Securities Act Registration No. 333-178833
Investment Company Act Registration No. 811-22655
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2016
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. 236 |
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ý
ý | Amendment No. 239 |
(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 |
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:
¨ Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
x On March 1, 2016 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.
1050 Crown Pointe Parkway, Suite 750
Atlanta, GA 30338
(800) 788-6086
www.marathonvalue.com
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE:
Long-term capital appreciation
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SUMMARY SECTION | 2 | |||
Investment Objective | 2 | |||
Fees and Expenses of the Fund | 2 | |||
Portfolio Turnover | 3 | |||
Principal Investment Strategies | 3 | |||
Principal Investment Risks | 4 | |||
Performance | 5 | |||
Investment Adviser | 7 | |||
Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager | 7 | |||
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares | 7 | |||
Tax Information | 7 | |||
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries | 7 | |||
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL | ||||
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS | 8 | |||
Investment Objective | 8 | |||
Principal Investment Strategies | 8 | |||
Principal Investment Risks | 9 | |||
Temporary Investments | 12 | |||
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure | 13 | |||
Cybersecurity | 13 | |||
MANAGEMENT | 13 | |||
Investment Adviser | 13 | |||
Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager | 14 | |||
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED | 14 | |||
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES | 16 | |||
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES | 17 | |||
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES | 20 | |||
TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS | 21 | |||
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES | 22 | |||
Distributor | 22 | |||
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries | 22 | |||
Householding | 22 | |||
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 22 | |||
Privacy Notice | 24 |
FUND SUMMARY
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Marathon Value Portfolio (the “Fund”) is to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation in a well-diversified portfolio.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases | NONE | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) | NONE | |||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends and other Distributions | NONE | |||
Redemption Fee | NONE |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees (1) | 1.10% | |||
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees | NONE | |||
Other Expenses | 0.00% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.10% |
(1) | The Fund’s adviser (the “Adviser”) provides investment advisory services and pays most of the Fund’s expenses (with certain exceptions) in return for a “universal fee.” |
Expense Example :
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:
1 YEAR | 3 YEARS | 5 YEARS | 10 YEARS |
$112 | $350 | $606 | $1,340 |
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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. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 12% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in common and preferred stocks (including common stock equivalents such as rights and warrants) of U.S. companies that have potential “value” in the Adviser’s judgment. The Fund will invest in shares of companies that the Adviser believes will appreciate in value over time and that are either underpriced or reasonably priced in relation to their worth as a business. The Fund may purchase stock of a company that is labeled a “growth” company, provided that the Adviser believes that the company’s stock is selling at a reasonable price relative to its value. The Adviser intends for the Fund to provide investors with exposure to a wide number of industries. The Adviser’s decision to purchase a stock is made without regard to the market capitalization of the company or its weighting in any market index. The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization, which includes large-, mid-, and small-cap securities.
In valuing a company, the Adviser takes a long-term approach, with an emphasis on management strength and the fundamental profitability of the company’s business. The Fund may also purchase a company’s stock if the Adviser’s assessment of the private market value of the company (i.e., the price at which knowledgeable buyers and sellers would exchange a comparable business) exceeds, by a material amount, the price of the security.
The Fund also may invest in longer term debt securities (maturities greater than 270 days), convertible debt securities, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), options and convertible preferred stocks. The Fund may also invest in leveraged or inverse ETFs. The Fund may invest in lower-rated debt securities of a company if the Adviser believes that the company’s junk bonds offer more potential for participating in the company’s long-term prospects than could be achieved by investing in the company’s other available securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets in junk bonds, rated at the time of purchase, BB/Ba or lower by S&P or Moody’s or, unrated, but determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser. The Fund may retain securities that are subsequently downgraded or in default, or the Adviser may sell them in an orderly manner. The Fund also may invest up to 25% of its assets, measured at the time of purchase, in equity or debt securities of any maturity of foreign issuers, directly or through American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”). ADRs are certificates held in trust by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of shares of foreign-based issuers, and are an alternative to purchasing foreign securities in their national markets and currencies.
The Fund intends to remain substantially invested in shares of common stock and preferred stock and other equity securities. If, however, the Adviser believes that sufficient investment opportunities that meet the Fund’s investment criteria are not available the Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets, measured at the time of purchase, in money market funds, investment grade money market instruments, fixed income securities (including investment grade corporate bonds or notes, U.S. government or government agency securities and mortgage-backed securities), repurchase agreements, commercial paper, other short-term debt securities (maturities of 270 days or less) and cash equivalents. As a result of holding cash or cash equivalents, the Fund may be able to meet shareholder redemptions without selling stocks and realizing gains and losses. However, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective when holding a substantial cash position.
