Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2015

1933 Act Registration File No. 333-182417

1940 Act File No. 811-22718

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  [ X ]

 

[ ] Pre-Effective Amendment No.                                    

[ X ] Post-Effective Amendment No. 50                                                                                                                       

and/or

 

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

 

[ X ] Amendment No.53

                                                                                                                             

(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, NE  68130

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code:

402-895-1600

 

The Corporation Trust Company

1209 Orange Street

Wilmington, DE  19801

(Name and. Address of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

Robert Robertson

Dechert LLP

2010 Main Street, Suite 500

Irvine, CA 92614

(949) 442-6037 (phone)

(949) 442-6010 (fax)

 

Richard A. Malinowski

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110

Hauppauge, NY  11788

(631) 470-2734 (phone)

 

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

[   ]    immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

[X]   on February 28, 2015 pursuant to paragraph (b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Modern Technology Fund

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

February 28, 2015

 

Class A    BELAX

Class C   BELCX

Class I BELIX

Class R BELRX

 

 

 

 

 

www.escapitaladvisors.com

(866) 851-2525

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 

Page

FUND SUMMARY 1
Investment Objective 1
Fees and Expenses of the Fund 1
Portfolio Turnover 2
Principal Investment Strategies 2
Principal Investment Risks 2
Performance 3
Investment Adviser 4
Portfolio Manager 4
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares 4
Tax Information 5
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries 5
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS 5
Investment Objective 5
Principal Investment Strategies 5
Principal Risk Factors 6
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure 7
MANAGEMENT 7
Investment Adviser 7
Portfolio Manager 7
Changes of Investment Policies 8
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED 8
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES 9
Class A Shares 9
Class C Shares 11
Class I Shares 13
Class R Shares 13
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES 15
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES 17
TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS 18
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES 18
Distributor 18
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries 19
Householding 19
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 20
Privacy Notice 24

 

i
 

 

FUND SUMMARY

Investment Objective: The Modern Technology Fund (the “Fund”) seeks capital growth.

 

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

 

Shareholder Fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)

Class A Class C Class I Class R

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases

(as a % of offering price)

5.75% None None None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)

(as a % of original purchase price)

1.00% 1.00% None None

Redemption Fee

(as a % of amount redeemed within 90 days of purchase)

2.00% 2.00% 2.00% 2.00%

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage

of the value of your investment)

   

 

 

 
Management Fees 1.50% 1.50% 1.50% 1.50%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees 0.25% 1.00% None 0.50%
Other Expenses 10.20% 10.20% 10.20% 10.20%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 11.95% 12.70% 11.70% 12.20%
Less Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement (1) (9.30)% (9.30)% (9.30)% (9.30)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Waiver 2.65% 3.40% 2.40% 2.90%

 

(1) The Fund’s adviser has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee in the amount of 0.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets until at least March 1, 2016. The Fund’s adviser has also contractually agreed to reduce the Fund’s fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund until at least March 1, 2016 to ensure that total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and reimbursement (exclusive of any taxes, short selling expenses, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, indirect expenses, expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund may invest, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) will not exceed 2.65%, 3.40%, 2.40% and 2.90% of average daily net assets attributable to Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R shares, respectively. This agreement may be terminated by the Fund’s Board of Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to the adviser. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three year basis (within the three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits.

 

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

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

 

  1 year

3 years

 

5 years 10 years
Class A

$828

 

$2,976

 

$4,836 $8,466

Class C

 

$343

 

$2,728

 

$4,761 $8,621
Class I

$243

 

$2,486

 

$4,438 $8,283
Class R

$293

 

$2,608

 

$4,602 $8,458

 

 

Portfolio Turnover : The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held

1
 

in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 35%. Another firm managed the Fund for a portion of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014 pursuant to a different investment objective, strategies and restrictions.

 

Principal Investment Strategies : The Fund normally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the stocks of growth companies in the technology sector.  Technology companies may include, for example, companies whose businesses involve the development, marketing, or commercialization of technology or products or services related to or dependent on technology. Such companies would include, without limitation, companies involved in such industries as information technology, software, computer hardware and peripherals, data processing, business outsourcing services, telecommunications, internet software and hardware, e-commerce companies, media and entertainment, electronics, systems integration, manufacturing, semiconductors, medical technology and automation.  Up to 25% of the Fund’s assets may be invested in foreign securities.  

 

The Fund’s strategy is premised on the theory that the pace of innovation in the technology sector creates a constantly changing set of winners and losers, and provides unique opportunities for active managers to find good investment ideas.  The Fund generally will hold what its investment management team believes are the top equity securities within the ten industries represented in the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index.  The ten industries include: communications equipment; computers & peripherals; diversified telecommunication services; electronic equipment instruments & components; internet software & services; IT services; office electronics; semiconductors & semiconductor equipment; software; and wireless telecommunication services. The Fund’s holdings in each industry generally will range from 5% per security when all industries are forecasted for a positive return to 12.5% per security when three or fewer industries are forecasted for a positive return. The Fund may invest in securities of any market capitalization.

 

The Fund will employ a fundamental, bottom-up stock selection process that integrates traditional fundamental analysis with proprietary quantitative screening tools. The process emphasizes high-quality companies that demonstrate strong fundamentals, attractive valuations, and management teams with a demonstrated track record of success. By combining qualitative analysis with systemic risk management tools, the strategy will seek to generate excess return over meaningful periods of time and across varying market environments.

 

The Fund’s investment adviser will use quantitative and fundamental analysis to identify what it believes are the most attractive industries (expected positive return) within the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index. The investment adviser may select any number of industries among those represented in the Index. Once these investment parameters are set, the adviser will select equity securities within those industries based on a fundamental evaluation of competitive advantages. When selecting portfolio securities, the adviser will consider, among other factors, revenue growth, earnings growth, debt to equity ratios and price/equity ratios.

 

To manage risk, the Fund’s strategy permits investments in any combination of equity securities included in the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index and short-term U.S. Treasuries (including in times of extreme market risk, 100% in short-term U.S. Treasuries.). The Fund, however, is managed with the rationale that the Fund’s long-term success may subject the Fund to short-term volatility.

 

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

 

Technology Company Risk. Technology companies, especially small-cap technology companies, involve greater risk because their revenue and/or earnings tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses) and their share prices tend to be more volatile. Certain technology companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or may depend on a limited management group. In addition, these companies are strongly affected by worldwide technological developments, and their products and services may not be economically successful or may quickly become outdated. Investor perception may play a greater role in determining the day-to-day value of tech stocks than it does in other sectors. By investing in these companies, the Fund is exposed to these risks.
Growth Stock Risk. Investors often expect growth companies to increase their earnings at a certain rate. If these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately, even if earnings do increase. In addition, growth stocks may lack the dividend yield that may cushion stock prices in market downturns.
Equity Risk. Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. Preferred stocks are subject to the risk that the dividend on the stock may be changed or omitted by the issuer, and that participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited.
2
 
Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Risk. The risk that the value of securities issued by small-capitalization and mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable than larger, more established organizations to adverse business or economic developments.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk. Foreign (non-U.S.) securities present greater investment risks than investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than the securities of U.S. companies, due to less information about foreign companies in the form of reports and ratings than about U.S. issuers; different accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements; smaller markets; nationalization; expropriation or confiscatory taxation; currency blockage; or political changes or diplomatic developments. Foreign securities may also be less liquid and more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers.
Industry Concentration Risk. Concentrating investments in a single industry or group of related industries makes the Fund more susceptible to adverse economic, business, regulatory or other developments affecting that industry or group of related industries. Because the Fund has a policy to concentrate its investments in securities of technology companies, the Fund may perform poorly during a downturn in those industries.
Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations.
Management Risk. The adviser’s decisions on size and diversity of portfolio holdings and its judgments about the potential change in value of a particular option or security in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect.
Market Risk. Overall equity market risk may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities markets. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.
Model Risk. The Fund will use model-based strategies that, while historically effective, may not be successful on an ongoing basis or could contain unknown errors. In addition, the data used in models may be inaccurate.

Performance : The bar chart and performance table below show the variability of the Fund’s returns, which is some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.  The bar chart shows performance of the Fund’s Class A shares for each full calendar year since the Fund’s inception.  Returns for Class C, Class I and Class R shares, which are not presented, will vary from the returns of Class A shares.  The performance table compares the performance of the Fund’s Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R shares over time to the performance of a broad-based securities market index.  Effective April 16, 2014, the Morgan Stanley Technology Index replaced of the BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index as the Fund’s broad-based market index because the Morgan Stanley Technology Index is comprised of securities more reflective of the Adviser’s management style. You should be aware that the Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) may not be an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.  Updated performance information is available at no cost by visiting www.escapitaladvisors.com or by calling (866) 851-2525.

 

Class A Annual Total Return For Calendar Years Ended December 31

 

 

 

3
 

 

Best Quarter: Quarter Ended December 31, 2014 4.15%
Worst Quarter: Quarter Ended September 31, 2014 (2.99)%

 

Performance Table

Average Annual Total Returns

(For periods ended December 31, 2014)

     
 

One

Year

Since Inception (1)
Class A shares    
Return before taxes (5.27)% (0.95)%
Return after taxes on distributions (5.79)% (1.51)%
Return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares (2.57)% (0.73)%
Class C shares    
Return before taxes with sales load (1.42)% 1.28%
Class I shares*    
Return before taxes 0.54% 2.02%
Class R shares    
Return before taxes 0.54% 2.03%
BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index (2) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 0.03% 0.05%
Morgan Stanley Technology Index (3) (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 12.29% 21.65%

 

(1) The Fund’s Class A and Class I shares commenced operations on December 31, 2012, and the Fund’s Class C and Class R shares commenced operations on January 2, 2013. The Fund’s investment adviser began managing the Fund on April 16, 2014. Another firm managed the Fund before that date pursuant to a different investment objective, strategies and restrictions.

(2) The BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an index of short-term U.S, Government securities with a remaining term to final maturity of less than three months. Investors cannot invest directly in an index of benchmark.

(3) The Morgan Stanley Technology Index is an equal-dollar weighted index designed to measure the performance of a cross section of highly capitalized U.S. companies that are active in nine technology subsectors.

Investment Adviser : ES Capital Advisors, LLC (“ES Capital” or the “Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund.

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager The Fund is managed by David Morton of ES Capital. Mr. Morton has managed the Fund since 2015.

 

 

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares :   You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading by written request, by telephone at (866) 851-2525, or through your broker.  Redemptions will be paid by automated clearing house funds (“ACH”), check or wire transfer.  The Fund or its Adviser may waive any of the minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts.

 

Class

 

Minimum Investment

Initial

 

Subsequent

 

A

 

$2,500 $500

C

 

$2,500

 

$500

 

I

 

$100,000 $1,000
R $2,500 $500
4
 

 

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

 

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

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

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

 

Principal Investment Strategies : The Fund normally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the stocks of growth companies in the technology sector.  Technology companies may include, for example, companies whose businesses involve the development, marketing, or commercialization of technology or products or services related to or dependent on technology. Such companies would include, without limitation, companies involved in such industries as information technology, software, computer hardware and peripherals, data processing, business outsourcing services, telecommunications, internet software and hardware, e-commerce companies, media and entertainment, electronics, systems integration, manufacturing, semiconductors, medical technology and automation.  Up to 25% of the Fund’s assets may be invested in foreign securities.  

 

The Fund’s strategy is premised on the theory that the pace of innovation in the technology sector creates a constantly changing set of winners and losers, and provides unique opportunities for active managers to find good investment ideas.  The Fund generally will hold what its investment management team believes are the top equity securities within the ten industries represented in the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index.  The ten industries include: communications equipment; computers & peripherals; diversified telecommunication services; electronic equipment instruments & components; internet software & services; IT services; office electronics; semiconductors & semiconductor equipment; software; and wireless telecommunication services. The Fund’s holdings in each industry generally will range from 5% per security when all industries are forecasted for a positive return to 12.5% per security when three or fewer industries are forecasted for a positive return. The Fund may invest in securities of any market capitalization.

 

The Fund will employ a fundamental, bottom-up stock selection process that integrates traditional fundamental analysis with proprietary quantitative screening tools.  The process emphasizes high-quality companies that demonstrate strong fundamentals, attractive valuations, and management teams with a demonstrated track record of success.  By combining qualitative analysis with systemic risk management tools, the strategy will seek to generate excess return over meaningful periods of time and across varying market environments.  

 

The Fund’s investment adviser will use quantitative and fundamental analysis to identify what it believes are the most attractive industries (expected positive return) within the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index. The investment adviser may select any number of industries among those represented in the Index. Once these investment parameters are set, the Fund’s adviser will select equity securities within those industries based on a fundamental evaluation of competitive advantages. When selecting portfolio securities, the adviser will consider, among other factors, revenue growth, earnings growth, debt to equity ratios and price/equity ratios.

 

To manage risk, the Fund’s strategy permits investments in any combination of equity securities included in the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index and short-term U.S. Treasuries (including in times of extreme market risk, 100% in short-term U.S. Treasuries.). The Fund, however, is managed with the rationale that the Fund’s long-term success may subject the Fund to short-term volatility.

 

In response to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities, money market instruments and cash. These short-term debt securities and money market instruments include: shares of money market mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements. Although the Fund would do this for temporary defensive purposes, it could reduce the benefit from any upswing in the market. During such periods, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.

 

 

 

5
 

Principal Risk Factors :

 

Technology Company Risk. The technology sector has been among the most volatile sectors of the stock market. Because the Fund’s investments are concentrated in the technology sector, its performance will be significantly affected by developments in that sector. Technology companies, especially small-cap technology companies, involve greater risk because their revenue and/or earnings tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses) and their share prices tend to be more volatile. Certain technology companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, or may depend on a limited management group. In addition, these companies are strongly affected by worldwide technological developments, and their products and services may not be economically successful or may quickly become outdated. Investor perception may play a greater role in determining the day-to-day value of tech stocks than it does in other sectors. Fund investments made in anticipation of future products and services may decline dramatically in value if the anticipated products or services are delayed or cancelled. The risks associated with technology companies are magnified in the case of small-cap technology companies. The shares of smaller technology companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can have an adverse effect on the pricing of these securities and on the Fund’s ability to sell these securities.
Growth Stock Risk. Investors often expect growth companies to increase their earnings at a certain rate. If these expectations are not met, investors can punish the stocks inordinately, even if earnings do increase. In addition, growth stocks may lack the dividend yield that may cushion stock prices in market downturns.
Equity Risk. Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. Preferred stocks are subject to the risk that the dividend on the stock may be changed or omitted by the issuer, and that participation in the growth of an issuer may be limited.
Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Risk. The risk that the value of securities issued by small-capitalization and mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable than larger, more established organizations to adverse business or economic developments.
Foreign (Non-U.S.) Investment Risk . Foreign (non-U.S.) securities present greater investment risks than investing in the securities of U.S. issuers and may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than the securities of U.S. companies, due to less information about foreign companies in the form of reports and ratings than about U.S. issuers; different accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements; smaller markets; nationalization; expropriation or confiscatory taxation; currency blockage; or political changes or diplomatic developments. To the extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in a specific geographic region, the Fund will generally have more exposure to regional economic risks associated with foreign investments. Foreign securities may also be less liquid and more difficult to value than securities of U.S. issuers.
Industry Concentration Risk. Concentrating investments in a single industry or group of related industries makes the Fund more susceptible to adverse economic, business, regulatory or other developments affecting that industry or group of related industries than if its investments were diversified across different industries. Because the Fund has a policy to concentrate its investments in securities of technology companies, the Fund may perform poorly during a downturn in those industries.
Liquidity Risk. The Fund is subject to liquidity risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments of the Fund would be difficult to purchase or sell, possibly preventing the Fund from selling such illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring the Fund to dispose of other investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy its obligations. Funds with principal investment strategies that involve securities of companies with smaller market capitalizations, non-U.S. securities, Rule 144A securities, derivatives ( e.g. , swap contracts), structured notes, or securities with substantial market and/or credit risk tend to have the greatest exposure to liquidity risk.
Management Risk . The net asset value of the Fund changes daily based on the performance of the securities and derivatives in which it invests. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities and derivatives in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.
Market Risk. Overall equity market risk, including volatility, may affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors such as domestic and foreign economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, and political events affect the securities markets. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.
6
 
Model Risk. The Fund will use model-based strategies that, while historically effective, may not be successful on an ongoing basis or could contain unknown errors. In addition, the data used in models may be inaccurate.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure : A description of the Fund’s policies regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Fund’s SAI. Shareholders may request portfolio holdings schedules at no charge by calling (866) 851-2525.

MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser

ES Capital serves as the investment adviser for the Fund. Its principal offices are located at 40 Walnut Street, Wellesley, MA 02481. The firm was founded in April 2011 and is wholly owned by David Morton.  Since 1992, Mr. Morton has been involved in managing assets for corporations and individuals and in capital raising activities for businesses. Mr. Morton is the majority owner of Edgartown Advisors LLC (“Edgartown”). Edgartown participates in the net revenue from and has certain financial responsibilities to Copeland Capital Management LLC. Mr. Morton is the majority owner of Emerald Fund of Funds, LLC (“Emerald”). Emerald participates in net revenue from, and has certain financial responsibilities to, Crow Point Partners, LLC (“Crow Point”). Crow Point is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. Mr. Morton will play a principal role in setting the Fund’s investment parameters. Subject to the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Trustees, ES Capital is responsible for managing the Fund’s investments, executing transactions and providing related administrative services and facilities under an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund and ES Capital.

 

ES Capital has entered into an investment advisory agreement with the Fund.  Under the agreement, it receives an annual fee equal to 1.40% (after waiver) of the Fund’s average daily net assets. In addition to investment advisory fees, the Fund pays other expenses including costs incurred in connection with the maintenance of its securities law registration, printing and mailing prospectuses and SAIs to shareholders, certain financial accounting services, taxes or governmental fees, custodial, transfer and shareholder servicing agent costs, expenses of outside counsel and independent accountants, preparation of shareholder reports and expenses of trustee and shareholders meetings.

 

Under the investment advisory agreement, ES Capital has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee in the amount of 0.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets until at least March 1, 2016. ES Capital has also contractually agreed to reduce the Fund’s fees and/or to make payments to limit Fund expenses until at least March 1, 2016, so that the total annual operating expenses (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization, dividend expense on securities sold short, underlying fund fees and expenses or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Fund do not exceed 2.65%, 3.40%, 2.40% and 2.90% for Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R shares, respectively. Waivers and expense payments may be recouped by ES Capital from the Fund, to the extent that overall expenses fall below specified limits, within three years of when the amounts were waived or recouped.

 

 

ES Capital assumed the Fund’s investment advisory responsibilities on April 16, 2014 and entered into a sub-advisory agreement with another firm to serve as the Fund’s sub-adviser. On February 4, 2015, the Fund’s sub-adviser resigned to pursue other investment management endeavors, and ES Capital assumed full management responsibilities of the Fund. Under the investment advisory agreement with the Fund’s prior investment adviser, which was in effect since the Fund’s inception, the adviser received an annual fee equal to 1.95%. The Fund’s advisory fee was lowered to 1.50% effective April 16, 2014.

 

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the investment advisory agreement with ES Capital is available in the Fund’s semi-annual shareholder report dated April 30, 2014.

 

Portfolio Manager

David Morton

 

Mr. Morton is a registered Investment Advisor. Since 1992 he has been involved in the management of assets for individuals and corporations and in capital raising activities for businesses. He began his career at Smith Barney in Boston, MA, and he has served on the Advisory Council to The Private Client Group at Legg Mason as well as Wachovia’s Chairman’s Council. Mr. Morton founded Morton Financial in 2004 and Morton Wealth Advisors in 2007. In addition, Mr. Morton is majority owner of Edgartown Advisors, LLC, ES Capital Advisors, LLC, and Emerald Fund of Funds, LLC. He also owns a financial technology firm called FusionIQ. He graduated cum laude from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.

 

 

 

 

7
 

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

 

Changes of Investment Policies

In accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Fund adopted an investment policy that it will, under normal conditions, invest at least 80%at least 60 days prior to any change by the Fund of its 80% investment policy.

 

HOW SHARES ARE PRICED

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES

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

 

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

 

Amount Invested

 

Sales Charge as a % of Offering Price (1)

 

Sales Charge as a % of Amount Invested

 

Dollar Reallowance

 

Under $25,000

 

5.75%

 

6.10%

 

5.00%

 

$25,000 to $49,999

 

5.00%

 

5.26%

 

4.25%

 

$50,000 to $99,999

 

4.75%

 

4.99%

 

4.00%

 

$100,000 to $249,999

 

3.75%

 

3.83%

 

3.25%

 

$250,000 to $499,999

 

2.50%

 

2.56%

 

2.00%

 

$500,000 to $999,999

 

2.00%

 

2.04%

 

1.75%

 

$1,000,000 and above (2)

 

0.00%

 

0.00%

 

See below

 

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

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

 

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

 

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How to Reduce Your Sales Charge

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Shares held indirectly through financial intermediaries other than your current purchase broker-dealer (for example, a different broker-dealer, a bank, a separate insurance company account or an investment advisor);
Shares held through an administrator or trustee/custodian of an Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (for example, a 401(k) plan) other than employer-sponsored IRAs;
Shares held directly in the Fund account on which the broker-dealer (financial advisor) of record is different than your current purchase broker-dealer.

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

 

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

 

Sales Charge Waivers

 

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

Current and retired directors and officers of any Fund sponsored by the Adviser or any of its subsidiaries, their families ( e.g. , spouse, children, mother or father).
Employees of the Adviser and their families, or any full-time employee or registered representative of the Distributor or of broker-dealers having dealer agreements with the Distributor (a “Selling Broker”) and their immediate families (or any trust, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan for the benefit of such persons).
Any full-time employee of a bank, savings and loan, credit union or other financial institution that utilizes a Selling Broker to clear purchases of the Fund’s shares and their immediate families.
Participants in certain “wrap-fee” or asset allocation programs or other fee-based arrangements sponsored by broker-dealers and other financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Distributor.
Clients of financial intermediaries that have entered into arrangements with the Distributor providing for the shares to be used in particular investment products made available to such clients and for which such registered investment advisers may charge a separate fee.
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Institutional investors (which may include bank trust departments and registered investment advisers).
Any accounts established on behalf of registered investment advisers or their clients by broker-dealers that charge a transaction fee and that have entered into agreements with the Distributor.
Separate accounts used to fund certain unregistered variable annuity contracts or Section 403(b) or 401(a) or (k) accounts.
Employer-sponsored retirement or benefit plans with total plan assets in excess of $5 million where the plan’s investments in the Fund are part of an omnibus account.  A minimum initial investment of $1 million in the Fund is required.  The Distributor in its sole discretion may waive these minimum dollar requirements.
Any government entity that is prohibited from paying a sales charge or commission to purchase mutual fund shares.
Any purchases by clients of the Adviser or purchases referred through the Adviser.

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

 

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

 

Years Since Purchase Payment was Made Dollar Reallowance

First

 

1.00%

 

Thereafter

 

0.00%

 

 

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

 

The following rules apply under the method for calculating CDSCs:

Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions will be redeemed first and will not be subject to any CDSC.
For the redemption of all other shares, the CDSC will be based on either your original purchase price or the then current NAV of the shares being sold, whichever is lower. To illustrate this point, consider shares purchased at an NAV per share of $10. If the Fund’s NAV per share at the time of redemption is $12, the CDSC will apply to the purchase price of $10. If the NAV per share at the time of redemption is $8, the CDSC will apply to the $8 current NAV per share.
CDSCs will be deducted from the proceeds of your redemption, not from amounts remaining in your account.
In determining whether a CDSC is payable, it is assumed that the shareholder will redeem first the lot of shares which will incur the lowest CDSC.

