Securities Act Registration No. 333-178833
Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-22655
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 24, 2015
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ý
¨ | Pre-Effective Amendment No. |
ý | Post-Effective Amendment No. 203 |
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ý
ý | Amendment No. 206 |
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
Northern Lights Fund Trust III
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
17605 Wright Street, Omaha, NE 68130
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(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)
With copy to:
JoAnn M. Strasser, Esq. Thompson Hine LLP 41 South High Street, Suite 1700 Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-469-3265 (phone) 614-469-3361 (fax) |
James P. Ash, Esq. Gemini Fund Services, LLC 80 Arkay Drive, Suite 110 Hauppauge, New York 11788 (631) 470-2600 |
Title of Securities Being Registered: Shares of Beneficial Interest
Approximate date of proposed public offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
ý Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
¨ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
¨ This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund
Class | A | Shares | LDVAX |
Class | C | Shares | LDVCX |
Class | I | Shares | LDVIX |
PROSPECTUS
September 24, 2015
www.lelandfunds.com 1-877-270-2848
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 or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission 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
FUND SUMMARY – Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund | 1 |
Investment Objective | 1 |
Fees and Expenses of the Fund | 1 |
Principal Investment Strategies | 2 |
Principal Investment Risks | 2 |
Performance | 4 |
Investment Adviser | 4 |
Investment Adviser Portfolio Managers | 4 |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares | 5 |
Tax Information | 5 |
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries | 5 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS | 5 |
Investment Objective | 5 |
Principal Investment Strategies | 5 |
Principal Investment Risks | 6 |
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure | 12 |
Cybersecurity | 12 |
MANAGEMENT | 12 |
Investment Adviser | 12 |
Investment Adviser Portfolio Managers | 13 |
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED | 13 |
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES | 15 |
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES | 21 |
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES | 24 |
TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS | 25 |
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES | 26 |
Distributor | 26 |
Distribution Fees | 26 |
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries | 26 |
Householding | 27 |
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 28 |
PRIVACY NOTICE | 29 |
FUND SUMMARY
Investment Objective: The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price performance of a specific benchmark designed to track the aggregate performance of U.S. venture capital-backed companies. The Fund's current benchmark is the Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index (the "Underlying Index").
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 How to Purchase Shares on page 15 of the Fund's Prospectus.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) |
Class A | Class C | Class I |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) |
5.75% | None | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of purchase price) |
None | 1.00% | None |
Redemption Fee (as a % of amount redeemed if held less than 30 days) |
1.00% | 1.00% | 1.00% |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
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Management Fees | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% |
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% |
Other Expenses (1) | 0.15% | 0.15% | 0.15% |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses (2) | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.70% | 2.45% | 1.45% |
(1) Other Expenses are restated to reflect the Fund's current fees and are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
(2) Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect costs of investing in other investment companies, including exchange traded funds, and are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
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:
Class | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
A | $738 | $1,080 | $1,445 | $2,468 |
C | $248 | $764 | $1,306 | $2,786 |
I | $148 | $459 | $792 | $1,735 |
Portfolio Turnover: The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. For the fiscal period ended March 31, 2015, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 19% of the average value of its portfolio.
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Principal Investment Strategies: The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price performance of the Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index (the "Underlying Index"). The Underlying Index seeks to replicate the aggregate gross performance of U.S. venture capital-backed companies. However, the Fund does not invest directly in venture capital funds or start-up companies.
In seeking to track the Underlying Index, the Fund invests in a wide range of financial instruments, including liquid, publicly-traded equities which are either components of the theoretical portfolio or determined by the Adviser to have substantially similar risk and return characteristics, in aggregate, as the Underlying Index. The Fund also invests in total return swap agreements designed to provide exposure to the characteristics of venture capital-backed companies and will have the effect of adding economic leverage to the portfolio. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities and financial instruments that compose the Underlying Index. This policy is not fundamental and may be changed by the Northern Lights Fund Trust III's (the "Trust") Board of Trustees (the "Board") upon 60 days' written notice to shareholders.
The Fund's swap agreements will create economic leverage in the Fund's portfolio. Leverage may magnify, sometimes significantly, the Fund's exposure to any increase or decrease in prices associated with the assets held by the Fund resulting in increased volatility in the value of the Fund's portfolio. While the use of leverage has the potential to produce greater gains, it also may result in greater losses. The Fund's investments in swap agreements are subject to limits on leverage imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") and related Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") guidance. To comply with SEC guidance, the Fund generally will be required to segregate or earmark liquid assets or enter into offsetting positions to cover its derivatives positions. The Fund also may invest in other investment companies, including exchange traded funds ("ETFs"), to gain exposure to the returns of the Underlying Index.
To the extent the Underlying Index is concentrated in a particular industry the Fund's investment exposure will necessarily be concentrated in that industry. Currently, the Underlying Index has significant exposure to the industries within the technology and healthcare sectors.
The Fund is a "commodity pool" under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, and the Adviser is a "commodity pool operator" registered with and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"). As a result, additional CFTC-mandated disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping obligations apply with respect to the Fund under CFTC and SEC harmonized regulations.
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. Many factors affect the Fund's net asset value and performance. The Fund may invest in ETFs and other investment companies, which could result in the duplication of certain fees, including the management and administration fees. The Fund is exposed to the same principal risks as the ETFs and other investment companies in which it invests.
· | Concentration Risk : To the extent that the Fund's investments are concentrated in or significantly exposed to a particular sector, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that sector. Based on the composition of the Underlying Index as of the date of this Prospectus, it is expected that the Fund's assets will have significant exposure to the technology and healthcare sectors. The Fund will be subject to the risk that economic, political or other conditions that have a negative effect on these sectors may adversely affect |
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the Fund to a greater extent than if the Fund's assets were invested in a wider variety of sectors or industries.
· | Counterparty Credit Risk : The Fund may invest in financial instruments involving counterparties that attempt to gain exposure to a particular group of securities, index or asset class without actually purchasing those securities or investments, or to hedge a position. The Fund's use of such financial instruments, including swap agreements, involves risks that are different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. For example, the Fund is exposed to the risk that the counterparty may be unwilling or unable to make timely payments to meet its contractual obligations or may fail to return holdings that are subject to the agreement with the counterparty. If the counterparty becomes bankrupt or defaults on its payment obligations to the Fund, the Fund may not receive the full amount it is entitled to receive. If this occurs, the value of your shares in the Fund will decrease. |
· | Derivatives Risk : Loss may result from the Fund's investments in swaps. These instruments may be illiquid, difficult to value and leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate losses to the Fund. Over the counter derivatives, such as swaps, are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. |
Losses from investments in derivatives can result from a lack of correlation between the value of those derivatives and the value of the underlying asset or index. In addition, there is a risk that the performance of the swaps used by the Adviser to replicate the performance of a particular asset class may not accurately track the performance of that asset class. Derivatives are also subject to risks arising from margin requirements. There is also risk of loss if the Adviser is incorrect in its expectation of the timing or level of fluctuations in prices.
· | Equity Securities Risk : Equity securities are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value. This may occur because of factors affecting securities markets generally, such as market fluctuations, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. Equity securities are subject to volatile changes in value and their values may be more volatile than other asset classes. |
· | Investment in Investment Companies Risk : Investing in other investment companies, including ETFs, subjects the Fund to those risks affecting the investment company, including the possibility that the value of the underlying securities held by the investment company could decrease. Moreover, the Fund will incur its pro rata share of the expenses of the underlying investment companies' expenses. As a result, the cost of investing in the Fund will be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs or other investment companies and also may be higher than other mutual funds that invest directly in securities. |
· | Leverage Risk : The Fund's use of leverage, through borrowings or instruments such as derivatives, may cause the Fund to be more volatile and riskier than if it had not been leveraged. Derivatives have inherent leverage that will magnify losses and cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations. The loss on leveraged transactions may substantially exceed the initial investment. |
· | Licensing Risk : The Fund relies on licenses that permit the Fund to use the applicable Index and associated trade names, trademarks, and service market (the "Intellectual Property") in connection with the name and investment strategies of the Fund. Such licenses may be terminated by the licensor and, as a result, the Fund may lose its ability to use the Intellectual |
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Property. There is also no guarantee that the applicable licensor has all rights to license the Intellectual Property for use by the Fund. Accordingly, in the event a license is terminated or a licensor does not have rights to license the Intellectual Property, it may have a significant effect on the operation of the Fund and may result in a change in the investment policy or closure of the Fund.
· | Liquidity Risk : In certain circumstances, it may be difficult for the Fund to purchase and sell particular derivative investments within a reasonable time at a fair price. Because the Fund intends to invest in swap contracts under certain market conditions, it may be difficult or impossible for the Fund to liquidate such investments. In addition, the ability of the Fund to assign an accurate daily value to certain investments may be difficult, and the Adviser may be required to fair value the investments. |
· | Management Risk : The Adviser's reliance on its strategy and judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities and derivatives may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results. |
· | Market Risk : The values of securities in the Underlying Index could decline generally or could underperform other investments. An investment in the Fund may lose money. |
· | No History of Operations Risk : The Fund is a relatively new mutual fund and has no history of operations for investors to evaluate. Investors bear the risk that the Fund may not be able to implement its investment strategies or attract sufficient assets. |
· | Tracking Error Risk : The Fund's return may not match or achieve a high degree of correlation with the return of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index's return may not match or achieve a high degree of correlation with the return of U.S. venture capital-backed companies . |
· | Venture Capital Investing Risk : The Fund seeks to generate returns that mimic the aggregate returns of U.S. venture capital-backed companies as measured by the Underlying Index. Venture capital is a type of equity financing that addresses the funding needs of entrepreneurial companies that for reasons of size, assets, and stage of development cannot seek capital from more traditional sources, such as public markets and banks. Because investing in new or very early companies inherently carries a degree of risk, including the risk that a company will fail, the returns of the venture capital backed companies may be subject to greater volatility than the returns of more established publicly traded companies. As a result, the Fund's returns also may experience greater volatility than a direct or indirect investment in more established public companies. The Fund does not invest in venture capital funds nor does it invest directly in the companies funded by venture capital funds. |
Performance: Because the Fund has not completed a full calendar year of investment operations, no performance information is presented for the Fund at this time. In the future, performance information will be presented in this section of this Prospectus. Also, shareholder reports containing financial and performance information will be mailed to shareholders semi-annually. Updated performance information and daily net asset value per share is available at no cost by visiting www.lelandfunds.com or by calling 1-877-270-2848.
Investment Adviser: Good Harbor Financial, LLC
Investment Adviser Portfolio Managers: Neil R. Peplinski, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Managing Partner of the Adviser, Yash Patel, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Portfolio Manager
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of the Adviser, and David C. Armstrong, Portfolio Manager of the Adviser, have each served the Fund as a Portfolio Manager since it commenced operations in September 2015.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares: The investment minimums for the Fund are:
The Fund reserves the right to waive any investment minimum. You may purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on any day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. Redemption requests may be made in writing, by telephone, or through a financial intermediary and will be paid by ACH, check or wire transfer.
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 individual retirement account ("IRA") or 401(k) plan. However, these dividend and capital gain distributions may be taxable upon their eventual withdrawal from tax-deferred plans.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries: If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price performance of a specific benchmark designed to track the aggregate performance of U.S. venture capital-backed companies. The Fund's current benchmark is the Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index (the "Underlying Index"). Price performance is a measure of market price performance, excluding dividends and interest.
The Fund's investment objective and 80% investment policy are not fundamental policies and may each be changed by the Northern Lights Fund Trust III's (the "Trust") Board of Trustees (the "Board") upon 60 days' written notice to shareholders.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Adviser's objective for the Fund is to produce results that correspond to or correlate as closely as possible with the price performance of the Underlying Index. The Adviser continuously monitors the Fund, and makes adjustments to its portfolio, as necessary, to minimize performance differences, and to maximize liquidity. The Adviser does not engage in temporary defensive investing, keeping the Fund fully invested in all market environments. The securities and other financial instruments,
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including swap agreements, selected by the Adviser are expected to have, in aggregate, investment characteristics similar to those of the Underlying Index.
The Fund's investment objective and investment policy to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the performance of the Underlying Index are non-fundamental policies that may be changed by the Trust's Board without shareholder approval.
More Information About the Underlying Index
The Underlying Index seeks to replicate the aggregate gross performance of U.S. venture capital-backed companies representative of more than 7,500 individual U.S. venture capital-funded private companies. The Underlying Index is derived from a theoretical dynamic portfolio developed by DSC Quantitative Group, LLC ("DSC"). The Underlying Index seeks to track the price movements of the Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Research Index (TR VC Research Index), which is an uninvestable index constructed from observed valuations of more than 22,000 venture capital-funded companies.
The TR VC Research Index is constructed from observed valuations of venture-backed firms at discrete points in time, such as during funding rounds, acquisitions, and exits. These observed valuations fuel a sophisticated econometric methodology that estimates the value of each venture-backed firm in every month. Aggregating this time-series of firm values, the TR VC Research Index constructs a value-weighted index of the returns to a theoretical fully-diversified portfolio of venture-backed firms capturing a high percentage of all VC-backed companies.
The Underlying Index seeks to track the price movements of the TR VC Research Index by constructing a theoretical portfolio made up of various economic sectors. These economic sectors are designed using proprietary econometric models and seek to mimic the risks and return characteristics of venture-backed companies associated with each economic sector. The seven sectors are the: materials and industrials sector, consumer cyclical and non-cyclical sector, energy and utility sector, healthcare and pharmaceuticals sector, technology equipment sector, software sector, and telecommunications sector. Each economic sector seeks to replicate the price movements of a sector of the VC universe by constructing a portfolio including, but not limited to, baskets of representative sector-specific equities, derivatives, swaps, other indices, and other financial instruments. These financial instruments can be priced in real time, and when weighted appropriately, seek to mimic the behavior of the Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Research Index. The Underlying Index return is computed as the weighted return of a theoretical portfolio of economic sectors.
The Adviser has entered into licensing arrangements with Thomson Reuters (Markets) LLC ("Thomson Reuters") and DSC. Pursuant to its licensing arrangement with Thomson Reuters, the Adviser has been granted an exclusive license to use the Underlying Index and its related marks in connection with the Fund in accordance with the terms of a license agreement. Pursuant to its licensing arrangement with DSC, DSC has agreed to periodically provide the Adviser with certain information about the theoretical portfolio.
Principal Investment Risks - The following risks may apply to the Fund's direct investments as well as the Fund's indirect investments through investing in ETFs and other investment companies.
The following section summarizes the principal risks of the Fund. These risks could adversely affect the net asset value, total return and the value of the Fund and your investment. The risk description below provide a more detailed explanation of the principal investment risks that correspond to the risks described in the Fund's Fund Summary section of its Prospectus.
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The Fund is subject to the following investment risks as noted below.
· | Concentration Risk : The Fund may concentrate its investments in or have significant exposure to a limited number of issuers conducting business in the same sector or group of sectors. Market conditions, interest rates, and economic, regulatory, or financial developments could significantly affect a single sector or a group of sectors, and the securities of companies in that sector or group of sectors could react similarly to these or other developments. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund's investments may be concentrated in the Technology and Health Care Sectors. The Fund's concentration in certain sectors will vary depending on the composition of the Underlying Index. |
Technology Sector Risk . Technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products of technology companies may face obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Companies in the technology sector are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies.
Health Care Sector Risk . Companies in the health care sector may be adversely affected by government regulations and government health care programs, increases or decreases in the cost of medical products and services and product liability claims, among other factors. Companies in the health care sector are heavily dependent on obtaining and defending patents, which may be time consuming and costly, and the expiration of patents may also adversely affect the profitability of the companies. Health care companies are subject to competitive forces that may result in price discounting, and may be thinly capitalized and susceptible to product obsolescence. Many new products in the health care sector require significant research and development and may be subject to regulatory approvals, all of which may be time consuming and costly with no guarantee that any product will come to market.
· | Counterparty Credit Risk : The Fund may invest in financial instruments involving counterparties for the purpose of attempting to gain exposure to a particular group of securities, index or asset class without actually purchasing those securities or investments, or to hedge a position. Such financial instruments may include, among others, total return, index, and interest rate swap agreements. The Fund will use short-term counterparty agreements to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized in particular predetermined investments or instruments. The Fund will not enter into any agreement with a counterparty unless the Adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy. The use of swap agreements and similar instruments involves risks that are different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. For example, 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. If a counterparty defaults on its payment obligations to the Fund, this default will cause the value of your investment in the Fund to decrease. In addition, the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund's exposure to counterparty credit risk. The Adviser considers factors such as counterparty credit ratings and financial statements, among others, when determining whether a counterparty is creditworthy. The Adviser regularly monitors the creditworthiness of each counterparty that the Fund enters into a transaction with. Swap agreements also may be considered to be illiquid. |
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To the extent the Fund's financial instrument counterparties are concentrated in the financial services sector, the Fund bears the risk that those counterparties may be adversely affected by legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions, increased competition, and/or wide scale credit losses resulting from financial difficulties or borrowers affecting that economic sector.
· | Derivatives Risk : The Fund's investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to and greater than those associated with investing directly in securities or other investments, including risks relating to leverage, imperfect correlations with underlying investments or the Fund's other portfolio holdings, high price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty credit ( e.g. , risk of counterparty default), difficulty in exiting a derivatives position, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. Certain types of derivatives may incur costs to the Fund which can reduce returns. In addition, segregated or earmarked assets and collateral holdings established in connection with the Fund's derivatives investments in compliance with SEC guidance may limit the Fund's investment flexibility. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the Adviser is incorrect about its expectations of market conditions, the use of derivatives could result in a loss to the Fund, which in some cases may be unlimited. Certain risks also are specific to the derivatives in which the Fund invests. |
Swap Agreements Risk . Swap agreements are contracts among the Fund and a counterparty to exchange the return of the pre-determined underlying investment (such as the rate of return of the underlying index). Swap agreements may be negotiated bilaterally and traded OTC between two parties or, in some instances, must be transacted through a futures commission merchant and cleared through a clearinghouse that serves as a central counterparty. Risks associated with the use of swap agreements are different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions, due in part to the fact they could be considered illiquid and many swaps trade on the OTC market. Swaps are particularly subject to counterparty credit, correlation, valuation, liquidity and leveraging risks. Certain standardized swaps are subject to mandatory central clearing. Central clearing is expected to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity, but centrally cleared swap transactions will not be risk-free. Swap agreements may also involve fees, commissions or other costs that may reduce the Fund's gains from a swap agreement or may cause the Fund to lose money. In addition, there is the risk that the Swap may be terminated by the Fund or the counterparty in accordance with its terms. If the Swap was to terminate, the Fund may be unable to implement its investment strategies and the Fund may not be able to seek to achieve its investment objective. There can be no assurance that any particular swap strategy adopted will succeed.
· | Equity Securities Risk : The Fund is subject to the risk that the value of the equity securities or equity-based derivatives in the Fund's portfolio will decline or fluctuate dramatically from day to day due to volatility in the equity market. Such volatility could cause equity securities and equity-based derivatives to underperform other segments of the market as a whole. The equity market is volatile and can experience increased volatility for a variety of reasons, including as a result of general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding particular industries represented in the equity market, or factors relating to specific companies to which the Fund has investment exposure. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities. |
· | Investment in Investment Companies Risk : The Fund may purchase shares of investment companies, such as ETFs and closed-end investment companies, which may trade at a discount to their net asset value ("NAV"), to gain exposure to a particular portion of the market while awaiting an opportunity to purchase securities directly or when such investments present a more |
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cost efficient alternative to investing directly in securities. When the Fund invests in an investment company, in addition to directly bearing the expenses associated with its own operations, it will bear a pro rata portion of the investment company's expenses. Further, in part because of these additional expenses, the performance of an investment company may differ from the performance the Fund would achieve if it invested directly in the underlying investments of the investment company. In addition, while the risks of owning shares of an investment company generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying investments of the investment company, the Fund may be subject to additional or different risks than if the Fund had invested directly in the underlying investments. For example, shares of an ETF are traded at market prices, which may vary from the NAV of its underlying investments. Also, the lack of liquidity in an ETF can contribute to the increased volatility of its value in comparison to the value of the underlying portfolio securities.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk . The Fund may invest in shares of ETFs to gain exposure to its investment objective. ETFs are pooled investment vehicles, which may be managed or unmanaged, that generally seek to track the performance of a specific index. Although individual shares of an ETF are traded on an exchange (such as the NYSE or NASDAQ), large blocks of shares of ETFs are redeemable at NAV. This ability to redeem large blocks of shares has historically resulted in the market price of individual shares of ETFs being at or near the NAV of the ETF's underlying investments. However, shares of ETFs may trade below their NAV. The NAV of shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the ETF's holdings. The trading prices of shares will fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as market supply and demand. The difference between the bid price and ask price, commonly referred to as the "spread," will also vary for an ETF depending on the ETF's trading volume and market liquidity. Generally, the greater the trading volume and market liquidity, the smaller the spread is and vice versa. Any of these factors may lead to an ETF's shares trading at a premium or a discount to NAV.
