funds in the Trust.

 

Frequent purchases and redemptions (‘Frequent Trading’) (as discussed above) can adversely impact Fund performance and shareholders. Therefore, the Trust reserves the right to temporarily or permanently modify or terminate the Exchange Privilege. The Trust also reserves the right to refuse exchange requests by any person or group if, in the Trust's judgment, the Fund would be unable to invest the money effectively in accordance with its investment objective and policies or would otherwise potentially be adversely affected. The Trust further reserves the right to restrict or refuse an exchange request if the Trust has received or anticipates simultaneous orders affecting significant portions of the Fund's assets or detects a pattern of exchange requests that coincides with a "market timing" strategy. Although the Trust will attempt to give you prior notice when reasonable to do so, the Trust may modify or terminate the Exchange Privilege at any time.

 

How to Transfer Shares. If you wish to transfer shares to another owner, send a written request to the Transfer Agent at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, VA 23235. Your request should include: (i) the name of the Fund and existing account registration; (ii) signature(s) of the registered owner(s); (iii) the new account registration, address, taxpayer identification number and how dividends and capital gains are to be distributed; (iv) any stock certificates which have been issued for the shares being transferred; (v) signature guarantees (See "Signature Guarantees"); and (vi) any additional documents which are required for transfer by corporations, administrators, executors, trustees, guardians, etc. If you have any questions about transferring shares, call the Transfer Agent at (800) 628-4077.

 

44 

 

 

Account Statements and Shareholder Reports. Each time you purchase, redeem or transfer shares of the Fund, you will receive a written confirmation. You will also receive a year-end statement of your account if any dividends or capital gains have been distributed, and an annual and a semi-annual report.

 

Shareholder Communications. The Fund may eliminate duplicate mailings of portfolio materials to shareholders who reside at the same address, unless instructed to the contrary. Investors may request that the Fund send these documents to each shareholder individually by calling the Fund at (800) 673-0550.

 

General. The Fund will not be responsible for any losses from unauthorized transactions (such as purchases, sales or exchanges) if it follows reasonable security procedures designed to verify the identity of the investor. You should verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you receive them.

 

DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Fund is offered through financial supermarkets, investment advisers and consultants, financial planners, brokers, dealers and other investment professionals, and directly through the Distributor. Investment professionals who offer shares may request fees from their individual clients. If you invest through a third party, the policies and fees may be different than those described in this prospectus. For example, third parties may charge transaction fees or set different minimum investment amounts. If you purchase your shares through a broker-dealer, the broker-dealer firm is entitled to receive a percentage of the sales charge you pay in order to purchase Fund shares.

 

Share Class Alternatives. The Fund offers investors four different classes of shares (Class A Shares, Investor Class Shares, Institutional Class Shares, and Class Z Shares) through this prospectus. The different classes of shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes are subject to different expenses and may have different share prices and minimum investment requirements. When you buy shares, be sure to specify the class of shares in which you choose to invest. Because each share class has a different combination of sales charges, expenses and other features, you should consult your financial adviser to determine which class best meets your financial objectives.

 

45 

 

 

Investor Class Shares.

 

Investor Class Shares are offered with no front-end or contingent deferred sales charge and are subject to a 0.25% Rule 12b-1 fee and a shareholder services plan fee of up to 0.15%.

 

Institutional Class Shares and Class Z Shares.

 

Institutional Class Shares are offered with no front-end or contingent deferred sales charge and are not subject to any Rule 12b-1 fees. Class Z Shares are distinguished from Institutional Class Shares in that they are offered without the imposition of a shareholder services plan fee, while Institutional Class Shares are subject to a shareholder services plan fee of up to 0.15%.

 

Eligibility for Class Z Shares. You may generally open an account and purchase Class Z Shares only through fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the Distributor, through Financial Intermediaries that have been approved by, and that have special arrangements with, the Distributor to offer Z Class Shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may charge a transaction fee to investors, through certain registered investment advisers and through other intermediaries approved by the Distributor. These intermediaries typically charge on-going fees to investors for services they provide. Intermediary fees are not paid by the Fund and are paid by investors and normally range from 0.08% to 0.10% of assets annually, depending on the services offered.

 

Class A Shares.

 

Class A Shares are offered subject to the imposition of a front-end sales charge and are subject to a 0.25% Rule 12b-1 fee and a shareholder servicing plan fee of up to 0.15%.

 

  Sales charge as a percentage of

 

Amount of purchase at the

public offering price

 

 

Offering
Price(1)

 

Net amount
invested

Dealer Sales
Charge
Allowance
Up to $24,999 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
$25,000 - $49,999 5.00% 5.26% 4.50%
$50,000 - $99,999 4.50% 4.71% 3.75%
$100,000 - $249,999 3.50% 3.63% 2.75%
$250,000 - $499,999 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
$500,000 - $999,999 2.00% 2.04% 1.50%
$1 million or more 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

 

(1)       The term "Offering Price" includes the front-end sales charge.

 

46 

 

 

Information on the Fund’s sales charges, breakpoints and waivers is also available free of charge on the Fund’s website at www.themissionfunds.com.

 

Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers

 

The Fund reserves the right to waive the sales charges for certain groups or classes of shareholders. If you fall into any of the following categories, you can buy Class A shares at NAV without a sales charge:

 

(1) Current and former employees, trustees and officers of: the Trust; the Adviser and its affiliates; and family members (spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and siblings, including step and in-law) of any of the above;
(2) Current employees of: the Transfer Agent; broker/dealers who act as selling agents; and family members (spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren and siblings, including step and in-law) of any of the above;
(3) Qualified registered investment advisers who buy through a broker/dealer or service agent who has entered into an agreement with the Distributor that allows for load-waived Class A Share purchases;
(4) Qualified broker/dealers who have entered into an agreement with the Distributor that allows for load-waived Class A Share purchases.

 

The Fund also reserves the right to enter into agreements that reduce or eliminate sales charges for groups or classes of shareholders, or for Fund shares included in other investment plans such as “wrap accounts.” If you own Fund shares as part of another account or package, such as an IRA or a sweep account, you should read the terms and conditions that apply for that account. Those terms and conditions may supersede the terms and conditions discussed here. Contact your selling agent for further information.

 

Front End Sales Charge Reductions

 

The following investors and investments are not subject to an initial sales charge if determined to be eligible by the Fund or its designee:

 

(1) Retirement plans offered through Financial Intermediaries or other service providers that have entered into arrangements with the Fund for such purposes.
(2) Customers of bank trust departments, companies with trust powers, investment broker/dealers and investment advisers who charge fees for services, including investment broker/dealers who use wrap fee or similar arrangements and have entered into special arrangements with the Fund for such purchases.

 

47 

 

 

(3) Customers participating in fee-based programs offered through selected registered investment advisers, broker/dealers, and other Financial Intermediaries.
(4) Investors purchasing through Financial Intermediaries that offer Class A Shares uniformly on a “no load” basis to all similarly situated customers in accordance with the Financial Intermediary’s prescribed fee schedule for purchase of Fund shares.
(5) Customers purchasing through self-directed investment brokerage accounts that may or may not charge a transaction fee to customers, where the broker/dealer has entered into arrangements with the Fund for such purchases.
(6) Insurance companies and/or their separate accounts to fund variable insurance contracts, provided that the insurance company provides recordkeeping and related administrative services to the contract owners and has entered into arrangements with the Fund for such purposes.
(7) Endowments or foundations that have entered into arrangements with the Fund for such purposes.
(8) Investors making rollover investments from retirement plans to IRAs.
(9) Certain other investors and members of their immediate families, such as employees of investment dealers and registered investment advisers authorized to sell the Fund.
(10) An officer, Trustee, director or employee of the Adviser, the Fund’s custodian bank or Transfer Agent and members of his or her family.

 

Front End Sales Charge Reductions

 

You may be able to reduce front end sales charges payable on your purchases of Class A Shares as follows:

 

Aggregation. You may be able to aggregate your purchases of Fund shares with those made by members of your family for purposes of relying on the sales charge breakpoints set forth above. This right may only be available with respect to certain types of accounts. For example, investments made through employer-sponsored retirement plan accounts may not be aggregated with investments made through individual-type accounts.

 

Concurrent Purchases. You may be able to combine your purchases of Fund shares with those made simultaneously by members of your family for purposes of relying on the sales charge breakpoints set forth above.

 

48 

 

 

Rights of Accumulation (“ROA”). You may take into account your accumulated holdings and those of your family members in the Fund’s Class A Shares for purposes of relying on the sales charge breakpoints set forth above. The applicable sales charge for the new purchase is based on the total of your current purchase and the current value based on public offering price of all other shares you and your family own. You may need to retain appropriate account records to verify the amounts actually invested in order to rely on the ability to receive a breakpoint based on the amounts actually invested in the Fund.

 

Letter of Intent (“LOI”). By signing a LOI you can reduce your Class A Shares sales charge. Your individual purchases will be made at the applicable sales charge based on the amount you intend to invest over a 13-month period. The LOI will apply to all purchases of Class A shares of the Fund. Any shares purchased within 90 days of the date you sign the letter of intent may be used as credit toward completion, but the reduced sales charge will only apply to new purchases made on or after that date. Purchases resulting from the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains do not apply toward fulfillment of the LOI. Shares equal to 5.00% of the amount of the LOI will be held in escrow during the 13-month period. If, at the end of that time the total amount of purchases made is less than the amount intended, you will be required to pay the difference between the reduced sales charge and the sales charge applicable to the individual purchases had the LOI not been in effect. This amount will be obtained from redemption of the escrow shares. Any remaining escrow shares will be released to you. If you establish an LOI with the Fund, you can aggregate your accounts as well as the accounts of your immediate family members. You will need to provide written instruction with respect to the other accounts whose purchases should be considered in fulfillment of the LOI. Employer-sponsored retirement plans may be restricted from establishing letters of intent.

 

Reinstatement Privileges. You may reinvest proceeds from a redemption, dividend payment or capital gain distribution from the Fund without the assessment of a front-end sales charge, provided that the reinvestment occurs within 90 days after the date of the redemption, dividend payment or distribution and is made from the same account from which the shares were redeemed or that received the dividend payment/distribution. If the account has been closed, you can reinvest without a sales charge if the new receiving account has the same registration as the closed account.

 

49 

 

 

Eligible Accounts. Certain accounts may be aggregated for ROA eligibility, including your current investment in the Fund, and previous investments you and members of your primary household group have made in the Fund. (Your primary household group consists of you, your spouse and children under age 21 living at home.) Specifically, the following accounts are eligible to be included in determining the sales charge on your purchase:

 

(1) Individual or joint accounts held in your name;
(2) Coverdell Savings Accounts and UGMA/UTMA accounts for which you or your spouse is parent or guardian of the minor child;
(3) Trust accounts for which you or a member of your primary household group, individually, is the beneficiary;
(4) Accounts held in the name of you or your spouse’s sole proprietorship or single owner limited liability company or S corporation; and
(5) Investors who purchase shares that are to be included in certain retirement, benefit, pension, trust or investment “wrap accounts” or through an omnibus account maintained with the Fund by a broker/dealer.

 

Additional information regarding the waiver of sales charges may be obtained by calling the Trust at (800) 673-0550. All account information is subject to acceptance and verification by the Distributor.

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance for the past five fiscal years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned [or lost] on an investment in shares of the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).

 

Prior to November 7, 2017, the Fund was managed by a different investment adviser and sub-adviser and, therefore, the financial information presented for periods prior to November 7, 2017 reflects performance achieved by a different investment adviser and sub-adviser. The Fund’s shareholders approved the contracts with the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser on December 28, 2017. The financial highlights for the periods presented have been audited by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose unqualified report thereon, along with the Fund's financial statements, are included in the Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders (the "Annual Report") and are incorporated by reference into the SAI. Additional performance information for the Fund is included in the Annual Report. The Annual Report and the SAI are available at no cost from the Fund at the address and telephone number noted on the back page of this prospectus. The following information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto.

 

50 

 

 

MISSION-AUOUR RISK-MANAGED GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS              
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR              

 

    Class A Shares (1)  
    Years ended December 31,  
    2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
                               
Net asset value, beginning of year   $ 23.85     $ 26.44     $ 23.54     $ 24.49     $ 23.30  
Investment activities                                        
                                         
     Net investment income (loss)     0.18       0.15       (0.10 )     0.10       (0.03 )
                                         
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions     4.02       (2.13 )     3.12       (1.05 )     1.22  
                                         
Total from investment activities     4.20       (1.98 )     3.02       (0.95 )     1.19  
Distributions                                        
     Net investment income     (0.16 )           (0.12 )            
     Net realized gain           (0.61 )                  
     Total distributions     (0.16 )     (0.61 )     (0.12 )            
                                         
Net asset value, end of year   $ 27.89     $ 23.85     $ 26.44     $ 23.54     $ 24.49  
                                         
Total Return (2)     17.63 %     (7.47 %)     12.82 %     (3.88 %)     5.11 %
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                        
Ratio to average net assets                                         
     Expenses, gross     2.26 %     2.42 %(A)     4.24 %(A)     3.50 %(A)     3.88 %(A)
 Expenses, net of management fee waivers and reimbursements     1.45 %     1.46 %(B)     3.64 %(B)     2.75 %(B)     2.75 %(B)
     Net investment income (loss)     0.70 %     0.57 %     (0.39 %)     0.40 %     (0.14 %)
Portfolio turnover rate     26.35 %     59.67 %     154.69 %     35.44 %     72.64 %
Net assets, end of year (000's)   $ 10,838     $ 10,326     $ 12,520     $ 12,732     $ 15,187  

 

(1) Per share amounts calculated using the average shares outstanding throughout the year.                
(2) Total return does not reflect applicable sales charges.                  
(A) Ratio of total expenses before management fee waivers and reimbursements, excluding proxy costs, would have been 2.41%, 3.34%, 3.50% and 3.88% for the years ended December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2015, respectively. 
(B) Ratio of total expenses net of management fee waivers and reimbursements, excluding proxy costs, would have been 1.45%, 2.75%, 2.75% and 2.75% for the years ended December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2015, respectively. 

  

51 

 

 

MISSION-AUOUR RISK-MANAGED GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS          
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD          

 

    Institutional Class Shares (1)  
    Year ended
December 31, 2019
    Period January 10, 2018*
to
December 31, 2018
 
             
Net asset value, beginning of period   $ 23.92     $ 27.10  
Investment activities                
                 
     Net investment income (loss)     0.25       0.30  
                 
     Net realized and unrealized gain                
          (loss) on investments and foreign                
          currency transactions     4.03       (2.87 )
                 
Total from investment activities     4.28       (2.57 )
Distributions                
     Net investment income     (0.23 )      
     Net realized gain           (0.61 )
     Total distributions     (0.23 )     (0.61 )
                 
Net asset value, end of period   $ 27.97     $ 23.92  
                 
Total Return     17.91 %     (9.47 %)***
Ratios/Supplemental Data                
Ratio to average net assets                 
     Expenses, gross     1.95 %     1.97 % **(A)
     Expenses, net of management fee waivers and reimbursements     1.20 %     1.21 % **(B)
     Net investment income (loss)     0.95 %     1.18 %**
Portfolio turnover rate     26.35 %     59.67 %***
Net assets, end of period (000's)   $ 6,196     $ 6,338  

 

(1) Per share amounts calculated using the average shares outstanding throughout the period.    
*  Inception Date        
** Annualized        
*** Not annualized        
(A) Ratio of total expenses before management fee waivers and reimbursements, excluding proxy costs, would have been 1.96% for the period January 10, 2018 through December 31, 2018, respectively. 
(B) Ratio of total expenses net of management fee waivers and reimbursements, excluding proxy costs, would have been 1.20% for the period January 10, 2018 through December 31, 2018, respectively. 

 

52 

 

 

MISSION-AUOUR RISK-MANAGED GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS        
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD        

 

 

    Investor Class Shares (1)  
    Year ended
December 31, 2019
    Period February 2, 2018*
to
December 31, 2018
 
             
Net asset value, beginning of period   $ 23.86       27.21  
Investment activities                
                 
     Net investment income (loss)     0.16       0.28  
                 
     Net realized and unrealized gain                
          (loss) on investments and foreign                
          currency transactions     4.04       (3.02 )
                 
Total from investment activities     4.20       (2.74 )
Distributions                
     Net investment income     (0.18 )      
     Net realized gain           (0.61 )
     Total distributions     (0.18 )     (0.61 )
                 
Net asset value, end of period   $ 27.88     $ 23.86  
                 
Total Return     17.61 %     (10.05 %)***
Ratios/Supplemental Data                
Ratio to average net assets                 
     Expenses, gross     2.25 %     2.38 % **(A)
     Expenses, net of management fee waivers and reimbursements     1.45 %     1.46 %**(B)
     Net investment income (loss)     0.62 %     1.18 %**
Portfolio turnover rate     26.35 %     59.67 %***
Net assets, end of period (000's)   $ 68     $ 92  

 

(1) Per share amounts calculated using the average shares outstanding throughout the period.    
* Inception Date      
** Annualized      
*** Not annualized      
(A) Ratio of total expenses before management fee waivers and reimbursements, excluding proxy costs, would have been 2.37% for the period February 2, 2018 through December 31, 2018, respectively. 
(B) Ratio of total expenses net of management fee waivers and reimbursements, excluding proxy costs, would have been 1.45% for the period February 2, 2018 through December 31, 2018, respectively. 

 

53 

 

 

MISSION-AUOUR RISK-MANAGED GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS          
SELECTED PER SHARE DATA THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD          

 

    Class Z Shares (1)  
    Year ended
December 31, 2019
    Period January 10, 2018*
to
December 31, 2018
 
             
Net asset value, beginning of period   $ 23.93     $ 27.10  
Investment activities                
                 
     Net investment income (loss)     0.28       0.29  
                 
     Net realized and unrealized gain                
          (loss) on investments and foreign                
          currency transactions     4.03       (2.85 )
                 
Total from investment activities     4.31       (2.56 )
Distributions                
     Net investment income     (0.20 )      
     Net realized gain           (0.61 )
     Total distributions     (0.20 )     (0.61 )
                 
Net asset value, end of period   $ 28.04     $ 23.93  
                 
Total Return     18.00 %     (9.43 %)***
Ratios/Supplemental Data                
Ratio to average net assets                 
     Expenses, gross     1.87 %     2.01 % **(A)
     Expenses, net of management fee waivers and reimbursements     1.12 %     1.13 % **(B)
     Net investment income (loss)     1.05 %     1.13 %**
Portfolio turnover rate     26.35 %     59.67 %***
Net assets, end of period (000's)   $ 27     $ 23  

 

(1) Per share amounts calculated using the average shares outstanding throughout the period.    
*  Inception Date        
** Annualized        
*** Not annualized        
(A) Ratio of total expenses before management fee waivers and reimbursements, excluding proxy costs, would have been 1.12% for the period January 10, 2018 through December 31, 2018, respectively. 
(B) Ratio of total expenses net of management fee waivers and reimbursements, excluding proxy costs, would have been 1.12% for the period January 10, 2018 through December 31, 2018, respectively. 

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND

 

The Fund's annual and semi-annual reports will contain more information about the Fund. The Fund's annual reports will contain a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that had a significant effect on the Fund's performance during the last fiscal year.

 

For more information about the Fund, you may wish to refer to the Fund's current SAI, which is on file with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You can obtain a free copy of the annual and semi-annual reports, and SAI by writing to World Funds Trust, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, by calling toll free (800) 673-0550, by e-mail at: mail@ccofva.com or on the Fund’s website at www.themissionfunds.com. General inquiries regarding the Fund may also be directed to the above address or telephone number.

 

Information about the Trust, including the SAI, can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, D.C. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. Reports and other information regarding the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this 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 Commission's Public Reference Section, Washington D.C. 20549-0102.

 

Investment Company Act #811-22172

 

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MISSION-AUOUR RISK-MANAGED GLOBAL EQUITY FUND

 

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205 

Richmond, Virginia 23235 

(800) 673-0550

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

CLASS A SHARES 

Ticker: OURAX

 

INVESTOR CLASS SHARES 

Ticker: OURLX

 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES 

Ticker: OURIX

 

CLASS Z SHARES 

Ticker: OURZX

 

May 1, 2020

 

This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus of the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (the "Fund") dated May 1, 2020 as listed below, as it may be supplemented or revised from time to time. Because this SAI is not itself a prospectus, no investment in shares of the Fund should be made solely upon the information contained herein. This SAI incorporates by reference the Fund’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. Copies of the Fund’s Prospectus, Annual Report, and/or Semi-Annual Report may be obtained, free of charge, by writing to World Funds Trust, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235 or by calling (800) 673-0550.

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

THE TRUST 1
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES 1
DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS 2
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS 11
INVESTMENT ADVISER  AND SUB-ADVISER 13
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 15
SERVICE PROVIDERS 17
TRUSTEES & OFFICERS OF THE TRUST 19
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 23
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS 25
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE 26
DISTRIBUTION 27
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES 29
ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES 31
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES 31
TAXES 32
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES 45
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES HOLDINGS 47
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST 50
PROXY VOTING 51
CODES OF ETHICS 51
FINANCIAL INFORMATION 52
EXHIBIT A (PROXY VOTING POLICY OF SUB ADVISER) 53
EXHIBIT B (WORLD FUNDS TRUST PROXY VOTING POLICY and procedures) 56
EXHIBIT C (NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE committee CHARTER) 58

 

 

 

 

THE TRUST

 

General. World Funds Trust (the "Trust") was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on April 9, 2007. The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and commonly known as a "mutual fund". The Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate series ("funds") of shares of beneficial interest ("shares"). The Trust reserves the right to create and issue shares of additional funds. Each fund is a separate mutual fund, and each share of the fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that fund. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any fund and all assets of such fund belong solely to that fund and would be subject to liabilities related thereto. The Fund pays its (i) operating expenses, including fees of its service providers, expenses of preparing prospectuses, proxy solicitation material and reports to shareholders, costs of custodial services and registering its shares under federal and state securities laws, pricing, insurance expenses, brokerage costs, interest charges, taxes and organization expenses; and (ii) pro rata share of the Fund's other expenses, including audit and legal expenses. Expenses attributable to a specific fund shall be payable solely out of the assets of that fund. Expenses not attributable to a specific fund are allocated across all of the funds on the basis of relative net assets. The other mutual funds of the Trust, other than the Fund, are described in separate prospectuses and SAIs.

 

The Fund. This SAI relates to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund (the “Fund”), and it should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Fund. Prior to December 28, 2017, the Fund was designated as the Global Strategic Income Fund. On November 7, 2017, the Board of Trustees of the Trust appointed a new investment adviser, Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC, dba Mission Funds Advisers (the “Adviser”), and a new sub-adviser, Auour Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) and approved revisions to the Fund’s strategies. In conjunction with those changes, the Board also approved new and/or modified service provider relationships with certain of the operational service providers. Information about the Fund’s operations prior to November 7, 2017 reflects times during which the Fund was overseen by the previous investment adviser and sub-adviser. During the period November 7, 2017 to December 28, 2017 the Fund transitioned its operational service relationships. This SAI is incorporated by reference into the Fund’s prospectuses. No investment in shares should be made without reading the prospectuses. The Fund is a separate investment portfolio or series of the Trust. The Fund is “diversified” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder and the interpretations thereof.

 

As of the date of this SAI, the Fund is authorized to issue four classes of shares: Class A Shares, imposing a front end sales charge up to a maximum of 5.75% and charging a 0.25% 12b-1 fee; Investor Class Shares, charging a 0.25% 12b-1 fee; Institutional Class Shares charging no 12b-1 or sales charges; and Class Z shares charging no 12b-1 or sales charges. On October 27, 2017, all outstanding Class C shares were exchanged into Class A shares. After the exchange, Class C ceased to exist. 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

 

The Fund’s investment objective and principal investment strategies are described in the prospectus. The Fund is a “diversified” series as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the prospectus. For a description of certain permitted investments discussed below, see "Description of Permitted Investments" in this SAI.

 

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Portfolio Turnover. Average annual portfolio turnover rate is the ratio of the lesser of sales or purchases to the monthly average value of the portfolio securities owned during the year, excluding from both the numerator and the denominator all securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. A higher portfolio turnover rate involves greater transaction expenses to the Fund and may result in the realization of net capital gains, which would be taxable to shareholders when distributed. Although the Sub-Adviser is responsible for selecting securities for the Fund’s portfolio, the Adviser is responsible for implementing the trades at the Sub-Adviser’s direction. Accordingly, the Adviser makes purchases and sales for the Fund’s portfolio whenever necessary, in the Sub-Adviser's opinion, to meet the Fund's objective.

 

For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017, 2018, and 2019, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 154.69%, 59.67% and 26.35%, respectively. Portfolio turnover was higher in 2017 because the Fund’s investment strategies and adviser and sub-adviser changed in the 4th quarter of 2017 and this change resulted in the Sub-Adviser replacing the inherited positions with assets that coincided with the new strategy of providing broad-based global equity exposure.

 

DESCRIPTION OF PERMITTED INVESTMENTS

 

The following discussion of investment techniques and instruments supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the investment information in the Fund’s prospectus. In seeking to meet its investment objective, the Fund may invest in any type of security whose characteristics are consistent with its investment programs. The Fund generally attempts to implement its investment strategies and achieve its objective by investing in the securities of exchange-traded products, including index exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and mutual funds (collectively “Underlying Funds”) and exchange-traded notes (ETNs”). In that regard, certain of the descriptions of the investments or techniques set forth below reflect that the investments and techniques are occurring indirectly through investments in Underlying Funds.

 

Equity Securities. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may hold a portfolio of primarily equity securities. Equity securities are common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks, convertible debentures, American Depositary Receipts, rights and warrants. Convertible preferred stock is preferred stock that can be converted into common stock pursuant to its terms. Convertible debentures are debt instruments that can be converted into common stock pursuant to their terms. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specified price valid for a specific time period. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have shorter durations.