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

Assume that an individual opens an account and makes a purchase payment of $10,000 for 1,000 Class C shares of the Fund (at $10 per share) and that six months later the value of the investor’s account for that Fund has grown through investment performance to $11,000 ($11 per share). If the investor should redeem $2,200 (200 shares), a CDSC would be applied against
11
 

$2,000 of the redemption (the purchase price of the shares redeemed, because the purchase price is lower than the current NAV of such shares ($2,200)). At the rate of 1%, the Class C CDSC would be $20.

Waiver of Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

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

 

Any partial or complete redemption in connection with (a) required minimum distributions to IRA account owners or beneficiaries who are age 70 1/2 or older or (b) distributions to participants in employer-sponsored retirement plans upon attaining age 59 1/2 or on account of death or permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e) of the Internal Revenue Code) that occurs after the purchase of Class A shares or Class C shares.
Any partial or complete redemption in connection with a qualifying loan or hardship withdrawal from an employer sponsored retirement plan.
Any complete redemption in connection with a distribution from a qualified employer retirement plan in connection with termination of employment or termination of the employer’s plan and the transfer to another employer’s plan or to an IRA.
Any partial or complete redemption following death or permanent and total disability (as defined in Section 22(e) of the Internal Revenue Code) of an individual holding shares for his or her own account and/or as the last survivor of a joint tenancy arrangement (this provision, however, does not cover an individual holding in a fiduciary capacity or as a nominee or agent or a legal entity that is other than an individual or the owners or beneficiaries of any such entity) provided the redemption is requested within one year of the death or initial determination of disability and provided the death or disability occurs after the purchase of the shares.
Any redemption resulting from a return of an excess contribution to a qualified employer retirement plan or an IRA.
Up to 10% per year of the value of the Fund account that (a) has the value of at least $10,000 at the start of such year and (b) is subject to an Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
Redemptions by Trustees, officers and employees of any of the Trust and by directors, officers and employees of the Distributor, the Adviser or its affiliates.
Redemptions effected pursuant to the Fund’s right to involuntarily redeem a shareholder’s Fund account if the aggregate net asset value of shares held in such shareholder’s account is less than a minimum account size specified in such Fund’s prospectus.
Involuntary redemptions caused by operation of law.
Redemptions of shares of the Fund that is combined with another investment company, or personal holding company by virtue of a merger, acquisition or other similar reorganization transaction,
Redemptions by a shareholder who is a participant making periodic purchases of not less than $50 through certain employer sponsored savings plans that are clients of a broker-dealer with which the Distributor has an agreement with respect to such purchases.
Redemptions effected by trustees or other fiduciaries who have purchased shares for employer-sponsored plans, the trustee, administrator, fiduciary, broker, trust company or registered investment adviser for which has an agreement with the Distributor with respect to such purchases.
Redemptions in connection with IRA accounts established with Form 5305-SIMPLE under the Internal Revenue Code for which the Trust is the designated financial institution.
A redemption by a holder of Class A shares who purchased $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares (and therefore did not pay a sales charge) where the participating broker or dealer involved in the sale of such shares waived the commission it would normally receive from the Distributor pursuant to an agreement with the Distributor.
12
 
A redemption by a holder of Class A shares or Class C shares where the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived all payments it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase ( i.e. , commissions or reallowances of initial sales charges and advancements of service and distribution fees).
A redemption by a holder of Class A shares or Class C shares where, by agreement with the Distributor, the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived a portion of any payment it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase (or otherwise agreed to a variation from the normal payment schedule) in connection with such purchase.

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

Exempt Transactions; No CDSCs or Payments to Brokers

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

A redemption by a holder of Class A shares or Class C shares where the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived all payments it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase ( e.g. , commissions and/or reallowances of initial sales charges and advancements of service and distribution fees.
A redemption by a holder of Class A shares or Class C shares where, by agreement with the Distributor, the participating broker or dealer involved in the purchase of such shares waived a portion of any payment it normally would receive from the Distributor at the time of purchase (or otherwise agreed to a variation from the normal payment schedule) in connection with such purchase.

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

 

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

 

Institutional Investors may include, but are not limited to, corporations, retirement plans, foundations/endowments and investors who purchase through a wrap account offered through a selling group member that enters into a wrap fee program agreement with the Distributor.
Individual Investors include trustees, officers and employees of the Trust and its affiliates, and immediate family members of all such persons.
Clients of the Adviser.

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

 

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

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

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

13
 

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

Regular/Express/Overnight Mail

Modern Technology Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68130

 

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

 

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

 

Purchase by Wire: If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at (866) 851-2525 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Fund’s designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.   

 

Automatic Investment Plan: You may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts. You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at (866) 851-2525 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

14
 

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

 

“Good order” means your purchase request includes:   

 

the name of the Fund;
the dollar amount of shares to be purchased;
a completed purchase application or investment stub; and
check payable to the “Modern Technology Fund.”

Retirement Plans : You may purchase shares of the Fund for your individual retirement plans. Please call the Fund at (866) 851-2525 for the most current listing and appropriate disclosure documentation on how to open a retirement account.  

 

HOW TO REDEEM SHARES

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

 

Regular/Express/Overnight Mail

Modern Technology Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68130

 

Redemptions by Telephone: The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new accounts except retirement accounts.  If you do not want the telephone redemption privilege, you must indicate this in the appropriate area on your account application or you must write to the Fund and instruct it to remove this privilege from your account. The proceeds, which are equal to number of shares times NAV less any applicable deferred sales charges or redemption fees, will be sent by mail to the address designated on your account or sent electronically, via ACH or wire, directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application. To redeem by telephone, call (866) 851-2525. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or electronically within three business days after receipt of your telephone instructions. IRA accounts are not redeemable by telephone.  

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Automatic Withdrawal Plan: If your individual account, IRA or other qualified plan account has a current account value of at least $10,000, you may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money to your bank account from the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers. You may elect to make subsequent withdrawals by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established bank account. Please contact the Fund at (866) 851-2525 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan.

 

15
 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The request should be in writing, unless redeeming by telephone, indicating the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed;
The request must identify your account number;  
The request should be signed by you and any other person listed on the account, exactly as the shares are registered; and
If you request that the redemption proceeds be sent to a person, bank or an address other than that of record or paid to someone other than the record owner(s), or if the address was changed within the last 30 days, or if the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000, the signature(s) on the request must be medallion signature guaranteed by an eligible signature guarantor.

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

 

you request a redemption to be made payable to a person not on record with the Fund;
you request that a redemption be mailed to an address other than that on record with the Fund;
the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000;
any redemption is transmitted by federal wire transfer to a bank other than the bank of record; or
your address was changed within 30 days of your redemption request.

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

 

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

 

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

 

16
 

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES

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

 

Committing staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Fund’s “Market Timing Trading Policy”;
Rejecting or limiting specific purchase requests;
Rejecting purchase requests from certain investors; and
Charging a 2% redemption fee on shares sold within 90 days of purchase.

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Waivers of Redemption Fees : The Fund has elected not to impose the redemption fee under certain circumstances, limited to:

 

TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

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

 

The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income quarterly and net capital gains annually in December. Both types of distributions will be reinvested in shares of the Fund unless you elect to receive cash.  Dividends from net investment income (including any excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) are taxable to investors as ordinary income, while distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of your holding period for the shares. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash.  Certain dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December will be taxed to shareholders as if received in December if they are paid during the following January. Each year the Fund will inform you of the amount and type of your distributions.  IRAs and other qualified retirement plans are exempt from federal income taxation until retirement proceeds are paid out to the participant.

 

Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes.  A capital gain or loss on your investment is the difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell them.

 

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

 

This summary is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund’s shares.

 

DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES

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

 

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

 

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

 

18
 

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

 

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

 

Householding: To reduce expenses, the Fund mails only one copy of the prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at (866) 851-2525 on days the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution. The Fund will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.

 

19
 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the period of the Fund’s operations.  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 the Fund (assuming reinvestment if all dividends and distributions).  This information for the Fund has been derived from the financial statements audited by McGladrey LLP, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, are included in the Fund’s October 31, 2014 annual report, which is available upon request and is incorporated by reference in the SAI.

 

Another firm managed the Fund during a portion of the period presented below pursuant to a different investment objective, strategies and restrictions.

 

 
Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each Period Presented
                 
          Class A  
          For the      
          Year Ended   Period Ended  
          October 31, 2014   October 31, 2013 (1)
                 
Net asset value, beginning of period        $                         10.39    $                   10.00  
                 
Activity from investment operations:            
  Net investment loss (2)                                    (0.06)                          (0.10)  
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)            
  from investments                                    (0.11)                            0.49  
Total from investment operations                                    (0.17)                            0.39  
                 
Less distributions from:              
  Net realized gains                                    (0.25)                                -     
Total distributions                                    (0.25)                                -     
                 
Net asset value, end of period        $                           9.97    $                   10.39  
                 
Total return (3)(6)       (1.64)%   3.90%  
                 
Net assets, at end of year        $                         5,148    $                         10  
                 
Ratio of gross expenses to average              
  net assets (4)(5)       11.95%   10.97% (7)(8)
Ratio of net expenses to average              
  net assets (5)       3.16% (9) 3.20% (7)
Ratio of net investment loss              
  to average net assets (5)       (0.63)%   (1.17)% (7)
                 
Portfolio Turnover Rate       35%   0% (6)
                 
(1)  The Modern Technology Fund Class A shares commenced investment operations on December 31, 2012.
(2) Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately represents the per share data for the period.
(3) Total Return shown excludes the effect of applicable sales charges and redemption fees.  Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in sale price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions.  Had the Advisor not waived a portion of the Fund's expenses, total returns would have been lower.
(4) Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets absent fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Advisor.
(5) The ratios of expenses to average net assets and net investment income (loss) to average net assets do not reflect the expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests, as applicable.
(6) Not annualized.              
(7)  Annualized.              
(8) As the share class had 1 share outstanding over the period, the ratio presented is based upon the expected expense level for the class provided in the Fund’s prospectus.
(9) Effective August 7, 2014, the expense cap changed from 3.20% to 2.65%

 

20
 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 
Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout the Each Period Presented
                 
          Class C  
          For the      
          Year Ended   Period Ended  
          October 31, 2014   October 31, 2013 (1)
                 
Net asset value, beginning of period        $                  10.36    $                   10.00  
                 
Activity from investment operations:            
  Net investment loss (2)                             (0.36)    (0.34)  
  Net realized and unrealized gain            
  on investments                               0.08                            0.70  
Total from investment operations                             (0.28)                            0.36  
                 
Less distributions from:              
  Net realized gains                             (0.25)                                -     
Total distributions                             (0.25)                                -     
                 
Paid-in-Capital From Redemption Fees                             0.01                                -     
                 
Net asset value, end of period        $                    9.84    $                   10.36  
                 
Total return (3)(6)       (2.63)%   3.60%  
                 
Net assets, at end of year (000s)        $                        10    $                         10  
                 
Ratio of gross expenses to average              
  net assets (4)(5)       12.70%   11.72% (7)
Ratio of net expenses to average              
  net assets (5)       3.91% (8) 3.95% (7)
Ratio of net investment loss              
  to average net assets (5)       (3.60)%   (3.92)% (7)
                 
Portfolio Turnover Rate       35%   0% (6)
                 
(1)  The Modern Technology Fund Class C shares commenced investment operations on January 2, 2013.
(2) Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately represents the per share data for the period.
(3) Total Return shown excludes the effect of applicable redemption fees.  Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in sale price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions.  Had the Advisor not waived a portion of the Fund's expenses, total returns would have been lower.
(4) Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets absent fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Advisor.
(5) The ratios of expenses to average net assets and net investment income (loss) to average net assets do not reflect the expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests, as applicable.
(6) Not annualized.              
(7) Annualized.              
(8) Effective August 7, 2014, the expense cap changed from 3.95% to 3.40%

 

21
 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each Period Presented
                 
          Class I  
          For the      
          Year Ended   Period Ended  
          October 31, 2014   October 31, 2013 (1)
                 
Net asset value, beginning of period        $                  10.39    $                   10.00  
                 
Activity from investment operations:            
  Net investment loss (2)                             (0.29)                          (0.25)  
  Net realized and unrealized gain            
  on investments                               0.11                            0.64  
Total from investment operations                             (0.18)                            0.39  
                 
Less distributions from:              
  Net realized gains                             (0.25)                                -     
Total distributions                             (0.25)                                -     
                 
Paid-in-Capital From Redemption Fees                             0.01                                -    *
                 
Net asset value, end of period        $                    9.97    $                   10.39  
                 
Total return (3)(6)       (1.64)%   3.90%  
                 
Net assets, at end of period (000s)        $                     876    $                   4,543  
                 
Ratio of gross expenses to average              
  net assets (4)(5)       11.70%   10.72% (7)
Ratio of net expenses to average              
  net assets (5)       2.91% (8) 2.95% (7)
Ratio of net investment loss              
  to average net assets (5)       (2.82)%   (2.93)% (7)
                 
Portfolio Turnover Rate       35%   0% (6)
                 
* Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
(1)  The Modern Technology Fund Class I shares commenced investment operations on December 31, 2012.
(2) Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately represents the per share data for the period.
(3) Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in sale price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions.  Had the Advisor not waived a portion of the Fund's expenses, total returns would have been lower.
(4) Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets absent fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Advisor.
(5) The ratios of expenses to average net assets and net investment income (loss) to average net assets do not reflect the expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests, as applicable.
(6) Not annualized.              
(7) Annualized.              
(8) Effective August 7, 2014, the expense cap changed from 2.95% to 2.40%

;

22
 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each Period Presented
                 
          Class R  
          For the      
          Year Ended   Period Ended  
          October 31, 2014   October 31, 2013 (1)
                 
Net asset value, beginning of period        $                  10.39    $                   10.00  
                 
Activity from investment operations:              
  Net investment loss (2)                             (0.31)                          (0.11)  
  Net realized and unrealized gain            
  on investments                               0.14                            0.50  
Total from investment operations                             (0.17)                            0.39  
                 
Less distributions from:              
  Net realized gains                             (0.25)                                -     
Total distributions                             (0.25)                                -     
                 
Net asset value, end of period        $                    9.97    $                   10.39  
                 
Total return (3)(6)       (1.64)%   3.90%  
                 
Net assets, at end of period        $                        10    $                         10  
                 
Ratio of gross expenses to average              
  net assets (4)(5)(8)       12.20%   11.22% (7)
Ratio of net expenses to average              
  net assets (5)       3.41% (9) 3.45% (7)
Ratio of net investment loss              
  to average net assets (5)       (3.12)%   (1.28)% (7)
                 
Portfolio Turnover Rate       35%   0% (6)
                 
(1)  The Modern Technology Fund Class R shares commenced investment operations on January 2, 2012.
(2) Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately represents the per share data for the period.
(3) Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in sale price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions.  Had the Advisor not waived a portion of the Fund's expenses, total returns would have been lower.
(4) Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets absent fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the Advisor.
(5) The ratios of expenses to average net assets and net investment income (loss) to average net assets do not reflect the expenses of the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests, as applicable.
(6) Not annualized.              
(7) Annualized.              
(8) As the share class had 1 share outstanding over the period, the ratio presented is based upon the expected expense level for the class provided in the Fund’s prospectus.
(9) Effective August 7, 2014, the expense cap changed from 3.45% to 2.90%

 

23
 

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

FACTS WHAT DOES TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
Why?

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information.

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

What?

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

  • Social Security number and income
  • Account transactions and transaction history
  • Investment experience and purchase history

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

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

 

Reasons we can share your personal information Does Two Roads Shared Trust share? Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes –

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

YES NO

For our marketing purposes –

to offer our products and services to you

NO We do not share
For joint marketing with other financial companies NO We do not share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your transactions and experiences

NO We do not share

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes –

information about your creditworthiness

NO We do not share
For our affiliates to market to you NO We do not share
For nonaffiliates to market to you NO We do not share

 

Questions? Call 1-402-895-1600

 

24
 

 

What we do

How does Two Roads Shared Trust protect my personal information?

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

These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

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

How does Two Roads Shared Trust collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

  • open an account or give us contact information
  • provide account information or give us your income information
  • make deposits or withdrawals from your account

We also collect your personal information from other companies.

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

  • sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness
  • affiliates from using your information to market to you
  • sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

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

 

Definitions

Affiliates

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

  • Two Roads Shared Trust has no affiliates.
Nonaffiliates

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

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

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

  • Two Roads Shared Trust does not jointly market.

 

 

25
 

 

Modern Technology Fund

 

Adviser

 

ES Capital Advisors, LLC

40 Walnut Street

Wellesley, MA 02481

 

Distributor

 

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC

17605 Wright Street

Omaha, NE  68130

 

Custodian

 

Huntington National Bank

7 Eastern Oval,

Columbus, OH 43219

 

 

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP

2010 Main Street, Suite 500

Irvine, CA 92614

 

Transfer Agent

 

 

Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, NE  68130

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

McGladrey LLP

555 17 th Street, Suite 1000

Denver, CO  80202

 

 

 

Additional information about the Fund is included in the Fund’s SAI and annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. The SAI and the financial statements included in the Fund’s most recent annual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended October 31, 2014, including the notes thereto and report of the independent registered public accounting firm thereon, are incorporated into this Prospectus by reference ( i.e. , legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Fund’s policies and management.  In the Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

 

To obtain a free copy of the SAI and the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, or other information about the Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Fund, please call (866) 851-2525. The Fund does not have a website; however information relating to the Fund can be found on the Adviser’s website at www.escapitaladvisors.com.  You may also write to:

Modern Technology Fund

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

17605 Wright Street, Suite 2

Omaha, Nebraska 68130

 

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

 

 

Investment Company Act File # 811-22718

 

 

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MODERN TECHNOLOGY FUND

 

 

A Series of Two Roads Shared Trust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         
Fund   Class A Class C Class I Class R
Modern Technology Fund   BELAX BELCX BELIX BELRX
             
                   

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Dated February 28, 2015

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the prospectus of the Modern Technology Fund (the “Fund”) dated February 28, 2015, copies of which may be obtained without charge by contacting the Fund’s Transfer Agent, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 or by calling (866) 851-2525. You may also obtain the prospectus for the Fund by visiting the Fund’s website:

 

Modern Technology Fund www.escapitaladvisors.com

 

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Page
THE FUND 1
TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS 1
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS 20
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS 22
MANAGEMENT 23
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS 29
INVESTMENT ADVISER 33
THE DISTRIBUTOR 37
PORTFOLIO MANAGER 39
ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE 40
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER 40
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS 41
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES 42
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM 42
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES 43
TAX STATUS 44
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 48
LEGAL COUNSEL 48
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 48

 

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THE FUND

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

The Fund is a “diversified” series of the Trust, meaning the Fund is subject to the diversification requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), which generally limit investments, as to 75% of a fund’s total assets, to no more than 5% in securities in a single issuer and 10% of an issuer’s voting securities. The Fund consists of Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R shares. The Fund’s investment objective, restrictions and policies are more fully described here and in the applicable prospectus. The Board may start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.  

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

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS, STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS

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

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

Equity Securities  

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

Common Stock

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

Preferred Stock

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

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

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

 

Mortgage Dollar Rolls

The Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls with a bank or a broker-dealer. A mortgage dollar roll is a transaction in which the Fund sells mortgage-related securities for immediate settlement and simultaneously purchases the same type of securities for forward settlement at a discount. While the Fund begins accruing interest on the newly purchased securities from the purchase or trade date, it is able to invest the proceeds from the sale of its previously owned securities, which will be used to pay for the new securities, in money market investments until a future settlement date. The use of mortgage dollar rolls is a speculative technique involving leverage, and is considered to be a form of borrowing.

Securities of Other Investment Companies  

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

Open-End Investment Companies  

The Fund may invest in shares of open-end investment companies. The Fund and any “affiliated persons,” as defined by the 1940 Act, may purchase in the aggregate only up to 3% of the total outstanding securities of any underlying fund unless: (i) the underlying investment company and/or the Fund has received an order for exemptive relief from such limitations from the SEC; and (ii) the underlying investment company and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying funds, the Fund’s ability to invest fully in shares of those funds is restricted, and the Adviser must then, in some instances, select alternative investments that would not have been its first preference. The 1940 Act also provides that an underlying fund whose shares are purchased by the Fund will be obligated to redeem shares held by the Fund only in an amount up to 1% of the underlying fund’s outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days. Shares held by the Fund in excess of 1% of an underlying fund’s outstanding securities therefore, will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of any Fund’s total assets.  Under certain circumstances an underlying fund may determine to make payment of a redemption by the Fund wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, in lieu of cash, in conformity with the rules of the SEC. In such cases, the Fund may hold securities distributed by an underlying fund until the Adviser determines that it is appropriate to dispose of such securities.

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

Exchange Traded Funds

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

Closed-End Investment Companies  

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

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

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

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

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

Business Development Companies

Business development companies (“BDCs”) are regulated under the 1940 Act and are taxed as regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Internal Revenue Code. BDCs typically operate as publicly traded private equity firms that invest in early stage to mature private companies and small public companies. BDCs realize operating income when their investments are sold off, and therefore maintain complex organizational, operational, tax and compliance requirements, and must distribute at least 90% of their taxable earnings as dividends. Additionally, a BDC’s expenses are not direct expenses paid by Fund shareholders and are not used to calculate the Fund’s net asset value.

Securities Options

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

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

Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index

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and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 ® Index or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 100 ® . Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the AMEX Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index.

Options on stock indices are currently traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Pacific Stock Exchange and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.

The Fund’s obligation to sell an instrument subject to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to the expiration date of the option by the Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing on an exchange an option of the same series ( i.e. , same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transactions costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have incurred a loss in the transaction. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument or liquidate the assets held in a segregated account, as described in the Cover Requirements section, until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. In such circumstances, the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period.

If an option purchased by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Fund expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold). If an option written by the Fund is exercised, the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.

Certain Risks Regarding Options

There are several risks associated with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

Successful use by the Fund of options on stock indices will be subject to the ability of the Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market. This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, the Fund’s ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market decline, through transactions in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by the Fund. Inasmuch as the Fund’s securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect. Consequently, the Fund bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices of its put options on the stock indices. It is also possible that there may be a negative correlation between the index and the Fund’s securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and the options on stock indices acquired by the Fund.

The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that

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involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.

There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy its obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect to options on securities that it has purchased, it would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.

Options on Futures Contracts

The Fund may purchase and sell options on the same types of futures in which it may invest. Options on futures are similar to options on underlying instruments except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put), rather than to purchase or sell the futures contract, at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by the delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.  

Dealer Options

The Fund may engage in transactions involving dealer options as well as exchange-traded options. Certain additional risks are specific to dealer options. While the Fund might look to a clearing corporation to exercise exchange-traded options, if the Fund were to purchase a dealer option it would need to rely on the dealer from which it purchased the option to perform if the option were exercised. Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss of the premium paid by the Fund as well as loss of the expected benefit of the transaction.

Exchange-traded options generally have a continuous liquid market while dealer options may not. Consequently, the Fund may generally be able to realize the value of a dealer option it has purchased only by exercising or reselling the option to the dealer who issued it. Similarly, when the Fund writes a dealer option, the Fund may generally be able to close out the option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to whom the Fund originally wrote the option. While the Fund will seek to enter into dealer options only with dealers who will agree to and which are expected to be capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will at any time be able to liquidate a dealer option at a favorable price at any time prior to expiration. Unless the Fund, as a covered dealer call option writer, is able to effect a closing purchase transaction, it will not be able to liquidate securities (or other assets) used as cover until the option expires or is exercised. In the event of insolvency of the other party, the Fund may be unable to liquidate a dealer option. With respect to options written by the Fund, the inability to enter into a closing transaction may result in material losses to the Fund. For example, because the Fund must maintain a secured position with respect to any call option on a security it writes, the Fund may not sell the assets, which it has segregated to secure the position while it is obligated under the option. This requirement may impair the Fund’s ability to sell portfolio securities at a time when such sale might be advantageous.