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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.
• | Market Risk. The prices of securities held by the Fund may decline in response to certain events affecting the markets. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. |
• | Value Risk. A company may be undervalued due to market or economic conditions, temporary earnings declines, unfavorable developments affecting the company and other factors. Securities purchased by the Fund that do not realize their full economic value may reduce the Fund’s return. |
• | Growth Risk. Growth-oriented securities purchased by the Fund may involve large price swings and potential for loss. If the Adviser’s perceptions of a company’s growth potential are wrong, the securities purchased may not perform as expected, reducing the Fund’s return. |
• | Management Risk. The Adviser’s investment approach may fail to produce the intended results. |
• | Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Risk. Stocks of small-capitalization and mid-capitalization companies are more risky than stocks of larger companies. Many of these companies are young and have a limited track record. Their securities may trade less frequently and in more limited volume than those of more mature companies. As a result, small- and mid-cap stocks may be significantly more volatile than larger- cap stocks. |
• | Foreign Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in foreign securities (whether directly or through ADRs), including investments in other investment companies that hold a portfolio of foreign securities, it will be subject to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. Government securities and securities of domestic companies. These risks are heightened to the extent that the Fund invests in securities of foreign companies in emerging markets. |
• | Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock may be subject to a number of risks, including that the issuer, under certain conditions, may skip or defer dividend payments for long periods of time. In addition, holders of preferred stock typically do not have any voting rights, except in cases when dividends are in arrears beyond stated time periods. |
• | Fixed Income Risk. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when due. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will default on its obligation. |
• | Junk Bond Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in high yield securities (junk bonds), it will be subject to greater levels of interest rate, liquidity and credit risks than funds that do not invest in such securities. |
• | Investment Company Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in other investment companies, such as other mutual funds, ETFs or closed-end funds, it indirectly bears its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the other investment company. Therefore, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. In addition, the Fund may be affected by losses of the underlying funds and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the underlying funds (such as the use of derivatives by the underlying funds). |
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• | REIT Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in REITs, it is subject to risks generally associated with investing in real estate, such as possible declines in the value of real estate, adverse general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of mortgage funds, changes in interest rates, and environmental problems. |
• | Government Securities Risks. It is possible that the U.S. Government would not provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities if it is not required to do so by law. The U.S. Government’s guarantee of ultimate payment of principal and timely payment of interest on certain U.S. Government securities owned by the Fund does not imply that the Fund’s shares are guaranteed or that the price of the Funds’ shares will not fluctuate. |
• | Leveraged or Inverse ETF Risk. The net asset value and market price of these ETFs is generally more volatile than the value of the tracked index (or sector, currency or other benchmark), or of other ETFs that do not use leverage. This is because inverse and leveraged ETFs use investment techniques and financial instruments that may be considered aggressive, including the use of derivative transactions and short selling techniques. The use of these techniques may cause the inverse or leveraged ETFs to lose more money in market environments that are adverse to their investment objectives than other funds that do not use such techniques. |
Performance
The information below shows some indication of the risk of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows the variability of the Fund’s returns year to year. The Average Annual Total Returns table shows how the average annual returns of the Fund’s shares compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The information shown assumes reinvestments of dividends and distributions. Remember that past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.
The Fund was reorganized on March 8, 2013 from a series of the Unified Series Trust, an Ohio business trust (the “Predecessor Fund”), to a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Reorganization”). The Predecessor Fund commenced operations on December 18, 2002. Shareholders of the Predecessor Fund received shares of the Fund in the Reorganization. The Predecessor Fund is the successor to the Marathon Value Portfolio, a series of the AmeriPrime Funds (the “Original Fund”), which commenced operations on March 12, 1998.
The Adviser began providing investment advisory services to the Predecessor Fund on March 28, 2000. The Fund is the continuation of the Predecessor Fund and has substantially the same investment objectives, strategies and investment policies as the Original Fund and the Predecessor Fund. Therefore, performance information includes performance of the Predecessor Fund.