 

Investment Company Securities and ETFs. Subject to the restrictions and limitations of the 1940 Act and any Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) exemptive orders thereunder, the Fund will invest primarily in the securities of other investment companies (i.e., Underlying Funds). The Fund may invest in other mutual funds, money market funds, closed-end funds, and ETFs, including ETFs that hold a portfolio of securities which closely tracks the price performance and/or dividend yield of various indices (described below). When the Fund invests in other investment companies, it will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the investment company. In connection with its investments in other investment companies, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. For example, shareholders may incur expenses associated with capital gains distributions by the Fund as well as the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests. Shareholders may also incur increased transaction costs as a result of the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and/or because of high portfolio turnover rates in the Underlying Funds. The Fund is not required to hold securities for any minimum period and, as a result, may incur short-term redemption fees and increased trading costs. When selecting Underlying Funds for investment, the Fund will not be precluded from investing in an Underlying Fund with a higher than average expense ratio. The Fund is independent from any of the Underlying Funds in which it invests and it has no voice in or control over the investment strategies, policies or decisions of the Underlying Funds. The Fund’s only option is to liquidate its investment in an Underlying Fund in the event of dissatisfaction with the fund.

 

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The Underlying Funds (particularly the ETFs) may attempt to replicate the performance of a particular index. An Underlying Fund may not always hold all of the same securities as the index it attempts to track. An Underlying Fund may use statistical sampling techniques to attempt to replicate the returns of an index. Statistical sampling techniques attempt to match the investment characteristics of the index and the fund by taking into account such factors as capitalization, industry exposures, dividend yield, price/earnings (P/E) ratio, price/book (P/B) ratio, and earnings growth. An Underlying Fund may not track the index perfectly because differences between the index and the fund’s portfolio can cause differences in performance. In addition, expenses and transaction costs, the size and frequency of cash flow into and out of the fund, and differences between how and when the fund and the index are valued can cause differences in performance. Furthermore, because the Fund invests in shares of ETFs and Underlying Funds, its performance is directly related to the ability of the ETFs and Underlying Funds to meet their respective investment objectives, as well as the allocation of the Fund’s assets among the ETFs and Underlying Funds. Accordingly, the Fund’s investment performance will be influenced by the investment strategies of and risks associated with the ETFs and Underlying Funds in direct proportion to the amount of assets the Fund allocates to the ETFs and Underlying Funds utilizing such strategies.

 

Investments in ETFs involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in a broadly-based portfolio of stocks, including risks that: (1) the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of each unit of the ETF or other instrument; (2) an ETF may not fully replicate the performance of its benchmark index because of the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weightings of securities or number of stocks held; (3) an ETF may also be adversely affected by the performance of the specific index, market sector or group of industries on which it is based; and (4) an ETF may not track an index as well as a traditional index mutual fund because ETFs are valued by the market and, therefore, there may be a difference between the market value and the ETF’s net asset value (“NAV”). Additionally, investments in fixed income ETFs involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in fixed income securities, including the risk of fluctuation in market value based on interest rates rising or declining and risks of a decrease in liquidity, such that no assurances can be made that an active trading market for underlying ETFs will be maintained.

 

The Fund may also invest in leveraged and inverse ETFs, including double inverse (or ultra-short) ETFs. Leveraged ETFs are riskier than traditional ETFs as they use borrowings and derivative instruments to generate a return in multiples of a benchmark index. Investments in inverse and leveraged ETFs may magnify and compound changes in the Fund’s share price and results in increased volatility and potential loss. Inverse ETFs seek to negatively correlate to the performance of the particular index that they track by using various forms of derivative transactions, including by short-selling the underlying index. Ultra-short ETFs seek to multiply the negative return of the tracked index (e.g., twice the inverse return). As a result, an investment in an inverse ETF will decrease in value when the value of the underlying index rises. By investing in ultra-short ETFs and gaining magnified short exposure to a particular index, the Fund can commit less assets to the investment in the securities represented on the index than would otherwise be required. ETFs that seek to multiply the negative return on the tracked index are subject to a special form of correlation risk which is the risk that for periods greater than one day, the use of leverage tends to cause the performance of the ETF to be either greater than or less than the index performance times the stated multiple in the ETF’s investment objective.

 

3 

 

 

There is also a risk that the Underlying Funds or ETFs may terminate due to extraordinary events. For example, any of the service providers to the Underlying Fund or ETF, such as the trustee or sponsor, may close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the Underlying Fund or ETF, and the Underlying Fund or ETF may not be able to find a substitute service provider. Also, the Underlying Fund or ETF may be dependent upon licenses to use the various indices as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names. If these licenses are terminated, the respective Underlying Fund or ETF may also terminate. In addition, an Underlying Fund or ETF may terminate if its net assets fall below a certain amount. Although the Fund believes that in the event of the termination of an Underlying Fund or ETF, it will be able to invest instead in shares of an alternate Underlying Fund or ETF tracking the same market index or another index covering the same general market, there can be no assurance that shares of an alternate Underlying Fund or ETF would be available for investment at that time.

 

The Fund may invest in securities issued by other investment companies. Such securities will be acquired by the Fund within the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act, which with the exception of master/feeder arrangements, fund of fund arrangements and certain money market fund investments, generally include a prohibition that a fund may not acquire shares of another investment company (including ETFs) if, immediately after such acquisition, (i) such fund would hold more than 3% of the other investment company’s total outstanding shares, (ii) such fund’s investment in securities of the other investment company would be more than 5% of the value of the total assets of the fund, or (iii) more than 10% of such fund’s total assets would be invested in investment companies. The SEC has granted orders for exemptive relief to certain ETFs that permit investments in those ETFs by other investment companies (such as the Fund) in excess of these limits. The Fund may invest in ETFs that have received such exemptive orders from the SEC, pursuant to the conditions specified in such orders. Additionally, in accordance with Section 12(d)(1)(F)(i) of the 1940 Act, the Fund may also invest in ETFs and other investment companies that have not received such exemptive orders as long as the Fund (and all of its affiliated persons, including its adviser and sub-adviser) does not acquire more than 3% of the total outstanding stock of such Underlying Fund, unless otherwise permitted to do so pursuant to permission granted by the SEC. If the Fund seeks to redeem shares of an Underlying Fund purchased in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F), the Underlying Fund is not obligated to redeem an amount exceeding 1% of the Underlying Fund’s outstanding shares during a period of less than 30 days.

 

As of the date of this Registration Statement the SEC has proposed Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act. Subject to certain conditions, proposed Rule 12d1-4 would provide an exemption to permit acquiring funds to invest in ETFs in excess of the limits of section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, including those described above.

 

Exchange-Traded Notes and Privately Issued Notes (collectively, “ETNs”). The Fund or the Underlying Funds in which the Fund may invest may invest in ETNs, which are debt securities of an issuer that are listed and traded on U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market. Privately issued notes are similar to ETNs except that they are not listed and traded on U.S. stock exchanges or otherwise traded in the over-the-counter market. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of ETNs and privately issued notes is uncertain in many respects. The IRS has issued very limited guidance. Most ETN prospectuses, PPMs, and SAIs decline to address issues applicable to a RIC’s investment in an ETN in light of the uncertainty.

 

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Although ETNs and privately issued notes are in form indebtedness, they are generally not treated as debt for tax purposes because the return on such a note does not have a clear “interest” component that is based primarily upon the time value of money. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, in most cases the issuer of the ETN or privately issued note and the investors agree to treat all such notes, except certain currency ETNs, as prepaid executory contracts (such as a forward contract) with respect to the relevant index. If such a note were treated in this manner, investors would recognize gain or loss upon the sale, redemption, or maturity of their note in an amount equal to the difference between the amount they receive at such time and their tax basis in the note. Investors generally agree to treat such gain or loss as capital gain or loss, except with respect to those notes for which investors agree to treat such gain or loss as ordinary. Investors in instruments characterized as prepaid forward contracts typically, although not invariably, take the position that they are not required to accrue any income other than stated coupons, if any.

 

One key question is whether the income generated by an ETN or privately issued notes is good income for purposes of the RIC qualification tests. There is some uncertainty on this subject. The general approach in this regard is to look to the underlying benchmark or strategy. Certain benchmarks or strategies are similar to investments that produce good income and thus the thinking is that the ETNs or privately issued notes would produce good income. On the other hand, other benchmarks or strategies are similar to investments that do not produce good income and thus such ETNs or privately issued notes would not produce good income. Note, however, that there is no guidance on this subject.

 

Common Stocks. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in common stocks. Common stocks represent units of ownership in a company. Common stocks usually carry voting rights and earn dividends. Unlike preferred stocks, which are described below, dividends on common stocks are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of the company's board of directors.

 

Preferred Stock. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in preferred stock, which is a class of capital stock that pays dividends at a specified rate and that has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of assets.  Preferred stock does not ordinarily carry voting rights.

 

Most preferred stock is cumulative; if dividends are passed (not paid for any reason), they accumulate and must be paid before common dividends. A passed dividend on non-cumulative preferred stock is generally gone forever. Participating preferred stock entitles its holders to share in profits above and beyond the declared dividend, along with common shareholders, as distinguished from non-participating preferred, which is limited to the stipulated dividend.

 

Adjustable rate preferred stock pays a dividend that is adjustable, usually quarterly, based on changes in the Treasury bill rate or other money market rates.

 

Convertible Securities. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in convertible securities and the Fund considers such securities to be "equity securities" for purposes of its investment strategies. Traditional convertible securities include corporate bonds, notes and preferred stocks that may be converted into or exchanged for common stock, and other securities that also provide an opportunity for equity participation. These securities are convertible either at a stated price or a stated rate (that is, for a specific number of shares of common stock or other security). As with fixed income securities, the price of a convertible security generally varies inversely with interest rates. While providing a fixed income stream, a convertible security also affords the investor an opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation of the common stock into which it is convertible. As the market price of the underlying common stock declines, convertible securities tend to trade increasingly on a yield basis and so may not experience market value declines to the same extent as the underlying common stock. When the market price of the underlying common stock increases, the price of a convertible security tends to rise as a reflection of higher yield or capital appreciation. In such situations, the Fund may have to pay more for a convertible security than the value of the underlying common stock.

 

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Warrants. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in warrants. A warrant gives the right to buy a stock and specifies the amount of the underlying stock, the purchase (or “exercise”) price, and the date the warrant expires. If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the exercise price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and the Fund loses any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.

 

Illiquid Securities. The Fund (and an Underlying Fund) may hold up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. For this purpose, the term "illiquid securities" means securities that the holder reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the security.  Illiquid securities include generally, among other things, certain written over-the-counter options, securities or other liquid assets as cover for such options, repurchase agreements with maturities in excess of seven days, certain loan participation interests and other securities whose disposition is restricted under the federal securities laws.

 

Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”).  The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may invest in MLPs. MLPs are limited partnerships or limited liability companies, whose partnership units or limited liability interests are listed and traded on a U.S. securities exchange, and are treated as publicly traded partnerships for federal income tax purposes. To qualify to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes, an MLP must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources as set forth in Section 7704(d) of the Code. These qualifying sources include activities such as the exploration, development, mining, production, processing, refining, transportation, storage and marketing of mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. MLPs that are formed as limited liability companies generally have two analogous classes of owners, the managing member and the members. For purposes of this section, references to general partners also apply to managing members and references to limited partners also apply to members. The general partner is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, the direct management of the MLP or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an equity interest of as much as 2% in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners own the remainder of the MLP through ownership of common units and have a limited role in the MLP's operations and management.

 

MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount ("minimum quarterly distributions" or "MQD"). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD paid to both common and subordinated units is distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates the business in a manner which results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions. A common arrangement provides that the general partner can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every incremental dollar paid to common and subordinated unit holders. These incentive distributions encourage the general partner to streamline costs, increase capital expenditures and acquire assets in order to increase the partnership's cash flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution in order to reach higher tiers. Such results benefit all security holders of the MLP.

 

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General partner interests of MLPs are typically retained by an MLP's original sponsors, such as its founders, corporate partners, entities that sell assets to the MLP and investors such as the Fund. A holder of general partner interests can be liable under certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of the holder's investment in the general partner interest. General partner interests often confer direct board participation rights and in many cases, operating control, over the MLP. These interests themselves are not publicly traded, although they may be owned by publicly traded entities. General partner interests receive cash distributions, typically 2% of the MLP's aggregate cash distributions, which are contractually defined in the partnership agreement. In addition, holders of general partner interests typically hold incentive distribution rights ("IDRs"), which provide them with a larger share of the aggregate MLP cash distributions as the distributions to limited partner unit holders are increased to prescribed levels. General partner interests generally cannot be converted into common units. The general partner interest can be redeemed by the MLP if the MLP unit-holders choose to remove the general partner, typically with a supermajority vote by limited partner unit-holders.

 

U.S. Government Securities. U.S. government securities may be backed by the credit of the government as a whole or only by the issuing agency. U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, and bills and some agency securities, such as those issued by the Federal Housing Administration and the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government as to payment of principal and interest and are the highest quality government securities. Other securities issued by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, such as securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Banks and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, are supported only by the credit of the agency that issued them, and not by the U.S. government. Securities issued by the Federal Farm Credit System, the Federal Land Banks, and the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) are supported by the agency’s right to borrow money from the U.S. Treasury under certain circumstances, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

 

Zero Coupon and Pay-in-Kind Bonds. Corporate debt securities and municipal obligations include so-called “zero coupon” bonds and “pay-in-kind” bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not make regular interest payments. Instead they are sold at a deep discount from their face value. Because a zero coupon bond does not pay current income, its price can be very volatile when interest rates change.

 

The Federal Reserve creates Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities (“STRIPS”) by separating the coupon payments and the principal payment from an outstanding Treasury security and selling them as individual securities. A broker-dealer creates a derivative zero by depositing a Treasury security with a custodian for safekeeping and then selling the coupon payments and principal payment that will be generated by this security separately. Examples are Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities (CATs), Treasury Investment Growth Receipts (TIGRs) and generic Treasury Receipts (TRs). These derivative zero coupon obligations are not considered to be government securities unless they are part of the STRIPS program. Original issue zeros are zero coupon securities issued directly by the U.S. government, a government agency or by a corporation.

 

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Pay-in-kind bonds allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. The value of zero coupon bonds and pay-in-kind bonds is subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than bonds which make regular payments of interest. Both of these types of bonds allow an issuer to avoid the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments. Accordingly, such bonds may involve greater credit risks than bonds which make regular payment of interest.

 

Foreign Securities. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests hold a portfolio of foreign securities. To the extent that the Fund has exposure to foreign equity or fixed income securities, it will be subject to certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing in Underlying Funds that invest solely in domestic securities. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United States. Interest and dividends paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on such investments as compared to dividends and interest paid by domestic companies or the U.S. government. There may be the possibility of expropriations, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments that could affect assets of the Underlying Fund held in foreign countries. Finally, the establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations.

 

Securities trading on overseas markets present time zone arbitrage opportunities when events affecting portfolio security values occur after the close of the overseas market, but prior to the close of the U.S. market. Fair valuation of an Underlying 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 an Underlying Fund's NAV by short term traders.

 

Emerging Markets Securities. To the extent the Fund invests in Underlying Funds that invest in emerging markets securities it will be subject to additional risks. Investing in emerging market securities imposes risks different from, or greater than, risks of investing in foreign developed countries. These risks include: smaller market capitalization of securities markets, which may suffer periods of relative illiquidity; significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; possible repatriation of investment income and capital. In addition, foreign investors may be required to register the proceeds of sales; future economic or political crises could lead to price controls, forced mergers, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure, nationalization, or creation of government monopolies. The currencies of emerging market countries may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar, and devaluation may occur subsequent to investments in these currencies by a fund. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.

 

Additional risks of emerging markets securities may include: greater social, economic and political uncertainty and instability; more substantial governmental involvement in the economy; less governmental supervision and regulation; unavailability of currency hedging techniques; companies that are newly organized and small; differences in auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers; and less developed legal systems. In addition, emerging securities markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures, which may be unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions or otherwise make it difficult to engage in such transactions. Settlement problems may cause a fund to miss attractive investment opportunities, hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, or be delayed in disposing of a portfolio security. Such a delay could result in possible liability to a purchaser of the security.

 

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Options. The Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests may enter into option transactions. The Underlying Funds may mainly purchase and sell options on securities indices. An option involves either (a) the right or the obligation to buy or sell a specific instrument at a specific price until the expiration date of the option, or (b) the right to receive payments or the obligation to make payments representing the difference between the closing price of a market index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple until the expiration date of the option. Options are sold (written) on securities and market indices. The purchaser of an option on a security pays the seller (the writer) a premium for the right granted but is not obligated to buy or sell the underlying security. The purchaser of an option on a market index pays the seller a premium for the right granted, and in return the seller of such an option is obligated to make the payment. Options are traded on organized exchanges and in the over-the-counter market. The use of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

 

Options on securities indices are similar to options on a security or other instrument except that, rather than settling by physical delivery of the underlying instrument, they settle by cash settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of the index over the exercise price of the option, which also may be multiplied by a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated, in return for the premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss on an option on an index depends on price movements in the instruments making up the market, market segment, industry or other composite on which the underlying index is based, rather than price movements in individual securities, as is the case with respect to options on securities.

 

Because certain derivatives may be viewed as creating leverage, that is, the amount invested may be smaller than the full economic exposure of the derivative instrument and an Underlying Fund could lose more than it invested, federal securities laws, regulations and guidance may require the Underlying Fund to earmark assets to reduce the risks associated with derivatives or to otherwise hold instruments that offset the Underlying Fund’s obligations under the derivatives instrument. This process is known as “cover.” An Underlying Fund should not enter into any derivative transaction unless it can comply with SEC guidance regarding cover, and, if SEC guidance so requires, an Underlying Fund will generally earmark cash or liquid assets with a value sufficient to cover its obligations under a derivative transaction or otherwise “cover” the transaction in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. If a large portion of an Underlying Fund’s assets is used for cover, it could affect portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations. The leverage involved in certain derivative transactions may result in an Underlying Fund’s NAV being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related investment.

 

Futures Contracts. The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds that may purchase and sell futures contracts to hedge against changes in prices. The Underlying Funds may utilize Treasury futures to hedge against interest rate risk and inflation risk.

 

The Underlying Funds may engage in futures transactions for speculative or hedging purposes. The Underlying Funds may also write call options and purchase put options on futures contracts as a hedge to attempt to protect securities in its portfolio against decreases in value. Writing a call option on a futures contract is undertaking the obligation of selling a futures contract at a fixed price at any time during a specified period if the option is exercised. Conversely, as purchaser of a put option on a futures contract, the funds are entitled (but not obligated) to sell a futures contract at the fixed price during the life of the option.

 

9 

 

 

When the Underlying Fund purchases futures contracts, an amount of cash and cash equivalents equal to the underlying commodity value of the futures contracts (less any related margin deposits) will be segregated on the books and records of the funds to collateralize the position and thereby insure that the use of such futures contract is unleveraged. When the Underlying Fund sells futures contracts or related option contracts, it will either own or have the right to receive the underlying future or security, or will make deposits to collateralize the position as discussed above. When futures and options on futures are used as hedging devices, there is a risk that the prices of the securities subject to the futures contracts may not correlate perfectly with the prices of the securities in the funds’ portfolio. This may cause the futures contract and any related options to react differently than the portfolio securities to market changes. In addition, an investment adviser could be incorrect in its expectations about the direction or extent of market factors such as stock price movements. In these events, the Underlying Fund may lose money on the futures contract or option. It is not certain that a secondary market for positions in futures contracts or for options will exist at all times. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange or otherwise will exist for any particular futures contract or option at any particular time. An Underlying Fund’s ability to establish and close out futures and options positions depends on this secondary market.

 

The Fund is being operated by an investment adviser that has claimed an exemption from registration with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act, and therefore the investment adviser is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under that Act. This claim of exemption from registration as a commodity pool operator is pursuant to Rule 4.5 promulgated under the Commodity Exchange Act. Specifically, in accordance with the requirements of Rule 4.5(b)(1), the Fund will limit its use of commodity futures contracts and commodity options contracts to no more than (i) five percent (5%) of the Fund’s liquidation value being committed as aggregate initial premium or margin for such contracts or (ii) one hundred percent (100%) of the Fund’s liquidation value in aggregate net notional value of commodity futures, commodity options and swaps positions.

 

Cash Equivalents. The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds that invest in cash and high-quality short-term fixed-income securities. All money market instruments can change in value when interest rates or an issuer’s creditworthiness change dramatically. These short-term fixed-income securities are described below:

 

a.                Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements are agreements by which the Fund purchases a security and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller to repurchase the security at an agreed upon price and date. The resale price is in excess of the purchase price and reflects an agreed upon market rate unrelated to the coupon rate on the purchased security. Repurchase agreements must be fully collateralized and can be entered into only with well-established banks and broker-dealers that have been deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. Repurchase transactions are intended to be short-term transactions, usually with the seller repurchasing the securities within seven days. Repurchase agreements that mature in more than seven days are subject to the Fund’s limit on illiquid securities. When the Fund enters into a repurchase agreement it may lose money if the other party defaults on its obligation and the Fund is delayed or prevented from disposing of the collateral. A loss may be incurred if the value of the collateral declines, and it might incur costs in selling the collateral or asserting its legal rights under the agreement. If a defaulting seller filed for bankruptcy or became insolvent, disposition of collateral might be delayed pending court action.

 

10 

 

 

b.                Bank Obligations. Bank obligations include banker’s acceptances, negotiable certificates of deposit and non-negotiable time deposits, including U.S. dollar-denominated instruments issued or supported by the credit of U.S. or foreign banks or savings institutions. All investments in bank obligations are limited to the obligations of financial institutions having more than $1 billion in total assets at the time of purchase, and investments by the Fund in the obligations of foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks will not exceed 10% of the Fund’s total assets at the time of purchase.

 

c.                Commercial Paper. The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds that hold commercial paper. Commercial paper will consist of issues rated at the time of investment as A-1 and/or P-1 by S&P, Moody’s or similar rating by another nationally recognized rating agency. In addition, the Underlying Fund may acquire unrated commercial paper and corporate bonds.

 

d.                Investment Company Securities. (See Above). The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds such as money market funds and short-term bond funds.

 

Temporary Investments. To maintain cash for redemptions and distributions and for temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest in money market instruments, including money market funds, and in investment grade short-term fixed income securities including short-term U.S. government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, commercial paper, banker’s acceptances and repurchase agreements.

 

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

Fundamental. The investment limitations described below have been adopted by the Trust with respect to the Fund and are fundamental ("Fundamental"), i.e., they may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. As used in the prospectus and this SAI, the term "majority" of the outstanding shares of the Fund means the lesser of: (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund is present or represented at such meeting; or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Other investment practices which may be changed by the Board of Trustees without the approval of shareholders to the extent permitted by applicable law, regulation or regulatory policy are considered non-fundamental ("Non-Fundamental").

 

1. The Fund shall be a “diversified company” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, as interpreted or modified by regulatory authorities from time to time.

 

2. The Fund may not underwrite securities issued by others except to the extent the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the federal securities laws, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities.

 

3. The Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities or commodity futures contracts, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

4. The Fund may not borrow money except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

5. The Fund may not make loans to others, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

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6. The Fund may not invest more than 25% of the value of its net assets in any one industry or group of industries (except that securities of the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities are not subject to these limitations.

 

7. The Fund may not issue any senior security to others, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

8. The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time.

 

Except with respect to borrowing and circumstances where the Fund is required to “cover” its positions, if a percentage or rating restriction on investment or use of assets set forth herein or in the prospectus is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than actions by the Fund will not be considered a violation. Currently, subject to modification to conform to the 1940 Act as interpreted or modified from time to time, the Fund is permitted, consistent with the 1940 Act, to borrow, and pledge its shares to secure such borrowing, provided, that immediately thereafter there is asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings by the Fund from a bank. If borrowings exceed this 300% asset coverage requirement by reason of a decline in net assets of the Fund, the Fund will reduce its borrowings within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with the 300% asset coverage requirement. The 1940 Act also permits the Fund to borrow for temporary purposes only in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of its total assets at the time when the loan is made. A loan shall be presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed. To the extent outstanding borrowings of the Fund exceed 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund, the Fund will not make additional purchases of securities – the foregoing shall not be construed to prevent the Fund from settling portfolio transactions or satisfying shareholder redemptions orders. The SEC has indicated, however, that certain types of transactions, which could be deemed “borrowings” (such as firm commitment agreements and reverse repurchase agreements), are permissible if the Fund “covers” the agreements by establishing and maintaining segregated accounts.

 

Currently, with respect to senior securities, the 1940 Act and regulatory interpretations of relevant provisions of the 1940 Act establish the following general limits, subject to modification to conform to the 1940 Act as interpreted or modified from time to time: Open-end registered investment companies such as the Fund are not permitted to issue any class of senior security or to sell any senior security of which they are the issuers. The Trust is, however, permitted to issue separate series of shares (the Fund is a series of the Trust) and to divide those series into separate classes. The Fund has no intention of issuing senior securities, except that the Trust has issued its shares in separate series and may divide those series into classes of shares. Collateral arrangements with respect to forward contracts, futures contracts or options, including deposits of initial and variation margin, are not considered to be the issuance of a senior security for purposes of this restriction.

 

With respect to the percentages adopted by the Trust as maximum limitations on its investment policies and limitations, an excess above the fixed percentage will not be a violation of the policy or limitation unless the excess results immediately and directly from the acquisition of any security or the action taken. This paragraph does not apply to the borrowing policy set forth in paragraph 1 above.

 

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Notwithstanding any of the foregoing limitations, any investment company, whether organized as a trust, association or corporation, or a personal holding company, may be merged or consolidated with or acquired by the Trust, provided that if such merger, consolidation or acquisition results in an investment in the securities of any issuer prohibited by said paragraphs, the Trust shall, within ninety days after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or acquisition, dispose of all of the securities of such issuer so acquired or such portion thereof as shall bring the total investment therein within the limitations imposed by said paragraphs above as of the date of consummation.

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUB-ADVISER

 

The Adviser, Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC, dba Mission Funds Advisors (the “Adviser”), located at 5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1000, Dallas, Texas 75225, manages the investments of the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement"). The Adviser is a limited liability company and was organized on August 22, 2017 and became registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission in November of 2017. As of March 31, 2020, the Adviser had approximately $13.8 million in assets under management. Mr. Michael A. Young is President of the Adviser and Mr. Jeffrey J. Groves is Chief Executive Officer of the Adviser.