The Staff of the SEC has taken the position that purchased dealer options are illiquid securities. The Fund may treat the cover used for written dealer options as liquid if the dealer agrees that the Fund may repurchase the dealer options they have written for a maximum price to be calculated by a predetermined formula. In such cases, the dealer option would be considered illiquid only to the extent the maximum purchase price under the formula exceeds the intrinsic value of the option. Accordingly, the Fund will treat dealer options as subject to the Fund’s limitation on illiquid securities. If the SEC changes its position on the liquidity of dealer options, the Fund will change their treatment of such instruments accordingly.

Spread Transactions

The Fund may purchase covered spread options from securities dealers. These covered spread options are not presently exchange-listed or exchange-traded. The purchase of a spread option gives the Fund the right to put securities that it owns at a fixed dollar spread or fixed yield spread in relationship to another security that the Fund does not own, but which is used as a benchmark. The risk to the Fund, in addition to the risks of dealer options described above, is the cost of the premium paid as well as any transaction costs.

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The purchase of spread options will be used to protect the Fund against adverse changes in prevailing credit quality spreads, i.e. , the yield spread between high quality and lower quality securities. This protection is provided only during the life of the spread options.

Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. In a repurchase agreement, an investor (such as the Fund) purchases a security (known as the “underlying security”) from a securities dealer or bank. Any such dealer or bank must be deemed creditworthy by the Adviser. At that time, the bank or securities dealer agrees to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon price on a designated future date. The repurchase price may be higher than the purchase price, the difference being income to the Fund, or the purchase and repurchase prices may be the same, with interest at an agreed upon rate due to the Fund on repurchase. In either case, the income to the Fund generally will be unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying securities. Repurchase agreements must be “fully collateralized,” in that the market value of the underlying securities (including accrued interest) must at all times be equal to or greater than the repurchase price. Therefore, a repurchase agreement can be considered a loan collateralized by the underlying securities.  

Repurchase agreements are generally for a short period of time, often less than a week, and will generally be used by the Fund to invest excess cash or as part of a temporary defensive strategy. Repurchase agreements that do not provide for payment within seven days will be treated as illiquid securities. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default by the seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses. These losses could result from: (a) possible decline in the value of the underlying security while the Fund is seeking to enforce its rights under the repurchase agreement; (b) possible reduced levels of income or lack of access to income during this period; and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights.

Swaps

Swap Agreements

Swap agreements are typically two-party, uncleared contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a day to more than one year. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments.  The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” i.e. , the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested in a “basket” of securities representing a particular index.  Most swap agreements entered into by the Fund calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a “net basis.”  Consequently, the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the “net amount”).  Payments may be made at the conclusion of a swap agreement or periodically during its term.  Swap agreements often do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets.  Accordingly, if a swap is entered into on a net basis, if the other party to a swap agreement defaults, the Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that such Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any.  The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to a swap agreement entered into on a net basis will be accrued daily and an amount of cash or liquid asset having an aggregate NAV at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in an account with the Fund’s custodian that satisfies the 1940 Act.  The Fund will also establish and maintain such accounts with respect to its total obligations under any swaps that are not entered into on a net basis.  Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be “senior securities” for purposes of the Fund’s investment restriction concerning senior securities.  Because most swap agreements are two-party contracts and may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund illiquid investment limitations.  The Fund will not enter into any swap agreement unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy.  The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty.  

The Fund may enter into a swap agreement in circumstances where the Adviser believes that it may be more cost effective or practical than buying the underlying securities or a futures contract or an option on such securities.  The counterparty to any swap agreement will typically be a bank, investment banking firm or broker/dealer.  The counterparty will generally agree to pay the Fund the amount, if any, by which the notional amount of the swap agreement would have increased in value had it been invested in the particular stocks, futures contracts or other underlying assets represented in the index, plus the dividends that would have been received on those instruments.  The Fund will agree to pay to the counterparty a floating rate of interest on the notional amount of the swap agreement plus the amount, if any, by which the notional amount would have decreased in value had it been invested in such stocks, futures contracts or other underlying assets.  Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.  

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The Fund may enter into total return swap agreements. Total return swap agreements are contracts in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the change in market value of underlying assets, which may include a specified security, futures contract, basket of securities or futures contracts, defined portfolios of bonds, loans and mortgages, or securities indices during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swap agreements may be used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security, commodity or market. Total return swap agreements may effectively add leverage to the Fund’s portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. Total return swaps are a mechanism for the user to accept the economic benefits of asset ownership without utilizing the balance sheet. The other leg of the swap, usually the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), is spread to reflect the non-balance sheet nature of the product. Total return swaps can be designed with any underlying asset agreed between two parties. Typically no notional amounts are exchanged with total return swaps. Total return swap agreements entail the risk that a party will default on its payment obligations to the Fund thereunder. Swap agreements also entail the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligation to the counterparty. Generally, the Fund will enter into total return swaps on a net basis ( i.e. , the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments).

The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid in comparison with the markets for other similar instruments that are traded in the over-the-counter market.  The Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of Fund transactions in swap agreements. The use of equity swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.

Credit Default Swaps

In a credit default swap, one party makes a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default by a third party, typically an emerging country, on its obligation. The Fund may use credit default swaps to provide a measure of protection against defaults of sovereign issuers ( i.e. , to reduce risk where the Fund owns or has exposure to the sovereign issuer) and may use credit default swaps to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default. In connection with these agreements, cash or liquid securities may be set aside as collateral by the Fund’s custodian in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement. The Fund earns interest on cash set aside as collateral. Swaps are marked to market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss. These financial instruments are not actively traded on financial markets. The values assigned to these instruments are based upon the best available information and because of the uncertainty of the valuation, these values may differ significantly from the values that would have been realized had a ready market for these instruments existed, and the differences could be material. Payments received or made at the end of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss. Entering into these agreements involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market, and documentation risk. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and related regulatory developments requires the clearing and exchange-trading of certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps. The Dodd-Frank Act will ultimately require the clearing of many additional types of OTC derivative instruments that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and SEC recently defined as “swaps” including non-deliverable foreign (non-U.S.) exchange forwards, OTC foreign (non-U.S.) exchange options and swaptions. Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing will take place on a phased-in basis based on type of market participant and CFTC approval of contracts for central clearing. The Adviser will continue to monitor developments in this area, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swap agreements.

 

Over-the-Counter Instruments

The trading of over-the-counter instruments subjects the Fund to a variety of risks including: (1) counterparty risk; (2) basis risk; (3) interest rate risk; (4) settlement risk; (5) legal risk; and (6) operational risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that the Fund’s counterparties might default on their obligation to pay or perform generally on their obligations. The over-the-counter markets and some foreign (non-U.S.) markets are “principals’ markets.” That means that performance of the contract is the responsibility only of the individual firm or member on the other side of the trade and not any exchange or clearing corporation. Such “counterparty risk” is accentuated for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where the Fund has concentrated its transactions with a single or small group of counterparties. Basis risk is the risk attributable to the movements in the spread between the derivative contract price and the future price of the underlying instrument. Interest rate risk is the general risk associated with

7
 

movements in interest rates. Settlement risk is the risk that a settlement in a transfer system does not take place as expected. Legal risk is the risk that a transaction proves unenforceable in law or because it has been inadequately documented. Operational risk is the risk of unexpected losses arising from deficiencies in a firm’s management information, support and control systems and procedures. Transactions in over-the-counter derivatives may involve other risks as well, as there is no exchange market on which to close out an open position. It may be impossible to liquidate an existing position, to assess the value of a position or to assess the exposure to risk.

Structured Notes, Bonds and Debentures

Typically, the value of the principal and/or interest on these instruments is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indexes or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relevant change in two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. The terms of the structured securities may provide that in certain circumstances no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in the loss of the Fund’s entire investment. The value of structured securities may move in the same or the opposite direction as the value of the Reference, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, the change in interest rate or the value of the security at maturity may be a multiple of the change in the value of the Reference so that the security may be more or less volatile than the Reference, depending on the multiple. Consequently, structured securities may entail a greater degree of market risk and volatility than other types of debt obligations.

When-Issued, Forward Commitments and Delayed Settlements

The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis. In this event, the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) will segregate liquid assets equal to the amount of the commitment in a separate account as discussed in the Cover Requirements section. Normally, the Custodian will set aside portfolio securities to satisfy a purchase commitment. In such a case, the Fund may be required subsequently to segregate additional assets in order to assure that the value of the account remains equal to the amount of the Fund’s commitment. It may be expected that the Fund’s net assets will fluctuate to a greater degree when it sets aside portfolio securities to cover such purchase commitments than when it sets aside cash.

The Fund does not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative purposes but only in furtherance of its investment objectives. Because the Fund will segregate liquid assets to satisfy its purchase commitments in the manner described, the Fund’s liquidity and the ability of the Adviser to manage them may be affected in the event the Fund’s forward commitments, commitments to purchase when-issued securities and delayed settlements ever exceeded 15% of the value of its net assets.

The Fund will purchase securities on a when-issued, forward commitment or delayed settlement basis only with the intention of completing the transaction. If deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy, however, the Fund may dispose of or renegotiate a commitment after it is entered into, and may sell securities it has committed to purchase before those securities are delivered to the Fund on the settlement date. In these cases the Fund may realize a taxable capital gain or loss. When the Fund engages in when-issued, forward commitment and delayed settlement transactions, it relies on the other party to consummate the trade. Failure of such party to do so may result in the Fund incurring a loss or missing an opportunity to obtain a price credited to be advantageous.

The market value of the securities underlying a when-issued purchase, forward commitment to purchase securities, or a delayed settlement and any subsequent fluctuations in their market value is taken into account when determining the market value of the Fund starting on the day the Fund agrees to purchase the securities. The Fund does not earn interest on the securities it has committed to purchase until it has paid for and delivered on the settlement date.

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale ( e.g. , because they have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and securities that are otherwise not readily marketable ( e.g. , because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Foreign (non-U.S.) securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.  

Restricted and other illiquid securities may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. The Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying

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redemption requests from shareholders. The Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.  

A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign (non-U.S.) securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a “safe harbor” from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign (non-U.S.) issuers sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory, Inc.  

Under guidelines adopted by the Trust’s Board, the Fund’s Adviser may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered. A determination of whether such a security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination, the Adviser will consider, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and among other factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; (5) the nature of the security ( e.g. , debt or equity, date of maturity, terms of dividend or interest payments, and other material terms) and the nature of the marketplace trades ( e.g. , the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer); and (6) the rating of the security and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. In the case of commercial paper, the Adviser will also determine that the paper (1) is not traded flat or in default as to principal and interest, and (2) is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two National Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”) or, if only one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or, if the security is unrated, the Adviser determines that it is of equivalent quality.   

Rule 144A securities and Section 4(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Adviser to determine if the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions. Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.  

Lending Portfolio Securities

For the purpose of achieving income, the Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided (1) the loan is secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities or cash or cash equivalents (cash, U.S. Government securities, negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit) maintained on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned, (2) the Fund may at any time call the loan and obtain the return of securities loaned, (3) the Fund will receive any interest or dividends received on the loaned securities, and (4) the aggregate value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one-third of the total assets of the Fund.  

Short Sales

The Fund may employ “short selling” for both (1) investment purposes and (2) for defensive purposes as a hedging strategy.  For investment purposes, when the Adviser believes that particular index, company or sector is relatively overvalued, the Fund may sell a security short with the expectation that it can be repurchased at a lower price, thus generating a gain for the Fund. For defensive purposes, when the Adviser believes that a security or group of securities in the Fund is susceptible to a decline in value, the Fund may sell a security short with the expectation any decline in value of the security sold short will serve to offset some of the decline in value suffered by the Fund’s portfolio of securities.  A short sale strategy is different than a long-only strategy because it consists of selling borrowed shares in the hope that they can be bought back later at a lower price.

The Fund may sell securities short involving the use of derivative instruments and to offset potential declines in long positions in similar securities. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own or have the right to acquire (or that it owns but does not wish to deliver) in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline.  

When the Fund makes a short sale, the broker-dealer through which the short sale is made must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the party purchasing the security. The Fund is required to make a margin deposit in connection with such short sales; the Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and will often be obligated to pay over any dividends and accrued interest on borrowed securities.  

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If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund covers its short position, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.

To the extent the Fund sells securities short, it will provide collateral to the broker-dealer and (except in the case of short sales “against the box”) will maintain additional asset coverage in the form of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities with its custodian in a segregated account in an amount at least equal to the difference between the current market value of the securities sold short and any amounts required to be deposited as collateral with the selling broker (not including the proceeds of the short sale). The Fund does not intend to enter into short sales (other than short sales “against the box”) if immediately after such sales the aggregate of the value of all collateral plus the amount in such segregated account exceeds 50% of the value of the Fund’s net assets. This percentage may be varied by action of the Board of Trustees. A short sale is “against the box” to the extent the Fund contemporaneously owns, or has the right to obtain at no added cost, securities identical to those sold short.

Short sales create a risk that the Fund will be required to close the short position by buying the security at a time when the security has appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. A short position in a security poses more risk than holding the same security long. Because a short position loses value as the security’s price increases, the loss on a short sale is theoretically unlimited.  

To the extent that the Fund uses short sales as a hedging technique, the Fund is subject to correlation risk. Specifically, the correlation between the security sold short and the hedged security may be imperfect, reducing the expected benefit to the Fund of a short sale, or there may be no correlation at all.  It is possible that the market value of the securities the Fund holds in long positions will decline at the same time that the market value of the securities the Fund has sold short increases, thereby increasing the Fund’s potential volatility.

In addition, any gain on a short sale is decreased, and any loss is increased, by the amount of any payments, such as lender fees, replacement of dividends or interest that the Fund may be required to make with respect to the borrowed securities.  Market factors may prevent the Fund from closing out a short position at the most desirable time or at a favorable price. The lender of the borrowed securities may require the Fund to return the securities on short notice, which may require the Fund to purchase the borrowed securities at an unfavorable price, resulting in a loss.  You should be aware that any strategy that includes selling securities short could suffer significant losses.  Short selling will also result in higher transaction costs (such as interest and dividends), which reduce the Fund’s return, and may result in higher taxes.

Risks Related to the Adviser and to its Strategy

Model Risk

The Adviser implements the Fund’s investment strategy using a proprietary trading model (the “Model”) that analyzes information and data supplied by third parties. When the data proves to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance thereon expose the Fund to potential risks. For example, by relying on the data, the Adviser may be induced to buy or sell investments when it may not be advantageous to do so, or to miss favorable opportunities altogether.

The Model seeks to accurately predict favorable investment opportunities based on fundamental and technical analysis using current and historical data. The use of the Model has inherent risks. For example, the Model may incorrectly forecast future behavior, leading to potential losses on a cash flow and/or a mark-to-market basis. In addition, the Model may produce unexpected results, which can result in losses for the Fund. Furthermore, because the Model relies on historical and market data supplied by third parties, the success of relying on the Model may depend heavily on the accuracy and reliability of the supplied historical and market data. If incorrect historical or market data is entered into the Model, the resulting information will be incorrect. However, even if the historical and market data is accurate the anticipated price trends that the Model identifies will often substantially differ from actual market prices.  Differences in anticipated price trends and actual market prices may result in losses for the Fund.

Obsolescence Risk

The Fund is unlikely to be successful unless the assumptions underlying the Model are realistic and either remain realistic and relevant in the future or are adjusted to account for changes in the overall market environment. If such assumptions are inaccurate or become inaccurate and are not promptly adjusted, it is likely that profitable trading signals will not be generated. If and to the extent that the Model does not reflect certain factors major losses may result. Any modification of the

10
 

Model will not be subject to any requirement that shareholders receive notice of the change or that they consent to it. There can be no assurance as to the effects (positive or negative) of any modification of the Model on the Fund’s performance.

Crowding/Convergence

There is significant competition among systematic, trend-following managers, and the ability of the Adviser to deliver returns consistent with the Fund’s objectives and policies is dependent on its ability to employ a trading strategy that is simultaneously profitable and differentiated from similar trading employed by other managers. To the extent that the Adviser’s trading on behalf of the Fund comes to resemble trading employed by other managers, the risk that a market disruption that negatively affects predictive models will adversely affect the Fund is increased, and such a disruption could accelerate reductions in liquidity or rapid re-pricing due to simultaneous trading across a number of funds in the marketplace.

Involuntary Disclosure Risk

As described above, the ability of the Adviser to achieve the Fund’s investment objective is dependent in large part on its ability to develop and protect its System and any related proprietary research. The Model and any related proprietary research are largely protected by the use of policies, procedures, agreements, and similar measures designed to create and enforce robust confidentiality, non-disclosure, and similar safeguards. However, public disclosure obligations (or disclosure obligations to exchanges or regulators with insufficient privacy safeguards) could lead to opportunities for competitors to reverse-engineer the Model, and thereby impair the relative or absolute performance of the Fund.

Proprietary Trading Methods

Because the Model and the trading methods employed by the Adviser on behalf of the Fund are proprietary, a shareholder will not be able to determine any details of such methods or whether they are being followed.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions that may not be changed without approval by a “majority of the outstanding shares” of the Fund which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

1. Borrowing Money. The Fund will not borrow money, except:  (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made.

2. Senior Securities. The Fund will not issue senior securities.  This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund’s engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff.

3. Underwriting. The Fund will not act as underwriter of securities issued by other persons. This limitation is not applicable to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal securities laws.

4. Concentration. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its net assets, calculated at the time of purchase and taken at market value, in securities of issuers in any one industry (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities or repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities).

5. Real Estate. The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate.  This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities that are secured by or represent interests in real estate. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from investing in mortgage-related securities or investing in companies engaged in the real estate business or that have a significant portion of their assets in real estate (including real estate investment trusts).

6. Commodities. The Fund may invest in commodities only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund. This restriction shall not prohibit the Fund, subject

11
 

to restrictions described in the Prospectus and elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information, from purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by commodities or purchasing, selling or entering into futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency options, hybrid instruments, or any interest rate or securities-related or foreign currency-related hedging instrument, including swap agreements and other derivative instruments, subject to compliance with applicable provisions of federal securities or commodities laws.

7. Loans. The Fund will not make loans to other persons, except:  (a) by loaning portfolio securities; (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements; or (c) by purchasing nonpublicly offered fixed income securities.  For purposes of this limitation, the term “loans” shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities.

THE FOLLOWING ARE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS OF THE FUND. THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS ARE DESIGNATED AS NON-FUNDAMENTAL AND MAY BE CHANGED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF SHAREHOLDERS.

1. Pledging. The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in limitation (1) above.  Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation.

2. Borrowing. The Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings representing more than one third of its total assets are outstanding.  

3. Margin Purchases. The Fund will not purchase securities or evidences of interest thereon on “margin.”  This limitation is not applicable to short-term credit obtained by the Fund for the clearance of purchases and sales or redemption of securities, or to arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investment techniques.

4. Illiquid Investments. The Fund will not hold 15% or more of its net assets in securities for which there are legal or contractual restrictions on resale and other illiquid securities.

If a restriction on the Fund’s investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund’s total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.

It is the Trust’s policy to:  (1) ensure that any disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interest of Trust shareholders; (2) protect the confidentiality of portfolio holdings information; (3) have procedures in place to guard against personal trading based on the information; and (4) ensure that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information does not create conflicts between the interests of the Trust’s shareholders and those of the Trust’s affiliates.

The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings by mailing its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders approximately two months after the end of the fiscal year and semi-annual period.  In addition, the Fund discloses its portfolio holdings reports on Form N-CSR and Form N-Q two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period.

The Fund may choose to make portfolio holdings available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg more frequently on a confidential basis.

Under limited circumstances, as described below, the Fund’s portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q.  In each case, a determination has been made that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.

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· The Adviser. Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing the Fund’s portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for the Adviser to provide its management, administrative, and investment services to the Fund. As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of the portfolio manager in the trading of such securities, Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.

· Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the transfer agent, fund accountant, administrator and custody administrator for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

· Huntington Bank, N.A. is custodian for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.

· McGladrey LLP is the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Fund’s annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.   

· Dechert LLP is counsel to the Fund; therefore, its personnel have access to the Fund’s portfolio holdings in connection with review of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.

Additions to List of Approved Recipients.  The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities at any time or to any persons other than those described above.  In such cases, the recipient must have a legitimate business need for the information and must be subject to a duty to keep the information confidential. There are no ongoing arrangements in place with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings. In no event shall the Fund, the Adviser or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings.

Compliance With Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures.  The Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board with respect to compliance with the Fund’s portfolio holdings disclosure procedures, and from time to time will provide the Board any updates to the portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures.

There is no assurance that the Trust’s policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect the Fund from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.

MANAGEMENT

The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trust’s By-laws (collectively, the “Governing Documents”), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request. The Board consists of four individuals, all of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined under the 1940 Act) of the Trust and the Adviser (“Independent Trustees”). Pursuant to the Governing Documents of the Trust, the Trustees shall elect officers including, but not limited to, a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Chief Compliance Officer. The Board retains the power to conduct, operate and carry on the business of the Trust and has the power to incur and pay any expenses, which, in the opinion of the Board, are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the Trust’s purposes. The Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust, when acting in such capacities, shall not be subject to any personal liability except for his or her own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties.

Board Leadership Structure.   The Board is led by Mark Gersten, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since the Trust was first registered with the SEC in 2012.   Under the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board is responsible for (a) presiding at Board meetings, (b) calling special meetings on an as-needed basis, and (c) execution and administration of Trust policies, including (i) setting the agendas for Board meetings and (ii) providing information to Board members in advance of each Board meeting and between Board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by our shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership.  The Trust believes that its Chairman, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, the Fund and each shareholder.

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Board Risk Oversight .  The Board of Trustees is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees with an Audit Committee and Valuation Committee, each with a separate chair.  The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary.  The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting the risk within its area of responsibilities. Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.

Trustee Qualifications.  Generally, the Fund believe that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills.  Mark Garbin has over 20 years of experience in corporate balance sheet and income statement risk management for large asset managers. Mr. Garbin has extensive derivatives experience and has provided consulting services to alternative asset managers. Mr. Garbin is a CFA Charterholder and holds advanced degrees in international business, negotiation and derivatives. Mark Gersten has over 25 years of business experience in the investment management business with a focus on mutual funds and alternative funds. He serves as a member of another mutual fund board outside of the Fund Complex and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his service to this board and extensive experience administering mutual funds. Mr. Gersten is a certified public account and holds an MBA in accounting. Neil Kaufman has 28 years of experience as a corporate and securities attorney and possesses a deep understanding of the securities industry in general and financial statements in particular. Mr. Kaufman has previously served as the Chairman of a NASDAQ-listed technology company and the Chairman of the Banking & Securities Law committee of the Nassau County Bar Association. Anita Krug has extensive experience as an attorney advising investment advisory firms and investment companies.  She also has extensive experience as a law professor whose scholarship focuses on investment advisers and investment companies. The Fund does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee’s qualifications, but that collective experience of each Trustee makes them well qualified.

Trustees and Officers.  The Trustees and officers of the Trust, together with information as to their principal business occupations during the past five years and other information, are shown below.   Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and Officer is 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska  68130.