· | Leverage Risk : The use of derivatives and borrowings may create leveraging risk. For example, because of the low margin deposits required, trading in certain derivative instruments involves an extremely high degree of leverage. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a derivatives contract may result in an immediate and substantial impact on the NAV of the Fund. Leveraging may cause the Fund to be more volatile than if it had not been leveraged. To mitigate leveraging risk and otherwise comply with regulatory requirements, the Fund must segregate or earmark liquid assets to meet its obligations under, or otherwise cover, the transactions that may give rise to this risk. Applicable law limits the Fund from borrowing in an amount greater than 33 1/3% of its assets. The Fund is permitted to borrow money for certain purposes. To the extent the Fund purchases securities while it has outstanding borrowings, it is using leverage, i.e., using borrowed funds for investment. Leveraging will exaggerate the effect on the NAV of any increase or decrease in the market value of the Fund's portfolio. Money borrowed for leveraging will be subject to interest costs that may or may not be recovered by appreciation of the securities purchased. |
· | Licensing Risk: The Fund relies on licenses that permit the Fund to use the applicable Index and associated trade names, trademarks, and service market (the "Intellectual Property") in connection with the name and investment strategies of the Fund. Such licenses may be terminated by the licensor and, as a result, the Fund may lose its ability to use the Intellectual Property. There is also no guarantee that the applicable licensor has all rights to license the Intellectual Property for use by the Fund. Accordingly, in the event a license is terminated or a licensor does not have rights to license the Intellectual Property, it may have a significant effect on the operation of the Fund and may result in a change in the investment policy or closure of the Fund. |
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· | Liquidity Risk : In certain circumstances, it may be difficult for the Fund to purchase and sell particular investments within a reasonable time at a fair price. To the extent that there is not an established retail market for instruments in which the Fund may invest, trading in such instruments may be relatively inactive. In addition, during periods of reduced market liquidity or in the absence of readily available market quotations for particular investments in the Fund's portfolio, the ability of the Fund to assign an accurate daily value to these investments may be difficult and the Adviser may be required to fair value the investments. |
· | Management Risk : The Adviser's reliance on its strategy and its judgments about the value and potential appreciation securities in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect, including the Adviser's allocation of the Fund's portfolio among its investments. The ability of the Fund to meet its investment objective is directly related to the Adviser's proprietary investment process. The Adviser's assessment of securities and derivatives may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that the Adviser's investment strategy will produce the desired results. |
· | Market Risk : An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in stock prices. The values of equity securities could decline generally or could underperform other investments. Different types of equity securities tend to go through cycles of outperformance and under-performance in comparison to the general securities markets. In addition, securities may decline in value due to factors affecting a specific issuer, market or securities markets generally. |
· | No History of Operations Risk : The Fund is a new mutual fund and has no history of operations. Investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategies, may be unable to implement certain of its investment strategies or may fail to attract sufficient assets, any of which could result in the Fund being liquidated and terminated at any time without shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders and will cause shareholders to incur expenses of liquidation. Mutual funds and their advisers are subject to restrictions and limitations imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, that do not apply to the Adviser's management of individual and institutional accounts. As a result, the Adviser may not achieve intended results in managing the Fund. |
· | Tracking Error Risk : Tracking error refers to the risk that the Fund's performance may not match or correlate to that of the Underlying Index, either on a daily or aggregate basis. The Underlying Index's return may not match or achieve a high degree of correlation with the return of U.S. venture capital-backed companies . There are a number of factors that may contribute to the Fund's tracking error, such as Fund expenses, imperfect correlation between the Fund's investments and those of the Underlying Index, regulatory policies, and high portfolio turnover rate. In addition, mathematical compounding may prevent the Fund from correlating with the monthly, quarterly, annual or other period of performance of the Underlying Index. Tracking error may cause the Fund's performance to be less than expected. The Underlying Index is also susceptible to tracking error risk with respect to TR VC Research Index. |
· | Venture Capital Investing Risk : The Fund seeks to generate returns that mimic the aggregate returns of U.S. venture capital-backed companies. Venture capital is a type of equity financing that addresses the funding needs of entrepreneurial companies that for reasons of size, assets, and |
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stage of development cannot seek capital from more traditional sources, such as public markets and banks. Additional special risks inherent in investing in venture capital-funded companies include that little public information exists for such companies, which are frequently private and thinly traded companies. Such a lack of information may lead to greater tracking error between the Underlying Index and the TR VC Research Index or adversely affect the correlation of the Fund's performance to that of the U.S. venture capital industry, generally. In addition, because investing in new or very early companies inherently carries a degree of risk, including the risk that a company will fail, the returns of the venture capital backed companies may be subject to greater volatility than the returns of more established publicly traded companies. As a result, the Fund's returns also may experience greater volatility than a direct or indirect investment in more established public companies. The Fund does not invest in venture capital funds nor does it invest directly in the companies funded by venture capital funds.
Disclaimers
THE LELAND THOMSON REUTERS VENTURE CAPITAL INDEX FUND (THE ''PRODUCT'') IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, SOLD OR PROMOTED BY THOMSON REUTERS (MARKETS) LLC OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES (''THOMSON REUTERS''). THOMSON REUTERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE OWNERS OF THE PRODUCT(S) OR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN SECURITIES GENERALLY OR IN THE PRODUCT PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF THE THOMSON REUTERS VENTURE CAPITAL INDEX (THE ''INDEX'') TO TRACK GENERAL MARKET PERFORMANCE. THOMSON REUTERS' ONLY RELATIONSHIP TO THE PRODUCT AND THE ADVISER (THE ''LICENSEE'') IS THE LICENSING OF THE INDEX, WHICH IS DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY THOMSON REUTERS OR ITS LICENSORS WITHOUT REGARD TO THE LICENSEE OR THE PRODUCT. THOMSON REUTERS HAS NO OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF THE LICENSEE OR THE OWNERS OF THE PRODUCT INTO CONSIDERATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING. THOMSON REUTERS IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AND HAS NOT PARTICIPATED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE TIMING OF, PRICES AT, OR QUANTITIES OF THE PRODUCT TO BE ISSUED OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE EQUATION BY WHICH THE PRODUCT IS TO BE CONVERTED INTO CASH. THOMSON REUTERS HAS NO OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR TRADING OF THE PRODUCT.
THOMSON REUTERS DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE QUALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THOMSON REUTERS MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, OWNERS OF THE PRODUCT, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED HEREUNDER OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. THOMSON REUTERS MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THOMSON REUTERS HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
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Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
A description of the Fund's policies regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is available in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
Cybersecurity
The computer systems, networks and devices used by the Fund and its service providers to carry out routine business operations employ a variety of protections designed to prevent damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and telecommunication failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and security breaches. Despite the various protections utilized by the Fund and its service providers, systems, networks, or devices potentially can be breached. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of a cybersecurity breach.
Cybersecurity breaches can include unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices; infection from computer viruses or other malicious software code; and attacks that shut down, disable, slow, or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, or website access or functionality. Cybersecurity breaches may cause disruptions and impact the Fund's business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses; interference with the Fund's ability to calculate its NAV; impediments to trading; the inability of the Fund, the Adviser, and other service providers to transact business; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs; as well as the inadvertent release of confidential information.
Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity breaches affecting issuers of securities in which the Fund invests; counterparties with which the Fund engages in transactions; governmental and other regulatory authorities; exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and service providers for the Fund's shareholders); and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred by these entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity breaches in the future.
MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser
Good Harbor Financial, LLC, 155 N Wacker Drive, Suite 1850, Chicago, IL 60606, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for management of the Fund's investment portfolio. The Adviser is responsible for selecting the Fund's investments, directly or through a sub-adviser, according to the Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions. The Adviser was established in 2003 for the purpose of providing investment advice to individuals and institutions. As of June 30, 2015, the Adviser had had approximately $1.87 billion in assets under management/advisement.
Pursuant to an advisory agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser, the Adviser is entitled to receive, on a quarterly basis, an annual advisory fees listed in the table below as a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets.
The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees and reimburse expenses of the Fund, at least until January 31, 2017 to ensure that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads; brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses; borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); taxes; and extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses
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(which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, and contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser)) will not exceed the percentages shown in the table below. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund within the three years after the fiscal year end during which the fees have been waived or reimbursed, if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits. These agreements may be terminated only by the Trust's Board of Trustees, on 60 days' written notice to the Adviser. Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Fund's expenses and boost its performance. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' approval of the advisory agreement will be available in the Fund's next issued annual or semi-annual report to shareholders for the period ended September 30, 2015.
Fund | Management Fee | Expense Limitation |
Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund | 1.25% |
Class A 1.75% Class C 2.50% Class I 1.50% |
Investment Adviser Portfolio Managers
Neil R. Peplinski, CFA founded the Adviser in April of 2003 and has served as a Managing Partner since the firm's inception. Mr. Peplinski previously worked as a portfolio manager for Allstate Investments, overseeing a portfolio of collateralized debt obligations. Mr. Peplinski earned his MBA with High Honors from The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. He also holds a MSEE in Electromagnetics from The University of Michigan, and a BSEE in Electromagnetics from Michigan Technological University where he graduated summa cum laude.
Yash Patel, CFA has served as Chief Operating Officer of the Adviser since March 2010. Mr. Patel brings 14 years of professional experience to the firm. His responsibilities include the management and leadership of operations, technology, trading, and portfolio management. Prior to joining Good Harbor Financial, Mr. Patel was a quantitative equity analyst for Allstate Investments, developing and implementing model-driven trading strategies. Previous to that, he worked and consulted for hedge funds including Bridgewater Associates and Citadel Investment Group. Mr. Patel earned a MBA with Honors from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BS CSE from The Ohio State University.
David C. Armstrong is a Portfolio Manager on Good Harbor's Tactical Core strategies. He joined the firm in September of 2010 and became a member of the Investment team in April of 2013. With 28 years of professional experience David's career began at Honeywell, before working for RR Donnelley's Global Software Services Group, and Oracle. Following business school he worked in consulting. Prior to joining Good Harbor he was a Director of Research conducting analysis on the nature and structure of competition in the credit card market for financial services firms. David earned a MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA from Knox College.
The SAI provides additional information about each portfolio manager's compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager's ownership in the Fund.
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 the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open ("business day"). The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
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Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
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 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 Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value team composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) Adviser. The team may also enlist third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board reviews and ratifies the execution of this process and the resultant fair value prices at least quarterly to assure the process produces reliable results.
The Fund may use independent pricing services to assist in calculating the 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 securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not price its 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 value 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
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judgments. As a result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the prices used by other mutual funds to determine net asset value, or from the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security.
With respect to any portion of the Fund's assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, the Fund's net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Share Classes
This Prospectus describes three classes of shares offered by the Fund: Class A, Class C, and Class I. The Fund offers these classes of shares so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. Refer to the information below so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. The main differences between each class are sales charges, ongoing fees and minimum investment. For information on ongoing distribution fees, see Distribution Fees on page 26 of this Prospectus. Each class of shares in the Fund represents 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. Not all share classes may be available for purchase in all states.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Share Class
When deciding which class of shares of the Fund 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 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.
Class A Shares
Class A shares are offered at the public offering price, which is net asset value per share plus the applicable sales charge. The sales charge varies, depending on how much you invest. There are no sales charges on reinvested distributions. You can also qualify for a sales charge reduction or waiver through a right of accumulation or a letter of intent if you are a U.S. resident. See the discussions of "Right of Accumulation" and "Letter of Intent" below. The Fund reserves the right to waive any load as described below. The following sales charges 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 |
Dealer
Reallowance 2 |
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 | 1.00% | 1.01% | 1.00% |
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(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 calculations used to determine your sales charge.
(2) Dealer reallowance is the amount of sales charge paid to the selling broker-dealer, while the distributor retains the balance.
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 held as follows cannot be combined with your current purchase for purposes of reduced sales charges:
Letters 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.
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The redemption and repurchase of Fund shares may still result in a tax liability for federal income tax purposes.
Sales Charge Waivers
The sales charge on purchases of Class A shares is waived for certain types of investors, including:
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 A shares pay up to 0.25% 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 A shareholder's investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges.
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Class C Shares
Class C shares of the Fund are offered at their NAV without an initial sales charge. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. Class 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.
Brokers that have entered into selling agreements with the Fund's distributor may receive a commission of up to 1.00% of the purchase price of Class C at the time of purchase. Brokers may also receive distribution and/or shareholder service fees for Class C shares held for over a year.
If you redeem Class C shares prior to one year after purchase, you will be charged a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of up to 1.00%. The charge will apply to the lesser of the original cost of the Class C shares being redeemed or the proceeds of your redemption and will be calculated without regard to any redemption fee. When you redeem Class C shares, the redemption order is processed so that the lowest CDSC is charged. Class C shares that are not subject to a CDSC are redeemed first. In addition, you will not be charged a CDSC when you redeem shares that you acquired through reinvestment of Fund dividends or capital gains. Any CDSC paid on the redemptions of Class C shares expressed as a percentage of the applicable redemption amount may be higher or lower than the charge described due to rounding.
CDSC Waivers
CDSCs may be waived for redemptions due to a systematic withdrawal plan, so long as such redemptions do not exceed 10% of the value of the Fund account per year. The CDSC is also waived following the death or permanent disability of a beneficial owner of shares as well as in connection with certain redemptions from tax-deferred retirement plans.
Repurchase of Class C Shares
If you have redeemed Class C shares of the Fund within the past 120 days, you may repurchase an equivalent amount of Class C shares of the Fund at NAV, and your account will be credited with any CDSC paid in connection with the redemption. Any CDSC period applicable to the shares you acquire upon reinvestment will run from the date of your original share purchase. 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.
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 and Class C shares. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. The minimum initial investment is $5 million per account.
The minimum investment may be modified for clients of certain financial intermediaries who (i) charge clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into agreements with the distributor to offer shares through certain fee-based programs or platforms.
Class I shares are also available for purchase, with no minimum initial investment, by current and former full-time employees of the Adviser and its affiliates or of any financial intermediary which has a
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dealer agreement with the distributor, and their immediate families (e.g., spouse, children, mother or father; or any trust, pension, profit sharing or other benefit plan for the benefit of such persons).
Exchange Privilege
You may exchange your Fund shares for shares of the same Class of another Good Harbor-advised fund (i.e. other mutual funds managed by the Adviser that are part of the same Trust as the Fund). Exchanges are made at net asset value. If your shares are subject to a CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares at the same CDSC rate. For purposes of the CDSC, your shares will continue to age from the date of your original purchase of Fund shares. Exchanges are subject to the terms applicable to purchases of the new fund's shares as set forth in the prospectus.
Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts: The minimum initial and subsequent investment by class of shares is:
The Fund reserves the right to waive any minimum. There is no minimum investment requirement when you are buying shares by reinvesting dividends and distributions from the Fund.
Purchasing Shares
You may purchase shares of the Fund by sending a completed application form to one of the following addresses:
Regular Mail
Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC PO Box 541150 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 |
Express/Overnight Mail
Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index 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 distributor. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. Such brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Fund's behalf. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or, if
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applicable, a broker's authorized designee receives the order. The broker or agent may set their own initial and subsequent investment minimums. You may be charged a fee if you use a broker or agent to buy or redeem shares of the Fund. Finally, various servicing agents use procedures and impose restrictions that may be in addition to, or different from those applicable to investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund. You should carefully read the program materials provided to you by your servicing agent.
Purchase by Wire: If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 1-877-270-2848 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 $50 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at 1-877-270-2848 for more information about the Fund's Automatic Investment Plan.
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 name of the applicable 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 the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the NYSE is open will be processed on that same day. Requests received after that time will be processed on the next business day.
Good Order: When making a purchase request, make sure your request is in good order. "Good order" means your purchase request includes: · the name of the Fund and share class; and · the dollar amount of shares to be purchased; and · a completed purchase application or investment stub; and · check payable to the "Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund" . |
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Retirement Plans: You may purchase shares of the Fund for your individual retirement plans. Please call the Fund at 1-877-270-2848 for the most current listing and appropriate disclosure documentation on how to open a retirement account.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
Redeeming Shares: You may redeem all or any portion of the shares credited to your account by submitting a written request for redemption to:
Regular Mail Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC PO Box 541150 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 |
Express/Overnight Mail Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index 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 will be sent by mail to the address designated on your account or wired directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application. To redeem by telephone, call 1-877-270-2848. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire 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 accounts, IRA or other qualified plan account have 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
21 |
by transfers of a minimum of $250 on specified days of each month into your established bank account. Please contact the Fund at 1-877-270-2848 for more information about the Fund's Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
Redemptions in Kind: The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders by making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities ("redemption in kind") if the amount is greater than the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund's assets. The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued under the Fund's net asset value procedures. A shareholder will be exposed to market risk until these securities are converted to cash and 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). Redemptions in kind are taxable for federal income tax purposes in the same manner as redemptions for cash.
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; and · The request must identify your account number; and · 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. |
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, including 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 is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or (d) when the SEC 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 NAV next determined after the termination of the suspension.
Redemption Fee: The Fund will deduct a 1.00% redemption fee on your redemption amount if you sell your shares prior to 30 days after purchase. Shares held longest will be treated as being
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redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last. Shares held for 30 days or more are not subject to the 1.00% fee. Redemption fees are paid to the Fund directly and are designed to offset costs associated with fluctuations in Fund asset levels and cash flow caused by short-term shareholder trading.
Waivers of Redemption Fees: The Fund has elected not to impose the redemption fee for:
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 income tax withheld, the redemption will be subject to withholding.
Low Balances: If at any time your account balance in the Fund falls below $1,000, the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to at least $1,000 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
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account balance drops below required minimums due to a decline in NAV. The Fund will not charge any redemption fee on involuntary redemptions.
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 Trust'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, but are not limited to:
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. It is possible that market timing restrictions might not be able to be applied uniformly and that some market timing shareholders may escape detection while other shareholders bear the costs of market timing.
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 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
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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 their transfer agent or shareholder servicing agent suspects there is market timing activity in the account, the Fund will seek full cooperation from the service provider maintaining the account to identify the underlying participant. At the request of the Adviser, the service providers may take immediate action to stop any further short-term trading by such participants.
TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
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.)
The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income at least annually and net capital gains annually in December. Both types of distributions will be reinvested in shares of the applicable 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 for federal tax purposes, 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. The Fund does not expect that its dividends will constitute qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced federal income tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains. IRAs and other qualified retirement plans are generally 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 income tax purposes. The gain or loss on your investment is generally the difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell them. The gain or loss will generally be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if you held your shares for more than one year. If you held your shares for one year or less, the gain or loss will generally be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss.
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including dividends and distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person's "modified adjusted gross income" (in the case of an individual) or "adjusted gross income" (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount.
If you purchase shares of the Fund shortly before a dividend or distribution is paid, you will pay the full price for the shares and may receive a portion of the purchase price back as a taxable distribution. This is referred to as "buying a dividend."
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 and
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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 or taxpayer identification number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending. The Fund is required to withhold taxes if a number is not delivered to the Fund within seven days.
This discussion is a summary of certain federal income tax consequences of owning Fund shares and is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund's shares, including any state, local and foreign tax consequences.
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Distributor
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130, is the distributor for the shares of the Fund. Northern Lights Distributors, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA"). Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis.
Distribution Fees
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has adopted the Trust's Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class A shares and Class C shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (each a "Plan" and collectively, the "Plans"), pursuant to which the Fund pays the Fund's distributor an annual fee for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses of 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to the Class A shares and 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to the Class C shares. Class I shares do not have a Plan. Because 12b-1 fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. You should be aware that if you hold your Class A or Class C 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 12b-1 fees.
The Fund's distributor and other entities are paid under the Plans 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 Plans 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.
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries
The Fund's distributor, its affiliates, and the Fund's Adviser and its affiliates may, at their own expense and out of their own assets including their legitimate profits from Fund-related activities, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund or assist in the marketing of the Fund. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments may be
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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 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 compensation.
Householding
To reduce expenses, the Fund mails only one copy of a Prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at 1-877-270-2848 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.
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following table is intended to help you better understand the Fund's financial performance. The Fund acquired all of the assets and liabilities of the MPS Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Fund (the "Predecessor Fund") in a tax-free reorganization on September 24, 2015. In connection with this acquisition, Institutional Class shares of the Predecessor Fund were exchanged for Class I shares of the Fund; and Class A shares of the Predecessor Fund were exchanged for Class A shares of the Fund. The Fund is a continuation of the Predecessor Fund and, therefore, the financial information shows the results of the Predecessor Fund. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. Total return represents the rate you would have earned (or lost) on an investment in a class of shares of the Predecessor Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the financial statements, is included in the Predecessor Fund's annual report, which is available upon request.
Financial Highlights
Selected Per Share Data & Ratios
For the Period Ended March 31, 2015
For a Share Outstanding Throughout The Period
Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund |
Institutional
Class Shares (1) |
A Class
Shares (1) |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period ($) | 10.00 | 10.00 |
Net Investment Income (Loss) ($)* | — | (0.01) |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments ($) | 1.09 | 1.09 |
Total from Operations ($) | 1.09 | 1.08 |
Distribution from Net Investment Income ($) | (0.26) | (0.26) |
Distribution from Realized Capital Gains ($) | — | — |
Total from Distributions ($) | (0.26) | (0.26) |
Net Asset Value, End of Period ($) | 10.83 | 10.82 |
Total Return (%)** | 10.94 | 10.83 |
Net Assets End of Period ($) (000) | 10,772 | 5 |
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (%)‡ | 1.50 † | 1.75 † |
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Waivers) (%)‡ | 5.92 † | 6.37 † |
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets (%)‡ | 0.05 † | (0.14)† |
Portfolio Turnover (%) | 19†† | 19†† |
(1) | Commenced operations on October 1, 2014. |
* | Per share data calculated using average shares method. |
** | Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the year or period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return is for the period indicated and periods of less than one year have not been annualized. The return shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. |
† | Annualized. |
†† | Portfolio turnover rate is for the period indicated and periods of less than one year have not been annualized. Excludes effect of in-kind transfers. |
‡ | The ratios of expenses and net investment income/(loss) to Average Net Assets reflect the expenses and net investment income/(loss), respectively, for the year as reported in the Statement of Operations and do not reflect the Fund’s proportionate share of the income and expenses of exchange traded funds. |
Amounts designated as “—“ are $0 or have been rounded to $0.
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PRIVACY NOTICE
Rev. February 2014
|
||||
FACTS |
WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III 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 depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include: · Social Security number · Purchase History · Assets · Account Balances · Retirement Assets · Account Transactions · Transaction History · Wire Transfer Instructions · Checking Account Information 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 reasons Northern Lights Fund Trust III chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. | |||
Reasons we can share your personal information | Does Northern Lights Fund Trust III 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 don't share. | ||
For joint marketing with other financial companies | No | We don't share. | ||
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes – information about your transactions and experiences |
No | We don't share. | ||
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness |
No | We don't share. | ||
For nonaffiliates to market to you | No | We don't share. | ||
Questions? | Call (402) 493-4603 | |||
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Who we are | |
Who is providing this notice? |
Northern Lights Fund Trust III
|
What we do | |
How does Northern Lights Fund Trust III 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 Northern Lights Fund Trust III collect my personal information? |
We collect your personal information, for example, when you § Open an account § Provide account information § Give us your contact information § Make deposits or withdrawals from your account § Make a wire transfer § Tell us where to send the money § Tells us who receives the money § Show your government-issued ID § Show your driver's license 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. § Northern Lights Fund Trust III does not share with our affiliates. |
Nonaffiliates |
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies § Northern Lights Fund Trust III does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you. |
Joint marketing |
A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. § Northern Lights Fund Trust III doesn’t jointly market. |
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Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund
Adviser |
Good Harbor Financial, LLC
155 N Wacker Drive,
Chicago, IL 60606 |
Distributor |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 |
Independent
Registered
|
Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd. 1350 Euclid Ave., Suite 800 Cleveland, OH 44115 |
Legal
|
Thompson Hine LLP 41 S. High Street, Suite 1700 Columbus, OH 43215 |
Custodian |
U.S. Bank N.A. 1555 N. River Center Drive Milwaukee, WI 53212 |
Transfer
|
Gemini Fund Services, LLC
Omaha, Nebraska 68130 |
Additional information about the Fund is included in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information dated September 24, 2015. The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (i.e., legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Fund's policies and management. Additional information about the Fund's investments will be available in the Fund's Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders. In the Fund's Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year or fiscal period.