 

Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser manages the investment portfolio of the Fund, subject to the policies adopted by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Trust, furnishes office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and executive personnel necessary for managing the assets of the Fund. For its services with respect to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual management fee calculated daily and payable monthly, as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets at the rate of 0.60%. The Adviser retains the right to use the names “Mission” and “Auour” or any derivative thereof in connection with another investment company or business enterprise with which the Adviser is or may become associated. The Trust’s right to use the names “Mission” and “Auour” or any derivative thereof automatically ceases ninety days after termination of the Advisory Agreement and may be withdrawn by the Adviser on ninety days written notice. The services furnished by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and the Adviser is free to perform similar services for others.

 

The Adviser may make payments to banks or other financial institutions that provide shareholder services and administer shareholder accounts. If a bank or other financial institution were prohibited from continuing to perform all or a part of such services, management of the Fund believes that there would be no material impact on the Fund or its shareholders. Financial institutions may charge their customers fees for offering these services to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, and the overall return to those shareholders availing themselves of the financial institution’s services will be lower than to those shareholders who do not. The Fund may from time to time purchase securities issued by financial institutions that provide such services; however, in selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such securities.

 

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Prior to November 7, 2017, the Fund was managed by another investment adviser at the annual rate of 1.25% on the first $500 million of average daily net assets and 1.00% of average daily net assets over $500 million of the Fund. The Fund’s investment adviser received the following payments for each of the years set forth below ending on December 31:

 

  2019 2018 2017* 2017**
Gross Advisory Fees $105,377 $94,768 $11,342 $137,575
Waivers and reimbursements $138,422 $144,091 $0 $77,210
Net Advisory fees $0 $0 $11,342 $60,365

 

* Amounts represent fees the Adviser earned from November 7, 2017 to December 31, 2017. 

** Amounts represent fees the previous adviser to the Fund earned from January 1, 2017 to November 6, 2017.

 

The Adviser has entered into a written expense limitation agreement under which it has agreed to limit the total expenses of the Fund (exclusive of interest, distribution fees pursuant to Rule 12b-1 Plans, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, extraordinary expenses and dividend expense on short sales) to an annual rate of 1.20% of the average daily net assets of the Investor, Class A and Institutional Classes of shares of Fund and 1.12% of the Class Z shares. The Adviser may not terminate this expense limitation agreement prior to April 30, 2021. Each waiver or reimbursement of an expense by the Adviser is subject to repayment by the Fund within three years following the date on which the expense was incurred, provided that the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in place at the time of the waiver or reimbursement and at the time the waiver or reimbursement is recouped.

 

The total amount of recoverable reimbursements as of December 31, 2019 was $282,513 which expires as follows:

 

Recoverable Reimbursements and Expiration Dates
2021 2022
$144,091 $138,422

 

The Adviser has retained the services of Auour Investments, LLC (“Sub-Adviser”), 162 Main St., Suite 2, Wenham, MA 01984, pursuant to the terms of a sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement’) to serve as sub-adviser to the Fund. The Sub-Adviser is controlled by Joseph B. Hosler, Robert Z. Kuftinec and Kenneth J. Doerr. As of March 31, 2020, the Sub-Adviser had approximately $250 million in assets under management. The Sub-Adviser has provided investment advisory services to high net worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans and charitable organizations since March 15, 2013. The Sub-Adviser began providing sub-advisory services to the Fund on November 7, 2017. At a meeting held on December 28, 2017, shareholders of the Fund approved the Sub-Advisory Agreement and that agreement became effective on December 29, 2017. Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day decision-making with respect to the Fund's investment program although the Adviser retains the authority and responsibility to execute portfolio transactions on behalf of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser, with the Adviser's oversight, manages the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund, continuously reviews, supervises and administers the investment program of the Fund, determines in its discretion the securities to be purchased or sold and provides the Trust and its agents with records relating to its activities. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser at the annualized rate of 0.45% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement is available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

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Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. As noted above, per the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day investment management responsibilities for the Fund. In addition, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser contemplate an on-going relationship between the parties pursuant to a separate agreement wherein, among other things: (i) the Adviser agrees to recommend to the Board that the Sub-Adviser continue to serve as sub-adviser for the Fund subject to Board approval and other conditions, insofar as recommendation is consistent with the Adviser’s and Board’s fiduciary duties; (ii) the Sub-Adviser agrees not to provide advisory or sub-advisory services to other open-end investment management companies with similar investment objectives to that of the Fund without providing advance notice to the Adviser; (iii)  the Sub-Adviser makes certain concessions related to the expense limitation arrangements (as described in the Fund’s prospectus) for the Fund; and (iv) the Sub-Adviser agrees to share in certain expenses that are absorbed by the Adviser related to marketing and distribution. To the extent the Sub-Adviser does not provide advisory or sub-advisory services to other open-end investment management companies with similar investment objectives to that of the Fund that the Adviser deems to be a competitive conflict, and otherwise complies with the conditions of the separate agreement, the Sub-Adviser will be entitled to a portion of any sales proceeds resulting from any future sale of the Adviser. Nothing in the separate agreement or any other arrangement between the Adviser and Sub-Adviser contemplate any future sale of the Adviser at this time. The separate agreement also contemplates degrees of marketing support to be provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser, non-solicitation of employees, and the right of the Sub-Adviser to recoup fees that it may waive.

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

Portfolio Manager. As described in the prospectus, Messrs. Joseph B. Hosler, Robert Z. Kuftinec and Kenneth J. Doerr, serve as the Portfolio Managers responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Fund and have done so since November 7, 2017 under the terms of an interim agreement and effective as of December 29, 2017 pursuant to the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement. This section of the SAI includes information about the Portfolio Managers, including information about other accounts they manage, the dollar range of Fund shares owned and compensation.

 

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2019, regarding any other accounts managed by the Fund’s Portfolio Managers. As noted in the table, each Portfolio Manager may also manage or be a member of management teams for other similar accounts.

 

Portfolio Manager (Fund) Registered Investment
Companies
Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles
Other Accounts
Number
of
Accounts
Total Assets
(in millions)
Number
of
Accounts

Total Assets
(in millions) 

Number of
Accounts

Total 

Assets
(in millions) 

Joseph B. Hosler 0 $0 0 $0 967 $251
Accounts where compensation is based upon account performance 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0
Robert Z. Kuftinec 0 $0 0 $0 967 $251
Accounts where compensation is based upon account performance 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0
Kenneth J. Doerr 0 $0 0 $0 967 $251
Accounts where compensation is based upon account performance 0 $0 0 $0 0 $0

 

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Conflicts of Interest. A Portfolio Manager’s management of "other accounts" may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with their management of the Fund's investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts may have the same investment objective as the Fund. Therefore, a potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the identical investment objectives, whereby the Portfolio Manager could favor one account over another. Another potential conflict could include the Portfolio Manager’s knowledge about the size, timing and possible market impact of Fund trades, whereby the Portfolio Manager could use this information to the advantage of other accounts and to the disadvantage of the Fund. However, the Adviser has established policies and procedures to ensure that the purchase and sale of securities among all accounts it manages are fairly and equitably allocated.

 

Compensation. The Portfolio Managers do not receive compensation that is based upon the Fund, any separate account strategy, partnership or any other commingled account's, or any private account's pre- or after-tax performance, or the value of the assets held by such entities. The Portfolio Managers do not receive any special or additional compensation from the Sub-Adviser for their service as Portfolio Manager. The Portfolio Managers receive a salary from the Sub-Adviser. In addition to base salary, the Portfolio Managers may receive additional bonus compensation which is tied to the overall financial operating results of the Sub-Adviser.

 

Fund Shares Owned by the Portfolio Managers. The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Portfolio Managers in the Fund as of December 31, 2019.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund
Joseph B. Hosler None
Robert Z. Kuftinec None
Kenneth J. Doerr None

 

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SERVICE PROVIDERS

 

Administrator, Fund Accountant and Transfer Agent. Pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. (“CFS”, the “Transfer Agent” or the “Administrator”), 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, serves as the Fund’s administrator, transfer agent and accounting agent.

 

In its capacity as administrator, CFS supervises all aspects of the operations of the Fund except those performed by the Adviser. CFS will provide certain administrative services and facilities for the Fund, including preparing and maintaining certain books, records, and monitoring compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements. CFS, as administrative agent for the Fund, will provide shareholder, recordkeeping, administrative and blue-sky filing services.

 

As transfer agent, CFS provides certain shareholder and other services to the Fund, including furnishing account and transaction information and maintaining shareholder account records. CFS will be responsible for processing orders and payments for share purchases. CFS will mail proxy materials (and receive and tabulate proxies), shareholder reports, confirmation forms for purchases and redemptions and prospectuses to shareholders. CFS will disburse income dividends and capital distributions and prepare and file appropriate tax-related information concerning dividends and distributions to shareholders.

 

CFS also provides accounting services to the Fund. CFS will be responsible for accounting relating to the Fund and its investment transactions; maintaining certain books and records of the Fund; determining daily the net asset value per share of the Fund; and preparing security position, transaction and cash position reports. CFS also monitors periodic distributions of gains or losses on portfolio sales and maintains a daily listing of portfolio holdings. CFS is responsible for providing expenses accrued and payment reporting services, tax-related financial information to the Trust, and for monitoring compliance with the regulatory requirements relating to maintaining accounting records.

 

CFS receives, for administrative services, an asset-based fee based computed daily and paid monthly on the average daily net assets of the Fund, subject to a minimum fee plus out-of-pocket expenses. CFS receives, for transfer agency services, per account fees computed daily and paid monthly, subject to a minimum fee plus out-of-pocket expenses. CFS receives, for fund accounting services, an asset-based fee, computed daily and paid monthly on the average daily net assets of the Fund, subject to a minimum fee plus out-of-pocket expenses. Prior to November 7, 2017, CFS only provided administrative and transfer agency services to the Fund. The following table provides information regarding fund accounting services, administrative services and transfer agency fees paid by the Fund to CFS during the periods indicated.

 

Prior to November 7, 2017, pursuant to a Custodian Agreement and the Accounting Agency Agreement with the Trust, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. ("BBH"), 40 Water Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, acted as the custodian of the Fund's securities and cash and as the Fund's accounting services agent. The following table provides information regarding accounting services paid by the Fund to BBH during the periods indicated.

 

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Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
Fees Paid for
Administrative
Services
Fees Paid for Transfer
Agent Services
Fees Paid for
Accounting Services
2019 $33,375* $26,613* $25,000*
2018 $30,000* $25,840* $25,425*
2017 $30,000* $36,439*

$2,917* 

$30,266** 

* Fees paid to CFS

** Fees paid to BBH

 

Custodian. Fifth Third Bank (the "Custodian"), 38 Fountain Square Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45263, serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets. The Custodian has entered into a foreign sub-custody arrangement with The Bank of New York, as the approved foreign custody manager (the Delegate) to perform certain functions with respect to the custody of the Fund’s assets outside of the United States of America. The Delegate shall place and maintain the Fund’s assets with an eligible foreign custodian; provided that, the Delegate shall be required to determine that the Fund’s assets will be subject to reasonable care based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market.

 

Distributor and Principal Underwriter. First Dominion Capital Corp. ("FDCC" or the "Distributor"), located at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235, serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Fund pursuant to a Distribution Agreement (the "Distribution Agreement"). Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor serves as the Fund’s principal underwriter and acts as exclusive agent for the Fund in selling its shares to the public on a “best efforts” basis and then only in respect to orders placed – that is, the Distributor is under no obligations to sell any specific number of Shares. The continuance of the Distribution Agreement must be specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of the Trustees or by a vote of the shareholders of the Fund and (ii) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Distribution Agreement or any related agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

 

FDCC is registered as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The offering of the Fund's shares is continuous. The Distributor may receive distribution 12b-1 and service fees from the Fund, as described in the prospectus and this SAI. FDCC is entitled to a portion of the front-end sales charge on the sale of Class A Shares as described in the prospectus and this SAI. FDCC is also entitled to the payment of deferred sales charges upon the redemption of Fund shares as described in the Fund’s prospectus and in this SAI. For its underwriting services, the Distributor my receive compensation from the Fund’s 12b-1 Plan to the extent that such plan generates sufficient fees to compensate for these services; otherwise, the Adviser is responsible for payment for such underwriting services.

 

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The table below shows the total compensation that the Fund paid to FDCC for the last three fiscal years:

 

Fiscal year ended
December 31,
Net underwriting
discounts and
concessions
Compensation on
redemptions and
repurchases
Brokerage
commissions
Other
compensation (1)
2019 $108 $0 $0 $0
2018 $368 $48 $0 $0
2017 $0 $244 $0 $33,508

(1) Fees received pursuant to the Fund's Distribution (12b-1) and Services Fees.

 

Legal Counsel. Practus, LLP, 11300 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Suite 310, Leawood, KS 66211, serves as legal counsel to the Trust and the Fund.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, audits the Fund’s annual financial statements, assists in the preparation of certain reports to the SEC, and prepares the Trust’s tax returns. Tait, Weller & Baker LLP is located at Two Liberty Plaza, 50 South 16th Street, Suite 2900, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102.

 

TRUSTEES & OFFICERS OF THE TRUST

 

Trustees and Officers. The Trust is governed by the Board, which is responsible for protecting the interests of shareholders. The trustees are experienced businesspersons who meet throughout the year to oversee the Trust's activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the Fund and review performance. The names, addresses and ages of the trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal occupations during the past five years, are listed below.

 

Each Trustee was nominated to serve on the Board of Trustees based on their particular experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills. Generally, the Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience; (ii) qualifications; (iii) attributes; and (iv) skills. Mr. David J. Urban has been a Professor of Education since 1989. His strategic planning, organizational and leadership skills help the Board set long-term goals. Ms. Mary Lou H. Ivey has business experience as a practicing tax accountant since 1996 and, as such, brings tax, budgeting and financial reporting skills to the Board. Mr. Theo H. Pitt has experience as an investor, including his role as trustee of several other investment companies and business experience as Senior Partner of a financial consulting company, as a partner of a real estate partnership and as an Account Administrator for a money management firm. The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them each highly qualified.

 

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees is Ms. Ivey, who is not an “interested person” of the Trust, within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Trust also has an independent Audit Committee that allows the Board to access the expertise necessary of oversee the Trust, identify risks, recognize shareholder concerns and needs and highlight opportunities. The Audit Committee is able to focus Board time and attention to matters of interest to shareholders and, through its private sessions with the Trust’s auditor, Chief Compliance Officer and legal counsel, stay fully informed regarding management decisions.

 

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Mutual funds face a number of risks, including investment risk, compliance risk and valuation risk. The Board oversees management of the Fund’s risks directly and through its officers. While day-to-day risk management responsibilities rest with the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, investment advisers and other service providers, the Board monitors and tracks risk by: (1) receiving and reviewing quarterly reports related to the performance and operations of the Fund; (2) reviewing and approving, as applicable, the compliance policies and procedures of the Trust, including the Trust’s valuation policies and transaction procedures; (3) periodically meeting with the portfolio managers to review investment strategies, techniques and related risks; (4) meeting with representatives of key service providers, including the Fund’s investment advisers, administrator, distributor, transfer agent and the independent registered public accounting firm, to discuss the activities of the Fund; (5) engaging the services of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust to monitor and test the compliance procedures of the Trust and its service providers; (6) receiving and reviewing reports from the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding the Fund’s financial condition and the Trust’s internal controls; and (7) receiving and reviewing an annual written report prepared by the Chief Compliance Officer reviewing the adequacy of the Trust’s compliance policies and procedures and the effectiveness of their implementation. The Board has concluded that its general oversight of the investment advisers and other service providers as implemented through the reporting and monitoring process outlined above allows the Board to effectively administer its risk oversight function.

 

Following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and their principal occupation over the last five years. The mailing address of each Trustee and officer is 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond Virginia, 23235, unless otherwise indicated.

 

NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES

 

NAME, AGE  AND POSITION WITH THE TRUST TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS NUMBER OF FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS

David J. Urban 

(64) 

Trustee

 

Indefinite, Since June 2010 Dean, Jones College of Business, Middle Tennessee State University since July 2013. 30 ETF Opportunities Trust
(registered investment company)

Mary Lou H. Ivey 

(62) 

Trustee

 

Indefinite, Since June 2010 Accountant, Harris, Hardy & Johnstone, P.C., accounting firm, since 2008. 30 ETF Opportunities Trust
(registered investment company)

 

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NAME, AGE  AND POSITION WITH THE TRUST TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS NUMBER OF FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE DURING THE PAST 5 YEARS

Theo H. Pitt, Jr. 

(84) 

Trustee

 

Indefinite, Since August 2013 Senior Partner, Community Financial Institutions Consulting (bank consulting) since 1997 to present. 30 Independent Trustee of Chesapeake Investment Trust for the one series of that trust; Leeward Investment Trust for the one series of that trust; Hillman Capital Management Investment Trust for the one series of that trust; and Starboard Investment Trust for the 17 series of that trust; and ETF Opportunities Trust (all registered investment companies).

 

OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT TRUSTEES

 

NAME, AGE  AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS NUMBER OF FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE

David A. Bogaert 

(56) 

President

 

Indefinite, Since August 2017 Managing Director of Business Development, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. (fund administration and transfer agency). N/A N/A

 

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NAME, AGE  AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS NUMBER OF FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE

Karen M. Shupe 

(56) 

Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer

 

Indefinite, Since June 2008 Managing Director of Fund Operations, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 2003 to present. N/A N/A

Ann T. MacDonald 

(65) 

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Indefinite, Since November 2015 Managing Director, Fund Administration and Fund Accounting, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 2003 to present. N/A N/A

John H. Lively 

(51) 

Secretary

 

Indefinite, Since November 2013 Attorney, PractusTM, LLP (law firm), May 2018 to present; Attorney, The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc. (law firm), March 2010 to May 2018. N/A N/A

Holly B. Giangiulio 

(58) 

Assistant Secretary

 

Indefinite, Since November 2015 Managing Director, Corporate Operations, Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., January 2015 to present. N/A N/A

Julian G. Winters 

(51) 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Indefinite, Since August 2013 Managing Member of Watermark Solutions, LLC (investment compliance and consulting) since March 2007. N/A N/A

 

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NAME, AGE  AND POSITION(S) WITH THE TRUST TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS NUMBER OF FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE

Tina H. Bloom 

(51) 

Assistant Secretary

 

Indefinite, Since November 2018 Attorney, PractusTM, LLP, May 2018 to present; Attorney, The Law Offices of John H. Lively & Associates, Inc., November 2017 to May 2018; Director of Fund Administration of Ultimus Fund Solutions (fund administration and transfer agency), LLC from 2011-2017. N/A N/A

Bo James Howell 

(38) 

Assistant Secretary

 

Indefinite, Since November 2018 Attorney, PractusTM, LLP, May 2018 to present; Founder, Joot (investment management compliance and consulting), June 2018 to present; Director of Fund Administration of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC from 2012-2018. N/A N/A

  

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

 

The Board of Trustees oversees the Trust and certain aspects of the services provided by the Adviser and the Fund’s other service providers. Each Trustee will hold office until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Each officer of the Trust serves at the pleasure of the Board and for a term of one year or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.

 

The Trust has a standing Audit Committee of the Board composed of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey and Mr. Pitt. The functions of the Audit Committee are to meet with the Trust's independent auditors to review the scope and findings of the annual audit, discuss the Trust's accounting policies, discuss any recommendations of the independent auditors with respect to the Trust's management practices, review the impact of changes in accounting standards on the Trust's financial statements, recommend to the Board the selection of independent registered public accounting firm, and perform such other duties as may be assigned to the Audit Committee by the Board. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Audit Committee met seven times.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey and Mr. Pitt. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s purposes, duties and powers are set forth in its written charter, which is described in Exhibit C – the charter also describes the process by which shareholders of the Trust may make nominations. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Committee met twice.

 

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The Valuation Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey and Mr. Pitt. The Valuation Committee meets as needed in the event that the Fund holds any securities that are subject to valuation and it reviews the fair valuation of such securities on an as needed basis. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Committee did not meet.

 

The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee is comprised of Mr. Urban, Ms. Ivey and Mr. Pitt. The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee receives, investigates, and makes recommendations as to the appropriate remedial action in connection with any report of evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Trust, its officers, Trustees, or agents. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Committee did not meet.

 

Trustee Compensation.  Each Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Trust may receive compensation for their services to the Trust. All Trustees are reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings. Each Trustee receives a retainer fee at the annualized rate of $50,000. Additionally, each Trustee receives a fee of $2,500 per special in person meeting and $1,250 per special telephonic meeting. Compensation received by each Trustee from the Trust for the year ended December 31, 2019 is as follows:

 

Name of Person / Position Aggregate Compensation From Fund Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued As Part of Fund Expenses Estimated Annual Benefits upon Retirement Total Compensation From Fund and Fund Complex Paid To Trustees (*)(1)
David J. Urban, Trustee $1,824 $0 $0 $1,824
Mary Lou H. Ivey, Trustee $1,824 $0 $0 $1,824
Theo H. Pitt, Jr., Trustee $1,824 $0 $0 $1,824
* Company does not pay deferred compensation.

(1)    The “Fund Complex” consists of the Fund.

 

Trustee Ownership of Fund Shares – The table below shoes for each Trustee, the amount of Fund equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee, and the aggregate value of all investments in equity securities of the Fund of the Trust, as of December 31, 2019, and stated as one of the following ranges: A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = $10,001-$50,000; D = $50,001-$100,000; and E = over $100,000.

 

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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 the
Trustees in Family of Investment Companies
Non-Interested Trustees    
David J. Urban A A
Mary Lou H. Ivey A A
Theo H. Pitt, Jr. A A

 

Sales Loads. No front-end or deferred sales charges are applied to purchase of Fund shares by current or former trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust, the Adviser or the principal underwriter and by the members of their immediate families.

 

Policies Concerning Personal Investment Activities. The Fund, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics, pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that permit investment personnel, subject to their particular code of ethics, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund, for their own account.

 

The Codes of Ethics are on file with, and can be reviewed and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. In addition, the Codes of Ethics are also available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SECURITIES HOLDERS

 

A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly, more than 25% of the voting securities of the Fund or acknowledges the existence of such control. As a controlling shareholder, each of these persons could control the outcome of any proposal submitted to the shareholders for approval, including changes to the Fund's fundamental policies or the terms of the management agreement with the Adviser.

 

As of March 31, 2020, the following persons were record owners (or to the knowledge of the Trust, beneficial owners) of 5% or more shares of the Fund.

 

Shareholder Name and Address Percentage of Class Type of Ownership
Class A Shares

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. 

101 Montgomery St. 

San Francisco, CA 94104-4175 

13.02% Record

TD Ameritrade Inc. 

FBO Our Clients 

PO Box 2226 

Omaha, NE 68103-2226 

5.25% Record
Institutional Class Shares

Pershing LLC 

1 Pershing Plaza 

Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002 

13.68% Record

 

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Shareholder Name and Address Percentage of Class Type of Ownership

TD Ameritrade Inc. 

FBO Our Clients 

PO Box 2226 

Omaha, NE 68103-2226 

85.70% Record
Investor Class Shares

TD Ameritrade Inc. 

FBO Our Clients 

PO Box 2226 

Omaha, NE 68103-2226 

100.00% Record
Z Class Shares

UMB C/F/Young, M.A.SEP IRA 

P.O. Box 25523 

Dallas, TX 75225 

100.00% Record

 

As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers of the Trust beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 

General Policy. The Fund adheres to Section 2(a)(41), and Rule 2a-4 thereunder, of the 1940 Act with respect to the valuation of portfolio securities. In general, securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at current market value, and all other securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board. In complying with the 1940 Act, the Trust relies on guidance provided by the SEC and by the SEC staff in various interpretive letters and other guidance.

 

Equity Securities. Securities listed on a securities exchange, market or automated quotation system for which quotations are readily available (except for securities traded on NASDAQ), including securities traded over the counter, are valued at the last quoted sale price on the primary exchange or market (foreign or domestic) on which they are traded on valuation date (or at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET if a security's primary exchange is normally open at that time), or, if there is no such reported sale on the valuation date, at the most recent quoted bid price. For securities traded on NASDAQ, the NASDAQ Official Closing Price will be used. If such prices are not available or determined to not represent the fair value of the security as of the Fund's pricing time, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees.

 

Money Market Securities and other Debt Securities. If available, money market securities and other debt securities are priced based upon valuations provided by recognized independent, third-party pricing agents. Such values generally reflect the last reported sales price if the security is actively traded. The third-party pricing agents may also value debt securities by employing methodologies that utilize actual market transactions, broker-supplied valuations, or other methodologies designed to identify the market value for such securities. Such methodologies generally consider such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, call features, ratings and developments relating to specific securities in arriving at valuations. Money market securities and other debt securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less may be valued at their amortized cost, which approximates market value. If such prices are not available or determined to not represent the fair value of the security as of the Fund's pricing time, the security will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees.

 

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Use of Third-Party Pricing Agents. Pursuant to contracts with the Administrator, market prices for securities held by the Fund are generally provided daily by third-party independent pricing agents that are approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The valuations provided by third-party independent pricing agents are reviewed daily by the Administrator.

 

DISTRIBUTION

 

The Distributor may from time to time offer incentive compensation to dealers (which sell shares of the Fund that are subject to sales charges) allowing such dealers to retain an additional portion of the sales load. A dealer who receives all of the sales load may be considered an underwriter of the Fund's shares.

 

In connection with the promotion of sales of the Fund, the Distributor may, from time to time, offer (to all broker dealers who have a sales agreement with the Distributor) the opportunity to participate in sales incentive programs (which may include non-cash concessions). The Distributor may also, from time to time, pay expenses and fees required in order to participate in dealer sponsored seminars and conferences, reimburse dealers for expenses incurred in connection with pre-approved seminars, conferences and advertising, and may, from time to time, pay or allow additional promotional incentives to dealers as part of pre-approved sales contests.

 

Statement of Intention. The reduced sales charge and public offering price applicable to Class A Shares, as set forth in the prospectus, applies to purchases of $50,000 or more made within a 13-month period pursuant to the terms of a written Statement of Intention in the form provided by the Distributor and signed by the purchaser. The Statement of Intention is not a binding obligation to purchase the indicated amount. Class A Shares equal to 4.50% (declining to 0.00% after an aggregate of $1,000,000 has been purchased under the Statement of Intention) of the dollar amount specified in the Statement of Intention will be held in escrow and capital gain distributions on these escrowed shares will be credited to the shareholder's account in shares (or paid in cash, if requested). If the intended investment is not completed within the specified 13-month period, the purchaser will remit to the Distributor the difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge which would have been paid if the total purchases had been made at a single time. If the difference is not paid within 20 days after written request by the Distributor or the securities dealer, the appropriate number of escrowed Class A Shares will be redeemed to pay such difference.