Independent Trustees*

 

 

 

Name, Address,

Year of Birth

 

Position(s) Held with Registrant

 

Term and Length Served

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 

Number of Portfolios Overseen In The Fund Complex**

 

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

 

Mark Garbin

Year of Birth: 1951

 

Trustee, Valuation Committee Chairman

 

Indefinite, Since 2012

 

Managing Principal, Coherent Capital Management LLC (since 2007)

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Forethought Variable Insurance Trust (since 2013) (Lead Independent and Chairman of the Valuation Committee); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2013); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013); Altegris KKR Private Equity Master Fund and Altegris KKR Private Equity Fund (since 2014) (Chairman of the Valuation Committees)
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Name, Address,

Year of Birth

 

Position(s) Held with Registrant

 

Term and Length Served

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 

Number of Portfolios Overseen In The Fund Complex**

 

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

 

Mark D. Gersten

Year of Birth: 1950

 

Chairman, Trustee

Indefinite, Since 2012

 

Independent Consultant (since 2012); Senior Vice President – Global Fund Administration Mutual Funds & Alternative Funds, AllianceBernstein LP (1985-2011)

 

11 Schroder Global Series Trust  (since 2012); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2013); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013); Altegris KKR Private Equity Master Fund and Altegris KKR Private Equity Fund (since 2014) (Chairman of the Boards and Chairman of the Audit Committees)

Neil M. Kaufman

Year of Birth: 1960

 

Trustee,

Audit Committee Chairman

 

Indefinite, Since 2012

 

 

Partner, Abrams Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara & Wolf, LLP (since 2011); Partner, Davidoff, Malito & Hutcher, LLP (2004-2010)

 

11

 

Altegris KKR Private Equity Master Fund and Altegris KKR Private Equity Fund (since 2014)

Anita K. Krug

Year of Birth: 1969

 

Trustee

 

Indefinite, Since 2012

 

Associate Professor (since 2014); Assistant Professor (2010-2014), University of Washington School of Law; Partner, Howard Rice, P.C. (2007-2010) 11

Altegris KKR Private Equity Master Fund and Altegris KKR Private Equity Fund (since 2014)

 

 

* Information is as of February 23, 2015.

** The Fund Complex currently consists of 11 series of the Trust.

15
 

 

Officers of the Trust*

 

Name, Address,

Year of Birth

 

Position(s) Held with Registrant

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 

Number of Portfolios Overseen In The Fund Complex**

 

Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years

 

Andrew Rogers

80 Arkay Drive

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1969

 

President

Since Inception

 

Chief Executive Officer, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); President and Manager, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2006 - 2012);and President and Manager, GemCom LLC (2004 - 2011).

N/A

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2013)

 

Richard A. Malinowski

80 Arkay Drive

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1983

 

Secretary

Since 2013

 

Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, (2012 – present); Vice President and Manager, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US), Inc., (2011-2012); Senior Specialist, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US), Inc.(formerly PNC Global Investment Servicing (US) Inc.) (2008-2011).

N/A

 

N/A

 

James Colantino

80 Arkay Drive

Hauppauge, NY  11788

Year of Birth: 1969

 

Treasurer

Since Inception

 

Senior Vice President (2012 to present); Vice President (from 2004 to Present; Gemini Fund Services, LLC.

N/A

 

N/A

 

William B. Kimme

Year of Birth: 1962

 

Chief Compliance Officer

Since Inception

Senior Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (September 2011 - present); Compliance Officer, Mick & Associates (August, 2009 - September 2011); Assistant Director, FINRA (January 2000 – August 2009).

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

* Information is as of February 23, 2015.

** The Fund Complex currently consists of 11 series of the Trust.

 

Audit Committee.  The Board has an Audit Committee that consists solely of Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, among other things: (i) the selection, retention or termination of the Trust’s independent auditors and approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with

16
 

the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust’s financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust’s independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor’s independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management’s responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls.  The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter.  During the past fiscal year, the Audit Committee met eight times.    

Valuation Committee. The Board has a Valuation Committee that consists solely of Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Valuation Committee’s responsibilities include, among other things: (i) overseeing and monitoring implementation of the Trust’s Fund Securities Valuation Procedures by Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”) and the Trust’s Fair Value Committee; (ii) reviewing any fair valuation of the Fund’s securities by the Fair Value Committee (a “Fair Value Determination”); (iii) monitoring the Board’s fulfillment of its obligations with respect to the valuation of the Trust’s assets under the 1940 Act, including the rules adopted thereunder and applicable guidance with respect to investment company valuation matters by the SEC; (iv) overseeing the Fair Value Committee’s processes and procedures in making Fair Value Determinations and reporting, or causing to be reported, such Fair Value Determinations to the Board for its consideration periodically; (v) as appropriate, ratifying the Fair Value Committee’s policies and procedures in making and reporting Fair Value Determinations; (vi) reviewing the formulation of, or amendment to, valuation policies and fair value methodologies, including factors to be considered in Fair Value Determinations and how such factors are to be weighed, the valuation proposed by the Fair Value Committee, GFS and/or the respective Fund’s investment adviser and/or sub-adviser (as applicable) and their assessment of the continued appropriateness of the valuation and fair value methodologies, and making recommendations with respect thereto for the consideration, and as appropriate, the adoption of such recommendations by the Board; (vii) periodically reviewing the role of the Fair Value Committee and making recommendations to the Board with respect to any changes or modifications; (viii) reviewing the reports required under the Trust’s Fund Securities Valuation Procedures; and (ix) considering any other matters requested by the Board. The Valuation Committee operates pursuant to a Valuation Committee Charter.  During the past fiscal year, the Valuation Committee met five times.  

Compensation of Directors.  Effective January 1, 2015, the Trust pays each Independent Trustee a fee of $25,000 per annum, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings, to be paid at the end of each calendar quarter.  In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual fee of $10,000.00, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual fee of $5,000.00, and the Chairman of the Valuation Committee receives an additional annual fee of $5,000.00.  Prior to January 1, 2015, the Trust paid each Independent Trustee a quarterly fee of $5,000.00, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings, to be paid at the end of each calendar quarter.  In addition, the Chairman of the Board received an additional annual fee of $2,500.00, the Chairman of the Audit Committee received an additional annual fee of $2,500.00, and the Chairman of the Valuation Committee received an additional annual fee of $2,500.00. Prior to January 1, 2014, the Trust paid each Independent Trustee a quarterly fee of 2,500.00, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred attending the meetings, to be paid at the end of each calendar quarter.  In addition, the Chairman of the Board received an additional annual fee of $2,500.00, the Chairman of the Audit Committee received an additional annual fee of $2,500.00, and the Chairman of the Valuation Committee received an additional annual fee of $2,500.00. No “interested persons” who serve as a Trustee of the Trust will receive any compensation for their services as Trustee. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust.

 

The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees received from the Trust during the fiscal year ending October 31, 2014.  The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, deferred compensation, pension or retirement plan.

 

Name and Position

 

Aggregate Compensation From Trust*

 

Total Compensation From Trust and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees

 

Mark Garbin

 

$18,125.00

 

$18,125.00

 

Mark Gersten

 

$20,000.00 $20,000.00
17
 

 

Neil Kaufman

 

$17,500.00

 

$17,500.00

 

Anita Krug

 

$17,500.00

 

$17,500.00

 

*The Trust has multiple series.  Trustees’ fees are allocated equally to each fund in the Trust.

 

Trustees’ Ownership of Shares in the Fund .  As of December 31, 2014, the Trustees beneficially owned the following amounts in the Fund:

Name of Trustee

 

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

 

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

 

Mark Garbin

 

None

 

None

 

Mark Gersten

 

None

 

None

 

Neil Kaufman

 

None

 

None

 

Anita Krug

 

None

 

None

 

 

 

Management Ownership

 

As of February 9, 2015, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned 0% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS

A principal shareholder is any person who owns of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund. A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control.

As of February 9, 2015, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund:

 

Name & Address Percentage of Fund Share Class

 

Class I Shares

 

NFS

FBO SIMMIE KASTNER

4100 HOWARD RD

CARY NC 27519

12.97%

NFS

FBO MARC A KASTNER

25 SAINT MARYS ST

NEWTON MA 02462

10.04%

NFS

FBO GERALD BUONANNO

490 TANNER MARSH RD

GUILFORD CT 06437

9.26%

 

18
 

 

NFS

FBO GERALD BUONANNO

490 TANNER MARSH RD

GUILFORD CT 06437

7.78%

 

NFS

FBO JASON R TALERMAN

11 CHICKADEE DR

NORFOLK MA 02056

7.68%

NFS

FBO MARC A KASTNER

25 SAINT MARYS ST

NEWTON MA 02462

6.39%

NFS

FBO STEPHEN J DOYLE

PO BOX 692

WEST FALMOUTH MA 02574

6.08%

NFS

FBO CARL R KATZEFF

110 ARLINGTON RD

CHESTNUT HILL MA 02467

5.92%

NFS

12 CLOVERFIELD DR

ANDOVER MA 01810

5.08%

 

Class A Shares

 

HERVE MEILLAT

P. O. BOX 2052

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07303-9998

31.70%

NFS

FBO GERALD BUONANNO

490 TANNER MARSH RD

GUILFORD CT 06437

19.12%

IRA FBO KAREN L STEB

P.O. BOX 2052

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07303

15.94%

ANNE MORTILLARO

P. O. BOX 2052

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07303-9998

11.04%

ELLEN A NICHOLS

P. O. BOX 2052

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07303-9998

10.84%

IRA FBO ROBERT D CUN

P. O. BOX 2052

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07303-9998

5.34%

 

 

Class C Shares

 

MICHAEL MASTRULLO

P. O. BOX 2052

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07303-9998

55.96%

IRA FBO MARGARET MAR

P. O. BOX 2052

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07303-9998

22.61%

ROGER D WERNER

P. O. BOX 2052

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07303-9998

21.41%

 

Class R Shares

 
19
 

 

GEMINI FUND SERVICES LLC

80 ARKAY DRIVE

HAUPPAUGE, NY 11788

100.00%

 

 

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Investment Adviser and Investment Advisory Agreement

ES Capital Advisors, LLC (“ES Capital” or the “Adviser”) serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Its principal offices are located at 40 Walnut Street, Wellesley, MA 02481. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees, ES Capital is responsible for the overall management of the Fund’s business affairs.  ES Capital was founded in April 2011 and is wholly owned by David Morton. Since 1992, Mr. Morton has been involved in managing assets for corporations and individuals and in capital raising activities for businesses. Mr. Morton is a shareholder of Newfound Research, LLC (“Newfound”), a financial technology and product innovation firm focused on tactical risk management. Newfound is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. Mr. Morton is the majority owner of Edgartown Advisors LLC (“Edgartown”). Edgartown participates in the net revenue from and has certain financial responsibilities to Copeland Capital Management LLC. Mr. Morton is the majority owner of Emerald Fund of Funds, LLC (“Emerald”). Emerald participates in net revenue from, and has certain financial responsibilities to, Crow Point Partners, LLC (“Crow Point”). Crow Point is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC. Mr. Morton will play a principal role in setting the Fund’s investment parameters.

Under the investment advisory agreement with ES Capital on behalf of the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board, agrees to invest the assets of the Fund in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the respective Fund’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser.  The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to the Fund and, as such shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities here under, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by the Fund, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the  issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers.  The Adviser also provides the Fund with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the Fund’s investments, compensates all officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors or employees of the Adviser, and all personnel of the Fund or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities. The Advisory Agreement was approved by the Board of the Trust, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, at a meeting held on May 20, 2014.

ES Capital previously served as investment adviser to the Fund under an interim advisory agreement (the “Interim Advisory Agreement”) that the Fund’s Board of Trustees approved on April 11, 2014.  The Interim Advisory Agreement, effective April 16, 2014, had substantially the same terms and conditions as the Fund’s prior advisory agreement, except the Interim Advisory Agreement had lower fees and a limited term of 150 days. The Board approved the Interim Advisory Agreement because the Fund’s former adviser notified the Board that the adviser would resign as investment adviser to pursue other investment management endeavors.

The following table sets forth the annual management fee rate payable by the Fund to ES Capital pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets:

FUND

 

ADVISORY FEE

 

Modern Technology Fund

 

1.50%

 

20
 

For its services to the Fund, ES Capital is entitled to receive an annual fee equal to the percentages of the Fund’s average daily net assets in the table above. In addition to the investment advisory fee, the Fund pays other expenses including costs incurred in connection with the maintenance of its securities law registration, printing and mailing prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information to shareholders, certain financial accounting services, taxes or governmental fees, custodial, transfer and shareholder servicing agent costs, expenses of outside counsel and independent accountants, preparation of shareholder reports and expenses of trustee and shareholders meetings.  The fee is computed daily and payable monthly.

 

ES Capital has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee in the amount of 0.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets until at least March 1, 2016. ES Capital has also agreed contractually to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses, other than expenses relating to dividends or interest on securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses or extraordinary or non-recurring expenses, at least until March 1, 2016 such that net annual fund operating expenses of the Fund do not exceed the percentages in the table below. Waiver/reimbursement is subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits.  No reimbursement amount will be paid to ES Capital in any fiscal quarter unless the Trust’s Board of Trustees has determined in advance that a reimbursement is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.  Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Fund’s expenses and increase its performance.

 

Fund Class Expense Cap Minimum Duration
Modern Technology Fund A 2.65% March 1, 2016
Modern Technology Fund C 3.40% March 1, 2016
Modern Technology Fund I 2.40% March 1, 2016
Modern Technology Fund R 2.90% March 1, 2016

 

Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement are paid by the Fund.  Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Fund is responsible for the payment of the following expenses among others: (a) the fees payable to the Adviser, (b) the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Adviser or Distributor (as defined under the section entitled “The Distributor”) (c) the fees and certain expenses of the Custodian (as defined under the section entitled “Custodian”) and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent (as defined under the section entitled “Transfer Agent”), including the cost of maintaining certain required records of the Fund and of pricing the Fund’s shares, (d) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants for the Fund, (e) brokerage commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Fund in connection with its securities transactions, (f) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Fund to governmental agencies, (g) the fees of any trade association of which the Fund may be a member, (h) the cost of share certificates representing shares of the Fund, (i) the cost of fidelity and liability insurance, (j) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Fund and of shares with the SEC, qualifying its shares under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the Fund’s registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes, (k) all expenses of shareholders and Trustees’ meetings (including travel expenses of trustees and officers of the Trust who are directors, officers or employees of the Adviser) and of preparing, printing and mailing reports, proxy statements and prospectuses to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders and (l) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.

The Advisory Agreement will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on 60 days’ written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees, the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of that Trust’s outstanding shares. The Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.  

ES Capital began managing the Fund on April 16, 2014. The table below provides information about the advisory fees paid to the Fund’s former adviser for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013:

Modern Technology Fund ( formerly called the Belvedere Alternative Income Fund )

21
 

 

Management Fee (1) Fees Earned by the Adviser Advisory Fees Waived Net Fees Earned by the Adviser Expense Reimbursed Amount Subject to Recoupment (2)
1.95% $63,644 $63,644 $0 $180,339 $243,983

(1) Effective April 16, 2014, the Fund’s management fee was lowered to 1.50% from 1.95%.

(2) ES Capital may not recoup any fees waived or other amounts reimbursed by the Fund’s former adviser.

The table below provides information about the advisory fees paid to the current Adviser by the Fund for the fiscal period ended October 31, 2014:

Management Fee (1)   Fees Earned by the Adviser Advisory Fees Waived Net Fees Earned by the Adviser Expense Reimbursed Amount Subject to Recoupment
1.50% $47,482 $47,482 $0 $78,720 $126,202

(1) Effective April 16, 2014, the Fund’s management fee was lowered to 1.50% from 1.95%.

 

Codes of Ethics

The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor each have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that governs the personal securities transactions of their board members, officers and employees who may have access to current trading information of the Trust. Under the code of ethics adopted by the Trust (the “Code”), the Trustees are permitted to invest in securities that may also be purchased by the Fund.  

In addition, the Trust has adopted a separate code of ethics that applies only to the Trust’s executive officers to ensure that these officers promote professional conduct in the practice of corporate governance and management. The purpose behind these guidelines is to promote (i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other public communications made by the Fund; (iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rule and regulations; (iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and (v) accountability for adherence to the Code.

Proxy Voting Policies

The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (“Policies”) on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to the Adviser, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser vote, or cause to be voted by the Sub-Adviser, proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser’s or Sub-Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser as involving a conflict of interest.

Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser’s or Sub-Adviser’s interests and the Fund’s interests, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the client’s directive using the recommendation of an independent third party.  If the third party’s recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client’s account. A copy of the Adviser’s proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix A. A copy of the Sub-Adviser’s proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix B.

More information . Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at (866) 851-2525 and (2) on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.

THE DISTRIBUTOR

Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (the “Distributor”) serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Trust pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement with the Trust (the

22
 

“Underwriting Agreement”). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state’s securities laws and is a member of FINRA. The offering of the Fund’s shares are continuous. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, will use reasonable efforts to facilitate the sale of the Fund’s shares.

The Underwriting Agreement provides that, unless sooner terminated, it will continue in effect for two years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board or a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of the Distributor by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

The Underwriting Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to the Distributor, or by the Distributor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days’ written notice to the Fund. The Underwriting Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

The following table sets forth the total compensation received by the Distributor from the Fund during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014:

 

Modern Technology Fund

 

Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions

 

Compensation on Redemptions and Purchases

 

Brokerage Commissions

 

Other Compensation

 

Class A $0 $0 $0 *
Class C $0 $0 $0 *

*The Distributor received $5,743 from the Adviser as compensation for its distribution services to the Fund.

The Distributor will receive 12b-1 fees from the Fund as described under the following section entitled “Rule 12b-1 Plan”.

 

Rule 12b-1 Plans

The Trust has adopted Distribution Plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plans”) pursuant to which the Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for Distributor’s account maintenance services under Plans, a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the rate of up to 0.25% for Class A shares, up to 1.00% for Class C shares and up to 0.50% for Class R shares of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the relevant class.  Such fees are to be paid by the Fund monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund’s average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Distributor. The Plans authorize payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others (“Recipients”) to provide these services and paying compensation for these services. The Fund will bear its own costs of distribution with respect to its shares.

 

The services to be provided by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assistance in the offering and sale of Fund shares and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipients; answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; making the Fund’s investment plan and shareholder services available; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Fund as the Distributor or the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may reasonably request. The distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or arranged by the Distributor with respect to the Fund.  

 

The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.  

 

23
 

The initial term of each Plan is one year and will continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and do not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the Plan (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”) by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Plan. A Plan may be terminated at any time by the Trust or the Fund by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund.

 

A Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributor’s compensation to be paid by the Fund, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the affected class of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act). All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b- 1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Rule 12b-1 Plan. During the term of a Rule 12b-1 Plan, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Distributor will preserve copies of each Rule 12b-1 Plan, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.  

 

Any agreement related to a Rule 12b-1 Plan will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or the Fund at any time upon sixty days’ written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the respective Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or the Fund; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); and (c) it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its execution or adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement.

 

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, the Modern Technology Fund paid [$39] in distribution-related fees pursuant to the Class A Plan. For the fiscal period indicated below, the Fund incurred the following allocated distribution expenses:

 

Actual 12b-1 Expenditures Paid by the Modern Technology Fund

During the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2014 (1)

 

  Class A Class C Class I Class R
Advertising/Marketing None None None None
Printing/Postage None None None None
Payment to distributor ($1) $0 $0 $0
Payment to dealers $1 $33 $0 $0
Compensation to sales personnel None None None None
Other $0 $ 65 $0 $0
Total $0 $98 $0 $0

(1) ES Capital began managing the Fund on April 16, 2014. Another firm managed the Fund prior to that date.

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

The table below includes details about the type, number, and assets under management for the various types of accounts, and total assets in the accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the accounts. The information is as of February 4, 2015.

24
 

Modern Technology Fund

David Morton

Account Type

Investment Team

 

Number of Accounts by Account Type

 

Total Assets By Account Type

 

Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee

 

Total assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee

 

Registered Investment Companies

 

0 $0 0 $0

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles

 

0 $0 0 $0

Other Accounts

 

0 $0 0 $0

 

Conflicts of Interest

The Adviser does not manage any account other than that of the Modern Technology Fund. However, certain affiliates of the Adviser (“Advisory Affiliates”) provide investment advisory services to other registered investment companies and separately managed accounts. Many of the Advisory Affiliates’ clients participate in investment programs that have investment objectives, policies and strategies that are substantially similar to the Fund.

Other clients of the Adviser or Advisory Affiliates may have differing investment programs, objectives, policies and strategies. In general, when an investment adviser has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, the Adviser or an Advisory Affiliate may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or the Adviser or an Advisory Affiliate could receive performance-based fees on certain accounts. The procedures to address conflicts of interest, if any, are described below.

The Adviser attempts to avoid conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of the management of multiple client accounts. From time to time, the portfolio manager may recommend or cause a client to invest in a security or other instrument in which another client of the Adviser has an ownership position. The Adviser has adopted certain procedures intended to treat all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. To the extent that the portfolio manager seeks to purchase or sell the same security or other instrument for multiple client accounts, the Adviser may aggregate, or bunch, these orders where the portfolio manager deems this to be appropriate and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. When a bunched order is filled in its entirety, each participating client account will participate at the average share prices for the bunched order. When a bunched order is only partially filled, the securities or other instruments purchased will be allocated on a pro-rata basis to each account participating in the bunched order based upon the initial amount requested for the account, subject to certain exceptions. Each participating account will receive the average share price for the bunched order on the same business day.

Compensation

The portfolio manager’s compensation is based upon a percentage of the Adviser’s revenues.

Ownership of Securities

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the portfolio manager in the Fund as of February 4, 2015.  

Name of Portfolio Manager

 

Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund

 

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David Morton None

 

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the portfolio manager, who is an employee of the Adviser. The Adviser is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Fund to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Fund or the Adviser for the Fund’s use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.  

In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will take the following into consideration:

the best net price available;
the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer;  
the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and
the value of the expected contribution of the broker or dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis.

Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage, research and other services provided to the Fund. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of Fund transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than those of the Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Fund.

For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013 and 2014, the Fund paid $10,706 and $1,055, in brokerage commissions.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Fund during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by that Fund. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of the Fund’s portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 35%. 

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Fund Administration, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agent Services

GFS, which has its principal office at 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, serves as administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent for the Fund pursuant to the Fund Services Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Fund and subject to the supervision of the Board.  GFS is primarily in the business of providing administrative, fund accounting and transfer agent services to retail and institutional mutual funds. GFS is an affiliate of the Distributor. GFS may also provide persons to serve as officers of the Fund. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of GFS or its affiliates.

The Agreement became effective on August 29, 2012 and will remain in effect for two years from the applicable effective date for the Modern Technology Fund, and will continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board.  The Agreement is terminable by the Board or GFS on 90 days’ written notice and may be assigned by either party, provided that the Trust may not assign this agreement without the prior written consent of GFS. The Agreement provides that GFS shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to the Agreement.

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Under the Agreement, GFS performs administrative services for the Fund, including:  (1) monitor the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Trust by others service providers; (2) monitor Fund holdings and operations for post-trade compliance with the Fund’s registration statement and applicable laws and rules; (3) prepare and coordinate the printing of semi-annual and annual financial statements; (4) prepare selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses; (5) prepare and disseminate materials for and attend and participate in meetings of the Board; (6) determine income and capital gains available for distribution and calculate distributions required to meet regulatory, income, and excise tax requirements; (7) review the Trust’s federal, state, and local tax returns as prepared and signed by the Trust’s independent public accountants; (8) prepare and maintain the Trust’s operating expense budget to determine proper expense accruals to be charged to the Fund to calculate its daily net asset value; (9) assist in and monitor the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of amendments to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, periodic reports to the Trustees, shareholders and the SEC, notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2, proxy materials and reports to the SEC on Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, N-Q and N-PX; (10) coordinate the Trust’s audits and examinations by assisting the Fund’s independent public accountants; (11) determine, in consultation with others, the jurisdictions in which shares of the Trust shall be registered or qualified for sale and facilitate such registration or qualification; (12) monitor sales of shares and ensure that the shares are properly and duly registered with the SEC; (13) monitor the calculation of performance data for the Fund; (14) prepare, or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports; (15) prepare authorization for the payment of Trust expenses and pay, from Trust assets, all bills of the Trust; (16) provide information typically supplied in the investment company industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other information with respect to investment companies; (17) upon request, assist the Fund in the evaluation and selection of other service providers, such as independent public accountants, printers, EDGAR providers and proxy solicitors (such parties may be affiliates of GFS); (18) perform other services, recordkeeping and assistance relating to the affairs of the Trust as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request.