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Calendar Year Returns as of December 31
Best Quarter: 2nd Quarter, 2003, 14.92%
Worst Quarter: 4th Quarter, 2008, (16.83)%
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
(for the periods ended December 31, 2015)
FUND | 1 YEAR | 5 YEARS | 10 YEARS |
Return Before Taxes | (1.97)% | 8.94% | 6.57% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions(1)(2) | (2.44)% | 8.30% | 6.01% |
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares(1)(3) |
(0.97)% | 6.95% | 5.15% |
S&P 500 Index(4) | |||
(reflects no deductions for fees, expenses, or taxes) | 1.38% | 12.57% | 7.31% |
(1) | After tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect and do not reflect the effect of state and local taxes. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to those investors who hold their shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or IRAs. |
(2) | “Return After Taxes on Distributions” shows the effect of taxable distributions (dividends and capital gains distributions), but assumes that Fund shares are still held at the end of the period. |
(3) | “Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” shows the effect of both taxable distributions and any taxable gain or loss that would be realized if Fund shares were sold at the end of the specified period. In certain cases, the figure representing “Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares” may be higher than the other return figures for |
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the same period. A higher after tax return results when a capital loss occurs upon redemption and provides an assumed tax deduction that benefits the investor.
(4) | The S&P 500 Index measures the performance of 500 widely held, large-capitalization U.S. common stocks weighted by market value. The index does not reflect the deduction of fees, expenses or taxes that mutual fund investors bear. |
After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates in effect and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”). The index returns presented above assume reinvestment of all distributions and exclude the effect of taxes and fees (if expenses and taxes were deducted, the actual returns of the Index would be lower).
Investment Adviser
Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc. serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.
Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager
Marc S. Heilweil, President of the Adviser, has served as the portfolio manager primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund since March 28, 2000.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The investment minimums for the Fund are:
Initial Investment | Subsequent Investment | ||
Regular Account | Retirement Account | Regular Account | Retirement Account |
$2,500 | $2,500 | $100 | $100 |
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 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.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation in a well-diversified portfolio. The Fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Trust’s Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund provides investors broad exposure to companies that the Adviser, Spectrum Advisory Services Inc., believes are the best opportunities or values in common stocks of U.S. companies. The Fund will invest in shares of companies that the Adviser believes will appreciate in value over time and that are either underpriced or reasonably priced in relation to their worth as a business.
The Fund invests primarily in common and preferred stocks (including common stock equivalents such as rights and warrants) of U.S. and foreign companies that have potential “value” in the Adviser’s judgment. The Adviser believes that determining value involves an effort to understand a company’s assets and business strengths and to compare those to the current price of the company’s stock. It is worth noting that in today’s economy, assets are often intangible. A value investor does not place great emphasis on precise projections of future earnings or on the current momentum of the company’s business. The Fund may purchase stock of a company that is labeled a “growth” company, provided that the Adviser believes that the company’s stock is selling at a reasonable price relative to its value. The Adviser intends for the Fund to provide investors with exposure to a wide number of industries.
In valuing a company, the Adviser takes a long-term approach, with an emphasis on management strength and the fundamental profitability of the company’s business. To assess management strength, the Adviser looks for characteristics such as a long-term record of success or positive opinions from industry observers. The Adviser seeks companies whose businesses possess, in the Adviser’s opinion, inherent strength based on factors such as superior production or distribution processes, unique products or quality franchises. The Fund may also purchase a company’s stock if the Adviser’s assessment of the private market value of the company (i.e., the price at which knowledgeable buyers and sellers would exchange a comparable business) exceeds, by a material amount, the price of the security. The Adviser’s assessment of private market value is based on reported similar transactions, information in industry publications or from individuals within the industry, or other sources of information.
The Fund also may invest in longer term debt securities (maturities greater than 270 days), convertible debt securities, ETFs, REITs, options and convertible preferred stocks. The Fund may also invest in leveraged or inverse ETFs. The Fund may invest in lower-rated debt securities of a company if the Adviser believes that the company’s junk bonds offer more potential for participating in the company’s long-term prospects than could be achieved by investing in the company’s other available securities. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets in junk bonds rated at the time of purchase BB/Ba or lower by S&P or Moody’s or, unrated, but determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser. The Fund may retain securities that are subsequently downgraded or in default, or the Adviser may sell them in an orderly manner. The Fund also may invest up to 25% of its assets, measured at the time of purchase, in equity or debt securities of any maturity of foreign issuers, directly or through ADRs. ADRs are certificates held in trust by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of shares of foreign-based issuers, and are an alternative to purchasing foreign securities in their national markets and currencies.