 

In the case of purchase orders by the trustees of certain employee plans by payroll deduction, the sales charge for the investments made during the 13-month period will be based on the following: total investments made the first month of the 13-month period times 13; as the period progresses the sales charge will be based (1) on the actual investment made previously during the 13-month period, plus (2) the current month's investments times the number of months remaining in the 13-month period. There will be no retroactive adjustments in sales charge on investments previously made during the 13-month period.

 

Plan of Distribution. The Fund has adopted a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan (the “12b-1 Plan”) for the Fund’s Investor Class Shares and Class A Shares under which the Fund may finance certain activities primarily intended to sell such classes of shares, provided the categories of expenses are approved in advance by the Board and the expenses paid under the 12b-1 Plan were incurred within the preceding 12 months and accrued while the 12b-1 Plan is in effect.

 

The 12b-1 Plan provides that the Fund will pay a fee to the Distributor at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Investor Class Shares and Class A Shares. Payments for distribution expenses under the 12b-1 Plan are subject to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Rule 12b-1 defines distribution expenses to include the cost of “any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of shares issued by the Trust”. Rule 12b-1 provides, among other things, that an investment company may bear such expenses only pursuant to a plan adopted in accordance with the Rule. In accordance with Rule 12b-1, the 12b-1 Plan provides that a report of the amounts expended under the 12b-1 Plan, and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred, will be made to the Board for its review at least quarterly. The 12b-1 Plan provides that it may not be amended to increase materially the costs which shares of the Fund may bear for distribution pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan without shareholder approval, and that any other type of material amendment must be approved by a majority of the Board and by a majority of the Trustees who are neither “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust nor have any direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the 12b-1 Plan or in any related agreement (the “12b-1 Trustees”), by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments.

 

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The Board has concluded that there is a reasonable likelihood that the 12b-1 Plan will benefit the Fund. It is anticipated that the 12b-1 Plan will benefit shareholders because an effective sales program typically is necessary for the Fund to reach and maintain a sufficient size to efficiently achieve its investment objectives and to realize economies of scale. The 12b-1 Plan is subject to annual re-approval by a majority of the 12b-1 Trustees and is terminable at any time with respect to the Fund by a vote of a majority of the 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of the holders of a majority of the applicable class’ outstanding shares of the Fund. Any agreement entered into pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan with a financial intermediary is terminable with respect to the Fund without penalty, at any time, by vote of a majority of the 12b-1 Trustees, by vote of the holders of a majority of the applicable classes’ outstanding shares of the Fund, by the Distributor or by the financial intermediary. An agreement will also terminate automatically in the event of its assignment. As long as the 12b-1 Plan is in effect, the nomination of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) must be committed to the discretion of the 12b-1 Trustees.

 

The Plan provides that expenditures may include, without limitation: (a) payments to the Distributor and to securities dealers and others in respect of the sale of shares of the Fund; (b) payment of compensation to and expenses of personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Trust has entered into agreements related to the Plan) who engage in or support distribution of shares of the Fund or who render shareholder support services not otherwise provided by the Trust’s transfer agent, administrator, or custodian, including but not limited to, answering inquiries regarding the Trust, processing shareholder transactions, providing personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, providing other shareholder liaison services, responding to shareholder inquiries, providing information on shareholder investments in the shares of the Fund, and providing such other shareholder services as the Trust may reasonably request, arranging for bank wires, assisting shareholders in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses, providing information periodically to shareholders showing their positions in the Fund, forwarding communications from the Fund such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual reports, and dividend distribution and tax notices to shareholders, processing purchase, exchange, and redemption requests from shareholders and placing orders with the Fund or its service providers; (c) formulation and implementation of marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (d) preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature; (e) preparation, printing and distribution of prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Trust for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Trust; (f) obtaining information and providing explanations to wholesale and retail distributors of contracts regarding Fund investment objectives and policies and other information about the Fund, including the performance of the Fund; and, (g) obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Trust may, from time to time, deem advisable.

 

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The table below shows the amount of Rule 12b-1 fees incurred and the allocation of such fees by the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Advertising Other-platform expenses Compensation to Broker/Dealers Total Rule 12b-1 fees incurred
$250 $12,189 $15,000 $27,439

 

Shareholder Services Plan. The Fund has adopted a shareholder services plan on behalf of its Class A Shares, Investor Class and Institutional Class Shares. Under the shareholder services plan, the Fund may pay an authorized firm up to 0.15% on an annualized basis of average daily net assets attributable to its customers who are shareholders. For this fee, the authorized firms may provide a variety of services, including but not limited to: (i) arranging for bank wires; (ii) responding to inquiries from shareholders concerning their investment in the Fund; (iii) assisting shareholders in changing dividend options, account designations and addresses; (iv) providing information periodically to shareholders showing their position in shares; (v) forwarding shareholder communications from the Fund such as proxies, shareholder reports, annual reports, and dividend distribution and tax notices to shareholders; (vi) processing purchase, exchange and redemption requests from shareholders and placing orders with the Fund or its service providers; (vii) providing sub-accounting with respect to shares beneficially owned by shareholders; and (viii) processing dividend payments from the Fund on behalf of shareholders.

 

The Trust understands that financial intermediaries may charge fees to their customers who are the beneficial owners of Class A, Investor Class or Institutional Class shares, in connection with their accounts with such financial intermediaries. Any such fees are not within and would be in addition to any amounts which may be received by an institution under the 12b-1 Plan. Under the terms of each servicing agreement entered into with the Trust, financial intermediaries are required to provide to their customers a schedule of any fees that they may charge in connection with customer investments in Fund shares

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES

 

Purchasing Shares. You may purchase shares of the Fund directly from the Distributor. You may also buy shares through accounts with brokers and other institutions ("authorized institutions") that are authorized to place trades in Fund shares for their customers. If you invest through an authorized institution, you will have to follow its procedures. Your institution may charge a fee for its services, in addition to the fees charged by the Fund. You will also generally have to address your correspondence or questions regarding the Fund to your authorized institution. The offering price per share is equal to the NAV next determined after the Fund or authorized institution receives your purchase order, plus any applicable sales charge.

 

Your authorized institution is responsible for transmitting all subscription and redemption requests, investment information, documentation and money to the Fund on time. Certain authorized institutions have agreements with the Fund that allow them to enter confirmed purchase or redemption orders on behalf of clients and customers. Under this arrangement, the authorized institution must send your payment to the Fund by the time it prices its shares on the following day. If your authorized institution fails to do so, it may be responsible for any resulting fees or losses.

 

The Fund reserve the right to reject any purchase order and to suspend the offering of shares. Under certain circumstances the Trust or the Adviser may waive the minimum initial investment for purchases by officers, trustees, and employees of the Trust and its affiliated entities and for certain related advisory accounts and retirement accounts (such as IRAs). The Fund may also change or waive policies concerning minimum investment amounts at any time.

 

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Exchanging Shares. If you request the exchange of the total value of your account from one fund to another, we will reinvest any declared but unpaid income dividends and capital gain distributions in the new fund at its net asset value. Backup withholding and information reporting may apply. Information regarding the possible tax consequences of an exchange appears in the tax section in this SAI.

 

If a substantial number of shareholders sell their shares of the Fund under the exchange privilege, within a short period, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities that it would otherwise have held, thus incurring additional transactional costs. Increased use of the exchange privilege may also result in periodic large inflows of money. If this occurs, it is the Fund's general policy to initially invest in short-term, interest-bearing money market instruments.

 

However, if the Adviser believes that attractive investment opportunities (consistent with the Fund's investment objective and policies) exist immediately, then it will invest such money in portfolio securities in as orderly a manner as is possible.

 

The proceeds from the sale of shares of the Fund may not be available until the third business day following the sale. The fund you are seeking to exchange into may also delay issuing shares until that third business day. The sale of Fund shares to complete an exchange will be effected at the NAV of the Fund next computed after your request for exchange is received in proper form.

 

Eligible Benefit Plans. An eligible benefit plan is an arrangement available to the employees of an employer (or two or more affiliated employers) having not less than 10 employees at the plan's inception, or such an employer on behalf of employees of a trust or plan for such employees, their spouses and their children under the age of 21 or a trust or plan for such employees, which provides for purchases through periodic payroll deductions or otherwise. There must be at least 5 initial participants with accounts investing or invested in Fund shares and/or certain other funds.

 

The initial purchase by the eligible benefit plan and prior purchases by or for the benefit of the initial participants of the plan must aggregate not less than $2,500 and subsequent purchases must be at least $50 per account and must aggregate at least $250. Purchases by the eligible benefit plan must be made pursuant to a single order paid for by a single check or federal funds wire and may not be made more often than monthly. A separate account will be established for each employee, spouse or child for which purchases are made. The requirements for initiating or continuing purchases pursuant to an eligible benefit plan may be modified and the offering to such plans may be terminated at any time without prior notice.

 

Selling Shares. You may sell your shares by giving instructions to the Transfer Agent by mail or by telephone. The Fund will use reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine and, if the procedures are followed, will not be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transactions.

 

The Fund’s procedure is to redeem shares at the NAV next determined after the Transfer Agent receives the redemption request in proper form, less any applicable deferred sales charge on purchases held for less than one year and for which no sales charge was paid at the time of purchase. Payment will be made promptly, but no later than the seventh day following the receipt of the redemption request in proper form. The Board may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment during any period when (a) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC or such exchange is closed for other than weekends and holidays, (b) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension, or (c) an emergency, as defined by rules of the SEC, exists during which time the sale of Fund shares or valuation of securities held by the Fund is not reasonably practicable.

 

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ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

 

The Adviser or the Distributor and their affiliates may, out of their own resources and without additional cost to the Fund or its shareholders, pay a solicitation fee to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries.

 

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

 

As described briefly in the applicable prospectus, the Fund offers the following shareholder services:

 

Regular Account. The regular account allows for voluntary investments to be made at any time. Available to individuals, custodians, corporations, trusts, estates, corporate retirement plans and others, investors are free to make additions and withdrawals to or from their account as often as they wish. Simply use the account application provided with the prospectus to open your account.

 

Telephone Transactions. A shareholder may redeem shares or transfer into another fund by telephone if this service is requested at the time the shareholder completes the initial account application. If it is not elected at that time, it may be elected at a later date by making a request in writing to the Transfer Agent and having the signature on the request guaranteed. The Fund employs reasonable procedures designed to confirm the authenticity of instructions communicated by telephone and, if it does not, it may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent transactions. As a result of this policy, a shareholder authorizing telephone redemption or transfer bears the risk of loss which may result from unauthorized or fraudulent transactions which the Fund believes to be genuine. When requesting a telephone redemption or transfer, the shareholder will be asked to respond to certain questions designed to confirm he shareholder's identity as the shareholder of record. Cooperation with these procedures helps to protect the account and the Fund from unauthorized transactions.

 

Automatic Investment Plan. Any shareholder may utilize this feature, which provides for automatic monthly investments into your account. Upon your request, the Transfer Agent will withdraw a fixed amount each month from a checking or savings account for investment into the Fund. This does not require a commitment for a fixed period of time. A shareholder may change the monthly investment, skip a month or discontinue the Automatic Investment Plan as desired by notifying the Transfer Agent at (800) 628-4077.

 

Retirement Plans. Fund shares are available for purchase in connection with the following tax-deferred prototype retirement plans:

 

1.      Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). IRAs are available for use by individuals with compensation for services rendered who wish to use shares of the Fund as the funding medium for individual retirement savings. IRAs include traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs and Rollover IRAs.

 

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2.      Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEPs). SEPs are a form of retirement plan for sole proprietors, partnerships and corporations.

 

For information about eligibility requirements and other matters concerning these plans and to obtain the necessary forms to participate in these plans, please call the Trust at 800-673-0550. Each plan's custodian charges nominal fees in connection with plan establishment and maintenance. These fees are detailed in the plan documents. You may wish to consult with your attorney or other tax adviser for specific advice concerning your tax status and plans.

 

Exchange Privilege. To the extent that the Adviser manages other funds in the Trust, shareholders may exchange their shares for shares of any other series of the Trust managed by the Adviser, provided the shares of the Fund the shareholder is exchanging into are registered for sale in the shareholder's state of residence.  Each account must meet the minimum investment requirements. As of the date of this prospectus, the Adviser manages one fund in the Trust. Also, to make an exchange, an exchange order must comply with the requirements for a redemption or repurchase order and must specify the value or the number of shares to be exchanged. Your exchange will take effect as of the next determination of the Fund's NAV per share (usually at the close of business on the same day). The Trust reserves the right to limit the number of exchanges or to otherwise prohibit or restrict shareholders from making exchanges at any time, without notice, should the Trust determine that it would be in the best interest of its shareholders to do so. For tax purposes, an exchange constitutes the sale of the shares of the fund from which you are exchanging and the purchase of shares of the fund into which you are exchanging. Consequently, the sale may involve either a capital gain or loss to the shareholder for federal income tax purposes. The exchange privilege is available only in states where it is legally permissible to do so.

 

TAXES

 

The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and its shareholders.  The discussion reflects applicable federal income tax laws of the U.S. as of the date of this SAI, which tax laws may be changed or subject to new interpretations by the courts or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), possibly with retroactive effect.  No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. income, estate or gift tax, or foreign, state or local tax concerns affecting the Fund and its shareholders (including shareholders owning large positions in the Fund).  The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice.  Investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences to them of investing in the Fund.

 

In addition, no attempt is made to address tax concerns applicable to an investor with a special tax status such as a financial institution, real estate investment trust, insurance company, regulated investment company (“RIC”), individual retirement account, other tax-exempt entity, dealer in securities or non-U.S. investor.  Furthermore, this discussion does not reflect possible application of the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”).  Unless otherwise noted, this discussion assumes shares of the Fund is held by U.S. shareholders and that such shares are held as capital assets.

 

A U.S. shareholder is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

a citizen or individual resident of the United States (including certain former citizens and former long-term residents);

 

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a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

a trust with respect to which a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. shareholders have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or the trust has made a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

 

A “Non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of shares of the Fund that is an individual, corporation, trust or estate and is not a U.S. shareholder.  If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of the Fund, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally depends upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership.  A prospective shareholder who is a partner of a partnership holding the Fund shares should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of its Fund shares.

 

Taxation as a RIC. The Fund intends to qualify and remain qualified as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). The Fund will qualify as a RIC if, among other things, it meets the source-of-income and the asset-diversification requirements. With respect to the source-of-income requirement, the Fund must derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income (including tax-exempt interest) from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures and forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such shares, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (the “90% Test”). A “qualified publicly traded partnership” is generally defined as a publicly traded partnership under Internal Revenue Code section 7704. However, for these purposes, a qualified publicly traded partnership does not include a publicly traded partnership if 90% or more of its income is described in (i) above. Income derived from a partnership (other than a qualified publicly traded partnership) or trust is qualifying income to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership or trust which would be qualifying income if realized by the Fund in the same manner as realized by the partnership or trust.

 

The Fund intends to invest in ETFs that are taxable as RICs under the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, the income the Fund receive from such ETFs should be qualifying income for purposes of the Fund satisfying the 90% Test described above. However, the Fund may also invest in one or more ETFs that are not taxable as RICs under the Internal Revenue Code and that may generate non-qualifying income for purposes of satisfying the 90% Test. The Fund anticipates monitoring its investments in such ETFs so as to keep the Fund’s non-qualifying income within acceptable limits of the 90% Test, however, it is possible that such non-qualifying income will be more than anticipated which could cause the Fund to inadvertently fail the 90% Test thereby causing the Fund to fail to qualify as a RIC. In such a case, the Fund would be subject to the rules described below.

 

If a RIC fails this 90% source-of-income test it is no longer subject to a 21% penalty as long as such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. Instead, the amount of the penalty for non-compliance is the amount by which the non-qualifying income exceeds one-ninth of the qualifying gross income.

 

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With respect to the asset-diversification requirement, the Fund must diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of each taxable year (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and other securities, if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets or more than 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 RICs of (a) one issuer, (b) two or more issuers that are controlled by the Fund and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (c) one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships.

 

If a RIC fails this asset-diversification test, such RIC, in addition to other cure provisions previously permitted, has a 6-month period to correct any failure without incurring a penalty if such failure is “de minimis,” meaning that the failure does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the RIC’s assets, or $10 million.

 

Similarly, if a RIC fails this asset-diversification test and the failure is not de minimis, a RIC can cure failure if: (a) the RIC files with the Treasury Department a description of each asset that causes the RIC to fail the diversification tests; (b) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect; and (c) the failure is cured within six months (or such other period specified by the Treasury). In such cases, a tax is imposed on the RIC equal to the greater of: (a) $50,000 or (b) an amount determined by multiplying the highest rate of tax (currently 21%) by the amount of net income generated during the period of diversification test failure by the assets that caused the RIC to fail the diversification test.

 

If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and distributes to its shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable income” as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code (which includes, among other things, dividends, taxable interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses and certain net foreign exchange gains as reduced by certain deductible expenses) without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, and (ii) the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain deductions attributable to such interest that are otherwise disallowed, the Fund will be relieved of U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including long-term capital gain, distributed to shareholders. However, any ordinary income or capital gain retained by the Fund will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate federal income tax rates (currently at a maximum rate of 21%). The Fund intends to distribute at least annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt interest, and net capital gain.

 

The Fund will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax on the portion of its undistributed ordinary income with respect to each calendar year and undistributed capital gains if it fails to meet certain distribution requirements with respect to the one-year period ending on October 31 in that calendar year. To avoid the 4% federal excise tax, the required minimum distribution is generally equal to the sum of (i) 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income (computed on a calendar year basis), (ii) 98.2% of the Fund’s capital gain net income (generally computed for the one-year period ending on October 31) and (iii) any income realized, but not distributed, and on which we paid no federal income tax in preceding years. The Fund generally intends to make distributions in a timely manner in an amount at least equal to the required minimum distribution and therefore, under normal market conditions, does not expect to be subject to this excise tax.

 

The Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which it does not receive cash. For example, if the Fund holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with payment in kind interest or, in certain cases, with increasing interest rates or that are issued with warrants), the Fund must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Fund in the same taxable year. Because any original issue discount accrued will be included in the Fund’s “investment company taxable income” (discussed above) for the year of accrual, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to its shareholders to satisfy the distribution requirement, even though it will not have received an amount of cash that corresponds with the income earned.

 

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To the extent that the Fund has capital loss carryforwards from prior tax years, those carryforwards will reduce the net capital gains that can support the Fund’s distribution of Capital Gain Dividends. If the Fund uses net capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (pre-2011 losses), those carryforwards will not reduce the Fund’s current earnings and profits, as losses incurred in later years will. As a result, if the Fund then makes distributions of capital gains recognized during the current year in excess of net capital gains (as reduced by carryforwards), the portion of the excess equal to pre-2011 losses factoring into net capital gain will be taxable as an ordinary dividend distribution, even though that distributed excess amount would not have been subject to tax if retained by the Fund. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether the Fund retains or distributes such gains. Beginning in 2011, a RIC is permitted to carry forward net capital losses indefinitely and may allow losses to retain their original character (as short or as long-term). For net capital losses recognized prior to such date, such losses are permitted to be carried forward up to 8 years and are characterized as short-term. These capital loss carryforwards may be utilized in future years to offset net realized capital gains of the Fund, if any, prior to distributing such gains to shareholders.

 

Except as set forth in “Failure to Qualify as a RIC,” the remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund will qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.

 

Failure to Qualify as a RIC. If the Fund is unable to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement or otherwise fails to qualify as a RIC in any year, it will be subject to corporate level income tax on all of its income and gain, regardless of whether or not such income was distributed. Distributions to the Fund’s shareholders of such income and gain will not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income. In such event, the Fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, would constitute ordinary dividends, which would generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders, and non-corporate shareholders would generally be able to treat such distributions as “qualified dividend income” eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income taxation, if holding period and other requirements are satisfied.

 

Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholders’ tax basis in their Fund shares, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. To qualify as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, the Fund would be required to satisfy the source-of-income, the asset diversification, and the annual distribution requirements for that year and dispose of any earnings and profits from any year in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. Subject to a limited exception applicable to RICs that qualified as such under the Internal Revenue Code for at least one year prior to disqualification and that requalify as a RIC no later than the second year following the nonqualifying year, the Fund would be subject to tax on any unrealized built-in gains in the assets held by it during the period in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC that are recognized within the subsequent 10 years, unless the Fund made a special election to pay corporate-level tax on such built-in gain at the time of its requalification as a RIC.

 

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Taxation for U.S. Shareholders. Distributions paid to U.S. shareholders by the Fund from its investment company taxable income (which is, generally, the Fund’s ordinary income plus net realized short-term capital gains in excess of net realized long-term capital losses) are generally taxable to U.S. shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Such distributions (if designated by the Fund) may qualify (i) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders under Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent that the Fund’s income consists of dividend income from U.S. corporations, excluding distributions from tax-exempt organizations, exempt farmers’ cooperatives or real estate investment trusts or (ii) in the case of individual shareholders, as qualified dividend income eligible to be taxed at reduced rates under Section 1(h)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code (which provides for a maximum 20% rate) to the extent that the Fund receives qualified dividend income, and provided in each case certain holding period and other requirements are met. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations (e.g., generally, foreign corporations incorporated in a possession of the United States or in certain countries with a qualified comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States, or the stock with respect to which such dividend is paid is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). A qualified foreign corporation generally excludes any foreign corporation, which for the taxable year of the corporation in which the dividend was paid, or the preceding taxable year, is a passive foreign investment company. Distributions made to a U.S. shareholder from an excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital losses (“capital gain dividends”), including capital gain dividends credited to such shareholder but retained by the Fund, are taxable to such shareholder as long-term capital gain if they have been properly designated by the Fund, regardless of the length of time such shareholder owned the shares of the Fund. The maximum tax rate on capital gain dividends received by individuals is generally 20%. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will be treated by the U.S. shareholder, first, as a tax-free return of capital, which is applied against and will reduce the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. shareholder’s shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gain to the U.S. shareholder (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). The Fund is not required to provide written notice designating the amount of any qualified dividend income or capital gain dividends and other distributions. The Forms 1099 will instead serve this notice purpose.

 

As a RIC, the Fund will be subject to the AMT, but any items that are treated differently for AMT purposes must be apportioned between the Fund and the shareholders and this may affect the shareholders’ AMT liabilities. The Fund intends in general to apportion these items in the same proportion that dividends paid to each shareholder bear to the Fund’s taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction).

 

For purpose of determining (i) whether the annual distribution requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If the Fund makes such an election, the U.S. shareholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by the U.S. shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

 

The Fund intends to distribute all realized capital gains, if any, at least annually. If, however, the Fund were to retain any net capital gain, the Fund may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a notice to shareholders who, if subject to U.S. federal income tax on long-term capital gains, (i) will be required to include in income as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the federal income tax paid by the Fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If such an event occurs, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally be increased by the difference between the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in the shareholder’s gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholders.

 

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Sales and other dispositions of the shares of the Fund, such as exchanges, generally are taxable events. U.S. shareholders should consult their own tax adviser with reference to their individual circumstances to determine whether any particular transaction in the shares of the Fund is properly treated as a sale or exchange for federal income tax purposes, as the following discussion assumes, and the tax treatment of any gains or losses recognized in such transactions. The sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund will generally result in capital gain or loss to the shareholder equal to the difference between the amount realized and his adjusted tax basis in the shares sold or exchanged, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by such shareholder with respect to such shares. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of shares of the Fund generally will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares are acquired within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed. In such case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Present law taxes both long-term and short-term capital gain of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income of corporations. For non-corporate taxpayers, short-term capital gain will currently be taxed at the rate applicable to ordinary income, while long-term capital gain generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 20%. Capital losses are subject to certain limitations.

 

Federal law requires that mutual fund companies report their shareholders' cost basis, gain/loss, and holding period to the Internal Revenue Service on the Fund’s shareholders’ Consolidated Form 1099s when “covered” securities are sold. Covered securities are any regulated investment company and/or dividend reinvestment plan shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012.

 

The Fund has chosen average cost as the standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. A tax lot identification method is the way the Fund will determine which specific shares are deemed to be sold when there are multiple purchases on different dates at differing net asset values, and the entire position is not sold at one time. The Fund has chosen average cost as its standing (default) tax lot identification method for all shareholders. The Fund’s standing tax lot identification method is the method covered shares will be reported on your Consolidated Form 1099 if you do not select a specific tax lot identification method. You may choose a method different than the Fund’s standing method and will be able to do so at the time of your purchase or upon the sale of covered shares. Please refer to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service regulations or consult your tax advisor with regard to your personal circumstances.

 

For those securities defined as "covered" under current Internal Revenue Service cost basis tax reporting regulations, the Fund is responsible for maintaining accurate cost basis and tax lot information for tax reporting purposes. The Fund is not responsible for the reliability or accuracy of the information for those securities that are not "covered." The Fund and their service providers do not provide tax advice. You should consult independent sources, which may include a tax professional, with respect to any decisions you may make with respect to choosing a tax lot identification method.

 

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Certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.

 

Straddles. When the Fund enters into an offsetting position to limit the risk on another position, the “straddle” rules usually come into play. An option or other position entered into or held by the Fund in conjunction with any other position held by the Fund may constitute a “straddle” for Federal income tax purposes. In general, straddles are subject to certain rules that may affect the character and timing of the Fund’s gains and losses with respect to straddle positions. The key features of the straddle rules are as follows:

 

The Fund may have to wait to deduct any losses. If the Fund has a capital gain in one position of a straddle and a capital loss in the other, the Fund may not recognize the loss for federal income tax purposes until the Fund disposes of both positions. This might occur, for example, if the Fund had a highly appreciated stock position and the Fund purchased protective put options (which give the Fund the right to sell the stock to someone else for a period of time at a predetermined price) to offset the risk. If the stock continued to increase in value and the put options expired worthless, the Fund must defer recognition of the loss on its put options until the Fund sells and recognizes the gain on the original, appreciated position.