 

GFS also provides the Fund with accounting services, including: (i) daily computation of net asset value; (ii) maintenance of security ledgers and books and records as required by the 1940 Act; (iii) production of the Fund’s listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Fund; (vi) maintaining certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciling account information and balances among the Fund’s custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Fund.

 

GFS also acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to the Agreement. Under the agreement, GFS is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

 

For the services rendered to the Fund by GFS, the Fund pays GFS the greater of an annual minimum fee or an asset based fee, which scales downward based upon net assets for fund administration, fund accounting and transfer agency services. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013 and 2014, the Fund paid $30,992 and $33,630 for administrative services. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013 and 2014, the Fund paid $14,650 and $45,000 for fund accounting services. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2013 and 2014, the Fund paid $22,392 and $37,040 for transfer agency services.

 

Custodian

Huntington Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”) serves as the custodian of the Fund’s assets pursuant to a Custody Agreement by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian’s responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund’s cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund’s investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. The Custodian’s principal place of business is 7 Eastern Oval, Columbus, OH 43219

Chief Compliance Officer

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”), an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust as well as related compliance services pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

Each share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.  

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Shareholders of the Trust and any other future series of the Trust will vote in the aggregate and not by series except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interest of the shareholders of a particular series or classes. Matters such as ratification of the independent public accountants and election of Trustees are not subject to separate voting requirements and may be acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.  

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. Each share has equal dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights applicable to any shares of the Fund. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM

The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the “Program”) as required by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”). To ensure compliance with this law, the Trust’s Program provides for the development of internal practices, procedures and controls, designation of anti-money laundering compliance officers, an ongoing training program and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program.  The Trust’s Secretary serves as its Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.

Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Fund’s Distributor, and Transfer Agent have established proper anti-money laundering procedures, reported suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and a complete and thorough review of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.  

As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to “freeze” the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.   

PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES

Calculation of Share Price

As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading “How Shares Are Priced,” the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Fund’s portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund.

For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are available are stated at market value. Market value is generally determined on the basis of last reported sales prices, or if no sales are reported, based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers, or pricing services. Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the mean of the last bid and ask price. Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost. Exchange traded options, futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction.  

Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Fund’s shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded in markets outside the United States or denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar may be affected significantly on a day that the New York Stock Exchange is closed and an investor is not able to purchase, redeem or exchange shares.  

Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the “NYSE Close”) on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally uses pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign (non-U.S.) securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the

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Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.  

In unusual circumstances, instead of valuing securities in the usual manner, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or their designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.  

The Trust expects that the holidays upon which the Exchange will be closed are as follows: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.  

Purchase of Shares

Orders for shares received by the Fund in good order prior to the close of business on the NYSE on each day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at net asset value per share computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE. Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or on a day it is not open for trading, are priced at the close of such NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined net asset value per share.  

Redemption of Shares  

The Fund will redeem all or any portion of a shareholder’s shares of the Fund when requested in accordance with the procedures set forth in the “Redemptions” section of a prospectus. Under the 1940 Act, a shareholder’s right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be suspended at times:  

(a) when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings.

(b) when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason;  

(c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or

(d) when the Securities and Exchange Commission by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.

 

In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on the net asset value next determined after the termination of the suspension.

Supporting documents in addition to those listed under “Redemptions” in the prospectuses will be required from executors, administrators, Trustees, or if redemption is requested by someone other than the shareholder of record. Such documents include, but are not restricted to, stock powers, Trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor, certificates of corporate authority and waiver of tax required in some states when settling estates.  

TAX STATUS

The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. All shareholders should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding their investment in the Fund.  

The Fund intends to qualify and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and intends to continue to so qualify, which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders, as described more fully below. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Fund should not be subject to federal income or excise tax on its investment company taxable income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Investment company taxable income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Code.

Investment company taxable income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses, plus any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses. Net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net-short-term capital losses) for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carry forward of the Fund. Capital losses incurred in tax years

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beginning after December 22, 2010 may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Under previously enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains for eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital, irrespective of the character of the original loss.  Capital loss carry forwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carry forwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.

To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks, securities or foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, or other income (including gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and net income from “publicly traded partnerships” (as defined in Section 851(h) of the Code), and (b) diversify its holding so that, at the end of each quarter, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, or two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships.

If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and distributes to its shareholders each taxable year an amount equal to or exceeding the sum of (i) 90% of its investment company taxable income without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) 90% of the excess of its gross tax-exempt interest, if any, over certain disallowed deductions, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any income of the Fund, including net capital gain distributed to shareholders. If, however, the Fund meets such distribution requirements, but chooses to retain a portion of its investment company taxable income or net capital gain, it generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained.

The Fund intends to distribute all of its investment company taxable income and any net capital gains in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year ending October 31, and no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.  

If the Fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M in any fiscal year, it will be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. As such the Fund would be required to pay income taxes on its investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains, if any, at the rates generally applicable to corporations. Shareholders of the Fund generally would not be liable for income tax on the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund’s investment company taxable income or net realized capital gains, would be treated as taxable dividends to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund.  

The Fund is subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Fund’s ordinary income for the calendar year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income ( i.e. , the excess of its capital gains over capital losses) realized during the one-year period ending October 31 during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Fund during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Fund expects to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this tax.  

Dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December as of a record date in such a month, if any, will be deemed to have been received by shareholders on December 31, if paid during January of the following year. Redemptions of shares may result in tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder and are also subject to these reporting requirements.  In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of a taxable year of the Fund may be “spilled back” and treated as paid by the Fund (except for the purposes of the 4% excise tax) during such taxable year. In such case, shareholders generally will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable year in which the distributions were actually made.

The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Code.  

Distributions of investment company taxable income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Because the Fund’s income is derived primarily from sources that do not pay “qualified dividend income,” dividends from the Fund generally are not expected to qualify for taxation at the long-term capital gain rates

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available to individuals on qualified dividend income. Furthermore, dividends from the Fund generally are not expected to qualify for the dividends-received deduction for shareholders that are corporations. Distributions of net capital gain (“capital gain dividends”) generally are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of the Fund have been held by such shareholders.

Distributions by the Fund in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares and any such amount in excess of that basis will be treated as gain from the sale of shares, as discussed below. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the amount of cash the shareholder could have received.  

A redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder’s tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.   

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

Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of investment company taxable income and net capital gain and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the shares of a regulated investment company may be subject to withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law, or if the Fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that withholding is required due to an incorrect TIN or a previous failure to report taxable interest or dividends. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. 

Due to recent legislation, the Fund (or its administrative agent) is required to report to the IRS and furnish to shareholders the cost basis information for sale transactions of shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012. Shareholders may elect to have one of several cost basis methods applied to their account when calculating the cost basis of shares sold, including average cost, FIFO or some other specific identification method. Unless you instruct otherwise, the Fund will use average cost as its default cost basis method, and will treat sales as first coming from shares purchased prior to January 1, 2012. If average cost is used for the first sale of shares covered by these new rules, the shareholder may only use an alternative cost basis method for shares purchased prospectively. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best cost basis method for their tax situation. Shareholders that hold their shares through a financial intermediary should contact such financial intermediary with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Shareholders

The foregoing discussion relates only to U.S. federal income tax law as applicable to U.S. persons ( i.e. , U.S. citizens and residents and domestic corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates). Shareholders who are not U.S. persons should consult their tax advisers regarding U.S. and foreign (non-U.S.) tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Fund, including the likelihood that distributions to them would be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate under a tax treaty) and the possibility they may be subject to U.S. estate tax. For taxable years beginning before 2014 (or a later date if extended by Congress), a portion of the Fund’s distributions received by a foreign (non-U.S.) shareholder may, however, be exempt from U.S. withholding tax to the extent properly reported by the Fund as attributable to U.S. source interest income and short-term capital gains.

Effective January 1, 2014, the Fund will be required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of taxable dividends and (effective January 1, 2017) redemption proceeds made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with

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extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign (non-U.S.) investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.

Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements  

To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, the Fund’s transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign (non-U.S.) currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies  

Investment by the Fund in a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF election”), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the company’s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company.  

The Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings “to the market” as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund’s taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund’s total return.  

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Currency Transactions

The Fund’s transactions in foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, foreign (non-U.S.) currency-denominated fixed income securities and certain foreign (non-U.S.) currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign (non-U.S.) currency concerned.

Foreign (Non-U.S.) Taxation

Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign (non-U.S.) countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign (non-U.S.) corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to “pass through” to the Fund’s shareholders the amount of eligible foreign (non-U.S.) income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign (non-U.S.) taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign (non-U.S.) taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign (non-U.S.) tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign (non-U.S.) tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign (non-U.S.) taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund’s taxable year whether the foreign (non-U.S.) taxes paid by that Fund will “pass through” for that year.  

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

32
 

(non-U.S.) taxes paid by the Fund. The foreign (non-U.S.) tax credit can be used to offset only 90% of the revised alternative minimum tax imposed on corporations and individuals and foreign (non-U.S.) taxes generally are not deductible in computing alternative minimum taxable income. 

Original Issue Discount, Pay-In-Kind and Market Discount Securities  

Investments by the Fund in zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities, other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently) or pay-in-kind securities will require the Fund to accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, generally prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, the Fund must distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all of its net income, including such accrued income, to shareholders to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code and avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, the Fund may have to dispose of portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash to satisfy its distribution requirements.

By holding the foregoing kinds of securities, the Fund may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.  

If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Fund shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder, or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, in any single taxable year (or a greater amount over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Shareholders who own portfolio securities directly are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement but, under current guidance, shareholders of regulated investment companies are not excepted. A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure to the IRS may be subject to substantial penalties. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether or not the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund’s shares.  

A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.  

Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of federal, state and local and foreign (non-U.S.) tax law in light of their particular situation.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

McGladrey LLP, located at 555 17th Street, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80202, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year.  The firm provides services including (i) audit of annual financial statements, (ii) assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings, and (iii) other audit related and tax services.  

LEGAL COUNSEL

Dechert LLP, located at 2010 Main Street, Suite 500, Irvine, California 92614, serves as the Trust’s legal counsel.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The financial statements of the Fund included in the Fund’s most recent annual report to shareholders, including the notes thereto and report of the independent registered public accounting firm thereon, are incorporated by reference to the Fund’s annual reports to shareholders for the fiscal period ended October 31, 2014. These financial statements include the Fund’s schedule of investments, statements of assets and liabilities, statements of operations, statements of changes in net assets, financial highlights and notes. You may obtain a copy of an annual or semi-annual report by calling (866) 851-2525.

33
 

APPENDIX A

 

ES CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

Policy

ES Capital Advisors, as a matter of policy and practice, has no authority to vote proxies on behalf of advisory clients. The firm may offer assistance as to proxy matters upon a client's request, but the client always retains the proxy voting responsibility. ES Capital Advisors’ policy of having no proxy voting responsibility is disclosed to clients.

 

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

The Chief Compliance Officer has the responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of our proxy policy and to ensure that the firm does not accept or exercise any proxy voting authority on behalf of clients without an appropriate review and change of the firm's policy with appropriate regulatory requirements being met and records maintained.

 

Procedure

ES Capital Advisors has adopted various procedures to implement the firm's policy and conducts reviews to monitor and ensure the firm's policy is observed, implemented properly and amended or updated, as appropriate, which include the following:

34
 

 

 

TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST

 

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28.   Financial Statements and Exhibits
     
(a) (1) Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated October 15, 2012 3
  (2) Certificate of Trust as filed with the State of Delaware on June 8, 2012 1
     
(b)   Registrant’s By–Laws 1
     
(c)   Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders – see relevant portions of Certificate of Trust and By-Laws
     
(d) (1) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, with respect to the Belvedere Alternative Income Fund 2
  (2) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and LJM Funds Management, Ltd. 2
  (3) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, with respect to the Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund 3
  (4) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Auriga Capital Management, LLC and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, with respect to the Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund 3
  (5) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Superfund Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Superfund Managed Futures Strategy Fund 5
  (6) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and West Shore Group, LLC with respect to the West Shore Real Return Income Fund 6
  (7) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC with respect to the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund 6
  (8) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund 6
  (9) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and IronHorse Capital, LLC with respect to the Conductor Global Fund 7
  (10) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Dynamic Advisors, LLC, with respect to the Dynamic Total Return Fund 9
  (11) Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund 8
  (12) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund 11
  (13) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Registrant, Dynamic Advisors, LLC and One Oak Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Dynamic Total Return Fund 9
  (14) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Portfolio 12
  (15) Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and ES Capital Advisors, LLC with respect to the Belvedere Alternative Income Fund 10
  (16) Interim Sub-Advisory Agreement between Registrant, ES Capital Advisors, LLC and Merriman Asset Management Inc.(d/b/a Merriman Wealth Advisors), with respect to the Modern Technology Fund (f/k/a Belvedere Alternative Income Fund) 10
  (17) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and ES Capital Advisors, LLC with respect to the Modern Technology Fund (f/k/a Belvedere Alternative Income Fund) 10
  (18) Sub-Advisory Agreement between Registrant, ES Capital Advisors, LLC and Merriman Asset Management Inc.(d/b/a Merriman Wealth Advisors), with respect to the Modern Technology Fund (f/k/a Belvedere Alternative Income Fund) 10
  (19) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Fortunatus Investments, LLC , with respect to the Fortunatus Protactical New Opportunity Fund 14
  (20) Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Breithorn Capital Management LLC, with respect to the Breithorn Long/Short Fund 15
     
(e)   Distribution Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC 3
     
(f)   Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts – None
     
(g) (1) Custodial Agreement between the Registrant and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (formerly, Union Bank, N.A.) 2
  (2) Custodial Agreement between the Registrant and Huntington Bank, N.A. is filed herewith.
     
(h) (1) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC 2
  (2) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, with respect to the Belvedere Alternative Income Fund 2
  (3) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and LJM Funds Management, Ltd., with respect to the LJM Preservation and Growth Fund 8
  (4) Consulting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC 2
  (5) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant, Belvedere Asset Management, LLC and Auriga Capital Management, LLC with respect to the Charioteer Mortgage Income Fund 3
  (6) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and West Shore Group, LLC with respect to the West Shore Real Return Income Fund 6
  (7) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC with respect to the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund 6
  (8) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund 6
  (9) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and IronHorse Capital, LLC with respect to the Conductor Global Fund 7
  (10) Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Dynamic Advisors, LLC and One Oak Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Dynamic Total Return Fund 13
  (11) Interim Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund 8
  (12) Fee Waiver Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund 8
  (13) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC, with respect to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund 11
  (14) Fee Waiver Agreement between Registrant and Dynamic Advisors, LLC, with respect to the Dynamic Total Return Fund 9
  (15) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Portfolio 12
  (16) Interim Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and ES Capital Advisors, LLC with respect to the Belvedere Alternative Income Fund 10
  (17) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and ES Capital Advisors, LLC with respect to the Modern Technology Fund (f/k/a Belvedere Alternative Income Fund) 10
  (18) Fee Waiver Agreement between Registrant and ES Capital Advisors, LLC with respect to the Modern Technology Fund (f/k/a Belvedere Alternative Income Fund) 10
  (19) Fee Waiver Agreement between Registrant, ES Capital Advisors, LLC and Merriman Asset Management Inc.(d/b/a Merriman Wealth Advisors), with respect to the Modern Technology Fund (f/k/a Belvedere Alternative Income Fund) 10
  (20) Participation Agreement between Registrant, with respect to the Redwood Managed Volatility Portfolio, and Jefferson National Life Insurance Company 14
  (21) Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Fortunatus Investments, LLC , with respect to the Fortunatus Protactical New Opportunity Fund 14
  (22) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and Breithorn Capital Management LLC, with respect to the Breithorn Long/Short Fund 15
  (23) Amended Appendix A to Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and LJM Funds Management, Ltd., with respect to the LJM Preservation and Growth Fund 16
  (24) Amended Appendix A to Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and Ironhorse Capital LLC, with respect to the Conductor Global Fund 17
     
(i)   Legal Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP filed herewith.
     
(j) (1) Consent of Independent Public Accounting Firm is filed herewith.
  (2) Powers of Attorney 5
     
(k)   Omitted Financial Statements – None
     
(l)   Subscription Agreement 2
     
(m) (1) Class A Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 6
  (2) Class C Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 6
  (3) Class R Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 6
  (4) Class A1 Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 6
  (5) Class N Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 6
  (6) Amended Appendix A to Class A Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 14
  (7) Amended Appendix A to Class C Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 14
  (8) Amended Appendix A to Class R Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 11
  (9) Amended Appendix A to Class N Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 12
     
(n) (1) Amended Rule 18f-3 Plan 6
  (2) Amended Appendix A to Rule 18f-3 14
     
(o)   Reserved
     
(p) (1) Code of Ethics for the Trust 2
  (2) Code of Ethics for Belvedere Asset Management, LLC 2
  (3) Code of Ethics for LJM Funds Management, Ltd 4
  (4) Code of Ethics for Northern Lights Distributors, LLC 2
  (5) Code of Ethics for Anfield Capital Management, LLC 3
  (6) Code of Ethics for Superfund Advisors, Inc. 5
  (7) Code of Ethics for West Shore Group, LLC 6
  8) Code of Ethics for Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC 6
  (9) Code of Ethics for Redwood Investment Management, LLC 6
  (10) Code of Ethics for IronHorse Capital, LLC 7
  (11) Code of Ethics for Dynamic Advisors, LLC 9
  (12) Code of Ethics for One Oak Capital Management, LLC 9
  (13) Code of Ethics for ES Capital Advisors, LLC 10
  (14) Code of Ethics for Merriman Asset Management Inc.(d/b/a Merriman Wealth Advisors) 10
  (15) Code of Ethics for Fortunatus Investments, LLC 14
  (16) Code of Ethics for Breithorn Capital Management LLC 15 .

 

1 Previously filed on June 28, 2012 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

2 Previously filed on October 26, 2012 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

3 Previously filed on March 14, 2013 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

4 Previously filed on May 9, 2013 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

5 Previously filed on June 5, 2013 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

6 Previously filed on October 22, 2013 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

7 Previously filed on December 20, 2013 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

8 Previously filed on February 28, 2014 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

9 Previously filed on March 26, 2014 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

10 Previously filed on August 8, 2014 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

11 Previously filed on August 11, 2014 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

12 Previously filed on August 22, 2014 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

13 Previously filed on August 28, 2014 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

14 Previously filed on November 21, 2014 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

15 Previously filed on November 21, 2014 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

16 Previously filed on February 28, 2015 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

17 Previously filed on February 28, 2015 in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A and hereby incorporated by reference.

 

 

 

 

Item 29. Control Persons.

 

None.

 

Item 30. Indemnification.

 

Article VIII, Section 2(a) of the Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that to the fullest extent that limitations on the liability of Trustees and officers are permitted by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act of 2002, the officers and Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any act or omission of: any agent or employee of the Trust; any investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Trust; or with respect to each Trustee and officer, the act or omission of any other Trustee or officer, respectively. The Trust, out of the Trust Property, is required to indemnify and hold harmless each and every officer and Trustee from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever arising out of or related to such officer’s or Trustee’s performance of his or her duties as an officer or Trustee of the Trust. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a Trustee or officer of the Trust whether or not such person is a Trustee or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted. Nothing contained in the Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust indemnifies, holds harmless or protects any officer or Trustee from or against any liability to the Trust or any shareholder to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

 

Article VIII, Section 2(b) of the Amended Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or document whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust, the officers or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in such Person’s capacity as Trustee and/or as officer, and such Trustee or officer, as applicable, shall not be personally liable therefore, except as described in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Section 2 of Article VIII.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Delaware law and the Amended Agreement and Declaration of the Registrant or the By-Laws of the Registrant, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Trust in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Section 11 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Belvedere Asset Management, LLC (“BAM”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(1), and Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and BAM, incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(4), provides for the indemnification of BAM against certain losses.

 

Section 11 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and LJM Funds Management, Ltd. (“LJM”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(2), provides for the indemnification of LJM against certain losses.

 

Section 11 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Superfund Advisors, Inc. (“Superfund”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(5), provides for the indemnification of Superfund against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and West Shore Group, LLC (“West Shore”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(6), provides for the indemnification of West Shore against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Larkin Point Investment Advisors, LLC (“Larkin Point”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(7), provides for the indemnification of Larkin Point against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreements between Registrant and Redwood Investment Management, LLC (“Redwood”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibits (d)(8) and (d)(14), provides for the indemnification of Redwood against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and IronHorse Capital, LLC (“IronHorse”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(9), provides for the indemnification of IronHorse against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Anfield Capital Management, LLC (“Anfield”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(11), provides for the indemnification of Anfield against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Dynamic Advisors, LLC (“Dynamic”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(10), provides for the indemnification of Dynamic against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Interim Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and ES Capital Advisors, LLC (“ES Capital”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(15), provides for the indemnification of ES Capital against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and ES Capital Advisors, LLC (“ES Capital”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(17), provides for the indemnification of ES Capital against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Fortunatus Investments, LLC (“Fortunatus”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(19), provides for the indemnification of Fortunatus against certain losses.

 

Section 5 of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Breithorn Capital Management, LLC (“Breithorn”), incorporated herein by reference to exhibit (d)(20), provides for the indemnification of Breithorn against certain losses.

 

The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (NLD), its several officers and directors, and any person who controls NLD within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act free and harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities and expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending such claims, demands or liabilities and any reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) which NLD, its officers and directors, or any such controlling persons, may incur under the Securities Act, the 1940 Act, or common law or otherwise, arising out of or based upon: (i) any untrue statement, or alleged untrue statement, of a material fact required to be stated in either any Registration Statement or any Prospectus, (ii) any omission, or alleged omission, to state a material fact required to be stated in any Registration Statement or any Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in any of them not misleading, (iii) the Registrant’s  failure to maintain an effective Registration statement and Prospectus with respect to Shares of the Funds that are the subject of the claim or demand, or (iv)  the Registrant’s failure to provide NLD with advertising or sales materials to be filed with the FINRA on a timely basis.

 

The Fund Services Agreement with Gemini Fund Services, LLC (GFS) provides that the Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold GFS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Registrant’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement, or which arise out of the Registrant’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Registrant’s performance under or in connection with this Agreement.

 

The Consulting Agreement with Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (NLCS) provides that the Registrant agree to indemnify and hold NLCS harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability arising out of or attributable to the Trust’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement, or which arise out of the Trust’s lack of good faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Trust’s performance under or in connection with the Agreement.  NLCS shall not be liable for, and shall be entitled to rely upon, and may act upon information, records and reports generated by the Trust, advice of the Trust, or of counsel for the Trust and upon statements of the Trust’s independent accountants, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such records and reports.

 

Item 31. Activities of Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser.