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The Fund intends to remain substantially invested in shares of common stock and preferred stock and other equity securities. If, however, the Adviser believes that sufficient investment opportunities that meet the Fund’s investment criteria are not available the Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets, measured at the time of purchase, in money market funds, investment grade money market instruments, fixed income securities (including investment-grade corporate bonds or notes, U.S. government or government agency securities and mortgage-backed securities), repurchase agreements, commercial paper, other short-term debt securities (maturities of 270 days or less) and cash equivalents. As a result of holding cash or cash equivalents, the Fund may be able to meet shareholder redemptions without selling stocks and realizing gains and losses. However, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective when holding a substantial cash position.
For clarity, the percentage limitations for investments in debt securities described above may overlap. For instance, if the Fund invested 17% of its assets in short-term debt securities of foreign issuers, it could invest another 8% of its assets in equity or debt securities of foreign issuers to stay within the 25% limitation on investments in equity or debt securities of foreign issuers. It could also invest another 3% of its assets in any of money market funds, investment grade money market instruments, fixed income securities, repurchase agreements, commercial paper, other short-term debt securities and cash equivalents to stay within the 20% limitation on investments in such securities.
The Adviser believes its price-driven, value-oriented approach will provide investors with the opportunity for growth, while providing some protection against permanent impairment of capital. The Adviser seeks to reduce risk by buying stocks the Adviser believes are reasonably priced relative to the company’s earnings and sales, by diversifying broadly and by avoiding current market favorites. The Adviser’s decision to purchase a stock is made without regard to the market capitalization of the company or its weighting in any market index. The Fund may invest in companies of any market capitalization, which includes large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap securities.
The Fund may sell a security when the Adviser believes the price is no longer undervalued relative to the company’s earnings and sales, the company’s prospects have deteriorated, there has been a change in management, or better investment opportunities are available.
Principal Investment Risks:
• | Market Risk. The prices of securities held by the Fund may decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the Fund; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. |
• | Value Risk. A company may be undervalued due to market or economic conditions, temporary earnings declines, unfavorable developments affecting the company and other factors, or because it is associated with a market sector that generally is out of favor with investors. Undervalued stocks tend to be inexpensive relative to their earnings or assets compared to other types of stock. However, these stocks can continue to be inexpensive for long periods of time and may not realize their full economic value. |
• | Growth Risk. Growth-oriented securities purchased by the Fund may involve large price swings and potential for loss. Growth companies are companies that the Adviser believes will have revenue and earnings that grow faster than the economy as a whole, offering above-average prospects for capital appreciation and little or no emphasis on dividend income. If the Adviser’s perceptions of a company’s growth potential are wrong, the securities purchased may not perform as expected, reducing the Fund’s return. |
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• | Management Risk. The Adviser’s judgments about the attractiveness, value, or potential appreciation of the Fund’s investments may prove to be incorrect. If the Adviser’s strategies fail to produce the intended results, the Fund could underperform other funds with similar objectives and investment strategies. |
• | Small-Cap and Mid-Cap Risk. Stocks of small-capitalization and mid-capitalization companies are more risky than stocks of larger companies. Many of these companies are young and have a limited track record. Their securities may trade less frequently and in more limited volume than those of more mature companies. As a result, small- and mid-cap stocks may be significantly more volatile than larger-cap stocks. Small-cap and mid-cap companies also may lack the managerial, financial or other resources necessary to implement their business plans or succeed in the face of competition. The prospects for a company or its industry may deteriorate because of a variety of factors, including disappointing operating results or changes in the competitive environment. It may be difficult to sell a small-cap or mid-cap stock, and this lack of market liquidity can adversely affect the Fund’s ability to realize the market price of a stock, especially during periods of rapid market decline. |
• | Foreign Securities Risk. |
o General Foreign Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in foreign securities (whether directly or through ADRs), including investments in other investment companies that hold a portfolio of foreign securities, it will be subject to additional risks 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. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currency can change when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. These currency movements may negatively impact the value of the Fund’s portfolio even when there is no change in the value of the related security in the issuer’s home country. ADRs do not eliminate all of the risks associated with direct investment in the securities of foreign issuers.
o Emerging Market Risk. To the extent that the Fund invests in securities of foreign companies in emerging markets, the Fund will be subject to additional risks that may be different from or greater than risks of investing in securities of foreign companies based in developed countries. These risks include: illiquidity, significant price volatility; restrictions on foreign investment; possible repatriation of investment income and capital; currency declines and inflation (including rapid fluctuations in inflation rates).
o Currency Risk. Foreign investments also may be riskier than U.S. investments because of fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Securities of foreign companies may be denominated in foreign currencies. Exchange rate fluctuations may reduce or eliminate gains or create losses. The Adviser may not hedge against currency movements in the various markets in which the Fund invests so the value of the Fund is subject to the risk of adverse changes in currency exchange rates. .