 

The Fund’s capital gain holding period may be limited. The moment the Fund enters into a typical straddle, the capital gains holding period on its offsetting positions is frozen. If the Fund held the original position for one year or less (thus not qualifying for the long-term capital gains rate), not only is the holding period frozen, it starts all over again when the Fund disposes of the offsetting position.

 

Losses recognized with respect to certain straddle positions that would otherwise constitute short-term capital losses may be treated as long-term capital losses. This generally has the effect of reducing the tax benefit of such losses.

 

The Fund may not be able to deduct any interest expenses or carrying charges. During the offsetting period, any interest or carrying charges associated with the straddle are not currently tax deductible, but must be capitalized (added to cost basis).

 

Original Issue Discount, Pay-In-Kind Securities, Market Discount and Commodity-Linked Notes. Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (“OID”) is treated as interest income and is included in the Fund’s taxable income (and required to be distributed by the Fund) over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security.

 

Some debt obligations (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having “market discount.” Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligations issued with OID, its “revised issue price”) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt obligation having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt obligation. Alternatively, the Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in the Fund’s income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in the Fund’s income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects. In the case of higher-risk securities, the amount of market discount may be unclear. See “Higher-Risk Securities.”

 

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Some debt obligations (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as having “acquisition discount” (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price), or OID in the case of certain types of debt obligations. The Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income (as ordinary income) over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt obligations having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.

 

In addition, payment-in-kind securities will, and commodity-linked notes may, give rise to income that is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

 

If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, they may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount that 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 than they would in the absence of such transactions.

 

Higher-Risk Securities. To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund may invest in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income. In limited circumstances, it may also not be clear whether the Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, and if so, what amount of market discount the Fund should recognize. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

 

Issuer Deductibility of Interest. A portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high yield discount obligations owned by the Fund may not be deductible to (and thus, may affect the cash flow of) the issuer. If a portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high yield discount obligations is not deductible, that portion will be treated as a dividend for purposes of the corporate dividends-received deduction. In such cases, if the issuer of the high yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by the Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction to the extent of the deemed dividend portion of such accrued interest.

 

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Interest paid on debt obligations owned by the Fund, if any, that are considered for U.S. tax purposes to be payable in the equity of the issuer or a related party will not be deductible to the issuer, possibly affecting the cash flow of the issuer.

 

Tax-Exempt Shareholders. A tax-exempt shareholder could recognize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 514(b). Furthermore, a tax-exempt shareholder may recognize UBTI if the Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).

 

In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in section 664 of the Internal Revenue Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year, must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI solely as a result of investing in the Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in the Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then the regulated investment company will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders, at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in the Fund. The Fund has not yet determined whether such an election will be made. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisers concerning the consequences of investing in the Fund.

 

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 conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes.

 

The ETFs in which the Fund invests may invest in foreign securities. Dividends and interest received by an ETF’s holding of foreign securities may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If the ETF in which the Fund invests is taxable as a RIC and meets certain other requirements, which include a requirement that more than 50% of the value of such ETF’s total assets at the close of its respective taxable year consists of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, then the ETF should be eligible to file an election with the IRS that may enable its shareholders, including the Fund in effect, to receive either the benefit of a foreign tax credit, or a tax deduction, with respect to any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid the by Fund, subject to certain limitations.

 

A “qualified fund of funds” is a RIC that has at least 50% of the value of its total interests invested in other RICs at the end of each quarter of the taxable year. If the Fund satisfies this requirement or if it meets certain other requirements, which include a requirement that more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consist of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, then the Fund should be eligible to file an election with the IRS that may enable its shareholders to receive either the benefit of a foreign tax credit, or a tax deduction, with respect to any foreign and U.S. possessions income taxes paid by the Fund, subject to certain limitations.

 

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Foreign Shareholders. Capital Gain Dividends are generally not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax. Absent a specific statutory exemption, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends paid by the Fund to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (such shareholder, a “foreign shareholder”) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding.

 

A regulated investment company is not required to withhold any amounts (i) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a foreign person (a) that does not provide a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (b) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign person is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (c) that is within a foreign country that has inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (d) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign person and the foreign person is a controlled foreign corporation) from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign person, to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders (“interest-related dividends”), and (ii) with respect to distributions (other than (a) distributions to an individual foreign person who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (b) distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests as described below) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses to the extent such distributions are properly reported by the regulated investment company (“short-term capital gain dividends”). If the Fund invests in an Underlying Fund that pays such distributions to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign persons.

 

The Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. These exemptions from withholding will not be available to foreign shareholders of the Fund that do not currently report their dividends as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends.

 

In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders. Foreign persons should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.

 

Under U.S. federal tax law, a beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign shareholder generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of the Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends unless (i) such gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) apply to the foreign shareholder’s sale of shares of the Fund or to the Capital Gain Dividend the foreign shareholder received (as described below).

 

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Special rules would apply if the Fund were either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USPRIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or former USRPHC.

 

If the Fund were a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the exceptions referred to above, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) attributable to gains realized by the Fund on the disposition of USRPIs or to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier regulated investment company or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands generally would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholder’s current and past ownership of the Fund. On and after January 1, 2012, this “look-through” USRPI treatment for distributions by the Fund, if it were either a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of the exceptions referred to above, to foreign shareholders applies only to those distributions that, in turn, are attributable to distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier REIT, unless Congress enacts legislation providing otherwise.

 

In addition, if the Fund were a USRPHC or former USRPHC, it could be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.

 

Whether or not the Fund is characterized as a USRPHC will depend upon the nature and mix of the Fund’s assets. The Fund does not expect to be a USRPHC. Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the Fund.

 

If a beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder has a trade or business in the United States, and the dividends are effectively connected with the beneficial holder’s conduct of that trade or business, the dividend will be subject to U.S. federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates.

 

If a beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by that beneficial holder in the United States.

 

To qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or for lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from backup withholding, a foreign shareholder must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-US status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form). Foreign shareholders in the Fund should consult their tax advisers in this regard.

 

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A beneficial holder of Fund shares who is a foreign shareholder may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the federal tax on income referred to above.

 

Backup Withholding. The Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding tax rate is currently 24%.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.

 

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations. Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

 

Shareholder Reporting Obligations with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets. Certain individuals (and, if provided in future guidance, certain domestic entities) must disclose annually their interests in “specified foreign financial assets” on IRS Form 8938, which must be attached to their U.S. federal income tax returns for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010. The IRS has not yet released a copy of the Form 8938 and has suspended the requirement to attach Form 8938 for any taxable year for which an income tax return is filed before the release of Form 8938. Following Form 8938’s release, individuals will be required to attach to their next income tax return required to be filed with the IRS a Form 8938 for each taxable year for which the filing of Form 8938 was suspended. Until the IRS provides more details regarding this reporting requirement, including in Form 8938 itself and related Treasury regulations, it remains unclear under what circumstances, if any, a shareholder’s (indirect) interest in the Fund’s “specified foreign financial assets,” if any, will be required to be reported on this Form 8938.

 

Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements. Rules enacted in March 2010 require the reporting to the IRS of direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts and foreign entities by U.S. persons. Failure to provide this required information can result in a 30% withholding tax on certain payments (“withholdable payments”) made after December 31, 2013. Specifically, withholdable payments subject to this 30% withholding tax include payments of U.S.-source dividends and interest made on or after January 1, 2014, and payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposal of property that can produce U.S.-source dividends or interest made on or after January 1, 2015.

 

The IRS has issued only very preliminary guidance with respect to these new rules; their scope remains unclear and potentially subject to material change. Very generally, it is possible that distributions made by the Fund after the dates noted above (or such later dates as may be provided in future guidance) to a shareholder, including a distribution in redemption of shares and a distribution of income or gains otherwise exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to non-U.S. shareholders described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends, Short-Term Capital Gain Dividends and interest-related dividends, as described above) will be subject to the new 30% withholding requirement. Payments to a foreign shareholder that is a “foreign financial institution” will generally be subject to withholding, unless such shareholder enters into a timely agreement with the IRS. Payments to shareholders that are U.S. persons or foreign individuals will generally not be subject to withholding, so long as such shareholders provide the Fund with such certifications or other documentation, including, to the extent required, with regard to such shareholders’ direct and indirect owners, as the Fund requires to comply with the new rules. Persons investing in the Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary regarding the application of the new reporting and withholding regime to their investments in the Fund.

 

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Shareholders are urged to consult a tax advisor regarding this new reporting and withholding regime, in light of their particular circumstances.

 

Shares Purchased through Tax-Qualified Plans. Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of the Fund as an investment through such plans, and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.

 

FATCA. Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution (“FFI”) or a non-financial foreign entity (“NFFE”) within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (a) income dividends paid by the Fund after June 30, 2014 and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares paid by the Fund after December 31, 2016. FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement or other exemption, if it enters into a valid agreement with the IRS to, among other requirements, report required information about certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. The Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of the Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.

 

Possible Tax Law Changes. At the time that this SAI is being prepared, the coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting the United States. Various administrative and legislative changes to the federal tax laws are under consideration, but it is not possible at this time to determine whether any of these changes will take place or what the changes might entail.

 

The foregoing is a general and abbreviated summary of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern the taxation of the Fund and its shareholders. These provisions are subject to change by legislative and administrative action, and any such change may be retroactive. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding specific questions as to U.S. federal income, estate or gift taxes, or foreign, state, local taxes or other taxes.

 

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BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

 

Brokerage Transactions. Generally, equity securities are bought and sold through brokerage transactions for which commissions are payable. Purchases from underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession, and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include a dealer's mark-up or reflect a dealer's mark-down. The purchase price for securities bought from dealers serving as market makers will similarly include the dealer's mark up or reflect a dealer's mark down. When the Fund executes transactions in the over-the-counter market, it will generally deal with primary market makers unless prices that are more favorable are otherwise obtainable.

 

In selecting brokers and dealers to execute portfolio transactions, the Adviser may consider research and brokerage services furnished to the Adviser or its affiliates. The Adviser may not consider sales of shares of the Fund as a factor in the selection of brokers and dealers, but may place portfolio transactions with brokers and dealers that promote or sell the Fund’s shares so long as such transactions are done in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Trustees that are designed to ensure that the selection is based on the quality of execution and not on sales efforts. When placing portfolio transactions with a broker or dealer, the Adviser may aggregate securities to be sold or purchased for the Fund with those to be sold or purchased for other advisory accounts managed by the Adviser. In aggregating such securities, the Adviser will average the transaction as to price and will allocate available investments in a manner that the Adviser believes to be fair and reasonable to the Fund and such other advisory accounts. An aggregated order will generally be allocated on a pro rata basis among all participating accounts, based on the relative dollar values of the participating accounts, or using any other method deemed to be fair to the participating accounts, with any exceptions to such methods involving the Trust being reported to the Trustees.

 

Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act permits the Adviser, under certain circumstances, to cause the Fund to pay a broker or dealer a commission for effecting a transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting the transaction in recognition of the value of brokerage and research services provided by the broker or dealer. In addition to agency transactions, the Adviser may receive brokerage and research services in connection with certain riskless principal transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC guidance. Brokerage and research services include: (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, Fund strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement, and custody). In the case of research services, the Adviser believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to its investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to the Fund.

 

To the extent that research services may be a factor in selecting brokers, such services may be in written form or through direct contact with individuals and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or institutional areas and information which assists in the valuation and pricing of investments. Examples of research-oriented services for which the Adviser might utilize Fund commissions include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, sectors, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. The Adviser may use research services furnished by brokers in servicing all client accounts and not all services may necessarily be used in connection with the account that paid commissions to the broker providing such services. Information so received by the Adviser will be in addition to and not in lieu of the services required to be performed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement. Any advisory or other fees paid to the Adviser are not reduced as a result of the receipt of research services.

 

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In some cases the Adviser may receive a service from a broker that has both a "research" and a "non-research" use. When this occurs, the Adviser makes a good faith allocation, under all the circumstances, between the research and non-research uses of the service. The percentage of the service that is used for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while the Adviser will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the service that is used for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, the Adviser faces a potential conflict of interest, but the Adviser believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such services to their research and non-research uses.

 

From time to time, the Fund may purchase new issues of securities in a fixed price offering. In these situations, the seller may be a member of the selling group that will, in addition to selling securities, provide the Adviser with research services. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has adopted rules expressly permitting these types of arrangements under certain circumstances. Generally, the seller will provide research "credits" in these situations at a rate that is higher than that which is available for typical secondary market transactions. These arrangements may not fall within the safe harbor of Section 28(e).

 

During the past three fiscal years, the Fund paid brokerage commissions as follows:

 

2019 2018 2017  
$2,438 $7,226 $19,275  

 

The amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Fund was higher in 2017 because the Fund’s investment strategies and investment adviser and sub-adviser changed in the 4th quarter of 2017 and this change resulted in increased portfolio trading in order to replace the inherited positions with assets that coincided with the new strategy of providing broad-based global equity exposure.

 

Brokerage with Fund Affiliates. The Fund may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker-dealer affiliates of either the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") and rules promulgated by the SEC. These rules further require that commissions paid to the affiliate by the Fund for exchange transactions not exceed "usual and customary" brokerage commissions. The rules define "usual and customary" commissions to include amounts which are "reasonable and fair compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable period of time." The Trustees, including those who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, have adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of commissions paid to affiliates and review these procedures periodically.

 

For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, the Fund paid no brokerage commissions on portfolio transactions effected by affiliated brokers.

 

Securities of "Regular Broker-Dealers." The Fund is required to identify any securities of its "regular brokers and dealers" (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) which the Fund may hold at the close of its most recent fiscal year. As of December 31, 2019, the Fund did not hold any securities of any entity that would qualify as a regular broker or dealer.

 

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Allocation. When two or more clients managed by the Adviser are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the transactions are allocated in a manner deemed equitable to each client. In some cases this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned. In other cases, however, the ability to participate in volume transactions will be beneficial to the Fund. The Board believes that these advantages, when combined with the other benefits available because of the Adviser’s organization, outweigh the disadvantages that may exist from this treatment of transactions.

 

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES HOLDINGS

 

This Disclosure of Portfolio Securities Holdings Policy (the “Policy”) shall govern the disclosure of the portfolio securities holdings of each Fund series of the Trust. The Trust maintains this Policy to ensure that disclosure of information about portfolio securities is in the best interests of the Fund and the Fund’s shareholders. The Board reviews these policies and procedures as necessary and compliance will be periodically assessed by the Board in connection with a report from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. In addition, the Board has reviewed and approved the provision of portfolio holdings information to entities described below that may be prior to and more frequently than the public disclosure of such information (i.e., “non-standard disclosure”). The Board has also delegated authority to the officers of the Trust and Adviser to provide such information in certain circumstances (see below).

 

The Trust is required by the SEC to publicly file its complete portfolio holdings schedule with the SEC on a quarterly basis. This schedule is filed with the Trust’s annual and semi-annual reports on Form N-CSR for the second and fourth fiscal quarters and on Form N-PORT for the first and third fiscal quarters. Certain portfolio information is also included on Form N-PORT that is filed for the second and fourth fiscal quarters. The portfolio holdings information provided in these reports is as of the end of the respective quarter. Form N-CSR must be filed with the SEC no later than ten (10) calendar days after the Trust transmits its annual or semi-annual report to its shareholders. Form N-PORT must be filed with the SEC and will be made publicly available no later than sixty (60) calendar days after the end of the applicable quarter.

 

Additionally, the Trust’s service providers which have contracted to provide services to the Trust and its funds, including, for example, the custodian, fund accountants, and other service providers assisting with materials utilized in the Board’s 15c processes that require portfolio holdings information in order to perform those services, may receive non-standard disclosure. Non-standard disclosure of portfolio holdings information may also be provided to a third-party when the Trust has a legitimate business purpose for doing so. The Trust has the following ongoing arrangements with certain third parties to provide the Fund’s portfolio holdings information:

 

1. to the Trust’s auditors within sixty (60) days after the applicable fiscal period or other periods as necessary for use in providing audit opinions and other advice related to financial, regulatory, or tax reporting;

 

2. to financial printers within sixty (60) days after the applicable fiscal period for the purpose of preparing Trust regulatory filings; and

 

3. to the Trust’s administrator, custodian, transfer agent and accounting services provider on a daily basis in connection with their providing services to the Fund.

 

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The Trust’s service providers may also disclose non-public portfolio holdings information if such disclosure is required by applicable laws, rules or regulations, or by regulatory authorities. Additionally, the Adviser may establish ongoing arrangements with certain third parties to provide the Fund’s portfolio holdings information that the Adviser determines that the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so and the recipient is subject to a duty of confidentiality. These third parties may include:

 

1. financial data processing companies that provide automated data scanning and monitoring services for the Fund;

 

2. research companies that allow the Adviser to perform attribution analysis for the Fund; and

 

3. the Adviser’s proxy voting agent to assess and vote proxies on behalf of the Fund.

 

From time to time, employees of the Adviser may express their views orally or in writing on the Fund’s portfolio securities or may state that the Fund has recently purchased or sold, or continues to own, one or more securities. The securities subject to these views and statements may be ones that were purchased or sold since the Fund’s most recent quarter-end and therefore may not be reflected on the list of the Fund’s most recent quarter-end portfolio holdings. These views and statements may be made to various persons, including members of the press, brokers and other financial intermediaries that sell shares of the Fund, shareholders in the Fund, persons considering investing in the Fund or representatives of such shareholders or potential shareholders, such as fiduciaries of a 401(k) plan or a trust and their advisers, and other entities for which the Adviser may determine. The nature and content of the views and statements provided to these persons may differ. From time to time, employees of the Adviser also may provide oral or written information (“portfolio commentary”) about the Fund, including, but not limited to, how the Fund’s investments are divided among various sectors, industries, countries, investment styles and capitalization sizes, and among stocks, bonds, currencies and cash, security types, bond maturities, bond coupons and bond credit quality ratings. This portfolio commentary may also include information on how these various weightings and factors contributed to Fund performance. The Adviser may also provide oral or written information (“statistical information”) about various financial characteristics of the Fund or its underlying portfolio securities including, but not limited to, alpha, beta, R-squared, coefficient of determination, duration, maturity, information ratio, sharpe ratio, earnings growth, payout ratio, price/book value, projected earnings growth, return on equity, standard deviation, tracking error, weighted average quality, market capitalization, percent debt to equity, price to cash flow, dividend yield or growth, default rate, portfolio turnover, and risk and style characteristics. This portfolio commentary and statistical information about the Fund may be based on the Fund’s portfolio as of the most recent quarter-end or the end of some other interim period, such as month-end. The portfolio commentary and statistical information may be provided to various persons, including those described in the preceding paragraph. The nature and content of the information provided to these persons may differ.

 

Additionally, employees of the Adviser may disclose one or more of the portfolio securities of the Fund when purchasing and selling securities through broker-dealers, requesting bids on securities, obtaining price quotations on securities, or in connection with litigation involving the Fund’s portfolio securities. The Adviser does not enter into formal non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements in connection with these situations; however, the Fund would not continue to conduct business with a person who the Adviser believed was misusing the disclosed information.

 

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The Adviser or its affiliates may manage products sponsored by companies other than itself, including investment companies, offshore funds, and separate accounts and affiliates of the Adviser may provide investment related services, including research services, to other companies, including other investment companies, offshore funds, institutional investors and other entities. In each of these instances, the sponsors of these other companies and the affiliates of the Adviser may receive compensation for their services. In many cases, these other products are managed in a similar fashion to the Fund and thus have similar portfolio holdings, and the other investment related services provided by affiliates of the Adviser may involve disclosure of information that is also utilized by the Adviser in managing the Fund. The sponsors of these other products may disclose the portfolio holdings of their products at different times than the Adviser discloses portfolio holdings for the Fund, and affiliates of the Adviser may provide investment related services to its clients at times that are different than the times disclosed to the Fund.

 

The Trust and the Adviser currently have no other arrangements for the provision of non-standard disclosure to any party or shareholder. Other than the non-standard disclosure discussed above, if a third-party requests specific, current information regarding the Fund’s portfolio holdings, the Trust will refer the third-party to the latest regulatory filing.

 

All of the arrangements above are subject to the policies and procedures adopted by the Board to ensure such disclosure is for a legitimate business purpose and is in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders. The Trust’s CCO is responsible for monitoring the use and disclosure of information relating to Portfolio Securities. Although no material conflicts of interest are believed to exist that could disadvantage the Fund and its shareholders, various safeguards have been implemented to protect the Fund and its shareholders from conflicts of interest, including: the adoption of Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act designed to prevent fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative acts by officers and employees of the Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor in connection with their personal securities transactions; the adoption by the Adviser and Distributor of insider trading policies and procedures designed to prevent their employees’ misuse of material non-public information; and the adoption by the Trust of a Code of Ethics for Officers that requires the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Trust to report to the Board any affiliations or other relationships that could potentially create a conflict of interest with the Fund. There may be instances where the interests of the Trust’s shareholders respecting the disclosure of information about portfolio holdings may conflict or appear to conflict with the interests of the Adviser, any principal underwriter for the Trust or an affiliated person of the Trust, the Adviser or the Distributor. In such situations, the conflict must be disclosed to the Board and the Board will attempt to resolve the situation in a manner that it deems in the best interests of the Fund.

 

Affiliated persons of the Trust who receive non-standard disclosure are subject to restrictions and limitations on the use and handling of such information, including requirements to maintain the confidentiality of such information, pre-clear securities trades and report securities transactions activity, as applicable. Except as provided above, affiliated persons of the Trust and third party service providers of the Trust receiving such non-standard disclosure will be instructed that such information must be kept confidential and that no trading on such information should be allowed.

 

Neither the Trust, the Fund nor the Adviser receives compensation or other consideration in connection with the non-standard disclosure of information about portfolio securities.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST

 

The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on April 9, 2007. The Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust authorizes the Board to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest in the Trust and to classify or reclassify any unissued shares into one or more series of shares. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust further authorizes the trustees to classify or reclassify any series of shares into one or more classes. The Trust's shares of beneficial interest have no par value.

 

The Fund is authorized to issue four classes of shares, which are described earlier in this SAI.

 

Shares have no preemptive rights and only such conversion or exchange rights as the Board may grant in its discretion. When issued for payment as described in the applicable prospectus, shares will be fully paid and non-assessable. In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Trust or an individual fund, shareholders of a fund are entitled to receive the assets available for distribution belonging to the particular fund, and a proportionate distribution, based upon the relative asset values of the respective fund, of any general assets of the Trust not belonging to any particular fund which are available for distribution.

 

Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held, and a proportionate fractional vote for each fractional share held, and will vote in the aggregate and not by class, except as otherwise expressly required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted on affects only the interests of shareholders of a particular class. Voting rights are not cumulative and, accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the aggregate of the Trust's outstanding shares may elect all of the trustees, irrespective of the votes of other shareholders.

 

Rule 18f-2 under the 1940 Act provides that any matter required to be submitted to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Trust shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the fund affected by the matter. A particular fund is deemed to be affected by a matter unless it is clear that the interests of the fund in the matter are substantially identical or that the matter does not affect any interest of the fund. Under the Rule, the approval of an investment management agreement or any change in an investment objective, if fundamental, or in a fundamental investment policy would be effectively acted upon with respect to a fund only if approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of such fund. However, the Rule also provides that the ratification of the appointment of independent public accountants, the approval of principal underwriting contracts and the election of trustees may be effectively acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series or class.

 

Each fund is a separate mutual fund, and each share of each fund represents an equal proportionate interest in that fund. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any fund and all assets of such fund belong solely to that fund and would be subject to liabilities related thereto. Each fund of the Trust pays its (i) operating expenses, including fees of its service providers, expenses of preparing prospectuses, proxy solicitation material and reports to shareholders, costs of custodial services and registering its shares under federal and state securities laws, pricing, insurance expenses, brokerage costs, interest charges, taxes and organization expenses; and (ii) pro rata share of the fund’s other expenses, including audit and legal expenses. Expenses attributable to a specific fund shall be payable solely out of the assets of that fund. Expenses not attributable to a specific fund are allocated across all of the funds on the basis of relative net assets.

 

50 

 

 

The Trust does not presently intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders except as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. Upon the written request of shareholders owning at least 25% of the Trust's shares, the Trust will call for a meeting of shareholders to consider the removal of one or more trustees and other certain matters. To the extent required by law, the Trust will assist in shareholder communication in such matters.

 

The Board has full power and authority, in its sole discretion, and without obtaining shareholder approval, to divide or combine the shares of any class or series thereof into a greater or lesser number, to classify or reclassify any issued shares or any class or series thereof into one or more classes or series of shares, and to take such other action with respect to the Trust's shares as the Board may deem desirable. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust authorizes the trustees, without shareholder approval, to cause the Trust to merge or to consolidate with any corporation, association, trust or other organization in order to change the form of organization and/or domicile of the Trust or to sell or exchange all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust, or any series or class thereof, in dissolution of the Trust, or any series or class thereof. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust permits the termination of the Trust or of any series or class of the Trust by the trustees without shareholder approval. However, the exercise of such authority by the Board without shareholder approval may be subject to certain restrictions or limitations under the 1940 Act.

 

PROXY VOTING

 

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to the Adviser, which in turn has delegated such responsibility to the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which are included in Exhibit A to this SAI. The Board of Trustees will periodically review the Fund's proxy voting record. The proxy voting policies and procedures of the Trust are included as Exhibit B to this SAI.

 

The Trust is required to disclose annually the Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX. Any material changes to the proxy policies and procedures will be submitted to the Board for approval. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the most recent 12-month period ending June 30, will be available (1) without charge, upon request by calling 800-628-4077 or by writing to the Fund at 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235; and (2) on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

CODES OF ETHICS

 

The Board of Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, has adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Adviser, Sub-Adviser and Distributor have each adopted Codes of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1. These Codes of Ethics apply to the personal investing activities of trustees, officers and certain employees ("access persons"). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes of Ethics are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by access persons. Under each Code of Ethics, access persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. The personnel subject to the Codes are permitted to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. In addition, certain access persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements, or are prohibited from making such investments. Copies of these Codes of Ethics are on file with the SEC, and are available to the public on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

51 

 

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION 

 

The audited financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, including the financial highlights appearing in the Annual Report to shareholders, have been adopted by the Fund and are incorporated by reference and made a part of this document.