 

Certain information pertaining to the business and other connections of each Adviser of each series of the Trust is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the section of the respective Prospectus captioned “Investment Adviser” and to the section of the respective Statement of Additional Information captioned “Investment Advisory and Other Services.” The information required by this Item 31 with respect to each director, officer or partner of each Adviser is incorporated by reference to the Adviser’s Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration (Form ADV) on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Each Adviser’s Form ADV may be obtained, free of charge, at the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, and may be requested by File No. as follows:

 

LJM Funds Management, Ltd., the Adviser to the LJM Preservation and Growth Fund -- File No. 801-76983

 

Anfield Capital Management, LLC, the Adviser to the Anfield Universal Fixed Income Fund – File No. 801-77714

 

Superfund Advisors, Inc., the Adviser to the Superfund Managed Futures Strategy Fund – File No. 801-77984

 

West Shore Group, LLC, the Adviser to the West Shore Real Return Income Fund – File No. 801-78178

 

Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC, the Adviser to the Larkin Point Equity Preservation Fund – File No. 801-78636

 

Redwood Investment Management, LLC, the Adviser to the Redwood Managed Volatility Fund and Redwood Managed Volatility Portfolio – File No. 801-78563

 

IronHorse Capital, LLC, the Adviser to the Conductor Global Fund – File No. 801-78730

 

Dynamic Advisors, LLC, the Adviser to the Dynamic Total Return Fund – File No. 801-78755

 

One Oak Capital Management, LLC, the Sub-Adviser to the Dynamic Total Return Fund – File No. 801-79144

 

ES Capital Advisors, LLC, the Adviser to the Modern Technology Fund (f/k/a Belvedere Alternative Income Fund) – File No. 801-79638

 

Merriman Asset Management Inc. (d/b/a Merriman Wealth Advisors), the Sub-Adviser to the Modern Technology Fund (f/k/a Belvedere Alternative Income Fund) – File No. 801-79639

 

Fortunatus Investments, LLC, the Adviser to the Fortunatus Protactical New Opportunity Fund – File No. 801-79906

 

Breithorn Capital Management LLC, the Adviser to the Breithorn Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-70451

 

 

Item 32. Principal Underwriter.

 

(a) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, the principal underwriter to the Trust also acts as principal underwriter for the following investment companies:

 

AdvisorOne Funds, AmericaFirst Quantitative Funds, Arrow Investments Trust, Arrow ETF, Compass EMP Funds Trust, Copeland Trust, Equinox Funds Trust, Forethought Variable Insurance Trust, GL Beyond Income Fund, Miller Investment Trust, Morgan Creek Series Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust, Nile Capital Investment Trust, North Country Funds, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, Northern Lights ETF Fund Trust, Northern Lights Variable Trust, OCM Mutual Fund, Multi-Strategy Growth & Income Fund, Roge Partners Funds, Resource Real Estate Diversified Income Fund, The Saratoga Advantage Trust, Total Income+ Real Estate Fund, Tributary Funds, Inc., and Vertical Capital Income Fund.

 

(b) Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The principal business address of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the following are the members and officers of Northern Lights Distributors, LLC:

 

Name

Positions and Offices

with Underwriter

Positions and Offices

with the Trust

Brian Nielsen Manager, CEO, Secretary None
Bill Wostoupal President None
Daniel Applegarth Treasurer/FINOP None
Mike Nielsen Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer None

 

(c) Not Applicable.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.

 

The following entities prepare, maintain and preserve the records required by Section 31 (a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, for the Registrant.  These services are provided to the Registrant for such periods prescribed by the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act and such records are the property of the entity required to maintain and preserve such records and will be surrendered promptly on request.

 

  1. MUFG Union Bank, National Association, 350 California Street 6 th  Floor, San Francisco, California 94104 (records relating to its function as custodian)
  2. Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (records relating to its functions as administration, accounting and transfer agent and Registrant’s Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and Minutes)
  3. Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 (records relating to its function as principal underwriter)
  4. Belvedere Asset Management, LLC, located at 1299 Fourth Street, Suite 200, San Rafael, CA 94901 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  5. LJM Funds Management, Ltd., One Financial Place, 440 S. La Salle Street, Suite 2301, Chicago, IL 60605 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  6. Superfund Advisors, Inc., Superfund Office Building, Grand Anse P.O. Box 1803 St. Georges, Grenada W.I (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  7. West Shore Group, LLC, 21 East Euclid Avenue, Haddonfield, NJ 08033 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  8. Larkin Point Investment Advisors LLC, 47 West River Road, Suite D, Rumson, NJ 07760 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  9. Redwood Investment Management, LLC, 1117 S. Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90035 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  10. IronHorse Capital LLC, The First Capital Building, 555 Perkins Extended, Suite 450, Memphis, TN 38117 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  11. Dynamic Advisors, LLC, 1014 Market Street, Suite 100, Kirkland, WA 98033 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  12. Anfield Capital Management, LLC, 4695 MacArthur Court, Suite 430, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  13. ES Capital Advisors, LLC, 40 Walnut Street, Wellesley, MA (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  14. Merriman Asset Management Inc.(d/b/a Merriman Wealth Advisors), 600 California Street, 9 th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94108 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  15. Fortunatus Investments, LLC, 135 West North Street, Suite 1, Brighton, MI 48116 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  16. Breithorn Capital Management LLC, 509 Madison Avenue, 16 th Floor, New York, NY 10022 (records relating to its function as investment adviser)
  17. Huntington Bank, N.A., 7 Easton Oval, Columbus, OH 43219 (records relating to its function as custodian)

Item 34. Management Services. Not Applicable.

 

Item 35. Undertakings. Not Applicable.

SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Hauppauge, State of New York, on the 27th day of February, 2015.

 

Two Roads Shared Trust

 

By:                                                        

Andrew Rogers*

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

Signature Title Date
     
Mark D. Gersten*

_________________________

Trustee & Chairman

February 27, 2015
Mark Garbin*

_________________________

Trustee

February 27, 2015
Neil M. Kaufman*

_________________________

Trustee

February 27, 2015
Anita K. Krug*

_________________________

Trustee

February 27, 2015
Andrew Rogers*

_________________________

President and Principal Executive Officer

February 27, 2015
James Colantino*

_________________________

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

February 27, 2015

 

*By: /s/ James P. Ash

James P. Ash- Attorney in fact

 

Exhibit Index

 

     
     
EX-99 (i) Legal Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP
EX-99  (j)(1) Consent of Independent Public Accounting Firm
EX-99 (g)(2) Custodial Agreement between the Registrant and Huntington Bank, N.A.
     

 

 

DECHERT_STALOGO_BLACKSM2

2010 Main Street
Suite 500
Irvine, CA 92614-7269

+1 949 442 6000 Main

+1 949 442 6010 Fax

www.dechert.com

 

 

 

February 27, 2015

 

Two Roads Shared Trust

17605 Wright Street

Omaha, Nebraska  68130

 

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This opinion is given in connection with the filing by Two Roads Shared Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), of Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (“Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (“1933 Act”) and Amendment No. 53 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) relating to an indefinite amount of shares of beneficial interest of the Modern Technology Fund, a series of the Trust (the “Fund”). The shares of beneficial interest of the Fund are hereinafter referred to as the “Shares.”

 

We have examined the following Trust documents: (1) the Trust’s Declaration of Trust; (2) the Trust’s By-Laws; (3) the Fund’s registration statement filing made with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”); (4) pertinent provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware; and (5) such other Trust records, certificates, documents and statutes that we have deemed relevant in order to render the opinions expressed herein.

 

Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that:

 

1. The Trust is a statutory trust duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; and

 

2. The Shares to be offered for sale by the Trust, when issued in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

This letter expresses our opinion as to the Delaware statutory trust law governing matters such as the due organization of the Trust and the authorization and issuance of the Shares, but does not extend to the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the State of Delaware or to federal securities or other laws.

 

The opinions expressed herein are solely for your benefit and may not be relied on in any manner or for any purpose by any other person. We express no opinion as to any other matter other than

as expressly set forth above and no other opinion is intended or may be inferred herefrom. The opinions expressed herein are given as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation and hereby disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change after the date of this opinion pertaining to any matter referred to herein.

 

We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Dechert LLP as counsel to the Registrant in the Fund’s Registration Statement and in any revised or amended versions thereof, until such time as we revoke such consent. In giving such consent, however, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Dechert LLP

 

Dechert LLP

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated December 30, 2014, relating to our audit of the financial statements and financial highlights, which appear in the October 31, 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders of Modern Technology Fund, which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.

We also consent to the references to our firm under the captions “Financial Highlights”, "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" and “Financial Statements” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ McGladrey LLP

 

Denver, Colorado

February 27, 2015

CUSTODY AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS CUSTODY AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), dated as of July 25, 2014, is entered into by and between THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, a national bank organized under the laws of the United States (the “ Custodian ” or “ Bank” ), and TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST, a business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware ( “Trust” ).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS , the Custodian serves as custodian and foreign custody manager for certain of its customers; and

 

WHEREAS , the Trust wishes to employ Custodian to act as its custodian and as the foreign custody manager for the Trust to provide for the custody and safekeeping of the assets of the Trust as required by the Act, and to provide related services, all as provided herein, and Custodian is willing to accept such employment, subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Custodian and Trust hereby agree, as follows:

 

Definitions : The following words and phrases, when used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:

 

Act or 1940 Act shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time.

 

1934 Act shall mean the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

Advance(s) shall mean any extension of credit by or through the Custodian or by or through any Sub-custodian and shall include, without limitation, amounts due to the Custodian or any Sub-custodian as the principal counterparty to any foreign exchange transaction with the Trust, or paid to third parties for account of the Trust or in discharge of any expense, tax or other item payable by the Trust.

 

Agent(s) shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8 hereof.

 

Applicable Law shall mean with respect to each jurisdiction, all (a) laws, statutes, treaties, regulations, guidelines (or their equivalents); (b) orders, interpretations, licenses and permits; and (c) judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs, orders and similar actions by a court of competent jurisdiction, compliance with which is required or customarily observed in such jurisdiction.

 

Authorized Person(s) shall mean any person, whether or not any such person is an Officer or employee of the Trust, who is duly authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Trust to give Instructions on behalf of the Trust or any Fund in accordance with Section 4 herein, and named in Appendix A attached hereto and as amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified by an Officer, and received by the Custodian.

 

Board of Trustees shall mean the Trustees from time to time serving under the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as from time to time amended.

 

Book-Entry System shall mean a federal book-entry system as provided in Subpart O of Treasury Circular No. 300, 31 CFR 306, in Subpart B of 31 CFT Part 350, or in such book-entry regulations of federal agencies as are substantially in the form of Subpart O.

 

Clearing Corporation shall mean any entity or system established for purposes of providing securities settlement and movement and associated functions for a given market.

 

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Delegation Schedule shall mean any separate schedule entered into between the Custodian and the Trust or its authorized representative with respect to certain matters concerning theadministration of Investments held outside of the United States and the appointment of Eligible Foreign Custodians” under the provisions of Rule 17f-5 of the 1940 Act.

 

Dividend and Transfer Agent shall mean the dividend and transfer agent appointed, from time to time, pursuant to a written agreement between the dividend and transfer agent and the Trust.

 

FINRA means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

 

Foreign Financial Regulatory Authority shall have the meaning given by Section 2(a)(50) of the 1940 Act.

 

Fund(s) shall mean each series of the Trust listed in Appendix B and any additional series added pursuant to Written Instructions. A series is individually referred to as a "Fund" and collectively referred to as the "Funds."

 

Instruction(s) shall mean Oral Instructions or Written Instructions. Instructions may be continuing Written Instructions when deemed appropriate by both parties.

 

Investment(s) shall mean any investment asset of the Trust and/or a Fund, including without limitation, Money Market Securities and Securities.

 

Money Market Security shall mean debt obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest by the government of the United States or agencies or instrumentalities thereof, commercial paper, obligations (including certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements with respect to the same), and time deposits of domestic banks and thrift institutions whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and short-term corporate obligations where the purchase and sale of such securities normally require settlement in federal funds or their equivalent on the same day as such purchase and sale, all of which mature in not more than thirteen (13) months.

 

Officer shall mean the Chairman, President, Secretary, Treasurer, any Vice President, Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer of the Trust.

 

Oral Instructions shall mean Instructions orally transmitted to and received by the Custodian from an Authorized Person (or from a person that the Custodian reasonably believes in good faith to be an Authorized Person) and confirmed by Written Instructions in such a manner that such Written Instructions are received by the Custodian on the Business Day in accordance with Section 4 herein immediately following receipt of such Oral Instructions, provided, however, The Trust agrees that the failure of the Custodian to receive such confirming instructions shall in no way affect the validity of the transactions or enforceability of the transactions authorized by such Oral Instructions.

 

Prospectus shall mean with respect to each Fund, the Fund’s then currently effective prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as filed with and declared effective from time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

SEC shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States.

 

Security or Securities shall mean Money Market Securities, common stock, preferred stock, options, financial futures, bonds, notes, debentures, corporate debt securities, mortgages, bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, mortgage-backed securities or other obligations and any certificates, receipts, warrants, or other instruments or documents representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same or evidencing or representing any other rights or interest therein, or any similar property or assets, including securities of any registered investment company, that the Custodian has the facilities to clear and to service.

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Securities Depository shall mean a central or book entry system or clearing agency established under Applicable Law for purposes of recording the ownership, transfer, and/or entitlement to investment securities for a given market.

 

Sub-custodian(s) shall mean each Sub-custodian appointed by the Custodian pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, but shall not include Securities Depositories.

 

Trust shall mean the business trust which is the party to this Agreement, and which is an open-end management investment company registered under the Act.

 

Written Instructions means communications in writing actually received by the Custodian from an Authorized Person in accordance with Section 4. A communication in writing includes a communication by facsimile, telex or between electro-mechanical or electronic devices as set forth in Section 4 (where the use of such devices have been approved by resolution of the Board of Trustees and the resolution is certified by an Officer and delivered to the Custodian). All written communications shall be directed to the Custodian, attention: Institutional Trust Custody Group.

 

 

1. Appointment of Custodian; Acceptance . Trust hereby designates, constitutes, and appoints Custodian as custodian and its foreign custody manager for all Investments and cash owned by each Fund at any time during this Agreement, and Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the duties thereof as provided in this Agreement.

 

2. Furnishing of Documents; and Representations and Warranties of Trust .

 

2.1 The following documents, including any amendments thereto, will be provided contemporaneously with the execution of the Agreement, to the Custodian by the Trust:

 

1) A copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust certified by the Secretary.
2) A copy of the By-Laws of the Trust certified by the Secretary.
3) A copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust appointing the Custodian, certified by the Secretary.
4) A copy of the then current Prospectuses.
5) A Certificate of the President and Secretary of the Trust setting forth the names and signatures of all Authorized Persons.

 

In addition, the Trust agrees to notify the Custodian in writing of the appointment, termination or change in appointment of any Dividend and Transfer Agent.

 

2. 2. Representations and Warranties of Trust : The Trust makes the following representations and warranties to Custodian:

 

2.2.1 The obligations of the Trust set forth in this Agreement have been authorized by the Trust’s Board of Trustees, acting as such Trustees for and on behalf of the Trust, pursuant to the authority vested in them under the laws of the State of its formation, the Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Trust, provided, however, that this Agreement has been executed by Officers of the Trust as officers, and not individually, and the obligations contained herein are not binding upon any of the Trustees, Officers, agents or holders of shares, personally, but bind only the Trust and then only to the extent of the assets of the Trust.

 

2.2.3 Appendix A sets forth the names and the signatures of all Authorized Persons as of this date, as certified by Trust. Trust agrees to furnish to the Custodian a new Appendix A in form similar to the attached Appendix A, if any present Authorized Person ceases to be an Authorized Person or if any other or additional Authorized Persons are elected or appointed. Until such new Appendix A shall be received, the Custodian shall be fully protected in acting under the provisions

3
 

of this Agreement upon Instructions or signatures of the then current Authorized Persons as set forth in the last delivered Appendix A.

 

2.2.3 This Agreement to the best of Trust’s knowledge, does not violate any constitutive document, agreement, judgment, order or decree to which the Trust is a party or by which it is bound, including without limitation any agreement in effect pertaining to the assets which may be maintained under this Agreement.

 

2 .2.4 By providing a Written Instruction with respect to an acquisition of an Investment in a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, the Trust shall be deemed to have confirmed to the Custodian that the Trust has (i) assessed and accepted all material Country or Sovereign Risks and accepted responsibility for their occurrence, (ii) made all determinations required to be made by the Trust under Applicable Law, and (iii) appropriately and adequately disclosed to all persons who have rights in or to such Investments, all material investment risks, including those relating to the custody and settlement infrastructure or the servicing of securities in such jurisdiction.

 

2.2.5. By providing a Written Instruction in respect of an Investment (which Written Instruction may relate to among other things, the execution of trades), the Trust hereby (i) authorizes Custodian to complete such documentation as may be reasonably required or appropriate for the execution of the Written Instruction, and agrees to be contractually bound to the terms of such documentation “as is” without recourse against Custodian; (ii) represents, warrants and covenants that Trust has accepted and agreed to comply with all Applicable Law, terms and conditions to which Trust and/or Trust’s Investment may be bound, including without limitation, requirements imposed by the Investment prospectus or offering circular, subscription agreement, any application or other documentation relating to an Investment (e.g., compliance with suitability requirements and eligibility restrictions); (iii) acknowledges and agrees that Custodian will not be responsible for the accuracy of any information provided to Custodian by or on behalf of the Trust, or for any underlying commitment or obligation inherent to an Investment; (iv) represents, warrants and covenants that Trust will not effect any sale, transfer or disposition of Investment(s) held in Custodian’s name by any means other than the issuance of an Written Instructions by the Trust to Custodian; (v) acknowledges that collective investment schemes (and/or their agent(s)) in which the Trust invests may pay to Custodian certain fees (including without limitation, shareholder servicing and/or trailer fees) in respect of the Trust’s investments in such schemes; (vi) represents, warrants and covenants that Trust will provide Custodian with such information as is necessary or appropriate to enable Custodian’s performance pursuant to an Instruction or under this Agreement; and (vii) represents that unless otherwise disclosed to Custodian in writing, that Trust is not a “Plan” (which term includes (1) employee benefit plans that are subject to the United States (“US”) Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), or plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (2) plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, and (3) entities the underlying assets of which are considered to include “plan assets” of such plans, accounts and arrangements), or an entity purchasing shares on behalf of, or with the “plan assets” of, a Plan.

 

3. Representations and Warranties of Custodian .

 

3.1 Custodian hereby represents and warrants that it is a national bank duly organized under the laws of the United States of America and that this Agreement has been duly executed by the Custodian and to the best of Custodian’s knowledge will not violate any Applicable Law or any agreement, instrument judgment order or decree which Custodian is a party or to which it is bound.

 

 

4. Instructions .

 

4
 

 

4.1 Authorized Persons . The Custodian may treat any Authorized Person as having full authority of the Trust to issue Instructions hereunder The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon the authority of any Authorized Persons until it receives appropriate written notice from the Custodian to the contrary.

 

4.2 Form of Instruction . Each Instruction, other than Oral Instructions, shall be transmitted by such secured or authenticated electro-mechanical means as Custodian shall make available to the Trust from time to time unless the Trust shall elect to transmit such Written Instruction in accordance with Subsections (a) through (c) of this Section.

 

(a) Written Instructions . Written Instructions may be transmitted in a writing that bears the manual signature of Authorized Persons.

 

(b) Custodian Designated Secured-Transmission Method . Written Instructions may be transmitted through a secured or tested electro-mechanical means identified by the Trust or by an Authorized Person entitled to give Instruction and acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian and/or its Sub-custodian(s), it being understood that such acknowledgment shall authorize the Custodian to accept such means of delivery but shall not represent a judgment by the Custodian as to the reasonableness or security of the means utilized by the Authorized Person.

 

(c) Other Forms of Instruction . Instructions may also be transmitted by another means determined by the Trust or Authorized Persons and acknowledged and accepted by the Custodian and/or its Sub-custodian(s) (subject to the same limits as to acknowledgements as are contained in Subsection (b), above) including Oral Instructions, and Instructions by SWIFT or telefax (whether tested or untested).

 

When an Instruction is given by means established under Subsections (a) through (c), it shall be the responsibility of the Custodian to use reasonable care to adhere to any security or other procedures established in writing between the Custodian and the Authorized Person with respect to such means of Instruction, but the Authorized Person shall be solely responsible for determining that the particular means chosen is reasonable under the circumstances. If Oral Instructions are transmitted to and received by Custodian from an Authorized Person, Custodian may act on any such instructions which it reasonably and in good faith believes is such an Authorized Person. Oral Instructions shall be binding upon the Custodian only if and when the Custodian takes action with respect thereto. Oral Instructions shall be confirmed by Written Instructions not later than the Business Day immediately following receipt of such Oral Instructions in the manner set forth herein, provided, however, The Trust agrees that the failure of the Custodian to receive such confirming instructions shall in no way affect the validity of the transactions or enforceability of the transactions hereby authorized by the Trust. The Trust agrees that the Custodian shall incur no liability to the Trust for acting upon Oral Instructions given to the Custodian hereunder concerning such transactions. With respect to telefax instructions, the parties agree and acknowledge that receipt of legible instructions cannot be assured, that the Custodian cannot verify that authorized signatures on telefax instructions are original or properly affixed, and that the Custodian shall not be liable for losses or expenses incurred through actions taken in reliance on inaccurately stated, illegible or unauthorized telefax instructions. The provisions of Section 4A of the Uniform Commercial Code shall apply to funds transfers performed in accordance with Instructions.

 

4.3 Completeness and Contents of Instructions . The Authorized Person shall be responsible for assuring the adequacy and accuracy of Instructions. Particularly, upon any acquisition or disposition or other dealing in Investments and upon any delivery and transfer of any Investment or moneys, the person initiating the Instruction shall give the Custodian an Instruction with appropriate detail. If the Custodian determines that an Instruction is either unclear or incomplete, the Custodian may give prompt notice of such determination to the Trust, and the Trust shall thereupon amend or otherwise reform the Instruction. In such event, the Custodian shall have no obligation to take any action in response to the Instruction initially delivered until the redelivery of an amended or reformed Instruction.

 

5
 

4.4 Timeliness of Instructions . In giving an Instruction, the Trust shall take into consideration delays which may occur due to the involvement of a Sub-custodian or agent, differences in time zones, and other factors particular to a given market, exchange or issuer. When the Custodian has established specific timing requirements or deadlines with respect to particular classes of Instruction, or when an Instruction is received by the Custodian at such a time that it could not reasonably be expected to have acted on such instruction due to time zone differences or other factors beyond its reasonable control, the execution of any Instruction received by the Custodian after such deadline or at such time (including any modification or revocation of a previous Instruction) shall be at the risk of the Trust.

 

5 Purchase and Sale of Investments .

 

5.1 Delivery of Investments . During the term of this Agreement, Trust will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Custodian all Investments to be held by the Custodian for the account of any Fund. Custodian will not have any duties or responsibilities with respect to such Investments until actually received by the Custodian. The Custodian is hereby authorized by the Trust, acting on behalf of a Fund, to actually deposit any assets of the Fund in the Book-Entry System or in a Securities Depository, provided, however, that the Custodian shall be accountable to the Trust for the assets of the Fund so deposited. Assets deposited in the Book-Entry System or the Security Depository will be represented in accounts which include only assets held by the Custodian for customers, including but not limited to accounts in which the Custodian acts in a fiduciary or representative capacity. As and when received, the Custodian shall deposit to the account(s) of a Fund any and all payments for Shares of that Fund issued or sold from time to time as they are received from the Trust’s distributor or Dividend and Transfer Agent or from the Trust itself. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any Securities, moneys or other assets of any Fund until actually received.

 

5. 1.1 Purchase of Investments . Promptly after each purchase of Investments by the Trust, the Trust shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each purchase of Investments which are not Money Market Securities, Written Instructions, and (ii) with respect to each purchase of Money Market Securities, Oral or Written Instructions, specifying with respect to each such purchase the:

 

1) Name of the issuer and the title of the securities;
2) Number of shares, principal amount purchased (and accrued interest, if any) or other units purchased;
3) Date of purchase and settlement;
4) Purchase price per unit;
5) Total amount payable;
6) Name of the person from whom, or the broker through which, the purchase was made;
7) Name of the person to whom such amount is payable; and
8) Name of the Fund for which the purchase was made.