To obtain a free copy of the SAI and the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or other information about the Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Fund, please call 1-877-270-2848 or visit www.lelandfunds.com. You may also write to:
Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index 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. 20549-1520.
Investment Company Act File # 811-22655
Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund
Class | A | Shares | LDVAX |
Class | C | Shares | LDVCX |
Class | I | Shares | LDVIX |
a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
September 24, 2015
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a Prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund (the "Fund") dated September 24, 2015, which is incorporated by reference into this SAI (i.e., legally made a part of this SAI). Copies may be obtained without charge by contacting the Fund's Transfer Agent, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130 or by calling 1-877-270-2848. You may also obtain a prospectus by visiting the Fund's website at www.lelandfunds.com.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE FUND | 1 |
INVESTMENTS AND RISKS | 2 |
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER | 24 |
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS | 24 |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 26 |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS | 28 |
ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE | 29 |
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS | 30 |
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS | 32 |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 34 |
LEGAL COUNSEL | 34 |
DISTRIBUTOR | 34 |
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES | 36 |
CODE OF ETHICS | 36 |
PROXY VOTING POLICIES | 37 |
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF FUND SHARES | 37 |
TAX STATUS | 39 |
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM | 45 |
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES | 46 |
MANAGEMENT | 46 |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 53 |
APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES | 54 |
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THE FUND
The Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund is a diversified series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust organized on December 5, 2011 (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 acquired all of the assets and liabilities of the MPS Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Fund (the "Predecessor Fund") in a tax-free reorganization on September 24, 2015. In connection with this acquisition, Institutional Class shares of the Predecessor Fund were exchanged for Class I shares of the Fund; and Class A shares of the Predecessor Fund were exchanged for Class A shares of the Fund.
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, on a class-specific basis, (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.
Good Harbor Financial, LLC (the "Adviser") is the Fund's investment adviser. The Fund's investment objectives, restrictions and policies are more fully described here and in the Prospectus. The Board may start other series and offer shares of a new fund under the Trust at any time.
The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class A shares, Class C shares, and Class I shares. Each share class represents an interest in the same assets of the Fund, has the same rights and is identical in all material respects except that (i) each class of shares may be subject to different (or no) sales loads; (ii) each class of shares may bear different (or no) distribution fees; (iii) each class of shares may have different shareholder features, such as minimum investment amounts; (iv) certain other class-specific expenses will be borne solely by the class to which such expenses are attributable, including transfer agent fees attributable to a specific class of shares, printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials to current shareholders of a specific class, registration fees paid by a specific class of shares, the expenses of administrative personnel and services required to support the shareholders of a specific class, litigation or other legal expenses relating to a class of shares, Trustees' fees or expenses paid as a result of issues relating to a specific class of shares and accounting fees and expenses relating to a specific class of shares and (v) each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its own distribution arrangements. The Board of Trustees may classify and reclassify the shares of the Fund into additional classes of shares at a future date.
Under the Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, each Trustee will continue in office until the termination of the Trust or his/her earlier death, incapacity, resignation or removal. Shareholders can remove a Trustee to the extent provided by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Vacancies may be filled by a majority of the remaining Trustees, except insofar as the 1940 Act may require the election by shareholders. As a result, normally no annual or regular meetings of shareholders will be held unless matters arise requiring a vote of shareholders under the Agreement and Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act.
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INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
The investment objective of the Fund and the descriptions of the Fund's principal investment strategies are set forth under "Investment Objective," "Principal Investment Strategies," and "Principal Investment Risks" in the Prospectus. The Fund's investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
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 in which the Fund invests 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
The Fund may invest in preferred stock with no minimum credit rating. 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 debt securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates.
The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed-income securities and money market investments. The market value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market's perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company's worth.
Fixed Income/Debt/Bond Securities
Yields on fixed income securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including the general conditions of the money market and other fixed income securities markets, the size of a particular
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offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. An investment in the Fund will be subjected to risk even if all fixed income securities in the Fund's portfolios are paid in full at maturity. All fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, can change in value when there is a change in interest rates or the issuer's actual or perceived creditworthiness or ability to meet its obligations.
There is normally an inverse relationship between the market value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. In other words, an increase in interest rates produces a decrease in market value. The longer the remaining maturity (and duration) of a security, the greater will be the effect of interest rate changes on the market value of that security. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the markets' perception of an issuer's creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. Obligations of issuers of fixed income securities (including municipal securities) are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency, and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978. In addition, the obligations of municipal issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state legislatures, or referenda extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations or upon the ability of municipalities to levy taxes. Changes in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal and in the market's perception of an issuer's creditworthiness will also affect the market value of the debt securities of that issuer. The possibility exists, therefore, that the ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of and interest on its debt securities may become impaired.
The corporate debt securities in which the Fund may invest include corporate bonds and notes and short-term investments such as commercial paper and variable rate demand notes. Commercial paper (short-term promissory notes) is issued by companies to finance their or their affiliate's current obligations and is frequently unsecured. Variable and floating rate demand notes are unsecured obligations typically redeemable upon not more than 30 days' notice. These obligations include master demand notes that permit investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement with the issuer of the instrument. The issuer of these obligations often has the right, after a given period, to prepay the outstanding principal amount of the obligations upon a specified number of days' notice. These obligations generally are not traded, nor generally is there an established secondary market for these obligations. To the extent a demand note does not have a 7-day or shorter demand feature and there is no readily available market for the obligation, it is treated as an illiquid security.
The Fund may invest in sovereign bonds. Sovereign bonds involve special risks not present in corporate bonds. The governmental authority that controls the repayment of the bonds may be unable or unwilling to make interest payments and/or repay the principal on its bonds. If an issuer of sovereign bonds defaults on payments of principal and/or interest, the Fund may have limited recourse against the issuer.
A sovereign debtor's willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by, among other factors, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign currency reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange, the relative size of the debt service burden, the sovereign debtor's policy toward principal international lenders and local political constraints. Sovereign debtors may also be dependent on expected disbursements from foreign governments, multilateral agencies and other entities to reduce principal and interest arrearages on their debt. The
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failure of a sovereign debtor to implement economic reforms, achieve specified levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of third-party commitments to lend funds to the sovereign debtor, which may further impair such debtor's ability or willingness to service its debts.
The Fund may invest in debt securities, including non-investment grade debt securities. The following describes some of the risks associated with fixed income debt securities:
Interest Rate Risk. Debt securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In general, the price of a debt security can fall when interest rates rise and can rise when interest rates fall. Securities with longer maturities and mortgage securities can be more sensitive to interest rate changes although they usually offer higher yields to compensate investors for the greater risks. The longer the maturity of the security, the greater the impact a change in interest rates could have on the security's price. In addition, short-term and long-term interest rates do not necessarily move in the same amount or the same direction. Short-term securities tend to react to changes in short-term interest rates and long-term securities tend to react to changes in long-term interest rates.
Credit Risk. Fixed income securities have speculative characteristics and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of those issuers to make principal or interest payments, as compared to issuers of more highly rated securities.
Extension Risk. The Fund is subject to the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund (such as mortgage-backed securities) later than expected. This may happen when there is a rise in interest rates. These events may lengthen the duration (i.e. interest rate sensitivity) and potentially reduce the value of these securities.
Prepayment Risk. Certain types of debt securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, have yield and maturity characteristics corresponding to underlying assets. Unlike traditional debt securities, which may pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity when the entire principal amount comes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed securities may include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, payments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans.
Securities subject to prepayment are less effective than other types of securities as a means of "locking in" attractive long-term interest rates. One reason is the need to reinvest prepayments of principal; another is the possibility of significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund.
At times, some of the mortgage-backed securities in which the Fund may invest will have higher than market interest rates and therefore will be purchased at a premium above their par value.
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Prepayments may cause losses in securities purchased at a premium, as unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, will cause the Fund to experience a loss equal to any unamortized premium.
Certificates of Deposit and Bankers' Acceptances
Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity.
The Fund may invest in insured bank obligations. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insures the deposits of federally insured banks and savings and loan associations (collectively referred to as "banks") up to $250,000. The Fund may purchase bank obligations that are fully insured as to principal by the FDIC. Currently, to remain fully insured as to principal, these investments must be limited to $250,000 per bank; if the principal amount and accrued interest together exceed $250,000, the excess principal and accrued interest will not be insured. Insured bank obligations may have limited marketability.
Bankers' acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then "accepted" by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.
Time Deposits and Variable Rate Notes
The Fund may invest in fixed time deposits, whether or not subject to withdrawal penalties. The commercial paper obligations, which the Fund may buy are unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a "Master Note") permit the Fund to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between the Fund as Lender, and the issuer, as borrower. It permits daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Fund has the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus, there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes may be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Fund's Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. Variable rate notes are subject to the Fund's investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer on demand within seven days.
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Commercial Paper
The Fund may purchase commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations. It may be secured by letters of credit, a surety bond or other forms of collateral. Commercial paper is usually repaid at maturity by the issuer from the proceeds of the issuance of new commercial paper. As a result, investment in commercial paper is subject to the risk the issuer cannot issue enough new commercial paper to satisfy its outstanding commercial paper, also known as rollover risk. Commercial paper may become illiquid or may suffer from reduced liquidity in certain circumstances. Like all fixed income securities, commercial paper prices are susceptible to fluctuations in interest rates. If interest rates rise, commercial paper prices will decline. The short-term nature of a commercial paper investment makes it less susceptible to interest rate risk than many other fixed income securities because interest rate risk typically increases as maturity lengths increase. Commercial paper tends to yield smaller returns than longer-term corporate debt because securities with shorter maturities typically have lower effective yields than those with longer maturities. As with all fixed income securities, there is a chance that the issuer will default on its commercial paper obligation.
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.
High Yield Securities
The Fund may invest in high yield securities. High yield, high risk bonds are securities that are generally rated below investment grade by the primary rating agencies (BB+ or lower by S&P and Ba1 or lower by Moody's). Other terms used to describe such securities include "lower rated bonds," "non-investment grade bonds," "below investment grade bonds," and "junk bonds." These securities are considered to be high-risk investments. The risks include the following:
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Greater Risk of Loss. These securities are regarded as predominately speculative. There is a greater risk that issuers of lower rated securities will default than issuers of higher rated securities. Issuers of lower rated securities generally are less creditworthy and may be highly indebted, financially distressed, or bankrupt. These issuers are more vulnerable to real or perceived economic changes, political changes or adverse industry developments. In addition, high yield securities are frequently subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. If an issuer fails to pay principal or interest, the Fund would experience a decrease in income and a decline in the market value of its investments.
Sensitivity to Interest Rate and Economic Changes. The income and market value of lower-rated securities may fluctuate more than higher rated securities. Although non-investment grade securities tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than investment grade securities, non-investment grade securities are more sensitive to short-term corporate, economic and market developments. During periods of economic uncertainty and change, the market price of the investments in lower-rated securities may be volatile. The default rate for high yield bonds tends to be cyclical, with defaults rising in periods of economic downturn. For example, in 2000, 2001 and 2002, the default rate for high yield securities was significantly higher than in the prior years.
Valuation Difficulties. It is often more difficult to value lower rated securities than higher rated securities. If an issuer's financial condition deteriorates, accurate financial and business information may be limited or unavailable. In addition, the lower rated investments may be thinly traded and there may be no established secondary market. Because of the lack of market pricing and current information for investments in lower rated securities, valuation of such investments is much more dependent on judgment than is the case with higher rated securities.
Liquidity. There may be no established secondary or public market for investments in lower rated securities. Such securities are frequently traded in markets that may be relatively less liquid than the market for higher rated securities. In addition, relatively few institutional purchasers may hold a major portion of an issue of lower-rated securities at times. As a result, the Fund may be required to sell investments at substantial losses or retain them indefinitely when an issuer's financial condition is deteriorating.
Credit Quality. Credit quality of non-investment grade securities can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and even recently-issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high-yield security.
New Legislation. Future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk bonds. As an example, in the late 1980's, legislation required federally-insured savings and loan associations to divest their investments in high yield, high risk bonds. New legislation, if enacted, could have a material negative effect on the Fund's investments in lower rated securities.
High yield, high risk investments may include the following:
Straight fixed-income debt securities. These include bonds and other debt obligations that bear a fixed or variable rate of interest payable at regular intervals and have a fixed or resettable maturity date. The particular terms of such securities vary and may include features such as call provisions and sinking funds.
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Zero-coupon debt securities. These bear no interest obligation but are issued at a discount from their value at maturity. When held to maturity, their entire return equals the difference between their issue price and their maturity value.
Zero-fixed-coupon debt securities. These are zero-coupon debt securities that convert on a specified date to interest-bearing debt securities.
Pay-in-kind bonds. These are bonds which allow the issuer, at its option, to make current interest payments on the bonds either in cash or in additional bonds. These are bonds sold without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), usually to a relatively small number of institutional investors.
Convertible Securities. These are bonds or preferred stock that may be converted to common stock.
Preferred Stock. These are stocks that generally pay a dividend at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and in liquidation.
Loan Participations and Assignments. These are participations in, or assignments of all or a portion of loans to corporations or to governments, including governments of less developed countries ("LDCs").
Securities issued in connection with Reorganizations and Corporate Restructurings. In connection with reorganizing or restructuring of an issuer, an issuer may issue common stock or other securities to holders of its debt securities. The Fund may hold such common stock and other securities even if it does not invest in such securities.
Municipal Government Obligations
In general, municipal obligations are debt obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Municipal obligations generally include debt obligations issued to obtain funds for various public purposes. Certain types of municipal obligations are issued in whole or in part to obtain funding for privately operated facilities or projects. Municipal obligations include general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, industrial development bonds, notes and municipal lease obligations. Municipal obligations also include additional obligations, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax, that may become available in the future as long as the Board determines that an investment in any such type of obligation is consistent with the Fund's investment objectives. Municipal obligations may be fully or partially backed by local government, the credit of a private issuer, current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific assets or domestic or foreign entities providing credit support such as letters of credit, guarantees or insurance.
Bonds and Notes. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of interest and principal. Revenue bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a project or facility or from the proceeds of a specified revenue source. Industrial development bonds are generally revenue bonds secured by payments from and the credit of private users. Municipal notes are issued to meet the short-term funding requirements of
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state, regional and local governments. Municipal notes include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes, tax and revenue anticipation notes, construction loan notes, short-term discount notes, tax-exempt commercial paper, demand notes and similar instruments.
Municipal Lease Obligations. Municipal lease obligations may take the form of a lease, an installment purchase or a conditional sales contract. They are issued by state and local governments and authorities to acquire land, equipment and facilities, such as vehicles, telecommunications and computer equipment and other capital assets. The Fund may invest in Underlying Funds that purchase these lease obligations directly, or it may purchase participation interests in such lease obligations (See "Participation Interests" section). States have different requirements for issuing municipal debt and issuing municipal leases. Municipal leases are generally subject to greater risks than general obligation or revenue bonds because they usually contain a "non-appropriation" clause, which provides that the issuer is not obligated to make payments on the obligation in future years unless funds have been appropriated for this purpose each year. Such non-appropriation clauses are required to avoid the municipal lease obligations from being treated as debt for state debt restriction purposes. Accordingly, such obligations are subject to "non-appropriation" risk. Municipal leases may be secured by the underlying capital asset and it may be difficult to dispose of any such asset in the event of non-appropriation or other default.
Exchange-Traded Notes ("ETNs")
The Fund may invest in ETNs, which are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities whose returns are linked to the performance of a particular market benchmark or strategy, minus applicable fees. ETNs are traded on an exchange (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange) during normal trading hours; however, investors also can hold ETNs until they mature. At maturity, the issuer pays to the investor a cash amount equal to the principal amount, subject to the day's market benchmark or strategy factor. ETNs do not make periodic coupon payments or provide principal protection. ETNs are subject to credit risk, including the credit risk of the issuer, and the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer's credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. The value of an ETN also may be influenced by time to maturity, level of supply and demand for the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, changes in the issuer's credit rating, and economic, legal, political, or geographic events that affect the referenced underlying asset. When the Fund invests in ETNs, it will bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses borne by the ETN. A decision by the Fund to sell ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing, and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist for an ETN.
ETNs also are subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or a court will uphold, how the Fund characterizes and treats ETNs for tax purposes.
An ETN that is tied to a specific market benchmark or strategy may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of securities, commodities or other components in the applicable market benchmark or strategy. Some ETNs that use leverage can, at times, be relatively illiquid, and thus they may be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use leverage in any form. The market value of ETNs may differ from their market benchmark or strategy. This difference in price may be
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due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETNs at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities, commodities or other components underlying the market benchmark or strategy that the ETN seeks to track. As a result, there may be times when an ETN trades at a premium or discount to its market benchmark or strategy.
United States Government Obligations
These consist of various types of marketable securities issued by the United States Treasury, i.e., bills, notes and bonds. Such securities are direct obligations of the United States government and differ mainly in the length of their maturity. Treasury bills, the most frequently issued marketable government security, have a maturity of up to one year and are issued on a discount basis. The Fund may also invest in Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS). TIPS are special types of treasury bonds that were created in order to offer bond investors protection from inflation. The values of the TIPS are automatically adjusted to the inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). If the CPI goes up by half a percent, the value of the bond (the TIPS) would also go up by half a percent. If the CPI falls, the value of the bond does not fall because the government guarantees that the original investment will stay the same. TIPS decline in value when real interest rates rise. However, in certain interest rate environments, such as when real interest rates are rising faster than nominal interest rates, TIPS may experience greater losses than other fixed income securities with similar duration.
United States Government Agency Obligations
These consist of debt securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government, including the various types of instruments currently outstanding or which may be offered in the future. Agencies include, among others, the Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), Farmer's Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Maritime Administration, and General Services Administration. Instrumentalities include, for example, each of the Federal Home Loan Banks, the National Bank for Cooperatives, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), the Farm Credit Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), and the United States Postal Service. These securities are either: (i) backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government (e.g., United States Treasury Bills); (ii) guaranteed by the United States Treasury (e.g., GNMA mortgage-backed securities); (iii) supported by the issuing agency's or instrumentality's right to borrow from the United States Treasury (e.g., FNMA Discount Notes); or (iv) supported only by the issuing agency's or instrumentality's own credit (e.g., Tennessee Valley Association). On September 7, 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department and the Federal Housing Finance Authority (the "FHFA") announced that FNMA and FHLMC had been placed into conservatorship, a statutory process designed to stabilize a troubled institution with the objective of returning the entity to normal business operations. The U.S. Treasury Department and the FHFA at the same time established a secured lending facility and a Secured Stock Purchase Agreement with both FNMA and FHLMC to ensure that each entity had the ability to fulfill its financial obligations. The FHFA announced that it does not anticipate any disruption in pattern of payments or ongoing business operations of FNMA and FHLMC.
Government-related guarantors (i.e. not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government) include FNMA and FHLMC. FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any
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government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by FNMA but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.
FHLMC was created by Congress in 1970 for the purpose of increasing the availability of mortgage credit for residential housing. It is a government-sponsored corporation formerly owned by the twelve Federal Home Loan Banks and now owned entirely by private stockholders. FHLMC issues Participation Certificates ("PCs"), which represent interests in conventional mortgages from FHLMC's national portfolio. FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal, but PCs are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers also create pass-through pools of conventional residential mortgage loans. Such issuers may, in addition, be the originators and/or servicers of the underlying mortgage loans as well as the guarantors of the mortgage-related securities. Pools created by such nongovernmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the former pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers.
Securities of Other Investment Companies
The Fund's investments in 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 fund. Generally, the Fund will not purchase securities of another investment company if, as a result: (i) more than 10% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in securities of other investment companies, (ii) such purchase would result in more than 3% of the total outstanding voting securities of any such investment company being held by the Fund, or (iii) more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be invested in any one such investment company. However, many ETFs have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit unaffiliated funds to invest in the ETFs' shares beyond the above statutory limitations, subject to certain conditions and pursuant to a contractual arrangement between the particular ETF and the investing fund. The Fund may rely on these exemptive orders to invest in unaffiliated ETFs. In the alternative, the Fund intends to rely on Rule 12d1-3, which allows unaffiliated mutual funds and ETFs to exceed the 5% limitation and the 10% limitation, provided the aggregate sales loads any investor pays (i.e., the combined distribution expenses of both the acquiring fund and the acquired fund) does not exceed the limits on sales loads established by FINRA for funds of funds. In addition to ETFs, the Fund may invest in other investment companies such as open-end mutual funds or exchange-traded closed-end funds, within the limitations described above.
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 above. 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
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then listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (commonly known as "NASDAQ") and, in some cases, may be traded in other over-the-counter markets. Because the shares of closed-end funds cannot be redeemed upon demand to the issuer like the shares of an open-end investment company (such as the Fund), investors seek to buy and sell shares of closed-end funds in the secondary market.
The Fund generally will purchase shares of closed-end funds only in the secondary market. The Fund will incur normal brokerage costs on such purchases similar to the expenses the Fund would incur for the purchase of securities of any other type of issuer in the secondary market. The Fund may, however, also purchase securities of a closed-end fund in an initial public offering when, in the opinion of the Adviser, based on a consideration of the nature of the closed-end fund's proposed investments, the prevailing market conditions and the level of demand for such securities, they represent an attractive opportunity for growth of capital. The initial offering price typically will include a dealer spread, which may be higher than the applicable brokerage cost if the Fund purchased such securities in the secondary market.
The shares of many closed-end funds, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is less than the net asset value per share, the difference representing the "market discount" of such shares. This market discount may be due in part to the investment objective of long-term appreciation, which is sought by many closed-end funds, as well as to the fact that the shares of closed-end funds are not redeemable by the holder upon demand to the issuer at the next determined net asset value but rather are subject to the principles of supply and demand in the secondary market. A relative lack of secondary market purchasers of closed-end fund shares also may contribute to such shares trading at a discount to their net asset value.
The Fund may invest in shares of closed-end funds that are trading at a discount to net asset value or at a premium to net asset value. There can be no assurance that the market discount on shares of any closed-end fund purchased by the Fund will ever decrease. In fact, it is possible that this market discount may increase and the Fund may suffer realized or unrealized capital losses due to further decline in the market price of the securities of such closed-end funds, thereby adversely affecting the net asset value of the Fund's shares. Similarly, there can be no assurance that any shares of a closed-end fund purchased by the Fund at a premium will continue to trade at a premium or that the premium will not decrease subsequent to a purchase of such shares by the Fund.