 

You may request a copy of the annual and semi-annual reports for the Fund at no charge by calling the Fund at:

 

Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund 

c/o World Funds Trust 

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205 

Richmond, Virginia 23235 

Telephone: 800-628-4077

 

52 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY 

Of 

Auour Investments, LLC

 

PROXY VOTING

 

 

Auour Investments, LLC (“Auour”) as a matter of policy and as a fiduciary to our clients, has responsibility for voting proxies for portfolio securities consistent with the best economic interests of the clients. Our firm maintains written policies and procedures as to the handling, research, voting and reporting of proxy voting and makes appropriate disclosures about our firm’s proxy policies and practices. Our policy and practice includes the responsibility to monitor corporate actions, receive and vote client proxies and disclose any potential conflicts of interest as well as making information available to clients about the voting of proxies for their portfolio securities and maintaining relevant and required records.

 

Background

Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised. Investment advisers registered with the SEC, and which exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, are required by Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act to (a) adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that client securities are voted in the best interests of clients, which must include how an adviser addresses material conflicts that may arise between an adviser's interests and those of its clients; (b) to disclose to clients how they may obtain information from the adviser with respect to the voting of proxies for their securities; (c) to describe to clients a summary of its proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, furnish a copy to its clients; and (d) maintain certain records relating to the adviser's proxy voting activities when the adviser does have proxy voting authority.

 

Responsibility

Joseph Hosler has the responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of our proxy voting policy, practices, disclosures and record keeping, including outlining our voting guidelines in our procedures.

 

Procedure

Auour has adopted procedures to implement the firm’s policy and reviews to monitor and insure the firm’s policy is observed, implemented properly and amended or updated, as appropriate, which include the following:

 

All associated persons will forward any proxy materials received on behalf of clients to Joseph Hosler;

Joseph Hosler will determine which client accounts hold the security to which the proxy relates;

 

53 

 

 

Absent material conflicts, Joseph Hosler, CFA, will determine how Auour should vote the proxy in accordance with applicable voting guidelines, complete the proxy and vote the proxy in a timely and appropriate manner.

 

Disclosure

Auour will provide information in its Form ADV Part 2A summarizing this proxy voting policy and procedures, including a statement that clients may request information regarding how Auour Investments voted a client’s proxies, and that clients may request a copy of these policies and procedures.

 

Client Requests for Information

All client requests for information regarding proxy votes, or policies and procedures, received by any associated person should be forwarded to Joseph Hosler.

 

In response to any request, Mr. Hosler will prepare a written response to the client with the information requested, and as applicable will include the name of the issuer, the proposal voted upon, and how Auour voted the client’s proxy with respect to each proposal about which client inquired.

 

Voting Guidelines

In the absence of specific voting guidelines from the client, Auour will vote proxies in the best interests of each particular client. Auour's policy is to vote all proxies from a specific issuer the same way for each client absent qualifying restrictions from a client. Clients are permitted to place reasonable restrictions on Auour's voting authority in the same manner that they may place such restrictions on the actual selection of account securities.

 

As a general policy, Auour believes that the management of each of the invested companies makes proxy voting recommendations that are in the best interest for the company and its shareholders. Auour will therefore, as a matter of procedure, vote in a manner that is consistent with management recommendations except in certain specific situations where Auour determines management recommendation is not consistent with its client’s interests. Any vote cast inconsistent with management recommendations will be specifically documented.

 

Conflicts of Interest

Auour will identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of the adviser and the client by reviewing the relationship of Auour with the issuer of each security to determine if Auour or any of its associated persons has any financial, business or personal relationship with the issuer.

 

If a material conflict of interest exists, the Managing Principals will determine whether it is appropriate to disclose the conflict to the affected clients, to give the clients an opportunity to vote the proxies themselves, or to address the voting issue through other objective means such as voting in a manner consistent with a predetermined voting policy or receiving an independent third party voting recommendation.

 

Auour will maintain a record of the voting resolution of any conflict of interest.

 

Recordkeeping

Auour will manage the record keeping of its proxy voting. Auour Investments retains records in accordance with the SEC’s five-year retention requirement and can be accessed at any time.

 

54 

 

 

Each proxy statement that Auour receives;

A record of each vote that Auour casts;

 

Furthermore, Auour will retain any records that relate to the following.

 

Any document Auour created that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies inconsistent with management recommendations.

A copy of each written request from a client for information on how Auour voted such client’s proxies, and a copy of any written response.

 

55 

 

 

EXHIBIT B 

World Funds Trust 

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

The World Funds Trust (the “Trust”) is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). The Trust offers multiple series (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Fund”). Consistent with its fiduciary duties and pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Proxy Rule”), the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) has adopted this proxy voting policy on behalf of the Trust (the “Policy”) to reflect its commitment to ensure that proxies are voted in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.

 

Delegation of Proxy Voting Authority to Fund Advisers

 

The Board believes that the investment adviser, or the investment sub-adviser as appropriate, of each Fund, as applicable (each an “Adviser”), as the entity that selects the individual securities that comprise its Fund’s portfolio, is the most knowledgeable and best-suited to make decisions on how to vote proxies of portfolio companies held by that Fund. The Trust shall therefore defer to, and rely on, the Adviser of the Fund to make decisions on how to cast proxy votes on behalf of such Fund.

 

The Trust hereby designates the Adviser of the Fund as the entity responsible for exercising proxy voting authority with regard to securities held in the Fund’s investment portfolio. Consistent with its duties under this Policy, the Adviser shall monitor and review corporate transactions of corporations in which the Fund has invested, obtain all information sufficient to allow an informed vote on all proxy solicitations, ensure that all proxy votes are cast in a timely fashion, and maintain all records required to be maintained by the Fund under the Proxy Rule and the 1940 Act. Each Adviser shall perform these duties in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policy, a copy of which shall be presented to this Board for its review. Each Adviser shall promptly provide to the Board updates to its proxy voting policy as they are adopted and implemented.

 

Conflict of Interest Transactions

 

In some instances, an Adviser may be asked to cast a proxy vote that presents a conflict between the interests of a Fund’s shareholders and those of the Adviser or an affiliated person of the Adviser. In such case, the Adviser is instructed to abstain from making a voting decision and to forward all necessary proxy voting materials to the Trust to enable the Board to make a voting decision. When the Board is required to make a proxy voting decision, only the Trustees without a conflict of interest with regard to the security in question or the matter to be voted upon shall be permitted to participate in the decision of how the Fund’s vote will be cast. In the event that the Board is required to vote a proxy because an Adviser has a conflict of interest with respect to the proxy, the Board will vote such proxy in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policy, to the extent consistent with the shareholders’ best interests, as determined by the Board in its discretion. The Board shall notify the Adviser of its final decision on the matter and the Adviser shall vote in accordance with the Board’s decision. 

 

56 

 

 

Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records Available to Fund Shareholders

 

If a Fund has a website, the Fund may post a copy of its Adviser’s proxy voting policy and this Policy on such website. A copy of such policies and of the Fund’s proxy voting record shall also be made available, without charge, upon request of any shareholder of the Fund, by calling the applicable Fund’s toll-free telephone number as printed in the Fund’s prospectus. The Trust’s administrator shall reply to any Fund shareholder request within three business days of receipt of the request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.

 

Each Adviser shall provide a complete voting record, as required by the Proxy Rule, for each series of the Trust for which it acts as adviser, to the Trust’s administrator within 30 days following the end of each 12-month period ending June 30. The Trust’s administrator will file a report based on such record on Form N-PX on an annual basis with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission no later than August 31st of each year.

 

Adopted: November 26, 2013 

Last Amended: February 20, 2019

 

57 

 

 

EXHIBIT C 

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter 

 

World Funds Trust

 

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Membership

 

1. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of World Funds Trust (the “Trust”) shall be composed entirely of Independent Trustees.

 

Board Nominations and Functions

 

1. The Committee shall make nominations for Trustee membership on the Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees. The Committee shall evaluate candidates’ qualifications for Board membership and their independence from the investment advisers to the Trust’s series portfolios and the Trust’s other principal service providers. Persons selected as Independent Trustees must not be “interested person” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor shall Independent Trustee have and affiliations or associations that shall preclude them from voting as an Independent Trustee on matters involving approvals and continuations of Rule 12b-1 Plans, Investment Advisory Agreements and such other standards as the Committee shall deem appropriate. The Committee shall also consider the effect of any relationships beyond those delineated in the 1940 Act that might impair independence, e.g., business, financial or family relationships with managers or service providers. See Appendix A for Procedures with Respect to Nominees to the Board.

2. The Committee shall periodically review Board governance procedures and shall recommend any appropriate changes to the full Board of Trustees.

3. The Committee shall periodically review the composition of the Board of Trustees to determine whether it may be appropriate to add individuals with different backgrounds or skill sets from those already on the Board.

4. The Committee shall periodically review trustee compensation and shall recommend any appropriate changes to the Independent Trustees as a group.

 

Committee Nominations and Functions

 

1. The Committee shall make nominations for membership on all committees and shall review committee assignments at least annually.

2. The Committee shall review, as necessary, the responsibilities of any committees of the Board, whether there is a continuing need for each committee, whether there is a need for additional committees of the Board, and whether committees should be combined or reorganized. The Committee shall make recommendations for any such action to the full Board.

 

Other Powers and Responsibilities

 

1. The Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including authority to retain special counsel and other experts or consultants at the expense of the Trust.

 

58 

 

 

2. The Committee shall review this Charter at least annually and recommend any changes to the full Board of Trustees.

 

 Adopted:          August 2, 2013

 

59 

 

 

APPENDIX A TO THE NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
COMMITTEE CHARTER 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST

 

PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO NOMINEES TO THE BOARD

 

I. Identification of Candidates. When a vacancy on the Board of Trustees exists or is anticipated, and such vacancy is to be filled by an Independent Trustee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall identify candidates by obtaining referrals from such sources as it may deem appropriate, which may include current Trustees, management of the Trust, counsel and other advisors to the Trustees, and shareholders of the Trust who submit recommendations in accordance with these procedures. In no event shall the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consider as a candidate to fill any such vacancy an individual recommended by any investment adviser of any series portfolio of the Trust, unless the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has invited management to make such a recommendation.

 

II. Shareholder Candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall, when identifying candidates for the position of Independent Trustee, consider any such candidate recommended by a shareholder if such recommendation contains: (i) sufficient background information concerning the candidate, including evidence the candidate is willing to serve as an Independent Trustee if selected for the position; and (ii) is received in a sufficiently timely manner as determined by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in its discretion. Shareholders shall be directed to address any such recommendations in writing to the attention of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o the Secretary of the Trust. The Secretary shall retain copies of any shareholder recommendations which meet the foregoing requirements for a period of not more than 12 months following receipt. The Secretary shall have no obligation to acknowledge receipt of any shareholder recommendations.

 

III. Evaluation of Candidates. In evaluating a candidate for a position on the Board of Trustees, including any candidate recommended by shareholders of the Trust, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall consider the following: (i) the candidate’s knowledge in matters relating to the mutual fund industry; (ii) any experience possessed by the candidate as a director or senior officer of public companies; (iii) the candidate’s educational background; (iv) the candidate’s reputation for high ethical standards and professional integrity; (v) any specific financial, technical or other expertise possessed by the candidate, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Board’s existing mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications; (vi) the candidate’s perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board, including the candidate’s ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board; (vii) the candidate’s ability to qualify as an Independent Trustee and any other actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the candidate and the Trust; and (viii) such other factors as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board and any anticipated vacancies. Prior to making a final recommendation to the Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall conduct personal interviews with those candidates it concludes are the most qualified candidates.

 

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OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28. Exhibits

 

(a)(1)

 

Certificate of Trust of World Funds Trust (formerly, Abacus World Funds Trust) (the “Registrant”) dated April 9, 2007.42

 

 

 

(a)(2)

 

Certificate of Amendment dated January 7, 2008 to the Registrant’s Certificate of Trust dated April 9, 2007.42

 

 

 

(a)(3)

 

Registrant’s Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated April 9, 2007, and amended on June 23, 2008 and November 16, 2016.41

 

 

 

(b)

 

Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws dated November 16, 2016.41

 

 

 

(c)

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

(d)(1)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Union Street Partners, LLC with respect to the Union Street Partners Value Fund.17

 

 

 

(d)(2)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Union Street Partners, LLC and McGinn Investment Management, Inc. with respect to the Union Street Partners Value Fund.17

 

 

 

(d)(3)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Perkins Capital Management, Inc.2

 

 

 

(d)(4)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC with respect to the DGHM V2000 SmallCap Value Fund.42

 

 

 

(d)(5)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC with respect to the DGHM MicroCap Value Fund.24

 

 

 

(d)(6)

 

Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Applied Finance Advisors, LLC with respect to the Applied Finance Core Fund, Applied Finance Dividend Fund, Applied Finance Explorer Fund and Applied Finance Select Fund (collectively, the “Applied Finance Funds”) (formerly known as the Toreador Funds).77

 

 

 

(d)(7)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC dba Mission Funds Advisers with respect to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund.47

 

 

 

(d)(8)

 

Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC and Auour Investment, LLC with respect to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund.47

 

 

 

(d)(9)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC with respect to the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund and the REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.66

 

 

 

(d)(10)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC with respect to the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund.5

 

 

 

(d)(11)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Clifford Capital Partners, LLC with respect to the Clifford Capital Partners Fund.18

 

 

 

(d)(12)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Clifford Capital Partners, LLC with respect to the Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund. 77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(d)(13)

 

Amended Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Cboe Vest Financial LLC, with respect to the Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy Fund, Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy Fund,  and Cboe Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund.  (collectively the “Cboe Vest Family of Funds”).81

 

 

 

(d)(14)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Systelligence, LLC with respect to The E-Valuator Very Conservative (0%-15%) RMS Fund, The E-Valuator Conservative (15%-30%) RMS Fund, The E-Valuator Conservative/Moderate (30%-50%) RMS Fund, The E-Valuator Moderate (50%-70%) RMS Fund, The E-Valuator Growth (70%-85%) RMS Fund, The E-Valuator Aggressive Growth (85%-99%) RMS Fund (“collectively “The E-Valuator Funds”).23

 

 

 

(d)(15)

 

Amended Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Secure Investment Management, LLC, with respect to the SIM U.S. Core Managed Volatility Fund, SIM Global Core Managed Volatility Fund, SIM Global Moderate Managed Volatility Fund, SIM Global Equity Fund and SIM Income Fund (“the SIM Funds”).60 

 

 

 

(d)(16)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Strategic Asset Management, Ltd. with respect to the OTG Latin America Fund. 70

 

 

 

(d)(17)

 

Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Rule One Partners, LLC with respect to the Rule One Fund. 70

 

 

 

(e)(1)

 

Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp.19

 

 

 

(e)(2)

 

Schedule A to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the Union Street Value Fund.31

 

 

 

(e)(3)

 

Schedule A to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the Clifford Capital Partners Fund.30

 

 

 

(e)(4)

 

Schedule A to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated August 29, 2019 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund. 77

 

 

 

(e)(5)

 

Schedule A to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the Perkins Discovery Fund.26

 

 

 

(e)(6)

 

Amended Schedule A dated November 14, 2017 to the Principal Underwriter Agreement between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund.45

 

 

 

(e)(7)

 

Schedule A to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 18, 2016 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund, the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund and the REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund (collectively the “REMS Funds”).22

 

 

 

(e)(8)

 

Schedule A to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated April 21, 2016 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the DGHM V2000 SmallCap Value Fund and the DGHM MicroCap Value Fund (collectively the “DGHM Funds”).24

 

 

 

(e)(9)

 

Schedule A to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated April 21, 2016 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the Cboe Vest Family of Funds.27

 

 

 

(e)(10)

 

Schedule A to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated August 24, 2016 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the Cboe Vest Enhanced Growth Funds.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

(e)(11)

 

Amended Principal Underwriter Agreement dated July 14, 2017 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the Cboe Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund.39

 

 

 

(e)(12)

 

Schedule A to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated April 21, 2016 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to The E-Valuator Funds.23

 

 

 

(e)(13)

 

Principal Underwriter Agreement dated August 31, 2019 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the Applied Finance Funds. 77

 

 

 

(e)(14)

 

Amended Principal Underwriter Agreement dated May 16, 2018 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp with respect to the SIM Funds.58

 

 

 

(e)(15)

 

 

Schedule A to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 20, 2019 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the OTG Latin American Fund. 70

 

 

 

(e)(16)

 

 

Schedule A to the Principal Underwriter Agreement dated February 20, 2019 between the Registrant and First Dominion Capital Corp. with respect to the Rule One Fund. 70

 

 

 

(f)

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

(g)(1)

 

Custody Agreement dated July 30, 2008 between the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A.42

 

 

 

(g)(2)

 

Amended Appendix B and revised Appendix C to the Custody Agreement, dated July 30, 2008, between the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the Union Street Partners Value Fund.5

 

 

 

(g)(3)

 

Amended Appendix B and revised Appendix C to the Custody Agreement, dated July 30, 2008, between the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the Perkins Discovery Fund.5

 

 

 

(g)(4)

Amended Appendix B and revised Appendix C to the Custody Agreement, dated August 15, 2014 between the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund.5

 

 

 

 

(g)(5)

Amended Appendix B and revised Appendix C to the Custody Agreement, dated August 15, 2014 between the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.6

 

 

 

 

(g)(6)

Amended Exhibit A to the Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Fifth Third Bank on behalf of certain portfolio series. 77

 

 

 

 

(g)(7)

Amended Appendix B and revised Appendix C to the Custody Agreement dated June 15, 2008 between the Registrant and UMB Bank, N.A., to include the OTG Latin America Fund.(To be filed by amendment)

 

 

 

 

(h)(1)

 

Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc.19

 

 

 

(h)(2)

 

Amendment No. 1 and Exhibit A to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Union Street Partners Value Fund.47

 

 

 

(h)(3)

 

Exhibit A to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Perkins Discovery Fund.26

 

 

 

(h)(4)

 

Fund Services Agreement dated September 20, 2017 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund.45

     

(h)(5)

 

Fund Services Agreement dated January 1, 2016 and Amended March 1, 2018 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the REMS Funds.66

 

 

 

 

 

 

(h)(6)

 

Fund Services Agreement dated August 29, 2019 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Clifford Capital Partners Fund and Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund. 77

 

 

 

(h)(7)

 

Amended Fund Services Agreement dated March 1, 2017 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the DGHM Funds.37

 

 

 

(h)(8)

 

Exhibit A to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Cboe Vest Family of Funds.27

 

 

 

(h)(9)

 

Exhibit A to the Fund Services Agreement dated August 24, 2016 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Cboe Vest Enhanced Growth Fund.28

 

 

 

(h)(10)

 

Amended Fund Services Agreement dated July 14, 2017 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Cboe Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund.39

 

 

 

(h)(11)

 

Exhibit A to the Fund Services Agreement dated December 1, 2015 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of The E-Valuator Funds.74

 

 

 

(h)(12)

 

Fund Services Agreement dated August 29, 2019 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Applied Finance Funds. 77

 

 

 

(h)(13)

 

Fund Services Agreement dated April 24, 2018 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the SIM Funds.58

 

 

 

(h)(14)

 

Fund Services Agreement dated February 20, 2019 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the OTG Latin America Fund. 70

 

 

 

(h)(15)

 

Fund Services Agreement dated February 20, 2019 between the Registrant and Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc. on behalf of the Rule One Fund. 70

 

 

 

(h)(16)

 

Amended and Restated Schedule A dated October 31, 2014 to the Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant and UMB Fund Services, Inc. with respect to REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.7

 

 

 

(h)(17)

 

Amended and Restated Schedule A dated February 29, 2016 to the Accounting Services Agreement between the Registrant and UMB Fund Services, Inc. with respect to OTG Latin America Fund. (To be filed by amendment)

 

 

 

(h)(18)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Union Street Partners, LLC with respect to the shares of the Union Street Partners Value Fund.63

 

 

 

(h)(19)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Perkins Capital Management, Inc. with respect to shares of the Perkins Discovery Fund.75

 

 

 

(h)(20)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC with respect to the DGHM Funds. 75 

 

 

 

(h)(21)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC with respect to the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund, REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund and REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund. 75

 

 

 

(h)(22)

 

Amended Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Applied Finance Advisors, LLC with respect to the Applied Finance Funds. 77

 

 

 

(h)(23)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC with respect to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund.(Filed herewith)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(h)(24)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Cboe Vest Financial LLC, with respect to the Cboe Vest Family of Funds.(Filed herewith)

 

 

 

(h)(25)

 

Amended Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Systelligence, LLC, with respect to The E-Valuator Funds.66

 

 

 

(h)(26)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Secure Investment Management, LLC, with respect to the SIM Funds.(Filed herewith)

 

 

 

(h)(27)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Strategic Asset Management, Ltd. with respect to the OTG Latin America Fund. 70

 

 

 

(h)(28)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Rule One Partners, LLC with respect to the Rule One Fund. 70

 

 

 

(h)(29)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Clifford Capital Partners, LLC with respect to the Clifford Capital Partners Fund and Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund. 80

 

 

 

(h)(30)

 

Shareholder Services Plan, dated August 2, 2013 as amended April 21, 2016, with respect to Investor Class Shares of the DGHM Funds.24

 

 

 

(h)(31)

 

Shareholder Services Plan, dated December 21, 2016 (Schedule A amended August 29, 2019), with respect to Institutional Class Shares and Investor Class Shares to the Applied Finance Funds. 77

 

 

 

(h)(32)

 

Shareholder Services Plan, dated April 21, 2016, with respect to the Cboe Vest Family of Funds Class A Shares and Class C Shares.27

 

 

 

(h)(33)

 

Shareholder Services Plan, dated August 24, 2016, with respect to the Cboe Vest Enhanced Growth Fund Class A Shares and Class C Shares.28

 

 

 

(h)(34)

 

Amended Shareholder Services Plan, dated July 14, 2017, with respect to the Cboe Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Institutional and Investor Class Shares.39

 

 

 

(h)(35)

 

Amended Shareholder Services Plan with respect to the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund, REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund and the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.38

 

 

 

(h)(36)

 

Shareholder Services Plan, dated April 21, 2016, with respect to The E-Valuator Funds Investor Class Shares and Institutional Class Shares.23

 

 

 

(h)(37)

 

Shareholder Services Plan, dated September 20, 2017, with respect to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund Class A Shares, Institutional Shares and Investor  Shares.45

 

 

 

(h)(38)

 

Shareholder Services Plan, dated February 20, 2019, with respect to the OTG Latin America Fund Class A Shares and Class C Shares. 70

 

 

 

(h)(39)

 

Administrative Services Agreement dated April 18, 2018, with respect to the SIM Funds.60

 

 

 

(i)(1)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for Union Street Partners Value Fund.42

 

 

 

(i)(2)

 

Consent of Legal Counsel for Union Street Partners Value Fund.79

 

 

 

(i)(3)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for Perkins Discovery Fund. 42

 

 

 

(i)(4)

 

Consent of Legal Counsel for Perkins Discovery Fund. 75  

 

 

 

(i)(5)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for DGHM V2000 Small Cap Value Fund.42

 

 

 

(i)(6)

 

Consent of Legal Counsel for DGHM Funds.74

 

 

 

(i)(7)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for DGHM MicroCap Value Fund.24

 

 

 

(i)(8)

 

Consent of Legal Counsel for Applied Finance Funds.76

 

 

 

(i)(9)

 

Opinion of Legal Counsel for Applied Finance Dividend Fund (formerly Toreador International Fund).12

 

 

 

(i)(10)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for Applied Finance Core Fund (formerly Toreador Core Fund).12

 

 

 

(i)(11)

 

Opinion of Legal Counsel for Applied Finance Core Fund (formerly Toreador Core Fund).12

 

 

 

(i)(12)

 

Opinion and Consent of Counsel regarding tax matters for the reorganization of the Applied Finance Core Fund (formerly Toreador Core Fund) from the Unified Series Trust into World Funds Trust.13

 

 

 

(i)(13)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for Applied Finance Explorer Fund (formerly Toreador Explorer Fund).11

 

 

 

(i)(14)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for Applied Finance Select Fund (formerly Toreador Select Fund).25

 

 

 

(i)(15)

 

Consent of Legal Counsel for the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund.(Filed herewith) 

 

 

 

(i)(16)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.42

 

 

 

(i)(17)

 

Consent of Legal Counsel for REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.15

 

 

 

(i)(18)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund.5

 

 

 

(i)(19)

 

Opinion of Legal Counsel for REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund.9

 

 

 

(i)(20)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.6

 

 

 

(i)(21)

 

Opinion of Legal Counsel for REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.9

 

 

 

(i)(22)

 

Consent of Legal Counsel for REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund, REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund and REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.73  

 

 

 

(i)(23)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for Clifford Capital Partners Fund.18

 

 

 

(i)(24)

 

Consent of Legal Counsel for Clifford Capital Partners Fund and Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund. 77

 

 

 

(i)(25)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund. 77

 

 

 

(i)(26)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for the Cboe Vest Family of Funds.27

 

 

 

(i)(27)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for Cboe Vest Enhanced Growth Fund.28

 

 

 

(i)(29)

 

Consent of Legal Counsel for the Cboe Vest Family of Funds.81

 

 

 

(i)(29)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for Cboe Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)(30)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for the Cboe Vest Family of Funds with respect to the Class Y Shares.51

 

 

 

(i)(31)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for The E-Valuator Funds.23

 

 

 

(i)(32)

 

Consent of Legal Counsel for The E-Valuator Funds.78

 

 

 

(i)(33)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for the SIM Funds.53

 

 

 

(i)(34)

 

Consent of Legal Counsel for SIM Funds. 80 

 

 

 

(i)(35)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for OTG Latin America Fund.67

 

 

 

(i)(36)

 

Opinion and Consent of Legal Counsel for Rule One Fund. 70

 

 

 

(j)(1)

 

Consent of Independent Public Accountants for Union Street Partners Value Fund.79

 

 

 

(j)(2)

 

Consent of Independent Public Accountants for Perkins Discovery Fund. 75 

 

 

 

(j)(3)

 

Consent of Independent Public Accountants for DGHM Funds.74

 

 

 

(j)(4)

 

Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants, Grant Thornton LLP for the DGHM MicroCap, G.P.24

 

 

 

(j)(5)

 

Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants, Grant Thornton LLP for the DGHM MicroCap, G.P.37

 

 

 

(j)(6)

 

Consent of Independent Public Accountants for REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund, REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund and REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.73

 

 

 

(j)(7)

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for the Applied Finance Funds.76

 

 

 

(j)(8)

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund.(Filed herewith)

 

 

 

(j)(9)

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for Clifford Capital Partners Fund and Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund. 77

 

 

 

(j)(10)

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for the Cboe Vest Family of Funds.81

 

 

 

(j)(11)

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for The E-Valuator Funds. 78

 

 

 

(j)(12)

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for SIM Funds. 80 

 

 

 

(j)(13)

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for OTG Latin America Fund.67

 

 

 

(j)(14)

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for Rule One Fund. 70

 

 

 

(k)

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

(l)

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

(m)(1)

 

Amended Schedule A to the Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Union Street Partners Value Fund.7

 

 

 

(m)(2)

 

Fixed Compensation Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Perkins Discovery Fund.2

 

 

 

(m)(3)

 

Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for the Investor Class Shares and Class C Shares of the DGHM Funds.24

 

 

 

(m)(4)

 

Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated August 31, 2019, for the Investor Class Shares of the Applied Finance Funds.77

 

 

 

(m)(5)

 

Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated August 15, 2014, for the Class A Shares and Class C Shares of the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund.45

 

 

 

(m)(6)

 

Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated August 15, 2014, for the Platform Class Shares of the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund.5

 

 

 

(m)(7)

 

Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated August 15, 2014, for the Platform Class Shares of the REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.6

 

 

 

(m)(8)

 

Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated May 16, 2017, for the Platform Class Shares of the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.38

 

 

 

(m)(9)

 

Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated November 10, 2015, for the Clifford Capital Partners Fund.18

 

 

 

(m)(10)

 

Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated August 29, 2019, for the Clifford Capital Partners Fund and Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund. 77

 

 

 

(m)(11)

 

Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated July 6, 2016, for the Cboe Vest Family of Funds.27

 

 

 

(m)(12)

 

Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated August 24, 2016, for the Cboe Vest Enhanced Growth Fund.28

 

 

 

(m)(13)

 

Amended Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated July 14, 2017 for the Cboe Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund.39

 

 

 

(m)(14)

 

Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated April 21, 2016, for The E-Valuator Funds.23

 

 

 

(m)(15)

 

Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1, dated February 20, 2019 for the OTG Latin America Fund. 70

 

 

 

(n)(1)

 

Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the Union Street Partners Value Fund.47

 

 

 

(n)(2)

 

Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the DGHM Funds.37

 

 

 

(n)(3)

 

Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the Applied Finance Funds. 77

 

 

 

(n)(4)

 

Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund.45

 

 

 

(n)(5)

 

Amended Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund, REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund and the REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund.50

 

 

 

(n)(6)

 

Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the Clifford Capital Partners and Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund. 77

 

 

 

(n)(7)

 

Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the Strategic Global Long/Short Fund.19

 

 

 

(n)(8)

 

Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the Cboe Vest Family of Funds.52

 

 

 

(n)(9)

 

Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for The E-Valuator Funds.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

(n)(10)

 

Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan for the OTG Latin America Fund. 70

 

 

 

(o)

 

Reserved.