 

The Custodian shall, against receipt of Investments purchased by or for the Trust, pay out of the moneys held for the account of such Fund the total amount specified in the Written Instructions to the person named therein. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation to pay out moneys to cover the cost of a purchase of Investments for a Fund, if in the relevant Fund custody account there is insufficient cash available to the Fund for which such purchase was made. With respect to any repurchase agreement transaction for the Funds, the Custodian shall assure that the collateral reflected on the transaction advice is received by the Custodian.

 

5.2. Sale of Investments . Promptly after each sale of Investments by a Fund, the Trust shall deliver to the Custodian (i) with respect to each sale of Investments which are not Money Market Securities, Written Instructions, and (ii) with respect to each sale of Money Market Securities, Oral or Written Instructions, specifying with respect to each such sale the:

 

1) Name of the issuer and the title of the Investments;
2) Number of shares, principal amount sold (and accrued interest, if any) or other units sold;
3) Date of sale and settlement;
6
 
4) Sale price per unit;
5) Total amount receivable;
6) Name of the person to whom, or the broker through which, the sale was made,
7) Name of the person to whom such Investments are to be delivered, and
8) Fund for which the sale was made;

 

The Custodian shall deliver the Investments against receipt of the total amount specified in the Instructions.

 

5.3 Delivery Versus Payment for Purchases and Sales . Purchases and sales of Investments effected by Custodian will be made on a delivery versus payment basis in accordance with generally accepted trade practices, or the terms of the instrument representing such Investment. The Custodian may, in its sole discretion, upon receipt of Written Instructions, elect to settle a purchase or sale transaction in some other manner, but only upon receipt of acceptable indemnification from the Fund.

 

5.4 Payment on Settlement Date . On contractual settlement date, the account of the Fund will be charged for all purchased Investments settling on that day, regardless of whether or not delivery is made. Likewise, on contractual settlement date, proceeds from the sale of Investments settling that day will be credited to the account of Fund, irrespective of delivery. Exceptions to contractual settlement on purchases and sales, that will continue to settle delivery versus payment, include real estate, venture capital, international trades, open-ended mutual funds, non standard depository settlements and in-kind trades.

 

5.5 Segregated Accounts . The Custodian shall, upon receipt of Written Instructions so directing it, establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of a Fund. Cash and/or Investments may be transferred into such account or accounts for specific purposes, to-wit:

 

1) In accordance with the provision of any agreement among the Trust, the Custodian, and a broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act, and also a member of the FINRA (or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of the Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, any registered contract market, or any similar organization or organizations requiring escrow or other similar arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;

 

2) For purposes of segregating cash or Investments in connection with options purchased, sold, or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund;

 

3) For the purpose of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required for reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements, standby commitment agreements, short sales, or any other securities by Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release or releases or rule of the SEC relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies;

 

4) For the purpose of segregating collateral for loans of Investments made by the Fund; and

 

5) For other proper corporate purposes, but only upon receipt of, in addition to Instructions, a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees, certified by an Officer, setting forth the purposes of such segregated account.

 

Each segregated account established hereunder shall be established and maintained for a single Fund only. All Instructions relating to a segregated account shall specify the Fund involved.

 

5.6 Advances for Settlement . Except as otherwise may be agreed upon by the parties hereto, Custodian shall not be required to comply with any Instructions to settle the purchase of any Investments on behalf of a Fund unless there is sufficient cash in the account(s) pertaining to such Fund at the time or to settle the sale of any Investments from such an account(s) unless such Investments are in deliverable form.

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the purchase price of such Investments exceeds the amount of cash in the account(s) at the time of such purchase, Custodian may, in its sole discretion, advance the amount of the difference in order to settle the purchase of such Investments. The amount of any such advance shall be deemed a loan from Custodian to Trust payable on demand and bearing interest accruing from the date such loan is made up to but not including the date such loan is repaid at the rate per annum customarily charged by Custodian on similar loans.

 

5.7. Safekeeping of Trust Assets . The Custodian shall not be responsible for (a) the safekeeping of Investments not delivered or that are not caused to be issued to it or its Sub-custodians, or, (b) pre-existing faults or defects in Investments that are delivered to the Custodian or its Sub-custodians. The Custodian shall hold Investments for the account of the Trust and shall segregate Investments from assets belonging to the Custodian and shall cause its Sub-custodians to segregate Investments from assets belonging to the Sub-custodian in an account held for the Trust or in an account maintained by the Sub-custodian generally for non-proprietary assets of the Custodian. In the event of a loss of a Security for which loss the Custodian is responsible under the terms of this Agreement, the Custodian shall replace such Security, or in the event that such replacement cannot be effected, the Custodian shall pay to the Trust the fair market value of such Investment based on the last available price as of the close of business in the relevant market on the date that a claim was first made to the Custodian with respect to such loss, or, such other lesser amount as shall be agreed by the parties.

 

6. Administrative Duties Custodian .

 

6.1 Duties . Custodian shall perform the following administrative duties with respect to and in connection with Investments of the Trust.

 

A. Segregation of Non-Cash Assets; Use of Securities Depositories . All Investments and non-cash property held by the Custodian for the account of a Fund (other than Investments maintained in a Securities Depository or Book-entry System) shall be physically segregated from other Investments and non-cash property in the possession of the Custodian (including the Investments and non-cash property of the other Funds) and shall be identified as subject to this Agreement. The Custodian may deposit and maintain Investments in any Securities Depository, either directly or through one or more Sub-custodians appointed by the Custodian. Investments held in a Securities Depository shall be held (a) subject to the agreement, rules, statement of terms and conditions or other document or conditions effective between the Securities Depository and the Custodian or the Sub-custodian, as the case may be, and (b) in an account for the Trust or in bulk segregation in an account maintained for the non-proprietary assets of the entity holding such Investments in the Securities Depository. If market practice or the rules and regulations of the Securities Depository prevent the Custodian, the Sub-custodian or (any agent of either) from holding its client assets in such a separate account, the Custodian, the Sub-custodian or other agent shall as appropriate segregate such Investments for the benefit of the Trust from the assets held for the benefit of clients of the Custodian’s generally on its own books.

 

B. Securities in Bearer and Registered Form . All Investments held which are issued or issuable only in bearer form, shall be held by the Custodian in that form; all other Investments held for a Fund may be registered in the name of the Custodian, any sub-custodian appointed in accordance with this Agreement, or the nominee of any of them. The Trust agrees to furnish to the Custodian appropriate instruments to enable the Custodian to hold, or deliver in proper form for transfer, any Investments that it may hold for the account of any Fund and which may, from time to time, be registered in the name of a Fund. Investments which are certificated may be held in registered or bearer form: (a) in the Custodian's vault; (b) in the vault of a Sub-custodian or agent of the Custodian or a Sub-custodian; or (c) in an account maintained by the Custodian, Sub-custodian or agent at a Securities Depository, all in accordance with customary market practice in the jurisdiction in which any Investments are held. Investments which are registered may be registered in the name of the Custodian, a Sub-custodian, or in the name of the Trust or a nominee for any of the foregoing, and may be held in any manner set forth in this Section 6 with or without any identification of fiduciary capacity in such registration. Investments which are represented by book-entry may be so held in an account maintained by the book-entry agent on behalf of the Custodian, a Sub-custodian, an Agent of the Custodian, or a Securities Depository.

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C. Duties of Custodian as to Securities . Unless otherwise instructed by the Trust, with respect to all Investments held for the Trust, the Custodian shall:

 

 

1) Collect all income due and payable with respect to such Investments;

 

2) Present for payment and collect amounts payable upon all Investments which may mature or be called, redeemed, or retired, or otherwise become payable;

 

3) Surrender interim receipts or Investments in temporary form for Securities in definitive form; and

 

4.) Execute, as Custodian, any necessary declarations or certificates of ownership under the Federal income tax laws or the laws or regulations of any other taxing authority, including any foreign taxing authority, now or hereafter in effect.

 

D. Certain Actions Upon Written Instructions . Upon receipt of a Written Instructions and not otherwise, the Custodian shall:

 

1) Execute and deliver to such persons as may be designated in such Written Instructions proxies, consents, authorizations, and any other instruments whereby the authority of the Trust as beneficial owner of any Investments may be exercised;

 

2) Deliver any Investments in exchange for other Investments or cash issued or paid in connection with the liquidation, reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolidation, or recapitalization of any corporation, or the exercise of any conversion privilege;

 

3) Deliver any Investments to any protective committee, reorganization committee, or other person in connection with the reorganization, refinancing, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, or sale of assets of any corporation, and receive and hold under the terms of this Agreement such certificates of deposit, interim receipts or other instruments or documents as may be issued to it to evidence such delivery;

 

4) Make such transfers or exchanges of the assets of any Fund and take such other steps as shall be stated in the Written Instructions to be for the purpose of effectuating any duly authorized plan of liquidation, reorganization, merger, consolidation or recapitalization of the Trust; and

 

5) Deliver any Securities held for any Fund to the depository agent for tender or other similar offers.

 

E. Custodian to Deliver Proxy Materials . The Custodian shall promptly deliver to the Trust all notices, proxy material and executed but unvoted proxies pertaining to shareholder meetings of Securities held by any Fund. The Custodian shall not vote or authorize the voting of any Securities or give any consent, waiver or approval with respect thereto unless so directed by Written Instructions.

 

F. Custodian to Deliver Tender Offer Information . The Custodian shall promptly deliver to the Trust all information received by the Custodian and pertaining to Securities held by any Fund with respect to tender or exchange offers, calls for redemption or purchase, or expiration of rights. If the Trust desires to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction, the Trust shall notify the Custodian at least five Business Days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take such action. The Trust will provide or cause to be provided to the Custodian all relevant information for any

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Investment which has unique put/option provisions at least five Business Days prior to the beginning date of the tender period.

 

G. Custodian to Deliver Security and Transaction Information . On each Business Day that the Federal Reserve Bank is open, the Custodian shall furnish the Trust with a detailed statement of monies held for the Fund under this Agreement and with confirmations and a summary of all transfers to or from the account of the Fund. At least monthly and from time to time, the Custodian shall furnish the Trust with a detailed statement of the Securities held for the Fund under this Agreement. Where Securities are transferred to the account of the Fund without physical delivery, the Custodian shall also identify as belonging to the Fund a quantity of Securities in a fungible bulk of Securities registered in the name of the Custodian (or its nominee) or shown on the Custodian's account on the books of the Book-Entry System or the Depository. With respect to information provided by this section, it shall not be necessary for the Custodian to provide formal Notice as described below. It shall be sufficient to communicate by such means as shall be mutually agreeable to the Trust and the Custodian.

 

6.2 Contractual Obligations and Similar Investments . From time to time, a Fund’s assets may include Investments that are not ownership interests as may be represented by certificate (whether registered or bearer), by entry in a Securities Depository or by Book-entry Agent, registrar or similar agent for recording ownership interests in the relevant Investment. If the Fund shall at any time acquire such Investments, including without limitation deposit obligations, loan participations, repurchase agreements and derivative arrangements, the Custodian shall (a) receive and retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, confirmations or other documents evidencing the arrangement; and (b) perform on the Fund's account in accordance with the terms of the applicable arrangement, but only to the extent directed to do so by Written Instruction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility for agreements running to the Trust as to which it is not a party other than to retain, to the extent the same are provided to the Custodian, documents or copies of documents evidencing the arrangement and, in accordance with Written Instruction, to include such arrangements in reports made to the Trust.

 

6.3 Ownership Certificates and Disclosure of the Custodian's Interest . The Custodian is hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust ownership certificates, affidavits or other disclosure required under Applicable Law or established market practice in connection with the receipt of income, capital gains or other payments by the Trust with respect to Investments, or in connection with the sale, purchase or ownership of Investments.

 

6.4 Distribution of Assets . The Trust shall furnish to the Custodian a copy of the resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, certified by the Trust's Secretary, either (i) setting forth the date of the declaration of any dividend or distribution in respect of Shares of any Fund of the Trust, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which the Fund shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per share to Fund shareholders of record as of that date, and the total amount to be paid by the Dividend and Transfer Agent on the payment date, or (ii) authorizing the declaration of dividends and distributions in respect of Shares of a Fund on a daily basis and authorizing the Custodian to rely on Written Instructions setting forth the date of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution, the date of payment thereof, the record date as of which the Fund shareholders entitled to payment shall be determined, the amount payable per share to Fund shareholders of record as of that date, and the total amount to be paid by the Dividend and Transfer Agent on the payment date. On the payment date specified in the resolution or Written Instructions described above, the Custodian shall segregate such amounts from moneys held for the account of the Fund so that they are available for such payment.

 

6.4.1 Segregation of Redemption Proceeds . Upon receipt of Written Instructions so directing it, the Custodian shall segregate amounts necessary for the payment of redemption proceeds to be made by the Dividend and Transfer Agent from moneys held for the account of the Fund so that they are available for such payment.

 

6.4.2 Disbursements of Custodian . Upon receipt of a Written Instruction directing payment and setting forth the name and address of the person to whom such payment is to be made, the amount of such payment, the name of the Fund from which payment is to be made, and the
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purpose for which payment is to be made, the Custodian shall disburse amounts as and when directed from the assets of that Fund. The Custodian is authorized to rely on such directions and shall be under no obligation to inquire as to the propriety of such directions.

 

6.4.3 Payment of Custodian Fees . Upon receipt of Written Instructions directing payment, the Custodian shall disburse moneys from the assets of the Trust in payment of the Custodian's fees and expenses as provided in this Agreement.

 

6.4.4. Sufficient Funds for Payment. The Custodian shall not be under any obligation to pay out moneys to cover any of the foregoing payments if in the relevant Fund account there is insufficient cash available to the Fund for which such payment is to be made.

 

6.5 Other Dealings . The Custodian shall otherwise act as directed by Instruction, including without limitation effecting the free payments of moneys or the free delivery of Investments, provided that such Instruction shall indicate the purpose of such payment or delivery and that the Custodian shall record the party to whom the payment or delivery is made.

 

6.6 Nondiscretionary Details . The Custodian shall attend to all nondiscretionary details in connection with the sale or purchase or other administration of Investments, except as otherwise directed by an Instruction.

 

7. Cash Accounts, Deposits, Money Movements, & Trust Borrowings .

 

7.1 Cash Deposits . During the term of this Agreement, Trust will deliver or cause to be delivered to Custodian all moneys to be held by the Custodian for the account of any Fund. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 7, the Trust hereby authorizes the Custodian to open and maintain, with itself or with Sub-custodians, cash accounts in United States Dollars, in such other currencies as are the currencies of the countries in which Trust maintains Investments or in such other currencies as Trust shall from time to time request by Written Instruction. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to contrary effect, the Trust shall be liable as principal for any overdrafts occurring in any cash accounts. Custodian shall be entitled to reverse any deposits made on Trust's or any Fund’s behalf where such deposits have been entered and moneys are not finally collected within 20 days of the making of such entry.

 

7.1.1 Types of Accounts . Cash accounts opened on the books of the Custodian (Principal Accounts) shall be opened in the name of the Trust, coupled with the name of such Fund. Custodian shall hold all cash received by it for the account of the Trust or any Fund in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the Act. Such accounts collectively shall be a deposit obligation of the Custodian and shall be subject to the terms of this Section 7 and the general liability provisions contained in this Agreement. Cash accounts opened on the books of a Sub-custodian may be opened in the name of the Trust or the Sub-custodian or in the name of its Sub-custodian for its customers generally (Agency Accounts). Such deposits shall be obligations of the Sub-custodian, and shall be treated as an Investment of the Trust. Accordingly, the Custodian shall be responsible for exercising reasonable care in the administration of such accounts but shall not be liable for their repayment in the event such Sub-custodian by reason of its bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise, fails to make repayment through no fault of the Custodian.

 

7.1.2 Administrative Accounts . In connection with the services provided hereunder, the Custodian is hereby directed to open cash accounts on its books and records from time to time for the purposes of receiving subscriptions and/or processing redemptions on behalf of the Trust, and/or for the purposes of aggregating, netting and/or clearing transactions (including, without limitation foreign exchange, repurchase agreements, capital stock activity, expense payment) or other administrative purposes, each on behalf of the Trust. Each such account shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Trust shall be liable for the satisfaction of its own obligations in connection with each such account.

 

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7.2 Payments and Credits with Respect to the Cash Accounts . The Custodian shall make payments from or deposits to any of the cash accounts in the course of carrying out its administrative duties, including but not limited to income collection with respect to Investments, and otherwise in accordance with Instructions. The Custodian and its Sub-custodians shall be required to credit amounts to the cash accounts only when moneys are actually received in cleared funds in accordance with banking practice in the country and currency of deposit. Any credit made to any Principal or Agency Account or any other Fund account before actual receipt of cleared funds shall be provisional and may be reversed by the Custodian or its Sub-custodian in the event such payment is not actually collected. Unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Custodian or any Sub-custodian, all deposits shall be payable only at the branch of the Custodian or Sub-custodian where the deposit is made or carried.

 

7.3 Currency and Related Risks . The Trust bears risks of holding or transacting in any currency, including any mark to market exposure associated with a foreign exchange transaction undertaken with or through the Custodian. Neither the Custodian nor any Sub-custodian shall be liable for any loss or damage arising from the applicability of any law or regulation now or hereafter in effect, or from the occurrence of any event, which may delay or affect the transferability, convertibility or availability of any currency in the country (a) in which such Principal or Agency Accounts are maintained or (b) in which such currency is issued, and in no event shall the Custodian or any Sub-custodian be obligated to make payment of a deposit denominated in a currency during the period during which its transferability, convertibility or availability has been affected by any such law, regulation or event. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Custodian nor any Sub-custodian shall be required to repay any deposit made at a foreign branch of either the Custodian or any Sub-custodian if such branch cannot repay the deposit due to a cause for which the Custodian would not be responsible in accordance with the terms of Section 9 of this Agreement unless the Custodian or such Sub-custodian expressly agrees in writing to repay the deposit under such circumstances. All currency transactions in any account opened pursuant to this Agreement are subject to exchange control regulations of the United States and of the country where such currency is the lawful currency or where the account is maintained. Any taxes, costs, charges or fees imposed on the convertibility of a currency held by the Trust shall be for the account of the Trust.

 

7.4 Foreign Exchange Transactions . The Custodian shall, subject to the terms of this Section, settle foreign exchange transactions (including contracts, futures, options and options on futures) on behalf and for the account of the Trust with such currency brokers or banking institutions, including Sub-custodians, as the Trust may direct pursuant to Instructions. The obligations of the Custodian in respect of all foreign exchange transactions shall be contingent on the free, unencumbered transferability of the currency transacted on the actual settlement date of the transaction.

 

7.4.1 Third Party Foreign Exchange Transactions . The Custodian shall process foreign exchange transactions (including without limitation contracts, futures, options, and options on futures), where any third party acts as principal counterparty to the Trust on the same basis, if any, that it performs duties as agent for the Trust with respect to any other of the Trust’s investments. Accordingly, the Custodian shall only be responsible for delivering or receiving currency on behalf of the Trust in respect of such contracts pursuant to Written Instructions. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the failure of any counterparty (including any Sub-custodian) in such agency transaction to perform its obligations thereunder. The Custodian (a) shall transmit cash and Written Instructions to and from the currency broker or banking institution with which a foreign exchange contract or option has been executed pursuant hereto, (b) may make free outgoing payments of cash in the form of Dollars or foreign currency without receiving confirmation of a foreign exchange contract or option or confirmation that the countervalue currency completing the foreign exchange contract has been delivered or received or that the option has been delivered or received, (c) may, in connection with cash payments made to third party currency broker/dealers for settlement of the Trust’s foreign exchange spot or forward transactions, foreign exchange swap transactions and similar foreign exchange transactions, process settlements using the banking facilities selected by Custodian from time to time according to such banking facilities standard terms, and (d) shall hold all confirmations, certificates and other documents and agreements received by the Custodian and evidencing or relating to such foreign exchange transactions in

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safekeeping. The Trust accepts full responsibility for its use of third-party foreign exchange dealers and for execution of said foreign exchange contracts and options and understands that the Trust shall be responsible for any and all costs and interest charges which may be incurred by the Trust or the Custodian as a result of the failure or delay of third parties to deliver foreign exchange.

 

7.5 Delays . If no event of Force Majeure shall have occurred and be continuing and in the event that a delay shall have been caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian in carrying out an Instruction to credit or transfer cash, the Custodian shall be liable to the Trust: (a) with respect to Principal Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate customarily paid on such deposit and currency by the Custodian on overnight deposits at the time the delay occurs for the period from the day when the transfer should have been effected until the day it is in fact effected; and, (b) with respect to Agency Accounts, for interest to be calculated at the rate customarily paid on such deposit and currency by the Sub-custodian on overnight deposits at the time the delay occurs for the period from the day when the transfer should have been effected until the day it is in fact effected. The Custodian shall not be liable for delays in carrying out such Instructions to transfer cash which are not due to the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct.

 

7.6 Advances . With respect to any advances of cash made by the Custodian to or for the benefit of a Fund for any purpose which results in the Fund incurring an overdraft at the end of any Business Day, such advance shall be repayable immediately upon demand made by the Custodian at any time. The Custodian may, in its sole discretion, charge interest accruing from the date of such overdraft to but not including the date of such repayment at the rate per annum customarily charged by the Custodian on similar overdrafts. In addition, the Custodian shall have an automatically perfected statutory security interest in any Investments purchased with any such unpaid Advance pursuant to Section 9-206 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Ohio from time to time and that the Custodian may take any further actions that the Custodian may reasonably require to collect such unpaid Advance. In addition, for purposes hereof, deposits maintained in all Principal Accounts (whether or not denominated in Dollars) shall collectively constitute a single and indivisible current account with respect to the Trust's obligations to the Custodian for any unpaid Advances, and balances in such Principal Accounts shall be available for satisfaction of the Trust's obligations under this Section 7. The Custodian shall further have a right of offset against the balances in any Agency Account maintained hereunder to the extent that the aggregate of all Principal Accounts is overdrawn.

 

7.7 Borrowings . In connection with any borrowings by the Trust, the Trust will cause to be delivered to the Custodian by a bank or broker requiring securities as collateral for such borrowings (including the Custodian if the borrowing is from the Custodian), a notice or undertaking in the form currently employed by such bank or broker setting forth the amount of collateral. The Trust shall promptly deliver to the Custodian Written Instructions specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the name of the bank or broker, (b) the amount and terms of the borrowing, which may be set forth by incorporating by reference an attached promissory note duly endorsed by the Trust, or a loan agreement, (c) the date, and time if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (d) the date on which the loan becomes due and payable, (e) the total amount payable to the Trust on the borrowing date, and (f) the description of the securities securing the loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or other units or the principal amount. The Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in the Written Instructions the required collateral against the lender's delivery of the total loan amount then payable, provided that the same conforms to that which is described in the Written Instructions. The Custodian shall deliver, in the manner directed by the Trust, such securities as additional collateral, as may be specified in Written Instructions, to secure further any borrowing transaction. The Trust shall cause all securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to the Custodian and the Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it.