Closed-end funds may issue senior securities (including preferred stock and debt obligations) for the purpose of leveraging the closed-end fund's common shares in an attempt to enhance the current return to such closed-end fund's common shareholders. The Fund's investments in the common shares of closed-end funds that are financially leveraged may create an opportunity for greater total return on its investment, but at the same time may be expected to exhibit more volatility in market price and net asset value than an investment in shares of investment companies without a leveraged capital structure.
Open-End Investment Companies
The Fund 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. Accordingly, when affiliated persons hold shares of any of the underlying fund, 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
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underlying fund whose shares are purchased by the Fund when relying on certain exemptions to limitations on investments in other investment companies 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. Therefore, shares held by the Fund when relying on certain exemptions to limitations on investments in other investment companies under the 1940 Act in excess of 1% of an underlying fund's outstanding securities will be considered not readily marketable securities, which, together with other such securities, may not exceed 15% of the Fund's total assets.
Under certain circumstances, an underlying fund may determine to make payment of a redemption by the Fund wholly or partly by a distribution in kind of securities from its portfolio, in lieu of cash, in conformity with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). In such cases, the Fund may hold securities distributed by an underlying fund until the Adviser determines that it is appropriate to dispose of such securities.
Investment decisions by the investment advisers of the underlying fund(s) 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 investment adviser of another such fund. The result would be an indirect expense to the Fund without accomplishing any investment purpose.
Exchange Traded Funds
ETFs are generally passive 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). ETFs typically have two markets. The primary market is where institutions swap "creation units" in block-multiples of, for example, 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-end 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.
Foreign Securities and Investments
General . The Fund may invest in foreign securities and exchange traded funds ("ETFs") and other investment companies that hold a portfolio of foreign securities. Investing in securities of foreign companies and countries involves certain considerations and risks that are not typically associated with investing in U.S. government securities and securities of domestic companies. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign issuer than a domestic one, and foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. There may also be less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies than exists in the United States. Interest and dividends paid by foreign issuers may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes, which may decrease the net return on such investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to the Fund by domestic companies or the U.S. government. There may be the possibility of expropriations, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, confiscatory taxation, political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments that could
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affect assets of the Fund held in foreign countries. Finally, the establishment of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions could adversely affect the payment of obligations.
To the extent the Fund's currency exchange transactions do not fully protect the Fund against adverse changes in currency exchange rates, decreases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund will invest relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding decrease in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets denominated in those currencies (and possibly a corresponding increase in the amount of securities required to be liquidated to meet distribution requirements). Conversely, increases in the value of currencies of the foreign countries in which the Fund invests relative to the U.S. dollar will result in a corresponding increase in the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets (and possibly a corresponding decrease in the amount of securities to be liquidated).
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts. A forward contract is a contractual obligation to purchase or sell a specified quantity of a currency (or make offsetting cash payments) at a specified date in the future at a specified price and, therefore, is similar to a futures contract. However, forward contracts are not traded on exchanges and, as a consequence, investors in forward contracts are not afforded all the regulatory protections of such exchanges; rather, banks and dealers act as principals in such markets. Banking authorities do not regulate all trading in forward contracts on currencies, and foreign banks may not be regulated by any United States governmental agency. There are no limitations on daily price moves in forward contracts. In addition, speculative position limits are not applicable to forward contract trading although the principals with which the Fund may deal in the forward markets may limit the positions available to the Fund as a consequence of credit considerations. The principals who deal in the forward contract markets are not required to continue to make markets in the forward contracts they trade. There have been periods during which certain participants in forward markets have refused to quote prices for forward contracts or have quoted prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they are prepared to buy and that at which they are prepared to sell.
Because performance of forward contracts on currencies is not guaranteed by any exchange or clearinghouse, the Fund will be subject to the risk of the inability or refusal to perform with respect to such contracts on the part of the principals or agents with or through which the Fund trades. Any such failure or refusal, whether due to insolvency, bankruptcy or other causes, could subject the Fund to substantial losses. The Fund will not be excused from the performance of any forward contracts into which it has entered due to the default of third parties in respect of other forward trades which in the Fund's trading strategy were to have substantially offset such contracts. The Fund will trade forward contracts only with banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions which the Adviser has determined to be creditworthy. As a result, the Adviser will trade forward contracts with and through a limited number of entities, and as a result liquidity problems might be greater in the Fund's forward trading than they would be were the Adviser to trade with a larger number of forward market participants. The Fund may enter into contractual agreements with counterparties to ensure that forward contracts cash settle and therefore avoid physical delivery of currencies.
The Fund is subject to foreign currency-related tax risk. As a regulated investment company ("RIC"), the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from sources treated as "qualifying income" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Fund may gain exposure to local currency markets through forward currency contracts. Although foreign currency gains currently constitute "qualifying income," the Treasury Department has the authority to issue regulations excluding from the definition of "qualifying income" a RIC's foreign currency gains
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not "directly related" to its "principal business" of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures with respect thereto). Such regulations might treat gains from some of the Fund's foreign currency-denominated positions as not qualifying income and there is a remote possibility that such regulations might be applied retroactively, in which case, the Fund might not qualify as a RIC for one or more years. In the event the Treasury Department issues such regulations, the Fund's Board may authorize a significant change in investment strategy or the Fund's liquidation.
Securities Options
The Fund may purchase and write ( i.e., sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying instruments themselves.
A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market price of the security.
Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500® Index or the Value Line Composite Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 100®. Indices may also be based on an industry or market segment, such as the NYSE Arca Oil and Gas Index or a Computer and Business Equipment Index. Options on stock indices are currently traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, now known as Nasdaq PHLX.
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
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transactions costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have paid 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 below, 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, the Fund realizes 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.
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The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets. The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The purchase of stock index options involves the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based.
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it has written before the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy the 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 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.
Cover for Options Positions
Transactions using options (other than options that the Fund has purchased) expose the Fund to an obligation to another party. The Fund will not enter into any such transactions unless it owns either (i) an offsetting ("covered") position in securities or other options or (ii) cash or liquid securities with a value sufficient at all times to cover potential obligations not covered as provided in (i) above. The Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and, if the guidelines so require, set aside cash or liquid securities in a segregated account with the Fund's custodian in the prescribed amount. Under current SEC guidelines, the Fund will segregate assets to cover transactions in which the Fund writes or sells options.
Assets used as cover or held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding option is open, unless they are replaced with similar assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund's assets to cover or segregated accounts could impede portfolio management or the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
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.
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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, it 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 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 option it has 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 its treatment of such instruments accordingly.
Futures Contracts
A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specific financial instrument (e.g., units of a stock index) for a specified price, date, time and place designated at the time the contract is made. Brokerage fees are paid when a futures contract is bought or sold and margin deposits must be maintained. Entering into a contract to buy is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position. Entering into a contract to sell is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position.
Unlike when the Fund purchases or sells a security, no price would be paid or received by the Fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Upon entering into a futures contract, and to maintain the Fund's open positions in futures contracts, the Fund would be required to deposit with its custodian or futures broker in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of
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cash, U.S. government securities, suitable money market instruments, or other liquid securities, known as "initial margin." The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margins that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.
If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in underlying instrument or index in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase) so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Fund.
These subsequent payments, called "variation margin," to and from the futures broker, are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as "marking to the market." The Fund expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.
Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the underlying instruments, in practice most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical underlying instrument or index and the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the Fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. The transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. There can be no assurance, however, that the Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a particular futures contract at a particular time. If the Fund is not able to enter into an offsetting transaction, the Fund will continue to be required to maintain the margin deposits on the futures contract.
For example, one contract in the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index future is a contract to buy 25 pounds sterling multiplied by the level of the UK Financial Times 100 Share Index on a given future date. Settlement of a stock index futures contract may or may not be in the underlying instrument or index. If not in the underlying instrument or index, then settlement will be made in cash, equivalent over time to the difference between the contract price and the actual price of the underlying asset at the time the stock index futures contract expires.
Swap Agreements
The Fund may enter into swap agreements for purposes of attempting to gain exposure to equity, debt, commodities or other asset markets without actually purchasing those assets, or to hedge a position. Swap agreements are two-party 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.
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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 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 the Fund is contractually entitled to receive, if any.
The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund's obligations over their 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 net asset value at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in an account with the Custodian. The Fund will also establish and maintain such accounts with respect to 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 they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid for the Fund's 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 counter-party.
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 securities represented by such index or a futures contract or an option on such index. 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 represented in the index, plus the dividends that would have been received on those stocks. 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. Therefore, the return to the Fund on any swap agreement should be the gain or loss on the notional amount plus dividends on the stocks less the interest paid by the Fund on the notional amount.
The 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 OTC market.
Regulation as a Commodity Pool Operator
The Fund is a "commodity pool" under the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act ("CEA"), and the Adviser is registered as a "commodity pool operator" with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") and is a member of the National Futures Association ("NFA") with respect to
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the Fund. As a registered commodity pool operator with respect to the Fund, the Adviser must comply with various regulatory requirements under the CEA, and the rules and regulations of the CFTC and the NFA, including investor protection requirements, antifraud prohibitions, disclosure requirements, and reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The Adviser is also subject to periodic inspections and audits by the CFTC and NFA.
The Fund will only enter into futures contracts or futures options that are standardized and traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange or board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated quotation system, or where quoted prices are generally available in the over-the-counter market.
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. 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 investment objectives. Because the Fund will segregate liquid assets to satisfy purchase commitments in the manner described, the Fund's liquidity and the ability of the Adviser to manage the Fund 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 Fund 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 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
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market makers do not exist or will not entertain bids or offers). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Foreign securities that are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid.
Restricted and other illiquid securities may be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. The Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests from shareholders. The Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.
A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including foreign securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers. Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA").
Under guidelines adopted by the Trust's Board, the 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(a)(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 Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations ("NRSROs") 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(a)(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(a)(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.
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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 sell securities short as an outright investment strategy 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; and the Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and will often be obligated to pay over any dividends and accrued interest on borrowed securities.
If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time the Fund covers its short position, the Fund will incur a loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely affected by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.
To the extent the Fund sells securities short, it will provide collateral to the broker-dealer and (except in the case of short sales "against the box") will maintain additional asset coverage in the form of cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities with its custodian in a segregated account in an amount at least equal to the difference between the current market value of the securities sold short and any amounts required to be deposited as collateral with the selling broker (not including the proceeds of the short sale). 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.
Underlying Funds
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in corporations (including foreign corporations), limited partnerships and other pooled investment vehicles ("Underlying Funds"). Each Underlying Fund, or share class of the Underlying Fund, is managed by its own manager or trading adviser, pursuant to a proprietary strategy. The Underlying Funds may use a form of leverage often referred to as "notional funding" - that is the nominal trading level for an Underlying Fund will exceed the cash deposited in its trading accounts. For example, if the Underlying Fund manager wants the Underlying Fund to trade a $200,000,000 portfolio (the "nominal trading level") the Underlying Fund's margin
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requirement may be $10,000,000. The Underlying Fund can either deposit $200,000,000 to "fully fund" the account or can deposit only a portion of the $200,000,000, provided that the amount deposited meets the account's ongoing minimum margin requirements. The difference between the amount of cash deposited in the account and the nominal trading level of the account is referred to as notional funding. The use of notional funding (i.e., leverage) will increase the volatility of the Underlying Funds. In addition, the leverage may make the Underlying Funds subject to more frequent margin calls. Being forced to raise cash at inopportune times to meet margin calls may prevent the Underlying Fund manager from making investments it considers optimal. As currently structured, the cash deposited in the trading account for each Underlying Fund will be available to meet the margin requirements of any share class of the Underlying Fund. However, additional funds to meet margin calls are available only to the extent of the Underlying Fund's assets and not from the Fund. Underlying Fund management fees are based on the nominal trading level and not the cash deposited in the trading account. For illustration purposes only, assume an Underlying Fund has assets of $50 million. The Underlying Fund is notionally funded and uses a nominal trading level of $200 million. The Underlying Fund pays its manager an annual management fee of 1% of the nominal account size, or $2,000,000. While the management fee represents 1% of the nominal account size ($200 million), the management fee represents 4% of the cash deposited ($50 million) in the Underlying Fund's trading account. Underlying Funds are typically offered privately and no public market for such securities will exist.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Fund may sell a portfolio investment soon after its acquisition if the Adviser believes that such a disposition is consistent with attaining the investment objectives of the Fund. Portfolio investments may be sold for a variety of reasons, such as a more favorable investment opportunity or other circumstances bearing on the desirability of continuing to hold such investments. A high rate of portfolio turnover (over 100%) may involve correspondingly greater transaction costs, which must be borne directly by the Fund and ultimately by its shareholders. High portfolio turnover may result in the realization of substantial net capital gains. To the extent short-term capital gains are realized, distributions attributable to such gains will be deemed ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. During the fiscal period ended March 31, 2015, the Predecessor Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 19% of the average value of its portfolio.
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. The Fund may not:
1. | 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, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff; |
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2. | 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. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from entering into reverse repurchase transactions, provided that the Fund has an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings and repurchase commitments of the Fund pursuant to reverse repurchase transactions; |
3. | Purchase securities on margin, participate on a joint or joint and several basis in any securities trading account, or underwrite securities. (Does not preclude the Fund from obtaining such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, and except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, by virtue of disposing of portfolio securities); |
4. | Purchase or sell real estate or interests in 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); |
5. | Invest 25% or more of the market value of its assets in the securities of companies engaged in any one industry, except that the Fund will invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of the same industry to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index concentrates in the securities of a particular industry or group of industries.. (Does not apply to investment in the securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities); |
6. | Purchase or sell commodities (unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments or through commodity forward contracts, futures contracts or options), except that the Fund may purchase and sell forward and futures contracts and options to the full extent permitted under the 1940 Act, sell foreign currency contracts in accordance with any rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, invest in securities or other instruments backed by commodities, and invest in companies that are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities; or |
7. | Make loans to others, except (a) through the purchase of debt securities in accordance with its investment objectives and policies, (b) to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan, (c) where each loan is represented by a note executed by the borrower, and (d) by loaning portfolio securities. |
With respect to interpretations of the SEC or its staff described in paragraph numbers 1 and 6 above, the SEC and its staff have identified various securities trading practices and derivative instruments used by mutual funds that give rise to potential senior security issues under Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act, which prohibits mutual funds from issuing senior securities. Under the 1940 Act, a mutual fund may borrow from a bank, provided that immediately after any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300 percent for all borrowings; or 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. However, rather than rigidly deeming all such practices outside of bank borrowing as impermissible forms of issuing a "senior security" under Section 18(f), the SEC and its staff through interpretive releases, including Investment Company Act
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Release No. 10666 (April 18, 1979), and no-action letters has developed an evolving series of methods by which a fund may address senior security issues. In particular, the common theme in this line of guidance has been to use methods of "covering" fund obligations that might otherwise create a senior security-type obligation by holding sufficient liquid assets that permit a fund to meet potential trading and derivative-related obligations. Thus, a potential Section 18(f) senior security limitation is not applicable to activities that might be deemed to involve a form of 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 Section 18 of the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the SEC or its staff.
The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental and which may be changed without shareholder vote. The Fund may not:
1. | Invest in any issuer for purposes of exercising control or management; |
2. | Invest in securities of other investment companies except as permitted under the 1940 Act; |
3. | Invest, in the aggregate, more than 15% of its net assets, measured at time of purchase, in securities with legal or contractual restrictions on resale, securities, which are not readily marketable and repurchase agreements with more than seven days to maturity; or |
4. | 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 (2) 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. |
5. | Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities and financial instruments that compose the Underlying Index. Shareholders of the Fund will be provided with at least 60 days prior notice of any change in the Fund's 80% policy. The notice will be provided in a separate written document containing the following, or similar, statement, in boldface type: "Important Notice Regarding Change in Investment Policy." The statement will also appear on the envelope in which the notice is delivered, unless the notice is delivered separately from other communications to the shareholder. |
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's 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.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Adviser . Good Harbor Financial, LLC, 155 N Wacker Drive, Suite 1850, Chicago, IL 60606, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Subject to the authority of the Board of Trustees,
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the Adviser is responsible for management of the Fund's investment portfolio, directly or through a sub-adviser. The Adviser is responsible for selecting the Fund's investments according to the Fund's investment objective, policies and restrictions, directly or through a sub-adviser. The Adviser was established in 2003 for the purpose of providing investment and financial planning advice to individuals and institutions. As of June 30, 2015, it had approximately $1.87 billion in assets under management/advisement. The Adviser is deemed to be controlled by Neil R. Peplinski and Paul R. Ingersoll, by virtue of their positions as Managing Members of Cedar Capital, LLC, and Cedar Capital, LLC by virtue of its ownership of a majority of the shares of the Adviser.
The following table sets forth the annual management fee rate payable by the Fund to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, expressed as a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets:
Fund | Total Management Fee |
Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund | 1.25 % |
During the fiscal period ended March 31, 2015 the adviser to the Predecessor Fund earned $59,135 all of which was waived pursuant to an expense limitation agreement.
The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its fees and reimburse expenses of the Fund, at least until January 31, 2017 to ensure that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement (exclusive of any taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, dividend expense on securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, or extraordinary expenses such as litigation or reorganization costs) will not exceed the percentages shown in the table below. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund within the three years after the fiscal year end during which the fees have been waived or reimbursed, if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits. The agreement may be terminated only by the Fund's Board of Trustees, on 60 days' written notice to the Adviser. Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Fund's expenses and boost its performance. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' approval of the advisory agreement will be available in the Fund's next annual or semi-annual report to shareholders.
Fund | Expense Limitation |
Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund |
Class A 1.75% Class C 2.50% Class I 1.50% |
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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Portfolio Managers . As described in the Prospectus, the Portfolio Managers listed below are responsible for the management of the Fund and, as of June 30, 2015, the other accounts set forth in the following tables.
Other Registered Investment Companies |
Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts | ||||
Portfolio Manager | Number |
Total Assets |
Number |
Total
Assets |
Number |
Total Assets |
Neil R. Peplinski | 6 | $459,489,016 | 0 | $0 | 5,132 | $852,402,039 |
Yash
Patel |
0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 4,572 | $743,416,800 |
David C. Armstrong | 2 | $3,155,205 | 0 | $0 | 4,572 | $743,416,800 |
Of the accounts above, the following are subject to performance-based fees.
Other Registered Investment Companies |
Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts | ||||
Portfolio Manager | Number |
Total Assets |
Number |
Total
Assets |
Number |
Total Assets |
Neil R. Peplinski | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
Yash
Patel |
0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
David C. Armstrong | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
In general, when a Portfolio Manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, the Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or it could receive a performance-based fee 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 Adviser may recommend or cause a client to invest in a security 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 Adviser seeks to purchase or sell the same security for multiple client accounts, the Adviser may aggregate, or bunch, these orders where it 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 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
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price for the bunched order on the same business day. In the event a single block transaction cannot be effected across all custodial platforms, a trade rotation policy shall be implemented to ensure fairness of execution. The trade rotation policy sequences each directed client that was not aggregated into the block order onto a rotating list defining the timing of order releases. For purposes of speed, all directed clients who share a particular broker are assumed to be a single block on the trade rotation schedule. The execution of trades is rotated among the directed clients. If a trade for a particular rotation is not completed during the trading day, any remaining portion of the trade will be completed on the following day(s) before any trade in the same security may be initiated for the next rotation. After the trades have been completed, the schedule is moved up in order and the next broker is put first on the list for the next implementation of trades.
The Adviser is the investment adviser to other mutual funds and clients that may utilize, in part, the same strategy the Fund. It is not anticipated that the Fund will have the same portfolio holdings and performance results as other clients of the Adviser. The returns of the Fund may also differ on the basis of other considerations such as differences in investor flows or due to compliance with applicable investment limitations.
Compensation .
For services as a Portfolio Manager Mr. Peplinski, Mr. Patel and Mr. Armstrong receive a salary and share in the profits of the Adviser, if any.
Ownership of Securities .
As of September 23, 2015, the Portfolio Managers beneficially owned no shares of the Fund.
ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE
Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the Portfolio Managers who are each an officer, director or employee of the Adviser as indicated in "Portfolio Managers" above. Generally, 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 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 generally take the following into consideration:
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
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in relation to the value of brokerage and research 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 the Fund, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Fund. During the fiscal period ended March 31, 2015 the Predecessor Fund incurred $4,666.51 in brokerage commissions.
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 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's portfolio holdings are or will be disclosed to the public through filings with the SEC and postings on the Fund's website. The Fund discloses portfolio holdings by mailing the 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 portfolio holdings reports on Forms N-CSR and Form N-Q two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period. The Fund's portfolio holdings as of the end of each calendar month are also posted on the Fund's website, http://www.lelandfunds.com no later than 31 days after the month end. This posted information generally remains accessible until the Fund posts the information for the next calendar month to the Fund's website.
The Fund may choose to make portfolio holdings information 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 before being posted to the Fund's website. 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 and refrain from trading on such information.
Adviser. Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for oversight or managing the Fund's portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide 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 portfolio managers in the trading of such securities, Adviser personnel may also release and discuss certain portfolio holdings with various broker-dealers.
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Gemini Fund Services, LLC. Gemini Fund Services, LLC is the transfer agent, fund accountant, administrator and custody administrator for the Fund; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Fund's portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.
U.S. Bank, N.A. U.S. 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.
Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd. Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd. 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.
Thompson Hine LLP. Thompson Hine 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.
Blank Rome LLP. Blank Rome LLP is counsel to the Independent Trustees; 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.
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OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS
Fund Administration, Fund Accounting and Transfer Agent Services
Gemini Fund Services, LLC ("GFS"), which has its principal office at 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, New York 11788, serves as administrator, fund accountant and transfer agent for the Fund pursuant to a Fund Services Agreement (the "Agreement") with the Trust 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 with the Trust became effective on February 23, 2012 and will remain in effect for two years from the applicable effective date for the Fund, and will continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board. The Agreement is terminable by the Board or GFS on 90 days' written notice and may be assigned by either party, provided that the Trust may not assign this agreement without the prior written consent of GFS. The Agreement provides that GFS shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to the Agreement.
Under the Agreement, GFS performs administrative services, 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.
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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 all operational services, including, but not limited to Fund Accounting, Fund Administration, Transfer Agency, Legal Fees, Audit Fees, Compliance Services and Custody Fees, the Fund pay GFS a unitary which scales downward based upon net assets for all operational services, including, but not limited to Fund Accounting, Fund Administration, Transfer Agency, Legal Fees, Audit Fees, Compliance Services and Custody Fees. Fund basis point fees will be calculated based upon the average net assets of the Fund for the previous month. During the fiscal period ended March 31, 2015, the Predecessor Fund's administrator earned $49,589.