 

 

 

(p)(1)

 

Code of Ethics for the Registrant.41

 

 

 

(p)(2)

 

Code of Ethics for Principal Underwriter.58

 

 

 

(p)(3)

 

Code of Ethics for Union Street Partners, LLC.42

 

 

 

(p)(4)

 

Code of Ethics for McGinn Investment Management, Inc.5

 

 

 

(p)(5)

 

Code of Ethics for Perkins Capital Management, Inc. 42

 

 

 

(p)(6)

 

Code of Ethics for Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC.38

 

 

 

(p)(7)

 

Code of Ethics for Applied Finance Advisors, LLC.(Filed herewith)

 

 

 

(p)(8)

 

Code of Ethics for Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC dba Mission Funds Advisors.45

 

 

 

(p)(9)

 

Code of Ethics for Auour Investments, LLC. 77  

 

 

 

(p)(10)

 

Code of Ethics for Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC.69

 

 

 

(p)(11)

 

Code of Ethics for Strategic Asset Management, Ltd.7

 

 

 

(p)(12)

 

Code of Ethics for Clifford Capital Partners, LLC.80

 

 

 

(p)(13)

 

Code of Ethics for Cboe Vest Financial LLC.81

 

 

 

(p)(14)

 

Code of Ethics for Systelligence, LLC.23

 

 

 

(p)(15)

 

Code of Ethics for Secure Investment Management, LLC.53

 

 

 

(p)(16)

 

Code of Ethics for Rule One Partners, LLC.70

 

 

 

(q)

 

Powers of Attorney.42

 

 

 

1.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 30, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

2.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 29, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

3.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 1, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

4.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 15, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

5.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 15, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

6.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 15, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

7. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 31, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

8.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December 29, 2014. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

9. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

 

 

 

10.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on March 31, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

11.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 29, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

12.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May 8, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

13. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 6, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

14. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 28, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

15. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on September 16, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

16. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 6, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

17.  

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 20, 2015. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

18. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 8, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

19. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 23, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

20. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 29, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

21.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 29, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

22. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 29, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

23. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May 26, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

24. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May 31, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

25. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 30, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

26. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 29, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

27. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 23, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

28. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December 12, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

29. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December 23, 2016. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

30. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 30, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

31. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 30, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

32. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 30, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

33. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 28, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

34. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May 1, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

35. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May 1, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

36. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May 1, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

 

 

 

37. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 28, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

38. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 30, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

39.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 25, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

40. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 31, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

41. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 28, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

42.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 4, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

43.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 24, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

44.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 7, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

45.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December 28, 2017. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

46.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 29, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

47.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 29, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

48.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 29, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

49.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 29, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

50.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 23, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

51.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 27, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

52.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 28, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

53.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 18, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

54.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 30, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

55.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 30, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

56.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 30, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

57.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on May 15, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

58.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 28, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

59.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 16, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

60.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 30, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

61.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 28, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

62.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 1, 2018. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

 

 

 

63.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

64.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

65.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

66.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

67.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 28, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

68.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 28, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

69.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 28, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

70.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on March 27, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

71.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 30, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

72.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 30, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

73.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 30, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

74.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on June 28, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

75.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 29, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

76.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on August 28, 2019. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

77.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2020. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

78. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2020. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

79.

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2020. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

80. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 28, 2020. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

81.

 

 

Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on February 28, 2020. (File Nos. 333-148723 and 811-22172).

 

Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control With Registrant

 

 

 

None.

 

Item 30. Indemnification

 

See Article VIII, Section 2 of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the section titled “Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, Employees and Other Agents” in the Registrant’s By-Laws.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and, therefore, is 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 trustees, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense of any act, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustees, officers or controlling persons in connection with the shares 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issues.

 

 

 

 

Item 31. Business and other Connections of the Investment Adviser

 

The list required by this Item 31 as to any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each of the investment advisers and sub-advisers, and each director, officer or partner of such investment advisers or sub-advisers, is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is incorporated herein by reference to Schedules A and D of each investment adviser’s or sub-adviser’s Form ADV listed opposite such investment adviser’s or sub-adviser’s name below, which is currently on file with the SEC as required by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Name of Investment Adviser / Sub-Adviser

Form ADV File No.

Union Street Partners, LLC 

801-72120

McGinn Investment Management, Inc.

801-40578

Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC

801-62895

Perkins Capital Management, Inc.

801-22888

Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC

801-61061

Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC dba Mission Funds Advisors

801-111759

Auour Investments, LLC

801-80544

Applied Finance Advisors, LLC

801-66461

Strategic Asset Management, Ltd.

801-70903

Clifford Capital Partners, LLC

801-78911

Cboe Vest Financial LLC

801-77463

Systelligence, LLC

801-107695

Secure Investment Management, LLC

801-80752

Rule One Partners, LLC

801-113947

 

Item 32. Principal Underwriters

 

a)    Not applicable.
     

b)

 

First Dominion Capital Corp. The information required by this Item 32(b) with respect to each director, officer or partner of FDCC is incorporated herein by reference to Schedule A of Form BD, filed by FDCC with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (File No. 8-33719).

 

 

 

c)

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

 

The accounts, books or other documents of the Registrant required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder are kept in several locations:

 

a)

 

Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235 (records relating to its function as transfer agent to the Funds).

 

 

 

b)

 

First Dominion Capital Corporation, 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235 (records relating to its function as distributor to the Funds).

 

 

 

c)

 

Union Street Partners LLC, 1421 Prince Street, Suite 400 Alexandria, Virginia 22314. (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Union Street Partners Value Fund).

 

 

 

d)

 

McGinn Investment Management, Inc., 201 North Union Street, Suite 101, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (records relating to its function as sub-adviser to the Union Street Partners Value Fund).

 

 

 

e)

 

Perkins Capital Management, Inc., 730 East Lake Street, Wayzata, Minnesota 55391-1769 (records relating to its function as investment adviser to the Perkins Discovery Fund).

 

 

 

f)

 

Dalton, Greiner, Hartman, Maher & Co., LLC, 565 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2101, New York, New York 10017 (records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the DGHM Funds).

 

 

 

g)

 

Real Estate Management Services Group, LLC, 1100 Fifth Avenue, South, Suite 301, Naples, Florida 34102-6407 (records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the REMS International Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund; REMS Real Estate Income 50/50 Fund, and REMS Real Estate Value-Opportunity Fund).

 

 

 

h)

 

Applied Finance Advisors, LLC, 17806 IH 10, Suite 300, San Antonio, Texas  78257 (records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the Applied Finance Funds).

 

 

 

i)

 

Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC dba Mission Funds Advisors, 5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1000, Dallas, Texas 75225 (records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund).

 

 

 

j)

 

Auour Investments, LLC, 162 Main Street, Suite 2, Wenham, Massachusetts 01984 (records relating to its function as sub-adviser to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund).

 

 

 

k)

 

Strategic Asset Management, Ltd., Calle Ayacucho No. 277, La Paz, Bolivia (records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the OTG Latin America Fund).

 

 

 

l)

 

Clifford Capital Partners, LLC, 395 S. Main Street, #203 Alpine, Utah 84020 (records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the Clifford Capital Partners Fund and the Clifford Capital Focused Small Cap Value Fund).

 

 

 

m)

 

Cboe Vest Financial LLC, 1765 Greensboro Station Place, 9th Floor, McLean, Virginia 22102 (records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the Cboe Vest Family of Funds).

 

 

 

n)

 

Systelligence, LLC, 7760 France Avenue South, Suite 620, Bloomington, Minnesota 55435 (records relating to its function as the investment adviser to The E-Valuator Funds).

 

 

 

o)

 

Secure Investment Management, LLC, 3067 W Ina Road, Suite 125, Tucson, Arizona 85741 (records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the SIM Funds).

 

 

 

p)

 

Rule One Partners, LLC, 891 Bear Creek Road, Moreland, Georgia 30259, (records relating to its function as the investment adviser to the Rule One Fund).

 

Item 34. Management Services

 

          There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Parts A or B of this Form.

 

Item 35. Undertakings

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) of the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 357 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Richmond, Commonwealth of Virginia on the 29th day of April, 2020.

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST

 

 

By:  /s/ Karen M. Shupe

 

 

Karen M. Shupe

 

 

Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer

 

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 357 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*David J. Urban

 

Trustee

 

April 29, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

*Mary Lou H. Ivey

 

Trustee

 

April 29, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

*Theo H. Pitt, Jr.

 

Trustee

 

April 29, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Karen M. Shupe

 

Treasurer and Principal Executive Officer

 

April 29, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Ann T. MacDonald

 

Assistant Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

April 29, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

*By: /s/ Karen M. Shupe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Attorney-in-fact pursuant to Powers of Attorney

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

(h)(23)

 

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC with respect to the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund.

 

 

 

(h)(24)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Cboe Vest Financial LLC, with respect to the Cboe Vest Family of Funds.

 

 

 

(h)(26)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Secure Investment Management, LLC, with respect to the SIM Funds.

 

 

 

(i)(15)

 

Consent of Legal Counsel for the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund.

     

(j)(8)

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting firm for the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund.

 

 

 

(p)(7)

 

Code of Ethics for Applied Finance Advisors, LLC.

 

 

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(h)(23)

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST

 

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT

 

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT, effective as of the dates set forth on Schedule A by and between Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC (the "Adviser") and World Funds Trust (the "Trust") ("Agreement"), on behalf of the series of the Trust set forth in Schedule A attached hereto (each a "Fund," and collectively, the "Funds").

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is a Delaware statutory trust, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company of the series type, and each Fund is a series of the Trust;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust, with respect to each of the Funds, and the Adviser have entered into an Advisory Agreement ("Advisory Agreement"), pursuant to which the Adviser provides investment management services to each Fund for compensation based on the value of the average daily net assets of each such Fund;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser have determined that it is appropriate and in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders to maintain the expenses of each Fund at a level no greater than the level to which each such Fund would normally be subject in order to maintain each Fund's expense ratio at the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit (as hereinafter defined) specified in Schedule A hereto;

 

NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Expense Limitation.

 

a. Applicable Expense Limit. To the extent that the aggregate expenses of every character incurred by a Fund in any fiscal year, including but not limited to investment advisory fees of the Adviser (but excluding interest, expenses incurred under a plan of distribution adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short sales, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund's business) ("Fund Operating Expenses"), exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit, as defined in Section 1.2 below, such excess amount (the "Excess Amount") shall be the liability of the Adviser.

 

b. Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit. The Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit with respect to each Fund shall be the amount specified in Schedule A based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund.

 

c. Method of Computation. To determine the Adviser's liability with respect to the Excess Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses for each Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses for any month of a Fund exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, the Adviser shall first waive or reduce its investment advisory fee for such month by an amount sufficient to reduce the annualized Fund Operating Expenses to an amount no higher than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit. If the amount of the waived or reduced investment advisory fee for any such month is insufficient to pay the Excess Amount, the Adviser may also remit to the appropriate Fund or Funds an amount that, together with the waived or reduced investment advisory fee, is sufficient to pay such Excess Amount.

 

d. Year-End Adjustment. If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order that the amount of the investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund or Funds with respect to the previous fiscal year shall equal the Excess Amount.

 

  1  
 
2. Reimbursement of Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements.

 

a. Reimbursement. If, during any fiscal month in which the Advisory Agreement is still in effect, the estimated aggregate Fund Operating Expenses of such Fund for the fiscal month are less than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit for that month, the Adviser shall be entitled to reimbursement by such Fund, in whole or in part as provided below, of the sum of all investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments remitted by the Adviser with respect to a particular class of such Fund pursuant to Section 1 hereof, for a three year period following the date such waiver or reduction was made or payment was remitted by the Adviser ("Reimbursement Amount"), less any reimbursement previously paid by such Fund to the Adviser, pursuant to this Section 2.a, with respect to such waivers, reductions, and payments. The Reimbursement Amount shall not include any additional charges or fees whatsoever, including, e.g., interest accruable on the Reimbursement Amount. To the extent any reimbursement is made pursuant to this Section 2.a., such reimbursement shall not cause the Fund Operating Expenses to exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit that was in place at the time the Adviser waived or reduced its advisory fees or reimburse other expenses of the Fund.

 

b. Method of Computation. To determine each Fund's accrual, if any, to reimburse the Adviser for the Reimbursement Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses of each Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund for any month are less than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, such Fund shall accrue into its net asset value an amount payable to the Adviser sufficient to increase the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of that Fund to an amount no greater than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of that Fund, provided that such amount paid to the Adviser will in no event exceed the total Reimbursement Amount. For accounting purposes, amounts accrued pursuant to this Section 2 shall be a liability of the Fund for purposes of determining the Fund's net asset value.

 

c. Payment and Year-End Adjustment. Amounts accrued pursuant to this Agreement shall be payable to the Adviser as of the last day of each month. If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order that the actual Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund for the prior fiscal year (including any reimbursement payments hereunder with respect to such fiscal year) do not exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit.

 

d. Limitation of Liability. The Adviser shall look only to the assets of the Fund for which it waived or reduced fees or remitted payments for reimbursement under this Agreement and for payment of any claim hereunder, and neither the Fund, nor any of the Trust’s trustees, officers, employees, agents, or shareholders, whether past, present or future shall be personally liable therefor.

 

3. Term and Termination of Agreement.

 

This Agreement with respect to each of the Funds shall continue in effect until the expiration date set forth on Schedule A (the “Expiration Date”). With regard to the Operating Expense Limits, the Trust’s Board of Trustees and the Advisor may terminate or modify this Agreement prior to the Expiration Date only by mutual written consent. This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement; provided, however, that the obligation of the Trust to reimburse the Adviser with respect to the Fund shall survive the termination of this Agreement unless the Trust and the Adviser agree otherwise.

 

  2  
 

 

4. Miscellaneous.

 

a. Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no other way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

 

b. Interpretation. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Funds to take any action contrary to the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust or by-laws, as amended from time to time, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trust's Board of Trustees of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Trust or the Funds. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that all litigation arising hereunder, whether direct or indirect, and of any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out of the assets of the affected Fund and that no Trustee, officer or holder of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund shall be personally liable for any of the foregoing liabilities. The Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust and by-laws describe in detail the respective responsibilities and limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of beneficial interest.

 

c. Definitions. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to the investment advisory fee, the computations of net asset values, and the allocation of expenses, having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from the terms and provisions of the Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act, shall have the same meaning as and be resolved by reference to such Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act.

 

d. Enforceability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be signed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

 

  World Funds Trust, on behalf of each Fund Listed on Schedule A
   
   
  By: /s/David A. Bogaert
  Name: David A. Bogaert
  Title: President
     

  

 

  Advisor
   
   
  By: /s/ Michael A. Young
  Name: Michael A. Young
  Title:   President & Chief Operating Officer

 

  3  
 

SCHEDULE A-1

to the

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement")

between

WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the "Trust")

and

Mission Institutional Advisors, LLC

 

This Agreement relates to the following Funds of the Trust:

 

Fund Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit

Effective

Date

Expiration Date

Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund

The following classes of shares of each of the foregoing Funds shall be subject to the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit noted in this schedule:

 

 

 

Class A Shares

Investor Class Shares

Institutional Class Shares

Class Z Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.20%

1.20%

1.20%

1.12%

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 1, 2020

May 1, 2020

May 1, 2020

May 1, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2021

April 30, 2021

April 30, 2021

April 30, 2021

 

 

IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on this Schedule.

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST

 

On behalf of the Funds noted on this Schedules to the Agreement

 

By: /s/ David A. Bogaert  
Name: David A. Bogaert  
Title:    President  

 

 

Mission institutional advisors, LLC

 

By: /s/ Michael A. Young  
Name: Michael A. Young  
Title: President & Chief Operating Officer  

 

  4  

 

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(h)(24)

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST

 

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT, is made by and between Cboe Vest Financial, LLC (the “Adviser”) and World Funds Trust (the “Trust”) (“Agreement”), on behalf of the series of the Trust set forth in the set of schedules to this Agreement identified as “Schedule A” and then numerically designated (e.g., Schedule A-1) attached hereto (each a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”) as of the “Effective Date” noted on each Schedule A with respect to each Fund.

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is a Delaware statutory trust, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company of the series type, and each Fund is a series of the Trust;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser have entered into an Advisory Agreement dated July 6, 2016 (“Advisory Agreement”), pursuant to which the Adviser provides investment management services to each Fund for compensation based on the value of the average daily net assets of each such Fund;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser have determined that it is appropriate and in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders to maintain the expenses of each Fund at a level below the level to which each such Fund would normally be subject in order to maintain each Fund’s expense ratio at the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit (as hereinafter defined) specified in each Schedule A hereto;

 

NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.       Expense Limitation.

 

a. Applicable Expense Limit. To the extent that the aggregate expenses of every character incurred by a Fund in any fiscal year, including but not limited to investment advisory fees of the Adviser (but excluding interest, distribution fees pursuant to Rule 12b-1 Plans, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short sales, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund’s business) (“Fund Operating Expenses”), exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit, as defined in Section 1.2 below, such excess amount (the “Excess Amount”) shall be the liability of the Adviser.

 

b. Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit. The Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit with respect to each Fund shall be the amount specified in each Schedule A based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund.

 

c. Method of Computation. To determine the Adviser’s liability with respect to the Excess Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses for each Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses for any month of a Fund exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, the Adviser shall first waive or reduce its investment advisory fee for such month by an amount sufficient to reduce the annualized Fund Operating Expenses to an amount no higher than the lowest Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit applicable to a particular class of shares of a Fund. If the amount of the waived or reduced investment advisory fee for any such month is insufficient to pay the Excess Amount, the Adviser may also remit to the appropriate Fund or Funds an amount that, together with the waived or reduced investment advisory fee, is sufficient to pay such Excess Amount.

 

1 

 

 

d. Year-End Adjustment. If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order that the amount of the investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund or Funds with respect to the previous fiscal year shall equal the Excess Amount.

 

2. Reimbursement of Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements.

 

a. Reimbursement. If, during any fiscal month in which the Advisory Agreement is still in effect, the estimated aggregate Fund Operating Expenses of a class of shares of such Fund for the fiscal month are less than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit for that month, the Adviser shall be entitled to reimbursement by such Fund, in whole or in part as provided below, of the sum of all investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments remitted by the Adviser with respect to a particular class of such Fund pursuant to Section 1 hereof, for a three year period following the date such waiver or reduction was made or payment was remitted by the Adviser (“Reimbursement Amount”), less any reimbursement previously paid by such Fund to the Adviser, pursuant to this Section 2.a, with respect to such waivers, reductions, and payments. The Reimbursement Amount shall not include any additional charges or fees whatsoever, including, e.g., interest accruable on the Reimbursement Amount. To the extent any reimbursement is made pursuant to this Section 2.a, such reimbursement shall not cause the Fund Operating Expenses to exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit that was in place with respect to each class of a Fund at the time the Adviser waived or reduced its advisory fees or reimburse other expenses for such class of the Fund.

 

b. Method of Computation. To determine each Fund’s accrual (with respect to each class), if any, to reimburse the Adviser for the Reimbursement Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses of each class of shares of the Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of a class of shares of the Fund for any month are less than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of such class of shares of such Fund, such Fund shall accrue with respect to the particular class into its net asset value an amount payable to the Adviser sufficient to increase the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of that Fund to an amount no greater than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of the particular class of shares of that Fund, provided that such amount paid to the Adviser will in no event exceed the total Reimbursement Amount. For accounting purposes, amounts accrued pursuant to this Section 2 shall be a liability of the Fund for purposes of determining the Fund’s net asset value.

 

c. Payment and Year-End Adjustment. Amounts accrued pursuant to this Agreement shall be payable to the Adviser as of the last day of each month. If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order that the actual Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund for the prior fiscal year (including any reimbursement payments hereunder with respect to such fiscal year) do not exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit.

 

3. Term and Termination of Agreement.

 

a. This Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund until such date as noted on each Schedule A and shall thereafter continue in effect with respect to each Fund from year to year for successive one-year periods provided that Agreement may be terminated by either party hereto, without payment of any penalty, upon ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the other party at its principal place of business; provided that, in the case of termination by the Adviser, such action shall be authorized by resolution of a majority of the Non-Interested Trustees of the Trust or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust.

 

2 

 

 

4. Miscellaneous.

 

a. Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no other way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

 

b. Interpretation. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Funds to take any action contrary to the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust or by-laws, as amended from time to time, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trust’s Board of Trustees of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Trust or the Funds. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that all litigation arising hereunder, whether direct or indirect, and of any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out of the assets of the affected Fund and that no Trustee, officer or holder of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund shall be personally liable for any of the foregoing liabilities. The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust and by-laws describe in detail the respective responsibilities and limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of beneficial interest.

 

c. Definitions. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to the investment advisory fee, the computations of net asset values, and the allocation of expenses, having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from the terms and provisions of the Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act, shall have the same meaning as and be resolved by reference to such Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act.

 

d. Enforceability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.

 

*     *     *     *     *

 

3 

 

 

IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on the Schedule as attached hereto.

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST  

On behalf of the 

Funds Noted on the Schedules to this Agreement

 

By: /s/ David A. Bogaert  
Name:  David A. Bogaert  
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer  
     
     
Cboe Vest Financial, LLC  
     
By: /s/ J. Steven Neamtz  
Name:  J. Steven Neamtz  
Title: Senior Managing Director  

 

4 

 

 

SCHEDULE A-1 

to the 

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) 

between 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the “Trust”) 

and 

Cboe Vest Financial, LLC

 

This Agreement relates to the following Funds of the Trust:

 

Fund Maximum Annual Operating
Expense Limit

Effective

Date 

Expiration
Date

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy (January) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy (February) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy (March) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy (April) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy (May) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy (June) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy (July) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy (August) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy (September) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy (October) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy (November) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Buffer Strategy (December) Fund

 

The following classes of shares of each of the foregoing Funds
shall be subject to the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit
noted in this schedule:

 

Class A Shares 

Class C Shares 

Investor Class Shares 

Institutional Class Shares 

Class Y Shares 

0.95%

0.95%

0.95%

0.95%

0.70%

November 22, 2019

November 22, 2019

November 22, 2019

November 22, 2019

November 22, 2019

February 28, 2021

February 28, 2021

February 28, 2021

February 28, 2021

February 28, 2021

 

IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on this Schedule.

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST  

On behalf of the 

Funds noted on this Schedules to the Agreement 

 

By: /s/ David A. Bogaert  
Name:  David A. Bogaert  
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer  
     
     
Cboe Vest Financial, LLC  
     
By: /s/ J. Steven Neamtz  
Name:  J. Steven Neamtz  
Title: Senior Managing Director  

 

5 

 

 

SCHEDULE A-2 

to the 

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) 

between 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the “Trust”) 

and 

Cboe Vest Financial, LLC

 

This Agreement relates to the following Funds of the Trust: 

 

Fund Maximum Annual
Operating
Expense Limit

Effective

Date 

Expiration 
Date

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (January) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (February) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (March) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (April) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (May) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (June) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (July) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (August) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (September) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (October) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (November) Fund 

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Enhanced Growth Strategy (December) Fund

 

The following classes of shares of each of the foregoing Funds shall
be subject to the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit noted in this schedule:

 

Class A Shares 

Class C Shares 

Investor Class Shares 

Institutional Class Shares 

Class Y Shares 

0.95%

0.95% 

0.95% 

0.95% 

0.70% 

December 13, 2019 

December 13, 2019 

December 13, 2019 

December 13, 2019 

December 13, 2019 

February 28, 2021 

February 28, 2021 

February 28, 2021 

February 28, 2021 

February 28, 2021 

 

IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on this Schedule.