 

8. Domestic and Foreign Sub-custodians;; Securities Depositories . Subject to the provisions hereinafter set forth in this Section 8, the Trust hereby authorizes the Custodian to utilize Securities Depositories to act on behalf of the Trust and the Fund(s) and to appoint from time to time (and at any time remove) and to utilize agents (Agents) and sub-custodians (“Sub-custodians”) to carry out

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some or all of the duties and obligations of Custodian under this Agreement provided, however, that the appointment of such agents and Sub-custodians shall not relieve the Custodian of its administrative obligations under this Agreement. The list of the Custodian’s current Agents and Sub-custodians is attached hereto on Appendix C. With respect to securities and cash held by a Sub-custodian, either directly or indirectly (including by a Securities Depository), notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, payment for securities purchased and delivery of securities sold may be made prior to receipt of securities or payment, respectively, and securities or payment may be received in a form, in accordance with (a) governmental regulations, (b) rules of Securities Depositories and Clearing Corporations, (c) generally accepted trade practice in the applicable local market, (d) the terms and characteristics of the particular Investment, or (e) the terms of Written Instructions. The Funds shall reimburse the Custodian for all costs incurred by the Custodian in connection with opening accounts with any such Agents or Sub-custodians. Upon request, the Custodian shall promptly forward to the Trust any documents it receives from any Agent or Sub-custodian appointed hereunder which may assist trustees of registered investment companies to fulfill their responsibilities under Rule 17f-5 of the Act.

 

8.1 Domestic Subcustodians and Securities Depositories . The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain, either directly or through one or more Agents appointed by the Custodian, Investments of the Trust or its Funds in any Securities Depository in the United States, including The Depository Trust Company, provided such Securities Depository meets applicable requirements of the Federal Reserve Bank or of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian may, at any time, appoint any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder to act on behalf of the Trust or the Funds as a Sub-custodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Trust in the United States.

 

8.2 Foreign Subcustodians and Securities Depositories . Unless instructed otherwise by the Trust, the Custodian may deposit and/or maintain non-U.S. Investments of the Trust or its Funds in any non-U.S. Securities Depository provided such Securities Depository meets the requirements of an "eligible securities depository" under Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act, or any successor rule or regulation ("Rule 17f-7") or which by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission is exempted therefrom. Prior to the time that securities are placed with such depository, but subject to the provisions of Section 8.4 below, the Custodian shall have prepared or obtained from an Agent or Sub-custodian an assessment of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Securities Depository and shall have established a system to monitor such risks on a continuing basis in accordance with Section 8.5. Additionally, the Custodian may, from time to time, appoint (a) any bank, trust company or other entity meeting the requirements of an “eligible foreign custodian” under Rule 17f-5 or which by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission is exempted therefrom, or (b) any bank as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, to act on behalf of the Trust or its Funds as a Sub-custodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Trust and/or its Funds outside the United States.

 

8.3 Review of Sub-custodians . From time to time, the Custodian may agree to perform certain reviews of Sub-custodians at the Trust’s request. In such event, the Custodian's duties and obligations with respect to this review will be performed in accordance with the terms of the attached 17f-5 Delegation Schedule to this Agreement.

 

8.4 Approval of Foreign Sub-custodians . Unless and except to the extent that the Trust has requested and the Custodian has accepted delegation of the appointment of Sub-custodians, the Custodian shall, prior to the appointment of any Sub-custodian for purposes of holding Investments of the Trust or its Funds outside the United States, obtain written confirmation of the approval of the Trust with respect to the identity of such Sub-custodian, such approval to be signed by an Authorized Person. A Written Instruction to open an account in a given country shall comprise authorization by the Trust for the Custodian to hold assets in such country in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Sub-custodian shall not be required to make independent inquiry as to the authorization of the Trust or its Fund to invest in such country.

 

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8.5 Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Securities Depositories . Prior to the placement of any assets of the Trust or its Funds with a non-U.S. Securities Depository, the Custodian: (a) shall provide to the Trust an assessment of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets within such Securities Depository; and (b) shall have established a system to monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with such Securities Depository on a continuing basis and to promptly notify the Trust of any material changes in such risk. In performing its duties under this subsection, the Custodian shall use reasonable care and may rely on such reasonable sources of information as may be available including but not limited to: (i) published ratings; (ii) information supplied by a Sub-custodian that is a participant in such Securities Depository; (iii) industry surveys or publications; (iv) information supplied by the depository itself, by its auditors (internal or external) or by the relevant foreign financial regulatory authority. It is acknowledged that information procured through some or all of these sources may not be independently verifiable by the Custodian and that direct access to Securities Depositories is limited under most circumstances. Accordingly, the Custodian shall not be responsible for errors or omissions in its duties hereunder provided that it has performed its monitoring and assessment duties with reasonable care. The risk assessment shall be provided to the Trust by such means as the Custodian shall reasonably establish. Advices of material change in such assessment may be provided by the Custodian in the manner established as customary between the Trust and the Custodian.

 

8.6 Responsibility for Sub-custodians . Except as provided in the last sentence of this Section 8.6, the Custodian shall be liable to the Trust for any loss or damage to the Trust caused by or resulting from the acts or omissions of any Sub-custodian to the extent that such acts or omissions would be deemed to be negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct in accordance with the terms of the relevant Sub-custodian agreement under the laws, circumstances and practices prevailing in the place where the act or omission occurred. The liability of the Custodian in respect of the countries and Sub-custodians so designated by the Custodian, from time to time shall be subject to the additional condition that the Custodian actually recovers such loss or damage from the Sub-custodian.

 

8.7 New Countries . The Trust shall be responsible for informing the Custodian sufficiently in advance of a proposed investment which is to be held in a country in which no Sub-custodian is authorized to act in order that the Custodian shall, if it deems appropriate to do so, have sufficient time to establish a sub-custodial arrangement in accordance herewith. In the event the Custodian is unable to establish such arrangements prior to the time the Investment is to be acquired, the Custodian is authorized to designate at its discretion a local safekeeping Agent, and the use of such local safekeeping Agent shall be at the sole risk of the Trust, and accordingly the Custodian shall be responsible to the Trust for the actions of the Agent if and only to the extent the Custodian shall have recovered from the Agent for any damages caused the Trust by the Agent.

 

9. Responsibility of Custodian .

 

9.1 Limitations on Liability of Custodian . Except as otherwise provided herein, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss or damage, including counsel fees, resulting from its action or omission to act or otherwise, except for any such loss or damage arising out of its negligence or willful misconduct. The Trust, on behalf of the Fund and only from assets of the Fund (or insurance purchased by the Trust with respect to its liabilities on behalf of the Fund hereunder), shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Custodian and its directors, officers, employees and agents with respect to any loss, claim, liability or cost (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising or alleged to arise from or relating to the Trust's duties hereunder or any other action or inaction of the Trust or its Trustees, officers, employees or agents, except such as may arise from the negligent action, negligent omission, willful misconduct or any breach of this Agreement by the Custodian, its directors, officers, employees or agents, provided, however, the Trust shall not in any event be liable for any special, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages. The Custodian shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and its trustees, officers, employees or agents with respect to any loss, claim, liability or cost (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising or alleged to arise from actual losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses and liabilities asserted against, imposed upon or incurred by the Trust resulting from any negligent action taken or omission or willful misconduct by the Custodian in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or a material breach of any of the Custodian’s duties as specifically set forth in this Agreement, except such as may arise from the

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negligent action, omission or willful misconduct of the Trust, its trustees, officers, employees, or agents, provided, further, however, that Custodian shall not in any event be liable for any any special, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages. The Custodian may, with respect to questions of law apply for and obtain the advice and opinion of counsel to the Trust at the expense of the Fund, or of its own counsel at its own expense, and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with the advice or opinion of counsel to the Trust, and shall be similarly protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with advice or opinion of its counsel, unless counsel to the Fund shall, within a reasonable time after being notified of legal advice received by the Custodian, have a differing interpretation of such question of law. The Custodian shall be liable to the Trust for any proximate loss or damage resulting from the use of the Book-Entry System or any Depository arising by reason of any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct on the part of the Custodian or any of its employees, agents, nominees or Sub-Custodians, but not for any special, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall preclude recovery by the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, of principal and of interest to the date of recovery on Investments incorrectly omitted from the Fund’s account or penalties imposed on the Trust, in connection with the Fund, for any failures to deliver Securities. In any case in which one party hereto may be asked to indemnify the other or hold the other harmless, the party from whom indemnification is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") shall be advised of all pertinent facts concerning the situation in question, and the party claiming a right to indemnification (the "Indemnified Party") will use reasonable care to identify and notify the Indemnifying Party promptly concerning any situation which presents or appears to present a claim for indemnification against the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have the option to defend the Indemnified Party against any claim which may be the subject of the indemnification, and in the event the Indemnifying Party so elects, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by the Indemnifying Party and satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party will so notify the Indemnified Party and thereupon such Indemnifying Party shall take over the complete defense of the claim and the Indemnifying Party shall sustain no further legal or other expenses in such situation for which indemnification has been sought under this paragraph, except the reasonable expenses of any additional counsel retained by the Indemnified Party. In no case shall any party claiming the right to indemnification confess any claim or make any compromise in any case in which the other party has been asked to indemnify such party (unless such confession or compromise is made with such other party's prior written consent). The provisions of this Section 9.1 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

9.2 Specific Actions Not Required by Custodian . Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian, acting in the capacity of custodian hereunder, shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:

 

1. The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased by or for the account of Trust, the legality of the purchase thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid therefor;

 

2. The legality of the sale of any Securities by or for the account of Trust, or the propriety of the amount for which the same are sold;

 

3. The legality of the issue or sale of any Shares of any Fund, or the sufficiency of the amount to be received therefor;

 

4. The legality of the redemption of any Shares of any Fund, or the propriety of the amount to be paid therefor;

 

5. The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend by Trust in respect of Shares of any Fund;

 

6. The legality of any borrowing by Trust or any Fund, using Securities as collateral;

 

7. Whether the Trust is in compliance with the 1940 Act or the regulations thereunder; the provisions of the Trust’s declaration of trust, certificate of incorporation, by-laws, or
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other constitutive document; Applicable Law; or any directives by the trustees, directors or shareholders of the Trust, or its investment objectives and policies as then in effect.

 

9.3 Limitations of Performance . The Custodian shall not be responsible under this Agreement for any failure to perform its duties, and shall not be liable hereunder for any loss, claim, or damage in association with such failure to perform, for or in consequence of the following causes:

 

9.3.1 Force Majeure . Force Majeure shall mean any circumstance or event which is beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian, a Sub-custodian or any agent of the Custodian or a Sub-custodian and which adversely affects the performance by the Custodian of its obligations hereunder, by the Sub-custodian of its obligations under its sub-custody agreement or by any other agent of the Custodian or the Sub-custodian, including any event caused by, arising out of or involving (a) an act of God, (b) accident, fire, water or wind damage or explosion, (c) any computer, system or other equipment failure or malfunction caused by any computer virus or the malfunction or failure of any communications medium, (d) any interruption of the power supply or other utility service, (e) any strike or other work stoppage, whether partial or total, (f) any delay or disruption resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country or Sovereign Risk, (g) any disruption of, or suspension of trading in, the securities, commodities or foreign exchange markets, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country or Sovereign Risk, (h) any encumbrance on the transferability of a currency or a currency position on the actual settlement date of a foreign exchange transaction, whether or not resulting from or reflecting the occurrence of any Country or Sovereign Risk, or (i) any other cause similarly beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian.

 

9.3.2 Country Risk . Country Risk shall mean, with respect to the acquisition, ownership, settlement or custody of Investments in a jurisdiction, all risks relating to, or arising in consequence of, systemic and markets factors affecting the acquisition, payment for or ownership of Investments including (a) the prevalence of crime and corruption, (b) the inaccuracy or unreliability of business and financial information, (c) the instability or volatility of banking and financial systems, or the absence or inadequacy of an infrastructure to support such systems, (d) custody and settlement infrastructure of the market in which such Investments are transacted and held, (e) the acts, omissions and operation of any Securities Depository, (f) the risk of the bankruptcy or insolvency of banking agents, counterparties to cash and securities transactions, registrars or transfer agents, and (g) the existence of market conditions which prevent the orderly execution or settlement of transactions or which affect the value of assets.

 

9.3.3 Sovereign Risk . Sovereign Risk shall mean, in respect of any jurisdiction, including the United States of America, where an Investment is acquired or held hereunder or under a sub-custody agreement, (a) any act of war, terrorism, riot, insurrection or civil commotion, (b) the imposition of any investment, repatriation or exchange control restrictions by any Governmental Authority, (c) the confiscation, expropriation or nationalization of any Investment or cash deposit by any Governmental Authority, whether de facto or de jure, (d) any devaluation or revaluation of the currency, (e) the imposition of taxes, levies or other charges affecting Investments or cash deposits, (f) any change in the Applicable Law, or (g) any other economic or political risk incurred or experienced.

 

9.3.4 Failure of Third Parties . The failure of any third party including: (a) any issuer of Investments or Book-entry Agent or other agent of an issuer; (b) any counterparty with respect to any Investment, including any issuer of exchange-traded or other futures, option, derivative or commodities contract; (c) failure of an investment adviser or other Agent of the Trust; or (d) failure of other third parties similarly beyond the control or choice of the Custodian.

 

9.3.5 Information Sources . Reliance by Custodian upon or inaccuracies in information received from issuers of Investments or agents of such issuers, information received from Sub-custodians and from other commercially reasonable sources provided that the Custodian has relied

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upon such information in good faith, or for the failure of any commercially reasonable information provider.

 

9.3.6 Reliance on Instruction . Action by the Custodian or the Sub-custodian in accordance with an Instruction.

 

9.3.7 Restricted Securities . The limitations inherent in the rights, transferability or similar investment characteristics of a given Investment of the Trust.

 

9.4 No Duty to Collect Amounts Due From Dividend and Transfer Agent . The Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action to effect collection of any amount due to the Trust from any Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Trust nor to take any action to effect payment or distribution by any Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Trust of any amount paid by the Custodian to any Dividend and Transfer Agent of the Trust in accordance with this Agreement.

 

9.5 No Enforcement Actions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to take action, by legal means or otherwise, to effect collection of any amount, if the Investment upon which such amount is payable is/are in default, or if payment is refused after due demand or presentation, unless and until (i) it shall be directed to take such action by Written Instructions and (ii) it shall be assured to its satisfaction (including prepayment thereof) of reimbursement of its costs and expenses in connection with any such action.

 

9.6 No Duty to Supervise Investments . Custodian shall not be under any duty or obligation to ascertain whether any Investments at any time delivered to or held by it for the account of the Trust are such as properly may be held by the Trust under the provisions of the Trust’s declaration of trust and the Trust’s By-laws.

 

9.7 Compensation of Custodian . The Custodian shall be entitled to receive and the Trust agrees to pay to the Custodian, for the Fund's account from the Fund's assets only, such compensation as shall be determined pursuant to Appendix D attached hereto, or as shall be determined pursuant to amendments to Appendix D as approved by the Custodian and the Trust. The Custodian shall be entitled to charge against any money held by it for the accounts of the Fund the amount of any loss, damage, liability or expense, including counsel fees, for which it shall be entitled to reimbursement under the provisions of this Agreement as determined by agreement of the Custodian and the Trust or by the final order of any court or arbitrator having jurisdiction and as to which all rights of appeal shall have expired. The expenses which the Custodian may charge against the account of a Fund include, but are not limited to, the expenses of agents or Sub-Custodians incurred in settling transactions involving the purchase and sale of Investments of the Fund.

 

10. Reports and Records .

 

10. 1. Provision of Records to Trust . The Custodian shall:

 

10.1.1 Internal Accounting and Control Systems . Make available to the Trust and shall send to the Trust any report received on the systems of internal accounting control of Custodian or its Agents or Sub-custodians as the Trust may reasonably request from time to time, subject, however, to all reasonable security requirements of the Custodian then applicable to the records of its custody customers generally.

 

10.1.2 Books and Records Generally . Make available to the Trust, its auditors, agents and employees, upon reasonable request and during normal business hours of the Custodian, all records maintained by the Custodian pursuant to its obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall set up and maintain proper books of account and complete records of all transactions in the accounts maintained by the Custodian hereunder in such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Act, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 3la-1 and 3la-2 thereunder and those records are the

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property of the Trust, (ii) preserve for the periods prescribed by applicable Federal statute or regulation all records required to be so preserved. All such books and records shall be available, upon request, for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Trust and employees of the SEC.

 

10.1.3 Assistance to Trust . Take all reasonable action, that the Trust may from time to time request, to assist the Trust in obtaining favorable opinions from the Trust's independent accountants, with respect to the Custodian's activities hereunder, in connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N- IA, Form N-SAR, or other annual reports to the SEC.

 

10.2 The Trust shall examine all records, however produced or transmitted, promptly upon receipt thereof and notify the Custodian promptly of any discrepancy or error therein. Unless the Trust delivers written notice of any such discrepancy or error within a reasonable time after its receipt thereof, such records shall be deemed to be true and accurate.

 

10.3 No Management of Assets by Custodian . The Custodian performs only the services of a custodian and shall have no responsibility for the management, investment or reinvestment of the Securities or other assets from time to time owned by any Fund. The Custodian is not a selling agent for Shares of any Fund and performance of its duties as custodian shall not be deemed to be a recommendation to any Fund's depositors or others of Shares of the Fund as an investment. The Custodian shall have no duties or obligations whatsoever except such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied in this Agreement against the Custodian.

 

11. Miscellaneous.

 

11.1 Powers of Attorney, etc . The Trust will promptly execute and deliver, upon request, such proxies, powers of attorney or other instruments as may be necessary or desirable for the Custodian to provide, or to cause any Sub-custodian to provide, custody services under this Agreement.

 

11.2 Entire Agreement . This Agreement and the exhibits and/or other schedules attached hereto, including the 17f-5 Delegation Schedule, constitutes the entire agreement between the Trust and the Custodian and supersedes any other oral or written agreements heretofore in effect between the Trust and the Custodian with respect to the subject matter hereof. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the amendment or termination is sought, provided, however, that an Written Instruction shall, whether or not such Written Instruction shall constitute a waiver, amendment or modification for purposes hereof, be deemed to have been accepted by the Custodian when it commences actions pursuant thereto or in accordance therewith.

 

11.3 Binding Effect; Assignment . This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by the Trust or by the Custodian, and no attempted assignment by the Trust or the Custodian shall be effective without the written consent of the other party hereto. Each party agrees that only the parties to this agreement and /or their successors in interest shall have a right to enforce the terms of this Agreement. Accordingly, no client of the Trust or other third party shall have any rights under this Agreement and such rights are explicitly disclaimed by the parties.

 

11.4 GOVERNING LAW, JURISDICTION AND VENUE; JURY WAIVER . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF, THE STATE OF OHIO, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW OF SUCH STATE. THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF OHIO AND THE COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT AND EACH PARTY BY ITS EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY (I) SUBMITS TO SUCH JURISDICTION AND (II) CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF ANY PROCESS OR PLEADINGS BY FIRST CLASS U.S. MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID AND RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS FORM TIME TO

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TIME AUTHORIZED BY THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. FURTHERMORE, EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THAT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

11.5 Notices . Notices and other writings contemplated by this Agreement, other than Instructions, shall be delivered (a) by hand, (b) by first class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, (c) by a nationally recognized overnight courier, delivery charge prepaid, or (d) by facsimile transmission, provided that any notice or other writing sent by facsimile transmission shall also be mailed, postage prepaid, or by overnight courier delivery charge prepaid, to the party to whom such notice is addressed. All such notices shall be addressed, as follows:

 

If to Trust:

Two Roads Shared Trust

c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC

80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110

Hauppauge, NY 11788

 

Attn: Andrew Rogers

 

Telephone: (631) 470-2600

Facsimile (631) 813-2884

 

 

If to Custodian:

 

The Huntington National Bank.

 

7 Easton Oval EA4E70

Columbus, OH 43219

 

Attn: Dan Luke

 

Telephone: 614-331-9711

Facsimile 614-331-5845

 

 

or such other address as the Trust or Custodian may have designated in writing to the other. Such Notice shall be deemed received when delivered if by hand or by facsimile transmission, on the third business day after mailing if sent by registered or certified mail, and on the next business day if sent by overnight courier.

 

11.6 Headings . The headings of paragraphs in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

 

11.7 Severability . In the event any provision of this Agreement is determined to be void or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remainder of this Agreement, which shall continue to be in force.

 

11.8 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but each such counterpart shall, together, constitute only one instrument.. This Agreement shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed and delivered by the Trust and the Custodian. A photocopy or telefax of the signed signature page to the Agreement shall be acceptable evidence of the existence of the Agreement and the Custodian shall be protected in relying on such photocopy or telefax until the Custodian has received the original signed copy of the Agreement.

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11.9 Confidentiality . The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering or obtaining services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by or to any bank examiner of the Custodian or any Sub-custodian, any regulatory authority, any auditor of the parties hereto, or by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by Applicable Law.

 

11.10 Tape-recording . Trust authorizes the Custodian to tape record any and all telephonic or other oral instructions given to the Custodian by or on behalf of the Trust, including from any Authorized Person. This authorization will remain in effect until and unless revoked by the Trust in writing. The Trust, upon request, further agrees to solicit valid written or other consent from any of its employees with respect to telephone communications to the extent such consent is required by Applicable Law.

 

11.11 Custodian's Consent to Use of Its Name . Trust shall obtain the Custodian's written consent prior to the publication and/or dissemination or distribution, of a Prospectus or any other documents (including advertising material) specifically mentioning the Custodian (other than merely by name and address).

 

11.12 Termination . Either party hereto may terminate this Agreement for any reason by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than ninety (90) days after the date of giving of such notice. If such notice is given by the Trust, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, certified by the Secretary of the Trust, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians each of which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $100,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits. In the event such notice is given by the Custodian, the Trust shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to the Custodian a copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, certified by the Secretary, designating a successor custodian or custodians to act on behalf of the Trust. In the absence of such designation by the Trust, the Custodian may designate a successor custodian which shall be a bank or trust company having not less than $100,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and the Custodian, provided that it has received a notice of acceptance by the successor custodian, shall deliver, on that date, directly to the successor custodian all Securities and monies then owned by the FUND and held by it as Custodian. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall pay to the Custodian on behalf of the Trust such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination. The Trust agrees on behalf of the Trust that the Custodian shall be reimbursed for its reasonable costs in connection with the termination of this Agreement.

 

11.13 Failure to Designate Successor Custodian . If a successor custodian is not designated by the Trust, or by the Custodian in accordance with the preceding paragraph, or the designated successor cannot or will not serve, the Trust shall, upon the delivery by the Custodian to the Trust of all Securities (other than Securities held in the Book-Entry System which cannot be delivered to the Trust) and moneys then owned by the Trust, be deemed to be the custodian for the Trust, and the Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with respect to Securities held in the Book-Entry System, which cannot be delivered to the Trust, which shall be held by the Custodian in accordance with this Agreement.

 

11.14 Compliance Policies and Procedures . To assist the Custodian in complying with Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act, Trust represents that it has adopted written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws in fulfilling its obligations under the Agreement and that it has in place a compliance program to monitor its compliance with those policies and procedures.

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Trust will upon request provide the Custodian with information about our compliance program as mutually agreed.

 

11.15 Limitation of Personal Liability . No recourse under any obligation of this Agreement or for any claim based thereon shall be had against any organizer, shareholder, officer, trustee, past, present or future as such, of the Trust or of any predecessor or successor, either directly or through the Trust or any such predecessor or successor, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or equity, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that this Agreement and the obligations thereunder are enforceable solely against the assets of the Trust, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the organizers, shareholders, officers, or trustees of the Trust or of any predecessor or successor, or any of them as such, because of the obligations contained in this Agreement or implied therefrom and that any and all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released by the Custodian as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Agreement.

 

 

Balance of Page Left Blank Intentionally .

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

Trust :                                                                              Custodian

 

TWO ROADS SHARED TRUST                             THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK

 

By: _ /s/ Andrew Rogers ___________                    By: _ /s/ KevinSpeert ____________

Name: Andrew Rogers                                                 Name: Kevin Speert

Title: President                                                              Title: Vice President

Date: August 4, 2014                                                    Date: August 4, 2014

 

 

 

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