Custodian
U.S. Bank, N.A. located at 1555 N. River Center Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212, serves as the custodian of the Fund's assets pursuant to a custody agreement (the "Custody Agreement") by and between the Custodian and the Trust on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian's responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and collecting interest and dividends on the Fund's investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, the Custodian also maintains original entry documents and books of record and general ledgers; posts cash receipts and disbursements; and records purchases and sales based upon communications from the Adviser. The Fund may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets.
Compliance Services
Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC ("NLCS"), located at 80 Arkay Drive, Hauppauge, NY 11788, 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. NLCS's compliance services consist primarily of reviewing and assessing the policies and procedures of the Trust and its service providers pertaining to compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The compliance services performed by NLCS are paid by GFS (not the Fund) in relation to the unitary fee paid to GFS described above. Through the unitary fee, the Fund indirectly pays NLCS a one-time fee of $3,000, plus an annual fee, based on Fund assets, ranging from $13,500 (net assets of $50 million or less) to $31,500 (net assets over $1 billion), plus out-of-pocket expenses.
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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Fund has selected Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd. located at 1350 Euclid Ave., Suite 800, Cleveland, OH 44115, as its independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year. The firm provides services including (i) audit of annual financial statements, and (ii) assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High Street, Suite 1700, Columbus, Ohio 43215 serves as the Trust's legal counsel.
DISTRIBUTOR
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, located at 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, NE 68130 (the "Distributor") serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Fund pursuant to an underwriting agreement with the Trust (the "Underwriting Agreement"). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each state's securities laws and is a member of FINRA. The offering of the Fund's shares are continuous. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, will use 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 Predecessor Fund's distributor from the Predecessor Fund during the fiscal period ended March 31, 2015.
Net Underwriting
Discounts and Commissions |
Compensation on
Redemptions and Repurchases |
Brokerage Commissions | Other Compensation* |
$0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
*The Predecessor Fund's distributor also received $4 in 12b-1 fees from the Predecessor Fund.
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Rule 12b-1 Plan
The Trust has adopted a Master Distribution Plan and Agreement 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 the Plans, a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the rate of up to 0.25% for Class A shares and up to 1.00% for Class C 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 authorizes payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing distribution services and 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 Adviser or other entities also receive the proceeds and contingent deferred sales charges imposed on certain redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant to the Plans.
The services to be provided by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assistance in the offering and sale of Fund shares and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipients; answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; making the Fund's investment plan and shareholder services available; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Fund as the Distributor or the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may reasonably request. The distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or arranged by the Distributor with respect to the Fund.
The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to the Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.
The Plans 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 Plan. During the term of the Plans, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Distributor will preserve copies of the Plans, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.
Any agreement related to the Plans 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
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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 period ended March 31, 2015, the Predecessor Fund allocated 12b-1 fees for Predecessor Fund Class A shares as follows:
Marketing | $0 |
Printing/Postage | $0 |
Payment to distributor | $4 |
Payment to dealers | $0 |
Compensation to sales personnel | $0 |
Other | $0 |
Total | $4 |
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
Each share of beneficial interest of the Trust has one vote in the election of Trustees. Cumulative voting is not authorized for the Trust. This means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so, and, in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any Trustees.
Shareholders of the Trust and any other future series of the Trust will vote in the aggregate and not by series except as otherwise required by law or when the Board determines that the matter to be voted upon affects only the interest of the shareholders of a particular series or classes. Matters such as 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.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust, the Adviser, and the Distributor have each 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 code of ethics, which 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 SEC and in other public
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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 or its designee, subject to the Board's continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser or its designee vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser or its designee to present to the Board, at least annually, the Adviser's Proxy Policies, or the proxy policies of the Adviser's designee, and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser or its designee on behalf of the Fund, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest.
Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Adviser's interests and the Fund's interests, the Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the client's directive using the recommendation of an independent third party. If the third party's recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that client's account. A copy of the Adviser's proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix A.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll free, 1-877-270-2848, by accessing the Fund's website at www.lelandfunds.com and by accessing the information on proxy voting filed by the Fund on Form N-PX on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . In addition, a copy of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures are also available by calling 1-877-270-2848 and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF FUND SHARES
Calculation of Share Price
As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading "Net Asset Value," 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 between the current bid and ask prices. Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the
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Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less may be 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.
The Fund's shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the "NYSE Close") on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally uses pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and does not normally take into account trading, clearances or settlements that take place after the NYSE Close. Domestic fixed income and foreign securities are normally priced using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Information that becomes known to the Fund or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.
In unusual circumstances, instead of valuing securities in the usual manner, the Fund may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or their designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.
The Trust expects that the holidays upon which the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") 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 the public offering price, which is NAV plus any sales charge, or at NAV per share (if no sales charges apply) 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 plus sales charges, if any.
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 the Prospectus. Under the 1940 Act, a shareholder's right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be suspended at times:
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(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 is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of 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 Prospectus 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.
Redemption Fees
A redemption fee of 1% of the amount redeemed is assessed on shares that have been redeemed less than 30 days of purchase.
Waivers of Redemption Fees: The Fund has elected not to impose the redemption fee for:
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 continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), which requires compliance with
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certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders. 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 net investment income or net capital gain, which are distributed to shareholders in accordance with the applicable timing requirements. Net investment income and net capital gain of the Fund will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Code.
Net investment income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses. Net capital gain for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Fund. The Fund's net realized capital gains from securities transactions will be distributed only after reducing such gains by the amount of any available capital loss carryforwards. Capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Under previously enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains only for eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital losses, irrespective of the character of the original loss. Capital loss carryforwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.
The Fund intends to distribute all of its net investment income, any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, and any excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses 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 net investment income and net capital gain will be made after the end of each fiscal year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.
To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Fund must also (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, net income from certain publicly traded partnerships and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Fund's assets is represented by cash, 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 market value of the Fund's assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) any one issuer, 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 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 net investment 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 net investment income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Fund's net investment 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.
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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.
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 taxable net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, unless such distributions are attributable to "qualified dividend income" eligible for the reduced federal income tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied.
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.
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their "net investment income," which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.
A redemption of the Fund's 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. The gain or loss will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for more than one year and if not held for such period, as short-term capital gain or loss. 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.
Distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional shares or cash. 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 net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.
All distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain, whether received in shares or in cash, must be reported by each taxable shareholder on his or her federal income tax
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return. 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.
Under the Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of the Fund's shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of net investment 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.
Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution ("FFI") or a non-financial foreign entity ("NFFE") within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act ("FATCA") may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (a) income dividends paid by the Fund after June 30, 2014 and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares paid by the Fund after December 31, 2016. FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement or other exemption, if it enters into a valid agreement with the IRS to, among other requirements, report required information about certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. The Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of the Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.
Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements
To the extent such investments are permissible for the Fund, transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund's securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
To the extent such investments are permissible, certain of the Fund's hedging activities (including its transactions, if any, in foreign currencies or foreign currency-denominated instruments) are likely to produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If the Fund's book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess book income will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund's remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the
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recipient's basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If the Fund's book income is less than taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regular investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies
Investment by the Fund in certain "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs") could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, the Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" ("QEF election"), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the company's income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company.
The Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings "to the market" as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Fund's taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Fund's total return.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The Fund's transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.
Other Regulated Investment Companies
Generally, the character of the income or capital gains that the Fund receives from another investment company will pass through to the Fund's shareholders as long as the Fund and the other investment company each qualify as a regulated investment company. However, to the extent that another investment company that qualifies as a regulated investment company realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, the Fund will not be able to recognize its share of those losses until it disposes of shares of such investment company. Moreover, even when the Fund does make such a disposition, a portion of its loss may be recognized as a long-term capital loss, which will not be treated as favorably for federal income tax purposes as an ordinary deduction. In particular, the Fund will not be able to offset any capital losses from its dispositions of shares of other investment companies against its ordinary income. As a result of the foregoing rules, and certain other special rules, it is possible that the amounts of net investment income and net capital gains that the Fund will be required to distribute to shareholders will be greater than such amounts would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests, rather than investing in shares of the investment companies. For similar reasons, the character of distributions from the Fund (e.g., long-term capital gain, qualified dividend income, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the investment companies in which it invests.
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Foreign Taxation
Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will "pass through" for that year.
Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the shareholder's U.S. tax attributable to his or her total foreign source taxable income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of the Fund's income will flow through to shareholders of the Fund. With respect to the Fund, gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign currency-denominated debt securities, receivables and payables will be treated as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income, and to certain other types of income. A shareholder may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of his or her proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund. The foreign tax credit can be used to offset only 90% of the revised alternative minimum tax imposed on corporations and individuals and foreign taxes generally are not deductible in computing alternative minimum taxable income.
Original Issue Discount and Pay-In-Kind Securities
Current federal tax law requires the holder of a U.S. Treasury or other fixed income zero coupon security to accrue as income each year a portion of the discount at which the security was purchased, even though the holder receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year. In addition, pay-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.
Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as debt securities that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount ("OID") is treated as interest income and is included in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A portion of the OID includable in income with respect to certain high-yield corporate debt securities (including certain pay-in-kind securities) may be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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Some of the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the "accrued market discount" on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.
Some debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount, or OID in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, the Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount, or OID, in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.
If the Fund holds the foregoing kinds of securities, it 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, shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.
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. After the end of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.
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, reporting suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and providing a complete and thorough review of all
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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.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
A principal shareholder is any person who owns (either of record or beneficially) 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a fund. A control person is one who owns, either directly or indirectly more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledges the existence of control. Shareholders who have the power to vote a large percentage of shares (at least 25%) of the Fund can control the Fund and could determine the outcome of a shareholders' meeting. As of September 23, 2015, the Fund was deemed to be controlled by The Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation through its ownership which exceeds 25% of the voting securities of Lamb Company LLC. Lamb Company LLC’s ownership of Fund shares exceeds 25% of the voting securities of the Fund. As of September 23, 2015, there were no other principal shareholders other than those listed below.
Name & Address | Class |
Ownership
Status |
Percentage
of Class |
Anthony Anella 3 Mercer Gate Drive Doylestown, PA 18901 |
A | Beneficial | 97% |
Lamb Company LLC 900 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600 Chicago, IL 60611 |
I | Record | 100% |
Paul R. Ingersoll c/o Good Harbor Financial, LLC 155 N Wacker Drive, Suite 1850 Chicago, IL 60606 |
C | Beneficial | 100% |
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 (the "Governing Documents"), which have been filed with the SEC and are available upon request. The Board consists of five 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 a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Principal Executive Officer and a Principal Accounting 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.
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Board Leadership Structure . The Board is led by John V. Palancia, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since May 2014. The Board has not appointed a Lead Independent Trustee because all Trustees are Independent Trustees. 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, its funds and each shareholder.
Board Risk Oversight . The Board of Trustees is comprised entirely of Independent Trustees with an Audit Committee with a separate chair. The Board is responsible for overseeing risk management, and the full Board regularly engages in discussions of risk management and receives compliance reports that inform its oversight of risk management from its Chief Compliance Officer at quarterly meetings and on an ad hoc basis, when and if necessary. The Audit Committee considers financial and reporting the risk within its area of responsibilities. Generally, the Board believes that its oversight of material risks is adequately maintained through the compliance-reporting chain where the Chief Compliance Officer is the primary recipient and communicator of such risk-related information.
Trustee Qualifications . Generally, the Fund believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills.
Mr. James Jensen has over 40 years of business experience in a wide range of industries including the financial services industry. His experience includes over 25 years of mutual fund board experience with service as chairman of the Audit Committee, chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and, for the past eight years and currently, as Chairman of the Board of Wasatch Funds. Since April 2008, Mr. Jensen has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Clearwater Law & Governance Group, where he devotes full time to corporate law practice, board governance consulting for operating companies and private investing. In May 2014 Mr. Jensen and his firm conducted the eleventh Green River Conference on Corporate Governance for lawyers, accountants, directors and service providers. From 2001 to 2008, Mr. Jensen co-founded and was Chairman of the Board for Intelisum, Inc., a company pursuing computer and measurement technology and products. From 1986 to 2004, Mr. Jensen held key positions with NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., as Vice President, Corporate Development, Legal Affairs and General Counsel and Secretary. In addition to his business experience, Mr. Jensen was Chairman of the Board of Agricon Global Corporation, formerly BayHill Capital Corporation from 2008 to 2014 and has been a Director of the University of Utah Research Foundation from 2001 and currently. Mr. Jensen was the founder and first President of the MountainWest Venture Group (now "MountainWest Capital Network") in 1983. Mr. Jensen is a member of the National Association of Corporate Governance ("NACD"). Mr. Jensen graduated with a BA degree from the University of Utah in 1967 and received degrees of Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from Columbia University in 1971.
Patricia Luscombe, CFA, has more than 25 years in financial advisory and valuation services. She has delivered a broad range of corporate finance advice including fairness opinions and valuations. At her current position at Lincoln International, she assists regulated investment funds,
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business development companies, private equity funds and hedge funds in the valuation of illiquid securities for fair value accounting purposes. Ms. Luscombe's clients have ranged from closely-held businesses to large publicly traded companies. Ms. Luscombe joined Lincoln International in 2007 as a Managing Director and co-head of Lincoln's Valuations & Opinions Group. Previously, Ms. Luscombe spent 16 years with Duff & Phelps Corporation, as a Managing Director in the firm's valuation and financial advisory business. Prior to joining Duff & Phelps Corporation, Ms.Luscombe was an Associate at Smith Barney, a division of Citigroup Capital Markets, Inc., where she managed a variety of financial transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and equity and debt financings. Ms. Luscombe is a member of the Chicago Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of Chicago and former president of the Chicago Finance Exchange. Ms. Luscombe holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Stanford University, a Master's degree in economics from the University of Chicago and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In addition, Ms. Luscombe is licensed under the Series 24, 79 and 63 of FINRA.
Mr. John V. Palancia has over 36 years of business experience in financial services industry including serving as the Director of Global Futures Operations for Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. Mr. Palancia also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Mr. Palancia possesses an in depth understanding of broker-dealer operations from having served in various management capacities and has held industry registrations in both securities and futures. He also possesses a strong understanding of risk management, balance sheet analysis, compliance and the regulatory framework under which regulated financial entities must operate based on service to Merrill Lynch. Additionally, he is well versed in the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his service as a member of 2 other mutual fund boards. This practical and extensive experience in the securities industry provides valuable insight into fund operations and enhances his ability to effectively serve as chairman of the
Trust.
Mark H. Taylor has over two decades of academic and professional experience in the accounting and auditing areas which makes him particularly qualified to serve as the Trust audit committee chair. He has a PhD in Accounting and holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Accounting as well and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Taylor is the Andrew D. Braden Professor of Accounting and Auditing and Chair of the Department of Accountancy at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. From 2012 to 2015 he is serving a 3-year term on the Executive Committee of the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association as Vice-President, President, and Past President, respectively. He serves as a member of two other mutual fund boards within the Northern Lights Fund Complex, and completed a fellowship in the Professional Practice Group of the Office of the Chief Accountant at the headquarters of the United States Securities Exchange Commission. He also served a three-year term on the AICPA Auditing Standards Board (2008-2011). Recently he received a research grant from the Center for Audit Quality to study how auditors manage the process of auditing fair value measurements in financial statements. He teaches corporate governance and accounting policy and auditing, and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate.
Mr. Jeff D. Young has 38 years of business management experience in the transportation industry including operations and information technologies. Until he retired in 2014, he served as Assistant Vice President of Transportation System at Union Pacific Railroad Company, where he was responsible for development and implementation of large scale command and control systems that support railroad operations and safety. At this position, Mr. Young was heavily involved in the
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regulatory compliance of safety and mission critical systems. Mr. Young also served as Chairman of the Association of American Railroads Policy Committee and represented both Union Pacific Railroad and the railroad industry in safety and regulatory hearings with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration in Washington, DC. Mr. Young was a member of the Board of Directors of PS Technologies, a Union Pacific affiliate serving as a technology supplier to the railroad industry. His practical business experience and understanding of regulatory compliance provides a different perspective that will bring diversity to Board deliberations.
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.
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Independent Trustees
|
|||||
Name,
Address* Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held
with Registrant |
Length of Service and Term |
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years |
Number of Funds Overseen In The Fund Complex** | Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years |
James U. Jensen 1944 |
Trustee | Since February 2012, Indefinite | Chief Executive Officer, ClearWater Law & Governance Group, LLC (an operating board governance consulting company) (since 2008); Of Counsel, Woodbury & Kesler (law firm, 2004-2008); Legal Consultant, Jensen Consulting (2004-2008). | 34 | Wasatch Funds Trust, (since 1986); Agricon Global Corporation, formerly Bayhill Capital Corporation (large scale farming in Ghana, West Africa) (since December 2007 to February 2014); Lifetime Achievement Fund, Inc. (February 2012 to April 2012). |
Patricia Luscombe 1961 |
Trustee | Since January 2015, Indefinite | Managing Director of the Valuations and Opinions Group, Lincoln International LLC (since 2007). | 34 | None |
John V. Palancia 1954 |
Trustee, Chairman |
Trustee, since February 2012, Indefinite; Chairman of the Board since May 2014 | Retired (since 2011); Formerly, Director of Global Futures Operations Control, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. (1975-2011). | 155 | Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2011); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2011); Lifetime Achievement Fund, Inc. (February 2012 to April 2012); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2012) |
Mark H. Taylor*** 1964
|
Trustee, Chairman of the Audit Committee | Since February 2012, Indefinite | Andrew D. Braden Professor of Accounting and Auditing, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University (since 2009); John P. Begley Endowed Chair in Accounting, Creighton University (2002-2009); President, Auditing Section of the American Accounting | 155 | Alternative Strategies Fund (since June 2010); Lifetime Achievement Fund, Inc. (February 2007 to April 2012); Northern Lights Fund Trust (since 2007); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2007). |
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Association (2012-2015); Former member of the AICPA Auditing Standards Board, AICPA ( 2008-2011). | |||||
Jeffery D. Young 1956 |
Trustee | Since January 2015, Indefinite | Retired (since 2014); Formerly Asst. Vice President - Transportation Systems, Union Pacific Railroad Company (1976-2014). | 34 | PS Technology, Inc. (2010-2013). |
* The address of each Trustee and officer is c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130
** The "Fund Complex" includes the following registered management investment companies in addition to the Trust: Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV and Northern Lights Variable Trust.
Officers of the Trust
Name,
Address Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held
with Registrant |
Length of Service and Term |
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years |
James P. Ash 80 Arkay Drive Hauppauge, NY 11788 1976 |
President | May 2015, indefinite | Senior Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2011 - 2012); Director of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2009 - 2011); Assistant Vice President of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2008 - 2011). |
Brian Curley 80 Arkay Drive Hauppauge, NY 11788 1970 |
Treasurer | February 2013, indefinite | Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2015 to present), Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (April 2012 to December 2014); Senior Controller of Fund Treasury, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (2008 – 2012); Senior Associate of Fund Administration, Morgan Stanley (1999 – 2008). |
Eric Kane 80 Arkay Drive Hauppauge, NY 11788 1981 |
Secretary | Since November 2013, indefinite | Assistant Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2014 to present), Staff Attorney, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (March, 2013 to July 2014), Law Clerk, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (October, 2009 to March, 2013), Legal Intern, NASDAQ OMX (January 2011 to September 2011), Hedge Fund Administrator, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (January 2008 to August 2008), Mutual Fund Accountant/Corporate Action Specialist, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (October 2006 to January 2008) |
William Kimme 17605 Wright Street Omaha, NE 68130 1962 |
Chief Compliance Officer | February 2012, indefinite | Senior Compliance Officer of Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (since 2011); Due Diligence and Compliance Consultant, Mick & Associates (August, 2009-September 2011); Assistant Director, FINRA (January 2000-August 2009). |
Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee that consists solely of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee's responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the
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Trust's independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust's financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust's independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor's independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management's responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trust's accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls. The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter. Mr. Taylor is Chairman of the Audit Committee. During the past fiscal year, the Audit Committee held seven meetings.
Compensation of Trustees . Effective January 1, 2015, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust will receive a quarterly fee of $13,500 for his attendance at the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Trustees, to be paid in advance of each calendar quarter, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred. From January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust received a quarterly fee of $12,000. Prior to January 1, 2014 each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an adviser received a quarterly fee of $6,000. Effective January 1, 2015, in addition to the quarterly fees and reimbursements, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly fee of $2,500, and the Audit Committee Chairmen receive a quarterly fee of $1,750.
Additionally, in the event a meeting of the Board of Trustees other than its regularly scheduled meetings (a "Special Meeting") is required, each Independent Trustee will receive a fee of $2,500 per Special Meeting, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred, to be paid by the relevant series of the Trust or its investment adviser depending on the circumstances necessitating the Special Meeting. The "interested persons" who serve as Trustees of the Trust receive no compensation for their services as Trustees. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust.
The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees are estimated to receive from the Trust during the Fund's first fiscal year. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.
Name and Position |
Aggregate
Compensation From Trust* |
Total Compensation From Trust
and Fund Complex** Paid to Trustees |
James U. Jensen | $54,000 | $54,000 |
Patricia Luscombe*** | $54,000 | $54,000 |
John V. Palancia | $64,000 | $214,000 |
Mark H. Taylor | $61,000 | $236,000 |
Jeffery D. Young*** | $54,000 | $54,000 |
* Trustees' fees are allocated ratably to each fund in the Trust.
** The "Fund Complex" includes the following registered management investment companies in addition to the Trust: Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II and Northern Lights Variable Trust.
***
Ms. Luscombe and Mr. Young were added as members of the Board of Trustees, effective January 1, 2015.
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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* |
James U. Jensen | None | None |
Patricia Luscombe*** | None | None |
John V. Palancia | None | None |
Anthony M. Payne **** | None | None |
Mark H. Taylor | None | None |
Jerry Vincentini ** | None | Over $100,000 |
Jeffery D. Young*** | None | None |
* The "Family of Investment Companies" includes the following registered management investment companies in addition to the Trust: Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, and Northern Lights Variable Trust.
** Mr. Vincentini retired from his position as a Trustee of the Trust, effective January 1, 2015.
*** Ms. Luscombe and Mr. Young were added as members of the Board of Trustees, effective January 1, 2015.
**** Mr. Payne retired from his position as a Trustee of the Trust, effective April 1, 2015.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements, including the reports of the independent registered public accounting firm, for the Predecessor Fund are incorporated by reference to the Predecessor Fund's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Once produced, you can obtain a copy of the financial statements contained in the Fund's future Annual or Semi-Annual Reports and the Predecessor Fund's Annual Report without charge by calling the Fund toll-free at 1-877-270-2848.