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST  

On behalf of the 

Funds noted on this Schedules to the Agreement

 

By: /s/ David A. Bogaert  
Name:  David A. Bogaert  
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer  
     
     
Cboe Vest Financial, LLC  
     
By: /s/ J. Steven Neamtz  
Name:  J. Steven Neamtz  
Title: Senior Managing Director  

 

6 

 

 

SCHEDULE A-3 

to the

 EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) 

between 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the “Trust”) 

and 

Cboe Vest Financial, LLC

 

This Agreement relates to the following Funds of the Trust: 

 

Fund Maximum Annual
Operating
Expense Limit
Effective 
Date
Expiration
Date

Cboe Vest S&P 500® Dividend Aristocrats Target Income Fund

 

The following classes of shares of each of the foregoing Funds
shall be subject to the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit
noted in this schedule:

 

Class A Shares 

Class C Shares 

Investor Class Shares 

Institutional Class Shares 

Class Y Shares 

0.95% 

0.95% 

0.95% 

0.95% 

0.70% 

November 22, 2019 

November 22, 2019 

November 22, 2019 

November 22, 2019 

November 22, 2019 

February 28, 2021 

February 28, 2021 

February 28, 2021 

February 28, 2021 

February 28, 2021 

 

IN WITNESS, WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the dates noted on this Schedule.

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST  

On behalf of the 

Funds noted on this Schedules to the Agreement

 

By: /s/ David A. Bogaert  
Name:  David A. Bogaert  
Title: President and Principal Executive Officer  
     
     
Cboe Vest Financial, LLC  
     
By: /s/ J. Steven Neamtz  
Name:  J. Steven Neamtz  
Title: Senior Managing Director  

 

7 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(h)(26)

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST

 

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT

 

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT, effective as of the dates set forth on Schedule A by and between Secure Investment Management, LLC (the "Adviser") and World Funds Trust (the "Trust") ("Agreement"), on behalf of the series of the Trust set forth in Schedule A attached hereto (each a "Fund," and collectively, the "Funds").

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is a Delaware statutory trust, and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company of the series type, and each Fund is a series of the Trust;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust, with respect to each of the Funds, and the Adviser have entered into an Advisory Agreement ("Advisory Agreement"), pursuant to which the Adviser provides investment management services to each Fund for compensation based on the value of the average daily net assets of each such Fund;

 

WHEREAS, the Trust and the Adviser have determined that it is appropriate and in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders to maintain the expenses of each Fund at a level no greater than the level to which each such Fund would normally be subject in order to maintain each Fund's expense ratio at the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit (as hereinafter defined) specified in Schedule A hereto;

 

NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Expense Limitation.

 

a. Applicable Expense Limit. To the extent that the aggregate expenses of every character incurred by a Fund in any fiscal year, including but not limited to investment advisory fees of the Adviser (but excluding interest, expenses incurred under a plan of distribution adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage commissions, dividend expenses on short sales, and other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of such Fund's business) ("Fund Operating Expenses"), exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit, as defined in Section 1.2 below, such excess amount (the "Excess Amount") shall be the liability of the Adviser.

 

b. Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit. The Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit with respect to each Fund shall be the amount specified in Schedule A based on a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund.

 

c. Method of Computation. To determine the Adviser's liability with respect to the Excess Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses for each Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses for any month of a Fund exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, the Adviser shall first waive or reduce its investment advisory fee for such month by an amount sufficient to reduce the annualized Fund Operating Expenses to an amount no higher than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit. If the amount of the waived or reduced investment advisory fee for any such month is insufficient to pay the Excess Amount, the Adviser may also remit to the appropriate Fund or Funds an amount that, together with the waived or reduced investment advisory fee, is sufficient to pay such Excess Amount.

 

  1  
 

 

d. Year-End Adjustment. If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order that the amount of the investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments remitted by the Adviser to the Fund or Funds with respect to the previous fiscal year shall equal the Excess Amount.

 

2. Reimbursement of Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursements.

 

a. Reimbursement. If, during any fiscal month in which the Advisory Agreement is still in effect, the estimated aggregate Fund Operating Expenses of such Fund for the fiscal month are less than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit for that month, the Adviser shall be entitled to reimbursement by such Fund, in whole or in part as provided below, of the sum of all investment advisory fees waived or reduced and other payments remitted by the Adviser with respect to a particular class of such Fund pursuant to Section 1 hereof, for a three year period following the date such waiver or reduction was made or payment was remitted by the Adviser ("Reimbursement Amount"), less any reimbursement previously paid by such Fund to the Adviser, pursuant to this Section 2.a, with respect to such waivers, reductions, and payments. The Reimbursement Amount shall not include any additional charges or fees whatsoever, including, e.g., interest accruable on the Reimbursement Amount. To the extent any reimbursement is made pursuant to this Section 2.a., such reimbursement shall not cause the Fund Operating Expenses to exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit that was in place at the time the Adviser waived or reduced its advisory fees or reimbursed other expenses of the Fund.

 

b.

Method of Computation. To determine each Fund's accrual, if any, to reimburse the Adviser for the Reimbursement Amount, each month the Fund Operating Expenses of each Fund shall be annualized as of the last day of the month. If the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund for any month are less than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of such Fund, such Fund shall accrue into its net asset value an amount payable to the Adviser sufficient to increase the annualized Fund Operating Expenses of that Fund to an amount no greater than the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit of that Fund, provided that such amount paid to the Adviser will in no event exceed the total Reimbursement Amount. For accounting purposes, amounts accrued pursuant to this Section 2 shall be a liability of the Fund for purposes of determining the Fund's net asset value.

 

  2  
 

 

c. Payment and Year-End Adjustment. Amounts accrued pursuant to this Agreement shall be payable to the Adviser as of the last day of each month. If necessary, on or before the last day of the first month of each fiscal year, an adjustment payment shall be made by the appropriate party in order that the actual Fund Operating Expenses of a Fund for the prior fiscal year (including any reimbursement payments hereunder with respect to such fiscal year) do not exceed the Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit.

 

d. Limitation of Liability. The Adviser shall look only to the assets of the Fund for which it waived or reduced fees or remitted payments for reimbursement under this Agreement and for payment of any claim hereunder, and neither the Fund, nor any of the Trust’s trustees, officers, employees, agents, or shareholders, whether past, present or future shall be personally liable therefor.

 

3. Term and Termination of Agreement.

 

This Agreement with respect to each of the Funds shall continue in effect until the expiration date set forth on Schedule A (the “Expiration Date”). With regard to the Operating Expense Limits, the Trust’s Board of Trustees and the Advisor may terminate or modify this Agreement prior to the Expiration Date only by mutual written consent. This Agreement shall terminate automatically upon the termination of the Advisory Agreement; provided, however, that the obligation of the Trust to reimburse the Adviser with respect to the Fund shall survive the termination of this Agreement unless the Trust and the Adviser agree otherwise.

 

4. Miscellaneous.

 

a. Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no other way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.

 

b. Interpretation. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Trust or the Funds to take any action contrary to the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust or by-laws, as amended from time to time, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trust's Board of Trustees of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Trust or the Funds. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that all litigation arising hereunder, whether direct or indirect, and of any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out of the assets of the affected Fund and that no Trustee, officer or holder of shares of beneficial interest of the Fund shall be personally liable for any of the foregoing liabilities. The Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust and by-laws describe in detail the respective responsibilities and limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of beneficial interest.

 

  3  
 
c. Definitions. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement, including but not limited to the investment advisory fee, the computations of net asset values, and the allocation of expenses, having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from the terms and provisions of the Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act, shall have the same meaning as and be resolved by reference to such Advisory Agreement or the 1940 Act.

 

d. Enforceability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms or provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be signed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

 

 

  World Funds Trust, on behalf of each Fund Listed on Schedule A
   
   
  By: /s/David A. Bogaert
  Name: David A. Bogaert
  Title: President
     

 

 

  Secure Investment Management, LLC
   
   
  By: /s/Dan Morgan
  Name: Dan Morgan
  Title: CCO
     

 

 

 

  4  
 

SCHEDULE A

to the

EXPENSE LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement")

between

WORLD FUNDS TRUST (the "Trust")

and

Secure Investment Management, LLC (advisor)

 

This Agreement relates to the following Funds of the Trust:

 

 

  Fund   Maximum Annual Operating Expense Limit   Effective Date   Expiration Date  
  SIM U.S. Core Managed Volatility Fund   2.15%   February 29, 2020   February 28, 2021  
  SIM Global Core Managed Volatility Fund   2.15%   February 29, 2020   February 28, 2021  
  SIM Global Moderate Managed Volatility Fund   2.15%   February 29, 2020   February 28, 2021  
  SIM Global Equity Fund   2.15%   February 29, 2020   February 28, 2021  
  SIM Income Fund   2.15%   February 29, 2020   February 28, 2021  

 

 

  5  

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST 485BPOS

 

 Exhibit 99(i)(15)

 

 

 

April 29, 2020

World Funds Trust

8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205

Richmond, VA 23235

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We hereby consent to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Counsel” in the Statement of Additional Information for the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Equity Fund, a series portfolio of the World Funds Trust (the “Trust”), which is included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 357 to the Trust’s Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (No. 333-148723), and Amendment No. 358 to the Trust’s Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (No. 811-22172), on Form N-1A.

If you have any questions concerning the foregoing, please contact the undersigned at (913) 660-0778 or John.Lively@practus.com.

  Regards,
  /s/ John H. Lively
  On behalf of Practus, LLP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(j)(8)

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the references to our firm in the Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of the World Funds Trust, and to the use of our report dated March 2, 2020 on the financial statements and financial highlights of the Mission-Auour Risk-Managed Global Fund, a series of shares of World Funds Trust. Such financial statements and financial highlights appear in the 2019 Annual Report to Shareholders which is incorporated by reference into the Statement of Additional Information.

 

  Tait, Weller & Baker LLP

 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

April 27, 2020 

 

 

WORLD FUNDS TRUST 485BPOS

Exhibit 99(p)(7)

CODE OF ETHICS

of

APPLIED FINANCE ADVISORS, LLC

Adopted May 15, 2006

Last Revised as of April 15, 2020

 

 

I. Introduction

 

This Code of Ethics (the “Code”) has been adopted by Applied Finance Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”), in compliance with Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).

 

This Code is intended to establish policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that persons subject to the Code do not:

 

> use any information concerning the investments or investment intentions of the Adviser, or his or her ability to influence such investment related information, for personal gain or in a manner detrimental to the interests of the Adviser or any client of the Adviser; and/or

 

> engage in activities that result in a conflict of interest, or apparent conflict of interest, between such persons and the Adviser or any client of the Adviser.

 

II. Principles

 

This Code of Ethics acknowledges, supports and is designed to enforce the general principles that persons affiliated with the Adviser:

 

> owe fiduciary obligations to the Adviser and all clients of the Adviser;

 

> must at all times to place the interests of advisory clients before their own personal interests;

 

> must at all times conduct all their personal securities transactions so as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or abuse of such person’s position of trust and responsibility; and

 

> never take inappropriate advantage of their positions in relation to the Adviser or to any client of the Adviser.

 

III. Definitions (as used in this Code)

"Access Person" means:

 

(1) any officer, general partner, Managing Member, “Affiliated Person” (defined below) or “Advisory Person” (defined below) of the Adviser.

 

Code of Ethics of Toreador Research & Trading, LLC

Dated September 25, 2014

Page 1 of 11
 

 

(2) any Supervised Person (as defined in the Advisers Act) or employee of the Adviser who, in the ordinary course of business, makes, participates in or obtains information regarding, the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Adviser, or whose functions or duties in the ordinary course of business relate to the making of any recommendation to the Adviser regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities.

 

“Advisory Person” means:

 

(1) any Access Person of the Adviser who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes or participates in the making of any recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Adviser; and

 

(2) any natural person in a control relationship to the Adviser who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Adviser with regard to the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Adviser.

 

Note: All “Advisory Persons” are also “Access Persons”. However, not all “Access Persons” are “Advisory Persons”. Any Section that applies to “Access Persons” also applies to “Advisory Persons”. Any Code Section that applies to “Advisory Persons” applies ONLY to “Advisory Persons”.

 

"Affiliated Person" of the Adviser means:

 

(1) any officer, director, trustee, co-partner or employee of the Adviser;

 

(2) any person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding with power to vote, 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Adviser;

 

(3) any person 5% or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held with power to vote, by the Adviser; and

 

(4) any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser.

 

"Beneficial Interest" means any interest by which an Access Person or any member of his or her immediate family (relative by blood or marriage living in the same household), can directly or indirectly derive a monetary benefit from the purchase, sale or other acquisition, disposition or ownership of a security, except such interests as the Code Administrator shall determine to be too remote for the purpose of this Code.

 

(1) A transaction in which an Access Person acquires or disposes of a security in which he or she has or thereby acquires a direct or indirect Beneficial Interest will be referred to in this Code as a "personal securities" transaction or as a transaction for the person's "own account".

 

(2) At the written request of a person subject to this Code, the Code Administrator, in his sole discretion or with the advice of legal counsel, may from time to time issue written interpretations as to whether an Access Person has a “Beneficial Interest” in a security or a transaction, and whether a transaction is or would be considered to be a “personal securities” transaction or a transaction for the person’s “own account” for purposes of the reporting requirements under this Code. Any such written interpretations shall be attached to this Code and may be relied upon solely by the person(s) seeking such interpretations.

 

Code of Ethics of Toreador Research & Trading, LLC

Dated September 25, 2014

Page 2 of 11
 

 

“Clearing Officer” means any officer of the Adviser who is not:

 

(1) a party to the transaction;

 

(2) related by blood or marriage to a party to the transaction;

 

(3) interested in or an affiliated person of the issuer of the securities at issue; and

 

(4) authorized pursuant to this Code to approve personal securities transactions.

 

Controlmeans the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, unless such power is solely the result of an official position with such company. Any person who owns beneficially, directly or through one or more controlled persons, more than 25% of the voting securities of a company shall be presumed to control such company.

 

Covered Securitymeans any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a ''security'', or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing, including “initial public offerings” and “limited offerings”, except that it does not include:

 

(1) direct obligations of the United States Government;

 

(2) banker’s acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and high quality short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements; and

 

(3) shares of other Funds (defined below).

 

References to a "Security" in this Code shall include any warrant for, option in, or security immediately convertible into that "Security."

 

Fundmeans any series of shares of any entity conducting business as an investment company and registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Fund that operates as an exchange traded fund, and any Fund for which the Adviser serves as an investment adviser are considered to be Covered Securities.

 

Code of Ethics of Toreador Research & Trading, LLC

Dated September 25, 2014

Page 3 of 11
 

A "security held or to be acquired" by an Adviser client means any Covered Security which, during any trading day:

 

(1) is or has been purchased or sold by the Adviser for a client; or

 

(2) is being or has been considered for purchase or sale by the Adviser for a client.

 

A security is "being considered for purchase or sale" from the time an order is given by or on behalf of an Adviser client to the order room of the Adviser until all orders with respect to that security are completed or withdrawn.

 

IV. General Prohibitions

 

A. No Access Person shall use any information concerning the investments or investment intentions of the Adviser, or his or her ability to influence such investment intentions, for personal gain or in a manner detrimental to the interests of the Adviser.

 

B. No Access Person shall, directly or indirectly in connection with the purchase or sale of a "security held or to be acquired" by the Adviser:

 

> employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any Advisory client; or

 

> make to any Advisory client any untrue statement of material fact or omit to inform any Advisory client of any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; or

 

> engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any Advisory client; or

 

> engage in any manipulative practice with respect to any Advisory client.

 

V. Restrictions on Personal Securities Transactions

 

A.       Transactions Requiring Pre-Clearance- Unless exempted under Section V(B) below, Access Persons may not effect personal securities transactions in any Covered Security unless such person obtains prior written approval for such transaction in accordance with this Code and reports to the Code Administrator the information described in Section VII of this Code in accordance with the reporting requirements of Section VII of this Code. . Access Persons must obtain prior written approval before engaging in any personal securities transaction involving “initial public offerings” or “limited offerings”

 

B.       Transactions That Do Not Require Pre-Clearance- Access Persons may engage in the following types of personal securities transactions without the need to obtain pre-clearance of the transaction:

 

> Purchases or sales of a Covered Security in an amount not to exceed $50,000 per transaction in that security, so long as the Covered Security is one that trades on a nationally recognized exchange and the Access Person reports such transactions in accordance with the reporting requirements of Section VII of this Code. Funds for which the Adviser serves as an investment adviser are not included in this exemption. Exchange Traded Funds are included in this exemption, unless the Adviser serves as an investment adviser to the Fund.

 

Code of Ethics of Toreador Research & Trading, LLC

Dated September 25, 2014

Page 4 of 11
 

 

> Purchases or sales of options and futures contracts, unless such contracts are then being considered for purchase or sale by the Adviser for an Advisory client.

 

B.       Gifts- Access Persons may not accept any gift or other thing of more than de minimis value from any person or entity that does or seeks to do business with or on behalf of the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser. A gift will qualify as de minimis if it is within such limits as defined by applicable rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

 

 

C.       Service as a Director to Other Public Companies- Advisory Persons may not serve on the board of directors of any publicly traded company without obtaining prior authorization of a majority of the Adviser’s Managing Members, which authorization shall be specifically based upon a determination that such service would not conflict with the interests of the Adviser and its shareholders. If and when such board service is authorized, the Advisory Person serving as a director will be isolated from other Advisory Persons who make investment decisions involving that company through "Chinese Wall" or other procedures.

 

VI. Exempt Personal Securities Transactions

 

Neither the prohibitions nor the reporting requirements of this Code with respect to Personal Securities Transactions apply to:

 

A. purchases, sales or other acquisitions or dispositions of Covered Securities for an account over which the person has no direct influence or control and does not exercise indirect influence or control;

 

B. involuntary purchases or sales of Covered Securities;

 

C. purchases which are part of an automatic dividend reinvestment plan;

 

D. purchases or other acquisitions or dispositions resulting from the exercise of rights acquired from an issuer as part of a pro rata distribution to all holders of a class of securities of such issuer and the sale of such rights; and

 

E. holdings of Covered Securities which were acquired by a person prior to such person becoming subject to this Code. In such an event, the person may dispose of such Covered Securities after such person has become subject to this Code, if the person:

 

  > obtains advance written clearance of such transaction by two (2) Clearing Officers; and
     
  > if the Covered Security is a “security held or to be acquired” by the Adviser, executes such transaction at a price equal to or less advantageous than the most recent price obtained for such security by the Adviser; and

 

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  > reports to the Adviser the information described in Section VII of this Code in accordance with the reporting requirements of Section VII of this Code.
     
  > Any profits realized on personal securities transactions in violation of this Section VI(E) shall be disgorged.

 

VII. Reporting of Personal Securities Transactions and Holdings

 

A. Reporting Requirements of Access Persons

 

(1) Unless specifically excepted by other provisions of this Code, every Access Person must provide to the Code Administrator the following reports:

 

(a) Initial Holdings Reports- Not later than ten (10) days after a person becomes an Access Person, such person shall complete, sign and deliver to the Code Administrator an Initial Holdings Report which, with respect to any Covered Securities in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect Beneficial Interest at the time of such report, contains the following information:

 

(ii) the title, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each Covered Security held:

 

(iii) the current cost basis of each Covered Security held;

 

(iv) the name of and account number at the broker, dealer or bank at which the Covered Security is held;

 

(v) the date that the report is submitted to the Code Administrator.

 

(b) Quarterly Transaction Reports- Not later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter, each Access Person shall make a written Quarterly Transaction Report to the Code Administrator which, with respect to any Personal Securities Transaction during the previous calendar quarter in a Covered Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership, contains the following information:

 

(i) the date of the transaction, the title, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each Covered 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 Covered Security at which the transaction was effected;

 

(iv) the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected;

 

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(v) the name of and account number at any broker, dealer or bank at which the Access Person established an account during the reporting period; and

 

(vi) the date that the report is submitted to the Administrator by the Access Person.

 

 

(c) Annual Holding Reports- Not later than forty-five (45) days after the end of each calendar year end, each Access Person shall make a written report to the Code Administrator which:

 

(i) sets forth the title, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership during the reporting period;

 

(ii) sets forth the name of and account number at any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintained an account in which any Covered Securities are held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person during the reporting period;

 

(iii) contains the date that the report is submitted by the Access Person; and

 

(iv) states that the information contained in the Annual Holdings Report is current as of a date not greater than thirty (30) days prior to the date the report was submitted.

 

B. Exemptions from Reporting

 

(1) A person need not make an Initial Holdings Report with respect to transactions effected for, and Covered Securities held, in any account over which the person has no direct or indirect influence or control.

 

(2) An Access Person need not make a Quarterly Transaction Report if the Report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements received by the Adviser with respect to the Access Person for the applicable quarterly reporting period, but only if such broker trade confirmations or account statements contain ALL of the information required to be reported in the Quarterly Transaction Reports.

 

C. Responsibility to File Personal Transaction and Holdings Reports

 

The responsibility for taking the initiative to file required reports under this Code is imposed on each Access Person. Any effort by the Code Administrator,or the Adviser to facilitate the reporting process does not change or alter that responsibility.

 

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D. Where to File Personal Transaction and Holdings Reports

 

All Personal Transaction and Holdings Reports must be filed with the Code Administrator.

 

VIII. Confidentiality of Adviser Securities Transactions

 

Until disclosed in a public report to shareholders or to the Commission in the normal course of the Adviser’s business, all information concerning Covered Securities "being considered for purchase or sale" by the Adviser shall be kept confidential by all Access Persons and disclosed by them only on a "need to know" basis. It shall be the responsibility of the Code Administrator to report any inadequacy found by him or her to the Board of Trustees of the Adviser or any committee appointed by the Board to deal with such information.

 

IX. Reporting of Code Violations

 

A. Violations of this Code by any person other than the Code Administrator shall be reported to the Code Administrator. The Code Administrator shall report such violations to the Principal Executive Officer, who shall determine an appropriate sanction, in consultation with the Code Administrator. Subsequent to such determination, the Code Administrator shall provide a report of any such violations and sanctions to the Board of Trustees.

 

B. Violations of this Code by the Principal Executive Officer or Code Administrator shall be reported to the other Managing Members. The Managing Members shall investigate such report and impose such sanctions as they deem appropriate.

 

X. Sanctions

 

Any violation of this Code shall be subject to the imposition of such sanctions as may be deemed appropriate under the circumstances by the duly authorized imposing authority. Such sanctions may include, but are not limited to suspension or termination of employment, a letter of censure, restitution, and/or reporting of the violator to criminal authorities or the Commission.

 

XI. Required Records

 

The Code Administrator shall maintain or cause to be maintained in an easily accessible place, the following records:

 

A. a copy of this and any other Code adopted pursuant to Rule 204A-1 which has been in effect during the past five (5) years;

 

B. written acknowledgments of receipt from all persons subject to the Code indicating the the person has received, read and understands the Code, including all annual acknowledgments of receipt as required to be obtained under Rule 204A-1, and all acknowledgments of receipt resulting from any material change to this Code of Ethics and such change being communicated to all Access Persons;

 

C. a record of any violation of such Codes and of any action taken as a result of such violation;

 

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D. a copy of each report made by the Code Administrator for a period of five (5) years from the end of the fiscal year of the Adviser in which such report and interpretation is made or issued, the first two (2) years in an easily accessible place;

 

E. a list of all persons who are, or within the past five (5) years have been required to make reports pursuant to the Code; and

 

F. a copy of all Initial Holdings Reports, Quarterly Transactions Reports, Annual Holdings Reports, and Acknowledgments of Receipt for a period of five (5) years from the end of the fiscal year of the Adviser in which such report is made or issued, the first two (2) years in an easily accessible place.

 

XII. Administration and Construction

 

A. The administration of this Code shall be the responsibility of the Adviser's Chief Compliance Officer or such other person as the Adviser's Managing Members may appoint from time to time, who shall serve as the "Administrator" of this Code.

 

B. The duties of the Code Administrator shall include:

 

(1) continuous maintenance of a current list of the names of all Access Persons with an appropriate description of their title or employment, and written acknowledgments of receipt from all persons subject to the Code indicating the the person has received, read and understands the Code;

 

(2) providing each Access Person a copy of this Code and informing them of their duties and obligations thereunder, and assuring that Access Persons who are not Advisory Persons are familiar with applicable requirements of this Code;

 

(3) supervising the implementation and the enforcement of the Code;

 

(4) maintaining or supervising the maintenance of all records and reports required by this Code;

 

(5) determining whether any particular securities transaction should be exempted pursuant to the provisions of this Code;

 

(6) issuing either personally, or with the assistance of counsel as may be appropriate, an interpretation of this Code which may appear consistent with the objectives of the Rule of this Code;

 

(7) conducting such inspections or investigations, including scrutiny of the listings referred to in the preceding subparagraph, as shall reasonably be required to detect and report, with his or her recommendations, any apparent violations of this Code to the Adviser's Managing Members or any committee appointed by them to deal with such information;

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(8) submitting a quarterly report to the Managing Members of the Adviser containing a description of any violation and the sanction imposed; transactions which suggest a possibility of a violation, and any exemptions or waivers found appropriate by the Administrator; and any other significant information concerning the appropriateness of this Code.

 

XIII. Amendments and Modifications

 

This Code of Ethics may not be amended or modified except in a written form which is specifically approved by majority vote of the Adviser's Managing Members.

 

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Listing of Access Persons
As of April 15, 2020

 

NAME

LOCATION

ADVISORY PERSON

Y/N

DESIGNATION
DATE

Paul Blinn San Antonio, TX Y 2006
Rafael Resendes San Juan, Puerto Rico Y 2006
David Jones San Antonio, TX N 2006
Jun Wang San Juan, Puerto Rico Y 2006
Dhaval Sanghavi Chicago, Illinois Y 2014
Daniel Obrycki Chicago, Illinois N 2014
       

 

 

LIST OF CLEARING OFFICERS

As of April 15, 2020

 

 

Paul Blinn

Rafael Resendes

David Jones

 

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