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APPENDIX A
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
GOOD HARBOR FINANCIAL, LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Policy
Good Harbor Financial, LLC (the "Adviser") has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of Clients, in accordance with our fiduciary duty and SEC rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act. Our authority to vote the proxies of our Clients is established by our advisory contracts or comparable documents, and our proxy voting guidelines ("Guidelines") have been tailored to reflect these specific contractual obligations. The CCO is responsible for overseeing their periodic review and revision.
The Adviser's proxy voting procedures are designed and implemented to reasonably ensure that proxy matters are conducted in the best interest of the Clients and material conflicts will be resolved in the best interest of the Client. These procedures are guidelines only and each vote is ultimately cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration contractual obligations and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote.
The Adviser has engaged a proxy voting vendor to provide research and assist with the voting process. In determining how to vote proxies, the Adviser will consider the proxy voting vendor's recommendations, among other matters.
Generally, all proxy materials received on behalf of a Client account are to be sent directly to the Client or a designated representative of the Client, who is responsible for voting the proxy. Upon request, the Adviser will vote proxies on behalf of advisory accounts or offer advice regarding corporate actions and the exercise of proxy voting rights.
The Adviser's Access Persons may answer Client questions regarding proxy-voting matters in an effort to assist the Client in determining how to vote the proxy.
Registered Investment Companies
The Adviser serves as investment adviser to certain investment companies under the Northern Lights Fund Trust. The Adviser will vote the proxies of securities held by the investment companies to which it acts as an adviser in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act. The proxies of companies in the portfolio are subject to applicable investment restrictions of the funds and will be voted in accordance with any resolutions or other instructions approved by authorized persons of the funds.
These investment companies may invest in other investment companies that are not affiliated ("Underlying Funds") and are required by the Investment Company Act to handle proxies received from Underlying Funds in a certain manner. Notwithstanding the guidelines provided in these procedures, it is the policy of the Adviser to vote all proxies received from the Underlying Funds in the same proportion that all shares of the Underlying Funds are voted, or in accordance with instructions
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received from fund shareholders, pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act. After properly voted, the proxy materials are placed in a file maintained by the Chief Compliance Officer for future reference.
Availability and Disclosure
The Adviser provides Clients with a copy of its policies and procedures upon request, with the provision that they may be updated from time to time. The Adviser may make this information available periodically to a Client upon request and in a manner appropriate to the nature of its advisory business.
The Adviser's compliance department is responsible for administering the proxy voting process. When applicable, the proxy voting vendor is responsible for coordinating with the Clients' custodians to ensure that all proxy materials received by the custodians relating to the Clients' portfolio securities are processed in a timely fashion.
A primary factor used in determining whether to invest or continue an investment in a particular issuer's securities is the quality of that company's management. Therefore, all other things being equal, the recommendations of management on any proxy matter will be given significant consideration of how to vote that proxy. Proxies will be voted on a case-by-case basis on issues concerning corporate governance, changes to capital structure, stock option plans and management compensation and social and corporate responsibility. While a wide variety of factors goes into each analysis, the overall principal guiding all vote decisions focuses on how the proposal will enhance the economic value of the company.
Although reliance is placed on the Guidelines in casting votes, each proxy issue is considered on a case-by-case basis. Instances may occur where a proxy vote will be inconsistent with the recommendations of management and the proxy voting vendor. Generally proxies are voted consistent with the Guidelines, and compliance is instructed to vote all proxies accordingly, unless indicated otherwise.
The Adviser will attempt to process every proxy vote it receives. There may be instances where the Adviser may not be given enough time to process a proxy vote. For example, the Adviser, through no fault of its own, may receive a meeting notice too late to act or may be unable to obtain a timely translation so it could vote the shares.
Conflicts of Interest
From time-to-time the Adviser may have conflicts related to proxy voting. As a matter of policy, the Adviser's Access Persons will not be influenced by outside sources whose interests conflict with the interests of Clients. Any such person who becomes aware of a material conflict between the interests of a Client and the interests of the Adviser relating to a particular proxy vote shall immediately disclose that conflict to the CCO. The CCO is responsible for monitoring and resolving such conflicts.
Recordkeeping
As required by Rule 204-2c of the Advisers Act, the Adviser retains records of votes cast on behalf of Clients, records of Client requests for proxy voting information and all documents prepared by the Adviser regarding votes cast contrary to the Guidelines.
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Clients may obtain a record of Adviser's proxy voting, free of charge, by calling 312.224.8150.
These policies and procedures may also be found in the Adviser's Form ADV, Part 2 and supporting schedules.
Guidelines
The Adviser's primary purpose and fiduciary responsibility is to maximize shareholder value. The Adviser will vote proxies in the best interests of our Clients and will generally vote for, against, consider on a case-by-case basis. Because of the extenuating circumstances associated with specific proxy issues, the Adviser's votes may differ from time to time. The Adviser will also act, in our best judgment, on behalf of our Clients on certain corporate actions that impact shareholder value, such as tender offers and bankruptcy proceedings.
A. Voting Guidelines
1. Routine Business Decisions and Director Related Proposals
The Adviser votes for:
a) Name changes
b) Directors in uncontested elections
c) Elimination/limitation of directors' liability
d) Indemnification of directors
e) Reincorporation that is not a takeover defense
The Adviser considers on a case-by-case basis:
f) Directors in contested elections
g) Approval of auditors.
2. Corporate Governance
The Adviser votes for:
· Majority independent board
· | Audit, compensation & nominating committees that are comprised exclusively of independent directors Minimum director share ownership |
· Separate offices of chairperson and CEO
· Limitation on number of other board seats
· Confidential voting
· Shareholders ' ability to remove directors
· Shareholder right to call special meetings
The Adviser votes against:
a) Supermajority vote requirements
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b) Limiting directors ' tenure
c) Restrictions on shareholders to act by written consent
The Adviser considers on case-by-case basis:
d) Shareholder proposals
e) Dissident proxy battle
3. Director and Executive Compensation
The Adviser votes for:
a) Disclosure of executive compensation Adviser votes against:
b) Golden and tin parachutes
The Adviser considers on a case-by-case basis:
c) Restricting executive compensation
d) Executive compensation plans
e) Establish/Increase share option plans for directors and executives
4. Take-Over Defense
The Adviser votes against:
a) Reincorporation to prevent takeover
b) Issue new class of common stock with unequal voting rights
c) Adoption of fair price amendments
d) Establish a classified (or "staggered") board of directors
e) Eliminating cumulative voting
f) Poison pills
g) Blank check preferred stock
5. Capital Structure
The Adviser votes for:
a) | Increase authorized common stock (unless additional stock is a takeover defense, i.e., poison pill). |
b) | Share repurchase programs (when all shareholders may participate on equal terms) |
The Adviser votes against:
c) Unequal voting rights, such as dual class of stock
d) Pre-emptive rights
The Adviser considers on a case-by-case basis:
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e) Increase preferred stock
f) Blank check preferred stock (not for takeover defense)
g) Restructuring plans
6. Other Shareholder Value Issues
The Adviser votes for:
a) Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs)
b) Employee stock purchase plans
c) 401(k) plans
The Adviser votes against:
d) Greenmail
The Adviser considers on a case-by-case basis:
e) Mergers and acquisitions
f) Spin-offs and asset sales
7. Corporate, Social and Environmental Policy Proposals
As noted above, the Adviser's fiduciary responsibility is the maintenance and growth of our clients' assets. Accordingly, the Adviser will typically vote in accordance with management's recommendations or abstain from voting on proposals concerning corporate policy and social and environmental issues. When such proposals impact shareholder value, the Adviser may vote on a case-by-case basis.
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PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits.
(a) Articles of Incorporation.
(i) Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 30, 2011, is incorporated by reference.
(ii) Certificate of Trust, which was filed as an exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A on December 30, 2011, is incorporated by reference.
(b) By-Laws. Registrant's By-Laws as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holder. None other than in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Registrant.
(d) Investment Advisory Contracts.
(i) Management Agreement for Lifetime Achievement Fund as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund as previously filed on November 13, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc., and Registrant with respect to the Footprints Discover Value Fund as previously filed on January 24, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 88, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc., and Registrant with respect to the Footprints Discover Value Fund as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP, and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on December 17,
2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and Caerus Global Investors, LLC, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on March 8, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 33, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vi) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and Weatherbie Capital, LLC, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on March 8, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 33, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vii) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and V2 Capital, LLC, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on January 28, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 90, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and Contravisory Investment Management, Inc. with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on January 28, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 90, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ix) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and Infinitas Capital, LLC with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on June 2, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 171, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(x) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor U.S. Tactical Core Fund as previously filed on December 26, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 24, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Marathon Value Portfolio as previously filed on
March 8, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 33, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xi)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to Marathon Value Portfolio as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xii) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LP and ISF Management, LLC, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Triumph Alternatives, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiii)(a) Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between Triumph Alternatives, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund as previously filed on July 29, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 180, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiv) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Triumph Alternatives, LLC and Milne, LLC d/b/a/ JKMilne Asset Management, with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Tactical Allocation Fund as previously filed on May 15, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 51, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Global View Capital Management, Ltd. and Registrant, with respect to the Tactical Asset Allocation Fund as previously filed on September 6, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 67, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xviii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core International Developed Markets Fund and Good Harbor Tactical Equity Income Fund as previously filed on September 23, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 70, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xix) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core International Emerging Markets Fund is filed as previously filed on December 11, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 84, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xx) Investment Advisory Agreement between First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to The Teberg Fund as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 86, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxi) Investment Advisory Agreement between RESQ Investment Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 85, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Teton Fund Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Teton Valley Fund as previously filed on January 24, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 89, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiii) Investment Advisory Agreement between R.W. Rogé & Company, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Rogé Partners Fund as previously filed on April 24, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 106, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Horizon Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Issachar Fund as previously filed on February 10, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 93, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Cane Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Cane Alternative Strategies Fund as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund as previously filed on April 25, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 107, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Cozad Asset Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Cozad Small Cap Value Fund as previously filed on April 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 108, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxviii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund as previously filed on May 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 114, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxix) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and FDO Partners, LLC, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund as previously filed on May 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 114, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxx) Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and the Registrant with respect to the HCM Tactical Growth Fund as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core US II Fund as previously filed on May 15, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 113, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 130, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxiii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Total Return Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 131, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxiv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund is filed herewith.
(xxxv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on December 3, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 143, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxvi) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc., and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxvii) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc., and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxviii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Raylor Investments, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Raylor Managed Futures Strategy Fund as previously filed on February 26, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 159, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxix) Investment Advisory Agreement between Ascendant Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund, as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xl) Investment Advisory Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund, as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xli) Investment Advisory Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund, as previously filed on June 2, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 171, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xlii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial LLC and Registrant with respect to the Leland International Advantage Fund, Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund and Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund is filed herewith.
(xliii) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and FDO Partners, LLC, with respect to the Leland International Advantage Fund, as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xliv) Investment Advisory Agreement between United Global Advisors, LLC and Registrant with respect to the United Income and Art Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(xlv) Investment Advisory Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund previously filed on Sept. 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xlvi) Investment Advisory Agreement between Absolute Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(xlvii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(xlviii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(xlix) Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(l) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC, and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(li) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC, and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(e) Underwriting Contracts.
(i) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Northern Lights Distributors LLC as previously filed on June 2, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, is incorporated by reference.
(ii) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and Foreside Fund Services, LLC with respect to the Cane Alternative Strategies Fund as previously filed on September 12, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, is incorporated by reference.
(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. None.
(g) Custodial Agreement.
(i) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Huntington National Bank as previously filed on August 28, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Union Bank, N.A. as previously filed on August 28, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A. as previously filed on February 10, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 93, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Custody Agreement between the Registrant and First National Bank of Omaha as previously filed on October 14, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 139, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A. as previously filed on May 15, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 113, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(h) Other Material Contracts.
(i) Fund Services Agreement as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and the Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund as previously filed on November 13, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc., and Registrant, with respect to the Footprints Discover Value Fund as previously filed on November 13, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Persimmon Capital Management, LLC, and Registrant, with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund as previously filed on December 17, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor U.S. Tactical Core Fund as previously filed on December 26, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 24, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Triumph Alternatives, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vi)(a) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Triumph Alternatives, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund as previously filed on July 29, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 180, and hereby incorporated by reference..
(vii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Tactical Allocation Fund as previously filed on May 15, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 51, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to The Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii)(a) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to The Covered Bridge Fund as previously filed on April 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective No. 163, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ix) Expense Limitation Agreement between Global View Capital Management, Ltd. and Registrant, with respect to the Tactical Asset Allocation Fund as previously filed on September 6, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 67, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ix)(a) Amendment to the Expense Limitation Agreement between Global View Capital Management, Ltd. and Registrant, with respect to Tactical Asset Allocation Fund as previously filed on April 28, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective No. 163, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(x) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core International Developed Markets Fund and Good Harbor Tactical Equity Income Fund as previously filed on September 23, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 70, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core International Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on December 11, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 84, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xii) Expense Limitation Agreement between First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to The Teberg Fund as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 86, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiii) Expense Limitation Agreement between RESQ Investment Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 85, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Teton Fund Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Teton Valley Fund as previously filed on January 28, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 91, and hereby incorporated by reference
(xv) Expense Limitation Agreement between R.W. Rogé & Company, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Rogé Partners Fund as previously filed on April 24, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 106, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Horizon Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Issachar Fund is as previously filed on February 27, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 98, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Cane Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Cane Alternative Strategies Fund is as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xviii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund as previously filed on April 25, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 107, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xix) Expense Limitation Agreement between Cozad Asset Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Cozad Small Cap Value Fund is as previously filed on April 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 108, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xx) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund is as previously filed on May 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 114, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Manarin Investment Counsel, Ltd. and Registrant with respect to the Lifetime Achievement Fund, as previously filed on April 30, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 109, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxii) Custody Administration Agreement between Registrant and the Administrator, with respect to certain Rogé Partners Fund as previously filed on April 24, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 106, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core US II Fund as previously filed on May 15, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 113, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 130, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Total Return Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 131, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc., and Registrant, with respect to the HCM Tactical Growth Fund as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund is filed herewith.
(xxviii) Expense Limitation Agreement between RESQ Investment Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Class C shares of RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and the Class C Shares of RESQ Absolute Income Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 129, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxix) Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund as previously filed on December 3, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 143, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxx) Expense Limitation Agreement between Raylor Investments, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Raylor Managed Futures Strategy Fund as previously filed on February 26, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 159, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Ascendant Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Howard Capital Management, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxiii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Newfound Research LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund as previously filed on June 2, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxiv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Leland International Advantage Fund, as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxvi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Good Harbor Financial, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxvii) Expense Limitation Agreement between United Global Advisors, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the United Income and Art Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(xxxviii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund previously filed on Sept. 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxix) Expense Limitation Agreement between Absolute Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment
(xl) Expense Limitation Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(xli) Consulting Services Agreement between Registrant and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC, as previously filed on July 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 177, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xlii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant with respect of the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(xliii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant with respect of the Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(i) Legal Consent is filed herewith.
(j) Other Opinions.
(i) Consent of Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd.
(ii) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
(k) Omitted Financial Statements. None.
(l) Initial Capital Agreements. None.
(m) Rule 12b-1 Plans.
(i) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A Shares as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(a) Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A Shares previously filed on Sept. 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class C Shares as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(a) Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class C Shares previously filed on Sept. 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class N Shares as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for No-Load Shares as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Non-Designated Class as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vi) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class R Shares as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(a) Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class R as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vii) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A1 as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Investor Class Shares as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ix) Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class I Shares as previously filed on March 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 160, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(n) (i) Rule 18f-3 Plan as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Amended and Restated Appendix A to Rule 18f-3 Plan previously filed on Sept. 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(o) Reserved.
(p) Code of Ethics.
(i) Code of Ethics for the Trust as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Code of Ethics for Manarin Investment Counsel, Ltd. as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Code of Ethics for Northern Lights Distributors as previously filed on April 9, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Code of Ethics of Swan Capital Management, Inc. was filed previously filed on June 8, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 4, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Code of Ethics of Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc. as previously filed on November 13, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vi) Code of Ethics of Persimmon Capital Management LP as previously filed on December 17, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vii) Code of Ethics of Caerus Global Investors, LLC as previously filed on December 17, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii) Code of Ethics of Weatherbie Capital, LLC as previously filed on December 17, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ix) Code of Ethics of Good Harbor Financial, LLC as previously filed on December 26, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 24, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(x) Code of Ethics of Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc. as previously filed on March 8, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 33, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xi) Code of Ethics of ISF Management, LLC as previously filed on December 17, 2012 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 23, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xii) Code of Ethics of Triumph Alternatives, LLC as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiii) Code of Ethics of Milne, LLC d/b/a/ JKMilne Asset Management as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xiv) Code of Ethics of Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC as previously filed on May 15, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 51, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xv) Code of Ethics of Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC as previously filed on August 19, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 62, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvi) Code of Ethics of Global View Capital Management, Ltd. as previously filed on September 6, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 67, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvii) Code of Ethics of First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc. as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 86, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xviii) Code of Ethics of RESQ Investment Partners, LLC as previously filed on December 13, 2013 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 85, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xix) Code of Ethics of Teton Fund Management, LLC as previously filed on January 24, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 89, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xx) Code of Ethics of R.W. Rogé & Company, Inc. as previously filed on April 24, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 106, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxi) Code of Ethics of Horizon Capital Management, Inc. as previously filed on February 10, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 93, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxii) Code of Ethics of V2 Capital, LLC as previously filed on January 28, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 90, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiii) Code of Ethics of Contravisory Investment Management, Inc. as previously filed on January 28, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 90, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiv) Code of Ethics of Cane Capital Management, LLC as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxv) Code of Ethics of Newfound Research LLC as previously filed on April 25, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 107, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvi) Code of Ethics of Cozad Asset Management, Inc. is as previously filed on April 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 108, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvii) Code of Ethics of FDO Partners, LLC is as previously filed on May 29, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 114, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxviii) Code of Ethics of Howard Capital Management, Inc. as previously filed on July 8, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 119, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxix) Code of Ethics of Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC as previously filed on October 7, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 137, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxx) Code of Ethics of Raylor Investments, LLC as previously filed on February 2, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 158, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxi) Code of Ethics of Ascendant Capital Management, LLC as previously filed on January 13, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 149, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxii) Code of Ethics of Swan Global Management, LLC as previously filed on December 3, 2014 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 143, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxiii) Code of Ethics of United Global Advisors, LLC to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(xxxiv) Code of Ethics of Absolute Capital Management, LLC to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(q) Powers of Attorney.
(i) Power of Attorney for the Trust, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each executive officer, as previously filed on May 30, 2013 to the Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 53, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ii) Power of Attorney for each trustee as previously filed on February 26, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 159, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iii) Power of Attorney for the DMFSF Fund Limited, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each director, as previously filed on June 4, 2013 to the Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 54, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(iv) Power of Attorney for the TXMFS Fund Limited, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each director, as previously filed on June 4, 2013 to the Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 54, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) Power of Attorney for the CAS Fund Limited, and a certificate with respect thereto, and each director, as previously filed on April 22, 2014 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 104, and hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 29. Control Persons. None.
Item 30. Indemnification.
Reference is made to Article VIII of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust Instrument which is included, Section 8 of the Underwriting Agreement, Section 7 of the Custody Agreement, and Section 4 of the Fund Services Agreement. The application of these provisions is limited by the following undertaking set forth in the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
Article VIII, Section 2(b) 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 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, 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 such 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 registrant 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 such Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. The Registrant may maintain a standard mutual fund and investment advisory professional and directors and officers liability policy. The policy, if maintained, would provide coverage to the Registrant, its Trustees and officers, and could cover its advisers, among others. Coverage under the policy would include losses by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty.
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 Agreements 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 Advisor and Sub-Advisor.
Certain information pertaining to the business and other connections of each Advisor of each series of the Trust is hereby incorporated herein by reference to the section of the respective Prospectus captioned "Investment Advisor" 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 Advisor is incorporated by reference to the Advisor's Uniform Application for Investment Adviser Registration ("Form ADV") on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Each Advisor'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:
Manarin Investment Counsel, Ltd. the Advisor to the Lifetime Achievement Fund – File No. 801-19624
Swan Capital Management, LLC. the Advisor of the Swan Defined Risk Fund, Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund– File No. 801-76701.
Swan Global Management, LLC, a Sub-Adviser of the Swan Defined Risk Fund, Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund – File No. 801-80552.
Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc., the Adviser of the Footprints Discover Value Fund – File No. 801-62315.
Persimmon Capital Management, LP, the Adviser of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-56210.
Caerus Global Investors, LLC, a Sub-Adviser of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-72410.
Weatherbie Capital, LLC, a Sub-Adviser of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-50672.
Good Harbor Financial, LLC, the Adviser of the Good Harbor Tactical Core US II Fund, Good Harbor U.S. Tactical Core Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Core International Developed Markets Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Core International Emerging Markets Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Equity Income Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund, International Advantage Fund, Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund and Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund – File No. 801-71064.
Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc., the Adviser of the Marathon Value Portfolio – File No. 801-40286.
ISF Management, LLC, a Sub-Adviser of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-71827.
Triumph Alternatives, LLC, the Adviser of the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund – File No. 801-77659.
Milne, LLC d/b/a JKMilne Asset Management, a Sub-Adviser of the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund– File No. 801-63470.
Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC, the Adviser of the Pinnacle Tactical Allocation Fund and Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund – File No. 801-78013.
Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC, the Adviser of The Covered Bridge Fund– File No. 801-53760.
Global View Capital Management, Ltd., the Adviser of the Tactical Asset Allocation Fund – File No. 801-72887.
First Associated Investment Advisors, the Adviser of The Teberg Fund – File No. 801-60972.
RESQ Investment Partners, LLC, the Adviser of the RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund – File No. 801-78822.
Teton Fund Management, LLC, the Adviser of the Teton Valley Fund– File No. 801-78894.
R.W. Rogé & Company, Inc. the Adviser of the Rogé Partners Fund– File No. 801-28012.
Horizon Capital Management, Inc., the Adviser of the Issachar Fund – File No. 801-26038.
V2 Capital, LLC, a Sub-Adviser of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-70377.
Contravisory Investment Management, Inc., a Sub-Adviser of the Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-9168.
Cane Capital Management, LLC the Adviser of the Cane Alternative Strategies Fund – File No. 801-79377.
Newfound Research LLC the Adviser of the Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund, Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund, Newfound Total Return Fund, and Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund – File No. 801-73042.
Cozad Asset Management, Inc. the Adviser of the Cozad Small Cap Value Fund – File No. 801-18060.
FDO Partners, LLC the Sub-Adviser of the Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund – File No. 801-55104.
Howard Capital Management, Inc. the Adviser of the HCM Tactical Growth Fund and HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund – File No. 801-69763.
Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC the Adviser of the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund and Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund – File No. 801-80197.
Raylor Investments, LLC the Adviser of Raylor Managed Futures Strategy Fund – File No. 801-68653
Ascendant Capital Management, LLC the Adviser of ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund – File No. 801-80770.
Infinitas Capital, LLC a Sub-Adviser of Persimmon Long/Short Fund – File No. 801-95173
United Global Advisors, LLC the Adviser of United Income and Art Fund – File No. to be provided in subsequent amendment.
Absolute Capital Management, LLC the Adviser of Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund– File No. to be provided in subsequent amendment.
Item 32. Principal Underwriter.
(a) NLD is the principal underwriter for all series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III. NLD also acts as principal underwriter for the following:
AdvisorOne Funds, AmericaFirst Quantitative Funds , Arrow ETF Trust, BlueArc Multi-Strategy Fund, CLA Strategic Allocation Fund, Compass EMP Funds Trust, Copeland Trust, Equinox Funds Trust, Forethought Variable Insurance Trust, Hays Series Trust, Miller Investment Trust, Morgan Creek Series Trust, Mutual Fund Series Trust, Neiman Funds, Nile Capital Investment Trust, North Country Funds, Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust II, Northern Lights Variable Trust, OCM Mutual Fund, Trust, Princeton Private Equity Fund, The Multi-Strategy Growth & Income Fund, The Saratoga Advantage Trust, Total Income+ Real Estate Fund, Tributary Funds, Inc., Two Roads Shared Trust, Vertical Capital Income Fund.
Foreside Distribution Services, L.P. (the “Distributor”) serves as principal underwriter for the following investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended:
1. | HSBC Advisor Funds Trust |
2. | HSBC Funds (f/k/a HSBC Investor Funds) |
3. | IMS Funds, Series of Unified Series Trust |
4. | Leader Funds, Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust |
5. | Miles Funds, Inc. (f/k/a WB Capital Mutual Funds, Inc.) |
(b) NLD 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 NLD is 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130. NLD is an affiliate of Gemini Fund Services, LLC. To the best of Registrant's knowledge, the following are the members and officers of NLD:
Name | Positions and Offices with Underwriter |
Positions and Offices
with the Trust |
Brian Nielsen | Manager, CEO, Secretary | None |
Bill Wostoupal | President | None |
Daniel Applegarth | Treasurer | None |
Mike Nielsen | Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer | None |
Bill Strait | General Counsel | None |
Foreside Distribution Services, LP is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The Distributor’s main business address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine 04101 The following are the Officers of the Distributor:
Name | Address | Position with Underwriter |
Position with Registrant
|
Mark A. Fairbanks | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | President | None |
Richard J. Berthy | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Vice President and Treasurer | None |
Jennifer E. Hoopes | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Secretary | None |
Nanette K. Chern | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer | None |
Lisa S. Clifford | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Vice President and Managing Director of Compliance | None |
Nishant Bhatnagar | Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, ME 04101 | Assistant Secretary | None |
(c) Not applicable.
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.
All accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 31a-1 through 31a-3 thereunder are maintained at the office of the Registrant, Adviser, Sub-Adviser, Principal Underwriter, Transfer Agent, Fund Accountant, Administrator and Custodian at the addresses stated in the SAI.
Manarin Investment Counsel, Ltd., 505 N 210th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68022, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Lifetime Achievement Fund.
Swan Capital Management, LLC 277 E. Third Avenue, Unit A Durango, CO 81301, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Fund, Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund.
Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc., 11422 Miracle Hills Drive, Suite 208, Omaha, NE 68154 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Footprints Discover Value Fund.
Persimmon Capital Management, LP, 1777 Sentry Parkway, Gwynedd Hall, Suite 102, Blue Bell, PA 19422 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with the Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.
Caerus Global Investors, LLC, 712 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10019 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Persimmon Capital Management, LP, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.
Weatherbie Capital, LLC, 256 Franklin Street, Suite 1601, Boston, MA 02110 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Persimmon Capital Management, LP, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.
Good Harbor Financial, LLC, 155 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1850, Chicago, IL 60606 pursuant to the Advisory Agreements with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Core US II Fund, Good Harbor U.S. Tactical Core Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Core International Developed Markets Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Core International Emerging Markets Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Equity Income Fund, Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund, Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund and Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund.
Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc., 1050 Crown Pointe Parkway, Suite 750, Atlanta, GA 30338 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Marathon Value Portfolio.
ISF Management, LLC, 767 Third Avenue, 39th Floor, New York, NY 10017 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Persimmon Capital Management, LP, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.
Triumph Alternatives, LLC, 316 Sixth Avenue, Suite 100, LaGrange, Illinois 60525 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund.
Milne, LLC d/b/a/ JKMilne Asset Management, Royal Palm Corporate Center, 1520 Royal Palm Square Blvd., #210, Fort Meyers, FL 33919 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Triumph Alternatives, LLC, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Discretionary Managed Futures Strategy Fund.
Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC, 4200 S. Quail Creek Ave., Suite A, Springfield, MO 65810 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Pinnacle Tactical Allocation Fund and Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund.
Stonebridge Capital Advisors, LLC, 2550 University Avenue West, Suite 180 South, Saint Paul, MN 55114 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to The Covered Bridge Fund.
Global View Capital Management, Ltd., Stone Ridge Business Center III, Suite 350, Waukesha, WI 53188 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Tactical Asset Allocation Fund.
First Associated Investment Advisors, Inc., 5161 Miller Trunk Highway Duluth, MN 55811 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to The Teberg Fund.
RESQ Investment Partners, LLC 9383 East Bahia Drive, Suite 120, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund.
Teton Fund Management, LLC 1 Maritime Plaza, Suite 1555, San Francisco, CA 94111 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Teton Valley Fund.
R.W. Rogé & Company, Inc. 630 Johnson Ave, Suite 103, Bohemia, NY 11716 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Rogé Partners Fund.
Horizon Capital Management, Inc. 106 Valerie Drive, Lafayette, LA 70508 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Issachar Fund.
V2 Capital, LLC, 2700 Patriot Blvd., Suite 140, Glenview, IL 60026 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Persimmon Capital Management, LP, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.
Contravisory Investment Management, Inc., 120 Longwater Drive, Suite 100, Norwell, MA 02061 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Persimmon Capital Management, LP, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.
Cane Capital Management, LLC, 8440 Jefferson Hwy, Suite 402, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Cane Alternative Strategies Fund.
Newfound Research LLC, 425 Boylston Street, Third Floor, Boston, MA 02116 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund, the Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund, the Newfound Total Return Fund, and the Newfound Risk Managed U.S. Sectors Fund.
Cozad Asset Management, Inc., 2501 Galen Drive, Champaign, IL 61821 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Cozad Small Cap Value Fund.
FDO Partners, LLC, 134 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Good Harbor Financial, LLC, maintains all records required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Good Harbor Tactical Currency Strategy Fund and International Advantage Fund.
Howard Capital Management, Inc., 555 Sun Valley Drive, Suite B-4, Rosewell, GA 30076 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the HCM Tactical Growth Fund and HCM Dividend Sector Plus Fund.
Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC 12707 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92130 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund and Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund.
Raylor Investments, LLC 35 Mason Street, 4 th Floor, Greenwich, CT 06830 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Raylor Managed Futures Strategy Fund.
Ascendant Capital Management, LLC 10866 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90024 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the ACM Dynamic Opportunity Fund.
Swan Global Management, LLC 7 Ridgetop, Palmas Del Mar, PR 19103 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Swan Capital Management, Inc., maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Swan Defined Risk, the Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund, the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and the Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund.
Infinitas Capital, LLC 99 Hudson Street, 5 th Floor, New York, NY 10013 pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement with Persimmon Capital Management, LP, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Persimmon Long/Short Fund.
United Global Advisors, LLC 9701 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1115, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the United Income and Art Fund.
Absolute Capital Management, LLC 101 Pennsylvania Boulevard, Pittsburg, PA 15228 pursuant to the Advisory Agreement with Trust, maintains all record required pursuant to such agreement with respect to the Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund.
Item 34. Management Services. Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings. The Registrant undertakes that each Subsidiary and each Director of each Subsidiary hereby consents to service of process within the United States, and to examination of its books and records.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act, the Fund certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Hauppauge, and State of New York, on the 23rd day of September, 2015.
Northern Lights Fund Trust III
By: /s/ James P. Ash
James P. Ash, President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the dates indicated.
Northern Lights Fund Trust III
Name | Title |
/s/ James P. Ash | President |
/s/ Brian Curley | Treasurer |
James U. Jensen* | Independent Trustee |
Patricia Luscombe* | Independent Trustee |
John V. Palancia* | Independent Trustee |
Mark H. Taylor* | Independent Trustee |
Jeffery D. Young* | Independent Trustee |
Date:
September 24, 2015
*By: /s/ Eric D. Kane
Eric D. Kane, Esq.
*Attorney-in-Fact – Pursuant to Powers of Attorney as previously filed February 26, 2015.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit | Exhibit No. |
Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund | (d)(xxxiv) |
Investment Advisory Agreement between Good Harbor Financial LLC and Registrant with respect to the Leland International Advantage Fund, Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund and Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund | (d)(xlii) |
Expense Limitation Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund | (h)(xxvii) |
Legal Consent | (i) |
Consent of Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd. | (j)(i) |
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | (j)(ii) |
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Between
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III
and
COUNTERPOINT MUTUAL FUNDS, LLC
This AGREEMENT is made as of April 10, 2015 between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC, a California limited liability company (the “Adviser”) located at 12707 High Bluff Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92130 .
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act");
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, each having its own investment objective or objectives, policies and limitations;
WHEREAS, the Trust offers shares in the series named on Appendix A hereto (such series, together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 1.3, being herein referred to as a "Fund," and collectively as the "Funds");
WHEREAS, the Adviser is or soon will be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser to render investment advisory services to the Trust with respect to the Fund in the manner and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Services of the Adviser.
1.1 Investment Advisory Services. 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 hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective(s), 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 than may be charged by other brokers.
The Trust hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement, which is a member of a national securities exchange, to effect any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Trust which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Trust hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv) provided the transaction complies with the Trust’s Rule 17e-1 policies and procedures.
The Adviser shall carry out its duties with respect to the Fund's investments in accordance with applicable law and the investment objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in the Fund's then-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.
1.2 Administrative Services. The Trust has engaged the services of an administrator. The Adviser shall provide such additional administrative services as reasonably requested by the Board of Trustees or officers of the Trust; provided, that the Adviser shall not have any obligation to provide under this Agreement any direct or indirect services to Trust shareholders, any services related to the distribution of Trust shares, or any other services which are the subject of a separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to the foregoing, in providing administrative services hereunder, the Adviser shall:
1.2.1 Office Space, Equipment and Facilities. Provide such office space, office equipment and office facilities as are adequate to fulfill the Adviser’s obligations hereunder.
1.2.2 Personnel. Provide, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust, the services of individuals competent to perform the administrative functions which are not performed by employees or other agents engaged by the Trust or by the Adviser acting in some other capacity pursuant to a separate agreement or arrangement with the Trust.
1.2.3 Agents. Assist the Trust in selecting and coordinating the activities of the other agents engaged by the Trust, including the Trust's shareholder servicing agent, custodian, administrator, independent auditors and legal counsel.
1.2.4 Trustees and Officers. Authorize and permit the Adviser's directors, officers and employees who may be elected or appointed as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in such capacities, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust.
1.2.5 Books and Records. Assure that all financial, accounting and other records required to be maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are maintained and preserved by it in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
1.2.6 Reports and Filings. Assist in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by the Fund to its shareholders and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of the Fund and Fund shares, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to the Fund , under federal and state securities and tax laws.
1.3 Additional Series. In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series after the effectiveness of this Agreement ("Additional Series"), Appendix A to this Agreement may be amended to make such Additional Series subject to this Agreement upon the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the shareholder(s) of the Additional Series, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The Trust or the Adviser may elect not to make any such series subject to this Agreement.
1.4 Change in Management or Control. The Adviser shall provide at least sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Trust of any change in the ownership or management of the Adviser, or any event or action that may constitute a change in “control,” as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Act . The Adviser shall provide prompt notice of any change in the portfolio manager(s) responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
2. Expenses of the Fund .
2.1 Expenses to be Paid by Adviser. The Adviser shall pay all salaries, expenses and fees of the officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors , members or employees of the Adviser.
In the event that the Adviser pays or assumes any expenses of the Trust not required to be paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Adviser shall not be obligated hereby to pay or assume the same or any similar expense in the future; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to relieve the Adviser of any obligation to the Fund under any separate agreement or arrangement between the parties.
2.2 Expenses to be Paid by the Fund. The Fund shall bear all expenses of its operation, except those specifically allocated to the Adviser under this Agreement or under any separate agreement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to any separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser, the expenses hereby allocated to the Fund , and not to the Adviser, include but are not limited to:
2.2.1 Custody. All charges of depositories, custodians, and other agents for the transfer, receipt, safekeeping, and servicing of the Fund' s cash, securities, and other property.
2.2.2 Shareholder Servicing. All expenses of maintaining and servicing shareholder accounts, including but not limited to the charges of any shareholder servicing agent, dividend disbursing agent, transfer agent or other agent engaged by the Trust to service shareholder accounts.
2.2.3 Shareholder Reports. All expenses of preparing, setting in type, printing and distributing reports and other communications to shareholders.
2.2.4 Prospectuses. All expenses of preparing, converting to EDGAR format, filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other appropriate regulatory body, setting in type, printing and mailing annual or more frequent revisions of the Fund 's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and any supplements thereto and of supplying them to shareholders.
2.2.5 Pricing and Portfolio Valuation. All expenses of computing the Fund 's net asset value per share, including any equipment or services obtained for the purpose of pricing shares or valuing the Fund 's investment portfolio.
2.2.6 Communications. All charges for equipment or services used for communications between the Adviser or the Trust and any custodian, shareholder servicing agent, portfolio accounting services agent, or other agent engaged by the Trust.
2.2.7 Legal and Accounting Fees. All charges for services and expenses of the Trust's legal counsel and independent accountants.
2.2.8 Trustees' Fees and Expenses. All compensation of Trustees other than those affiliated with the Adviser, all expenses incurred in connection with such unaffiliated Trustees' services as Trustees, and all other expenses of meetings of the Trustees and committees of the Trustees.
2.2.9 Shareholder Meetings. All expenses incidental to holding meetings of shareholders, including the printing of notices and proxy materials, and proxy solicitations therefor.
2.2.10 Federal Registration Fees. All fees and expenses of registering and maintaining the registration of the Fund under the Act and the registration of the Fund 's shares under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"), including all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, converting to EDGAR format, setting in type, printing, and filing of any Registration Statement, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information under the 1933 Act or the Act, and any amendments or supplements that may be made from time to time.
2.2.11 State Registration Fees. All fees and expenses of taking required action to permit the offer and sale of the Fund 's shares under securities laws of various states or jurisdictions, and of registration and qualification of the Fund under all other laws applicable to the Trust or its business activities (including registering the Trust as a broker-dealer, or any officer of the Trust or any person as agent or salesperson of the Trust in any state).
2.2.12 Confirmations. All expenses incurred in connection with the issue and transfer of Fund shares, including the expenses of confirming all share transactions.
2.2.13 Bonding and Insurance. All expenses of bond, liability, and other insurance coverage required by law or regulation or deemed advisable by the Trustees of the Trust, including, without limitation, such bond, liability and other insurance expenses that may from time to time be allocated to the Fund in a manner approved by its Trustees.
2.2.14 Brokerage Commissions. All brokers' commissions and other charges incident to the purchase, sale or lending of the Fund 's portfolio securities.
2.2.15 Taxes. All taxes or governmental fees payable by or with respect to the Fund to federal, state or other governmental agencies, domestic or foreign, including stamp or other transfer taxes.
2.2.16 Trade Association Fees. All fees, dues and other expenses incurred in connection with the Trust's membership in any trade association or other investment organization.
2.2.18 Compliance Fees. All charges for services and expenses of the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer.
2.2.19 Nonrecurring and Extraordinary Expenses. Such nonrecurring and extraordinary expenses as may arise including the costs of actions, suits, or proceedings to which the Trust is a party and the expenses the Trust may incur as a result of its legal obligation to provide indemnification to its officers, Trustees and agents.
3. Advisory Fee.
As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Fund shall pay the Adviser on the last day of each month, or as promptly as possible thereafter, a fee calculated by applying a monthly rate, based on an annual percentage rate, to the Fund's average daily net assets for the month. The annual percentage rate applicable to the Fund is set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with Section 1.3 of this Agreement. If this Agreement shall be effective for only a portion of a month with respect to a Fund, the aforesaid fee shall be prorated for the portion of such month during which this Agreement is in effect for the Fund.
4. Proxy Voting.
The Adviser will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of a Fund may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that you deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of the Fund and in accordance with your proxy voting policy. You agree to provide a copy of your proxy voting policy to the Trust prior to the execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto promptly.
5. Records.
5.1 Tax Treatment. Both the Adviser and the Trust shall maintain, or arrange for others to maintain, the books and records of the Trust in such a manner that treats the Fund as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes.
5.2 Ownership. All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Trust pursuant to the provisions or rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 31(a) of the Act and maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are the property of the Trust and shall be surrendered by the Adviser promptly on request by the Trust; provided, that the Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records.
6. Reports to Adviser.
The Trust shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Adviser such copies of the Fund 's Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, financial statements, proxy statements, reports and other information relating to its business and affairs as the Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.
7. Reports to the Trust.
The Adviser shall prepare and furnish to the Trust such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as the Trust may reasonably request.
8. Code of Ethics.
The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption. The Adviser will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust at least annually a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that the Adviser has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent "access persons" (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.
9. Retention of Sub-Adviser.
Subject to the Trust's obtaining the initial and periodic approvals required under Section 15 of the Act, the Adviser may retain one or more sub-advisers, at the Adviser's own cost and expense, for the purpose of managing the investments of the assets of one or more Funds of the Trust. Retention of one or more sub-advisers shall in no way reduce the responsibilities or obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement and the Adviser shall, subject to Section 11 of this Agreement, be responsible to the Trust for all acts or omissions of any sub-adviser in connection with the performance of the Adviser's duties hereunder.
10. Services to Other Clients.
Nothing herein contained shall limit the freedom of the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser to render investment management and administrative services to other investment companies, to act as investment adviser or investment counselor to other persons, firms or corporations, or to engage in other business activities.
11. Limitation of Liability of Adviser and its Personnel.
Neither the Adviser nor any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser performing services for the Trust at the direction or request of the Adviser in connection with the Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates, and the Adviser shall not be responsible for any action of the Trustees of the Trust in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendation of the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement; PROVIDED, that nothing herein contained shall be construed (i) to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which the Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) to protect any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser who is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability of the Trust or its shareholders 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 with the Trust.
12. Effect of Agreement.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require to the Trust to take any action contrary to its Declaration of Trust or its By-Laws or any applicable law, regulation or order to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trustees of the Trust of their responsibility for and control of the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust.
13. Term of Agreement.
With respect to the Fund, the term of this Agreement shall begin as of the date and year upon which the Fund commences investment operations, and unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years. Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the Fund from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof; PROVIDED, such continuance with respect to a Fund is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by the Trustees of the Trust; PROVIDED, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto. The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust, promptly upon its request, such information as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.
14. Amendment or Assignment of Agreement.
Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; PROVIDED, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized (i) by resolution of the Trustees of the Trust, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund affected by such amendment if required by applicable law. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.
15. Termination of Agreement.
This Agreement may be terminated as to any Fund at any time by either party hereto, without the payment of any penalty, upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the other party; PROVIDED, that in the case of termination by any Fund, such action shall have been authorized (i) by resolution of the Trust's Board of Trustees, including the vote or written consent of Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, or (ii) by vote of majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
16. Use of Name.
The Trust is named the Northern Lights Fund Trust III and each Fund may be identified, in part, by the name "Northern Lights."
17. Declaration of Trust.
The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, and its assets, and the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Trust. In addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of any Fund under the Declaration of Trust are separate and distinct from those of any and all other Funds. The Adviser further understands and agrees that no Fund of the Trust shall be liable for any claims against any other Fund of the Trust and that the Adviser must look solely to the assets of the pertinent Fund of the Trust for the enforcement or satisfaction of any claims against the Trust with respect to that Fund.
18. Confidentiality.
The Adviser agrees to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the securities holdings of the Fund as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law. In addition, the Adviser and the Adviser's officers, directors, members and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of a Fund, as a result of disclosing the Fund's portfolio holdings. The Adviser agrees that, consistent with the Adviser's Code of Ethics, neither the Adviser nor the Adviser's officers, directors, members or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about a Fund's portfolio holdings.
19. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
20. Interpretation and Definition of Terms.
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts, or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of
the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the Act. Specifically, the terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," "interested persons," "assignment" and "affiliated person," as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
21. Captions.
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
22. Execution in Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date and year first above written.
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III
By: _/s/ Andrew Rogers
Name: Andrew Rogers
Title: President
Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC
By: _/s/ Michael Krause
Name: Michael Krause
Title: Chief Operating Officer
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
APPENDIX A
FUNDS OF THE TRUST
NAME OF FUND |
ANNUAL ADVISORY FEE AS A % OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF THE FUND |
Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund | 1.25% |
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Between
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III
and
GOOD HARBOR FINANCIAL, LLC
This AGREEMENT is made as of May 28, 2015 between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and Good Harbor Finanical, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”) located at 155 N Wacker Drive, Suite 1850, Chicago, IL 60606..
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act");
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, each having its own investment objective or objectives, policies and limitations;
WHEREAS, the Trust offers shares in the series named on Appendix A hereto (such series, together with all other series subsequently established by the Trust and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 1.3, being herein referred to as a "Fund," and collectively as the "Funds");
WHEREAS, the Adviser is or soon will be registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser to render investment advisory services to the Trust with respect to each Fund in the manner and on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Services of the Adviser.
1.1 Investment Advisory Services. The Adviser shall act as the investment adviser to each 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 hereunder, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of each Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective(s), policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by each 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 than may be charged by other brokers.
The Trust hereby authorizes any entity or person associated with the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement, which is a member of a national securities exchange, to effect any transaction on the exchange for the account of the Trust which is permitted by Section 11(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 11a2-2(T) thereunder, and the Trust hereby consents to the retention of compensation for such transactions in accordance with Rule 11a2-2(T)(a)(2)(iv) provided the transaction complies with the Trust’s Rule 17e-1 policies and procedures.
The Adviser shall carry out its duties with respect to each Fund's investments in accordance with applicable law and the investment objectives, policies and restrictions set forth in each Fund's then-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.
1.2 Administrative Services. The Trust has engaged the services of an administrator. The Adviser shall provide such additional administrative services as reasonably requested by the Board of Trustees or officers of the Trust; provided, that the Adviser shall not have any obligation to provide under this Agreement any direct or indirect services to Trust shareholders, any services related to the distribution of Trust shares, or any other services which are the subject of a separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to the foregoing, in providing administrative services hereunder, the Adviser shall:
1.2.1 Office Space, Equipment and Facilities. Provide such office space, office equipment and office facilities as are adequate to fulfill the Adviser’s obligations hereunder.
1.2.2 Personnel. Provide, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust, the services of individuals competent to perform the administrative functions which are not performed by employees or other agents engaged by the Trust or by the Adviser acting in some other capacity pursuant to a separate agreement or arrangement with the Trust.
1.2.3 Agents. Assist the Trust in selecting and coordinating the activities of the other agents engaged by the Trust, including the Trust's shareholder servicing agent, custodian, administrator, independent auditors and legal counsel.
1.2.4 Trustees and Officers. Authorize and permit the Adviser's directors, officers and employees who may be elected or appointed as Trustees or officers of the Trust to serve in such capacities, without remuneration from or other cost to the Trust.
1.2.5 Books and Records. Assure that all financial, accounting and other records required to be maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are maintained and preserved by it in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
1.2.6 Reports and Filings. Assist in the preparation of (but not pay for) all periodic reports by each Fund to its shareholders and all reports and filings required to maintain the registration and qualification of each Fund and Fund shares, or to meet other regulatory or tax requirements applicable to each Fund , under federal and state securities and tax laws.
1.3 Additional Series. In the event that the Trust establishes one or more series after the effectiveness of this Agreement ("Additional Series"), Appendix A to this Agreement may be amended to make such Additional Series subject to this Agreement upon the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the shareholder(s) of the Additional Series, in accordance with
the provisions of the Act. The Trust or the Adviser may elect not to make any such series subject to this Agreement.
1.4 Change in Management or Control. The Adviser shall provide at least sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the Trust of any change in the ownership or management of the Adviser, or any event or action that may constitute a change in “control,” as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Act . The Adviser shall provide prompt notice of any change in the portfolio manager(s) responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund.
2. Expenses of the Fund .
2.1 Expenses to be Paid by Adviser. The Adviser shall pay all salaries, expenses and fees of the officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors, members or employees of the Adviser.
In the event that the Adviser pays or assumes any expenses of the Trust not required to be paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, the Adviser shall not be obligated hereby to pay or assume the same or any similar expense in the future; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to relieve the Adviser of any obligation to each Fund under any separate agreement or arrangement between the parties.
2.2 Expenses to be Paid by the Fund. Each Fund shall bear all expenses of its operation, except those specifically allocated to the Adviser under this Agreement or under any separate agreement between the Trust and the Adviser. Subject to any separate agreement or arrangement between the Trust and the Adviser, the expenses hereby allocated to each Fund , and not to the Adviser, include but are not limited to:
2.2.1 Custody. All charges of depositories, custodians, and other agents for the transfer, receipt, safekeeping, and servicing of each Fund' s cash, securities, and other property.
2.2.2 Shareholder Servicing. All expenses of maintaining and servicing shareholder accounts, including but not limited to the charges of any shareholder servicing agent, dividend disbursing agent, transfer agent or other agent engaged by the Trust to service shareholder accounts.
2.2.3 Shareholder Reports. All expenses of preparing, setting in type, printing and distributing reports and other communications to shareholders.
2.2.4 Prospectuses. All expenses of preparing, converting to EDGAR format, filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other appropriate regulatory body, setting in type, printing and mailing annual or more frequent revisions of each Fund 's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and any supplements thereto and of supplying them to shareholders.
2.2.5 Pricing and Portfolio Valuation. All expenses of computing each Fund 's net asset value per share, including any equipment or services obtained for the purpose of pricing shares or valuing each Fund 's investment portfolio.
2.2.6 Communications. All charges for equipment or services used for communications between the Adviser or the Trust and any custodian, shareholder servicing agent, portfolio accounting services agent, or other agent engaged by the Trust.
2.2.7 Legal and Accounting Fees. All charges for services and expenses of the Trust's legal counsel and independent accountants.
2.2.8 Trustees' Fees and Expenses. All compensation of Trustees other than those affiliated with the Adviser, all expenses incurred in connection with such unaffiliated Trustees' services as Trustees, and all other expenses of meetings of the Trustees and committees of the Trustees.
2.2.9 Shareholder Meetings. All expenses incidental to holding meetings of shareholders, including the printing of notices and proxy materials, and proxy solicitations therefor.
2.2.10 Federal Registration Fees. All fees and expenses of registering and maintaining the registration of each Fund under the Act and the registration of each Fund 's shares under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"), including all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, converting to EDGAR format, setting in type, printing, and filing of any Registration Statement, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information under the 1933 Act or the Act, and any amendments or supplements that may be made from time to time.
2.2.11 State Registration Fees. All fees and expenses of taking required action to permit the offer and sale of each Fund 's shares under securities laws of various states or jurisdictions, and of registration and qualification of the Funds under all other laws applicable to the Trust or its business activities (including registering the Trust as a broker-dealer, or any officer of the Trust or any person as agent or salesperson of the Trust in any state).
2.2.12 Confirmations. All expenses incurred in connection with the issue and transfer of Fund shares, including the expenses of confirming all share transactions.
2.2.13 Bonding and Insurance. All expenses of bond, liability, and other insurance coverage required by law or regulation or deemed advisable by the Trustees of the Trust, including, without limitation, such bond, liability and other insurance expenses that may from time to time be allocated to each Fund in a manner approved by its Trustees.
2.2.14 Brokerage Commissions. All brokers' commissions and other charges incident to the purchase, sale or lending of each Fund 's portfolio securities.
2.2.15 Taxes. All taxes or governmental fees payable by or with respect to each Fund to federal, state or other governmental agencies, domestic or foreign, including stamp or other transfer taxes.
2.2.16 Trade Association Fees. All fees, dues and other expenses incurred in connection with the Trust's membership in any trade association or other investment organization.
2.2.18 Compliance Fees. All charges for services and expenses of the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer.
2.2.19 Nonrecurring and Extraordinary Expenses. Such nonrecurring and extraordinary expenses as may arise including the costs of actions, suits, or proceedings to which the Trust is a party and the expenses the Trust may incur as a result of its legal obligation to provide indemnification to its officers, Trustees and agents.
3. Advisory Fee.
As compensation for all services rendered, facilities provided and expenses paid or assumed by the Adviser under this Agreement, each Fund shall pay the Adviser on the last day of each month, or as promptly as possible thereafter, a fee calculated by applying a monthly rate, based on an annual percentage rate, to each Fund's average daily net assets for the month. The annual percentage rate applicable to each Fund is set forth in Appendix A to this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with Section 1.3 of this Agreement. If this Agreement shall be effective for only a portion of a month with respect to a Fund, the aforesaid fee shall be prorated for the portion of such month during which this Agreement is in effect for each Fund.
4. Proxy Voting.
The Adviser will vote, or make arrangements to have voted, all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of a Fund may be invested from time to time. Such proxies will be voted in a manner that you deem, in good faith, to be in the best interest of each Fund and in accordance with your proxy voting policy. You agree to provide a copy of your proxy voting policy to the Trust prior to the execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto promptly.
5. Records.
5.1 Tax Treatment. Both the Adviser and the Trust shall maintain, or arrange for others to maintain, the books and records of the Trust in such a manner that treats each Fund as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes.
5.2 Ownership. All records required to be maintained and preserved by the Trust pursuant to the provisions or rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 31(a) of the Act and maintained and preserved by the Adviser on behalf of the Trust are the property of the Trust and shall be surrendered by the Adviser promptly on request by the Trust; provided, that the Adviser may at its own expense make and retain copies of any such records.
6. Reports to Adviser.
The Trust shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Adviser such copies of each Fund 's Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, financial statements, proxy statements, reports and other information relating to its business and affairs as the Adviser may, at any time or from time to time, reasonably require in order to discharge its obligations under this Agreement.
7. Reports to the Trust.
The Adviser shall prepare and furnish to the Trust such reports, statistical data and other information in such form and at such intervals as the Trust may reasonably request.
8. Code of Ethics.
The Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the Act and will provide the Trust with a copy of the code and evidence of its adoption. The Adviser will provide to the Board of Trustees of the Trust at least annualy a written report that describes any issues arising under the code of ethics since the last report to the Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the code and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and which certifies that the Adviser
has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent "access persons" (as that term is defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating the code.
9. Retention of Sub-Adviser.
Subject to the Trust's obtaining the initial and periodic approvals required under Section 15 of the Act, the Adviser may retain one or more sub-advisers, at the Adviser's own cost and expense, for the purpose of managing the investments of the assets of one or more Funds of the Trust. Retention of one or more sub-advisers shall in no way reduce the responsibilities or obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement and the Adviser shall, subject to Section 11 of this Agreement, be responsible to the Trust for all acts or omissions of any sub-adviser in connection with the performance of the Adviser's duties hereunder.
10. Services to Other Clients.
Nothing herein contained shall limit the freedom of the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser to render investment management and administrative services to other investment companies, to act as investment adviser or investment counselor to other persons, firms or corporations, or to engage in other business activities.
11. Limitation of Liability of Adviser and its Personnel.
Neither the Adviser nor any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser performing services for the Trust at the direction or request of the Adviser in connection with the Adviser's discharge of its obligations hereunder shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with any matter to which this Agreement relates, and the Adviser shall not be responsible for any action of the Trustees of the Trust in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendation of the Adviser or any sub-adviser retained by the Adviser pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement; PROVIDED, that nothing herein contained shall be construed (i) to protect the Adviser against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which the Adviser would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser's duties, or by reason of the Adviser's reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) to protect any director, manager, officer or employee of the Adviser who is or was a Trustee or officer of the Trust against any liability of the Trust or its shareholders 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 with the Trust.
12. Effect of Agreement.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require to the Trust to take any action contrary to its Declaration of Trust or its By-Laws or any applicable law, regulation or order to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Trustees of the Trust of their responsibility for and control of the conduct of the business and affairs of the Trust.
13. Term of Agreement.
With respect to each Fund, the term of this Agreement shall begin as of the date and year upon which each Fund commences investment operations, and unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect for a period of two years. Thereafter,
this Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to each Fund from year to year, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof; PROVIDED, such continuance with respect to a Fund is approved at least annually by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund or by the Trustees of the Trust; PROVIDED, that in either event such continuance is also approved annually by the vote, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto. The Adviser shall furnish to the Trust, promptly upon its request, such information as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof.
14. Amendment or Assignment of Agreement.
Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto; PROVIDED, that no such amendment shall be effective unless authorized (i) by resolution of the Trustees of the Trust, including the vote or written consent of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund affected by such amendment if required by applicable law. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment.
15. Termination of Agreement.
This Agreement may be terminated as to any Fund at any time by either party hereto, without the payment of any penalty, upon sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the other party; PROVIDED, that in the case of termination by any Fund, such action shall have been authorized (i) by resolution of the Trust's Board of Trustees, including the vote or written consent of Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of either party hereto, or (ii) by vote of majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund.
16. Use of Name.
The Trust is named the Northern Lights Fund Trust III and each Fund may be identified, in part, by the name "Northern Lights."
17. Declaration of Trust.
The Adviser is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of shareholder liability as set forth in the Trust's Declaration of Trust and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Trust or a Fund, as the case may be, and its assets, and the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Trust. In addition, the Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligations from the Trustees or any individual Trustee. The Adviser understands that the rights and obligations of any Fund under the Declaration of Trust are separate and distinct from those of any and all other Funds. The Adviser further understands and agrees that no Fund of the Trust shall be liable for any claims against any other Fund of the Trust and that the Adviser must look solely to the assets of the pertinent Fund of the Trust for the enforcement or satisfaction of any claims against the Trust with respect to that Fund.
18. Confidentiality.
The Adviser agrees to treat all records and other information relating to the Trust and the securities holdings of each Fund as confidential and shall not disclose any such records or information to any other person unless (i) the Board of Trustees of the Trust has approved the disclosure or (ii) such disclosure is compelled by law. In addition, the Adviser and the Adviser's officers, directors, members and employees are prohibited from receiving compensation or other consideration, for themselves or on behalf of a Fund, as a result of disclosing each Fund's portfolio holdings. The Adviser agrees that, consistent with the Adviser's Code of Ethics, neither the Adviser nor the Adviser's officers, directors, members or employees may engage in personal securities transactions based on nonpublic information about a Fund's portfolio holdings.
19. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
20. Interpretation and Definition of Terms.
Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the Act and to interpretation thereof, if any, by the United States courts, or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations or orders of the Securities and Exchange Commission validly issued pursuant to the Act. Specifically, the terms "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities," "interested persons," "assignment" and "affiliated person," as used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them by Section 2(a) of the Act. In addition, when the effect of a requirement of the Act reflected in any provision of this Agreement is modified, interpreted or relaxed by a rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, whether of special or of general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation or order.
21. Captions.
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
22. Execution in Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
[ Signature Page Follows ]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date and year first above written.
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III
By: /s/ Andrew Rogers ________
Name: Andrew Rogers
Title: President
Good Harbor Financial, LLC
By: _ /s/ Yash Patel ___________
Name: Yash Patel
Title: Chief Operating Officer
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
APPENDIX A
FUNDS OF THE TRUST
NAME OF FUND |
ANNUAL ADVISORY FEE AS A % OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF THE FUND |
Leland International Advantage Fund | 1.00% |
Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund | 1.25% |
Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund | 1.25% |
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III
OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION
AGREEMENT
COUNTERPOINT TACTICAL INCOME FUND
THIS OPERATING EXPENSES LIMITATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is effective as of the 3rd day of February, 2015, by
and between NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of the Counterpoint
Tactical Income Fund (the “Fund”) a series of the Trust, and the Advisor of the Fund, Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC,
(the “Advisor”).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS
, the Advisor renders advice and services to the Fund pursuant to the terms and provisions of an Investment Advisory
Agreement between the Trust and the Advisor dated as of the 3
rd
day of February, 2015 (the “Advisory Agreement”);
and
WHEREAS
, the Fund is responsible for, and has assumed the obligation for, payment of certain expenses pursuant to the Advisory
Agreement that have not been assumed by the Advisor; and
WHEREAS
, the Advisor desires to limit the Fund’s Operating Expenses (as that term is defined in Paragraph 2 of this
Agreement) pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and the Trust (on behalf of the Fund) desires to allow the Advisor
to implement those limits; and
WHEREAS , as a condition to the continuation of its contractual relationship with the Advisor, the Trust has required that Advisor grant to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to a designated account of the Advisor established with Gemini Fund Services, LLC, Transfer Agent to the Fund, or its successor and assigns (the “Securities Intermediary”), for so long as Fund assets remain below $15 million;
NOW THEREFORE
, in consideration of the covenants and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties, intending to
be legally bound hereby, mutually agree as follows:
1.
Limit on Operating Expenses
. The Advisor hereby agrees to limit the Fund’s current Operating Expenses to
an annual rate, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets for the month, to the amounts listed in
Appendix A
(the “Annual Limit”). In
the event
that the current Operating Expenses of the
Fund, as accrued each month, exceed its Annual Limit, the Advisor will pay to the Fund, on a monthly basis, the excess expense
within the first ten days of the month following the month in which such Operating Expenses were incurred (each payment, a “Fund
Reimbursement Payment”).
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2. Definition . For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Operating Expenses” with respect to the Fund is defined to include all expenses necessary or appropriate for the operation of the Fund and including the Advisor’s investment advisory or management fee detailed in the Advisory Agreement, any Rule 12b-l fees and other expenses described in the Advisory Agreement, but does not include: (i) any front-end or contingent deferred loads; (ii) brokerage fees and commissions, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses; (iii) borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); (iv) taxes; and (v) extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser)).
3. Reimbursement of Fees and Expenses . The Advisor retains its right to receive in future years on a rolling three year basis, reimbursement of any Fund Reimbursement Payments paid by the Advisor pursuant to this Agreement, if such reimbursement can be achieved within the Operating Expense Limitations listed in Appendix A .
4. Collateral Account and Security Interest . At any time when Fund’s assets are below $15 million, the Advisor, for value received, hereby pledges, assigns, sets over and grants to the Trust a continuing security interest in and to an account to be established and maintained by the Advisor with the Securities Intermediary and designated as a collateral account (the “Collateral Account”), including any replacement account established with any successor, together with all dividends, interest, stock-splits, distributions, profits and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof and any and all other rights as may now or hereafter derive or accrue therefrom (collectively, the “Collateral”) to secure the payment of any required Fund Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses (as defined in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement). For so long as this Agreement is in effect, any transfers or conveyances of Collateral to any party shall require the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”), except as specified in Section 7(a)(ii) of this Agreement, below. In addition, the Trust will not issue entitlement orders, redeem or otherwise take any action with respect to the Collateral or Collateral Account unless a Collateral Event (defined below under Section 5 of this Agreement) has occurred or is continuing.
5. Collateral Event . In the event that either (a) the Advisor does not make the Fund Reimbursement Payment due in connection with a particular calendar month by the tenth day of the following calendar month or (b) the Board enacts a resolution calling for the liquidation of the Fund (either (a) or (b), a “Collateral Event”), then, in either event, the Board shall have absolute discretion to redeem any shares or other Collateral held in the Collateral Account and utilize the proceeds from such redemptions or such other Collateral to make any required Fund Reimbursement Payment, or to cover any costs or expenses which the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, estimates will be required in connection with the liquidation of the Fund (the “Liquidation Expenses”). Pursuant to the terms of Paragraph 6 of this Agreement, upon authorization from the Board, but subject to the provisions of the Control Agreement, no further instructions shall be required from the Advisor for the Securities Intermediary to transfer any Collateral from the Collateral Account to the Fund. The Advisor acknowledges that in the event the Collateral available in the Collateral Account is insufficient to cover the full cost of any Fund
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Reimbursement Payment or Liquidation Expenses, the Fund shall retain the right to receive from the Advisor any costs in excess of the value of the Collateral.
6. Control Agreement; Appointment of Attorney-in-Fact . The Advisor agrees to execute and deliver to the Board, in form and substance satisfactory to the Board, a Control Agreement by, between and among the Trust, the Advisor and the Securities Intermediary (the “Control Agreement”) pursuant to and consistent with Section 8-106(c) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, which shall terminate when the Collateral Account is no longer required under this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, for so long as the Collateral Account in required under the Agreement, the Advisor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Trust, through any officer thereof, with full power of substitution, as Advisor's true and lawful Attorney-in-Fact, with full irrevocable power and authority in place and stead of the Advisor and in the name of the Advisor or in the Trust's own name, from time to time, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate actions and to execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments which the Board deems necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Agreement, which power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trust shall have the right and power following any Collateral Event to receive, endorse and collect all checks and other orders for the payment of money made payable to the Advisor representing any interest payment, dividend, or other distribution payable in respect of or to the Collateral, or any part thereof, and to give full discharge for the same. So long as a Collateral Event has occurred and is continuing, the Board, in its discretion, may direct the Advisor or Advisor's agent to transfer the Collateral in certificated or uncertificated form into the name and account of the Trust or its designee.
7. Covenants . So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, the Advisor represents and covenants as follows:
(a) | No later than 120 days after the Fund becomes operational, the Advisor shall invest at least $30,000 in the Collateral Account, unless Fund assets have reached $15 million by that time (in which case no Collateral Account is required until Fund assets fall below $15 million for more than 30 days). Once the Collateral Account is established: (i) the Advisor will maintain at least $30,000 in said account, such that additional amounts will be deposited by the Advisor where Fund outflows or negative Fund performance reduce the Collateral Account below $30,000 for a period of more than thirty days; (ii) when the Fund reaches $15 million or more in net assets, the Advisor may withdraw all assets from said account, less the minimum amount required to maintain the account open; and (iii) the Advisor hereby agrees to deposit and maintain $30,000 in the Collateral Account within 30 days of Fund assets falling below $15 million, where assets have not risen above $15 million at the end of that 30-day period. The Collateral Account may be closed completely upon Fund assets reaching $25 million. |
3 |
(b) | To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Advisor agrees not to challenge any action taken by the Board or the Trust in executing the terms of this Agreement; provided that the action does not constitute willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties of the Board under this Agreement, the Advisory Agreement, or to Fund shareholders. |
(c) | The Trust will not issue entitlement orders, redeem or otherwise take any action with respect to the Collateral or Collateral Account unless a Collateral Event (defined above under Section 5 of this Agreement) has occurred or is continuing. |
8. Term . This Agreement shall become effective on the date first above written and shall remain in effect until at January 31, 2017 unless sooner terminated as provided in Paragraph 9 of this Agreement, and shall continue in effect for successive twelve-month periods provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust.
9.
Termination
. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, and without payment of any penalty, by the Board, on
behalf of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Advisor. This Agreement may not be terminated by the Advisor
without the consent of the Board. This Agreement and the Control Agreement will automatically terminate, with respect to the Fund
listed in
Appendix A
if the Advisory Agreement for the Fund is terminated and the Fund continues to operate under
the management of a new investment adviser, with such termination effective upon the effective date of the Advisory Agreement’s
termination for the Fund.
10.
Assignment
. This Agreement and all rights and obligations hereunder may not be assigned without the written consent
of the other party.
11.
Severability
. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute or
rule, or shall be otherwise rendered invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
12.
Governing Law
. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of
New York without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to preempt,
or to be inconsistent with, any federal law, regulation or rule, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(Signature Page follows)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and attested by their duly authorized officers, all on the day and year first above written.
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III | Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC |
on behalf of Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund | |
By: _ /s/ Andrew Rogers | By: /s/ Michael Krause |
Name: Andrew Rogers | Name: Michael Krause |
Title: President | Title: Chief Operating Officer |
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Appendix A
Fund | Operating Expense Limit |
Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund | |
Class A | 2.00% |
Class C | 2.75% |
Class I | 1.75% |
September 17, 2015
Northern Lights Fund Trust III
17605 Wright Street
Suite 2
Omaha, Nebraska 68130
Re: Northern Lights Fund Trust III - File Nos. 333- 178833 and 811-22655
Gentlemen:
A legal opinion (the “Legal Opinion”) that we prepared was filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 202 to the Northern Lights Fund Trust III Registration Statement. We hereby give you our consent to incorporate by reference the Legal Opinion into Post-Effective Amendment No. 203 under the Securities Act of 1933 (Amendment No. 206 under the Investment Company Act of 1940) (the “Amendment”) and consent to all references to us in the Amendment.
Very truly yours,
/s/ THOMPSON HINE LLP
THOMPSON HINE LLP
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the references to our firm in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund, a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III, under the headings “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information and “Policies and Procedures for Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings” in the Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd.
Cleveland, Ohio
September 23, 2015
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated June 16, 2015, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appears in the March 31, 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders of MPS Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Fund, which is also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial Statements”, “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" and "Financial Highlights" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 23, 2015