• | Preferred Stock Risk. Preferred stock may be subject to a number of risks, including that the issuer, under certain conditions, may skip or defer dividend payments for long periods of time. If the Fund owns a preferred security that is deferring its distributions, the Fund may be required to report income for tax purposes while it is not receiving any income. In addition, holders of preferred stock typically do not have any voting rights, except in cases when dividends are in arrears beyond stated time periods. As with common stock, preferred stock is subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in any issuer’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore is subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. |
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• | Fixed Income Risk . |
o Credit Risk. Changes in the financial strength of an issuer may affect the issuer’s ability to repay principal and to make timely interest payments. The degree of risk for a particular security may be reflected in its credit rating. Junk bonds are subject to greater credit and market risk than higher rated securities.
o Change in Rating Risk. If a rating agency gives a debt security a lower rating, the value of the debt security will decline because investors will demand a higher rate of return.
o Duration Risk. Prices of debt securities with longer effective maturities are more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with shorter effective maturities.
o Interest Rate Risk. Changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Fund’s investments in debt securities. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher interest income from new investments. Interest rate risk is greater for investments in junk bonds. In addition, the issuers of certain types of securities, such as mortgage-backed securities, may prepay principal earlier than scheduled when interest rates rise, forcing the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. Slower than expected principal payments may also extend the average life of such securities, locking in below-market interest rates and reducing their value.
o Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage-related securities include pass-through securities, collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), commercial mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), mortgage dollar rolls, CMO residuals, stripped mortgage-backed securities and other securities that directly or indirectly represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans on real property. The value of some mortgage- or asset-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. Early repayment of principal on some mortgage-related securities may expose the Fund to a lower rate of return upon reinvestment of principal. When interest rates rise, the value of a mortgage-related security generally will decline; however, when interest rates are declining, the value of mortgage-related securities with prepayment features may not increase as much as other fixed income securities. The value of these securities may fluctuate in response to the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the issuers. MBS may also possess credit risk. Because the assets providing cash flows to a mortgage-backed security are comprised of home mortgage loans, the holders of MBS are subject to default and delinquency risks. If mortgage borrowers are delinquent or default on their payments, the holders of MBS may not realize full repayment of their investment or may experience delays in the repayment of their investment. The credit risk of mortgage- backed securities depends, in part, on the likelihood of the borrower paying the promised cash flows of principal and interest on time. The credit risk of a specific MBS may be influenced by a variety of factors including: (i) the mortgage borrower’s lessened ability to repay in light of changed circumstances such as a job loss; (ii) the borrower’s ability to make higher mortgage payments which may result from floating- rate interest resets; (iii) declines in the value of the property which serves as collateral for the mortgage loan; (iv) seniority or priority of the specific MBS relative to other claims on the cash flow from the pool of mortgage loans.
• | Junk Bond Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in high yield securities (junk bonds), it will be subject to greater levels of interest rate and credit risks than funds that do not invest in such securities. These securities are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. An economic downturn could adversely affect the market for these securities and reduce the Fund’s ability to sell these securities (liquidity risk). If the issuer of a security is in default with respect to interest or principal payments, the Fund may lose its entire investment. |
• | Investment Company Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in other investment companies, such |
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as other mutual funds, ETFs or closed-end funds, it indirectly bears its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the other investment company. Therefore, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. In addition, the Fund may be affected by losses of the underlying funds and the level of risk arising from the investment practices of the underlying funds (such as the use of derivatives by the underlying funds). ETFs are also subject to the following risks: (i) an ETF’s shares may trade at a market price that is above or below their net asset value; (ii) the ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; or (iii) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are de-listed from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally. The Fund has no control over the risks taken by the underlying funds in which it invests.
• | REIT Risk. To the extent the Fund invests in REITs, it is subject to risks generally associated with investing in real estate, such as (i) possible declines in the value of real estate, (ii) adverse general and local economic conditions, (iii) possible lack of availability of mortgage funds, (iv) changes in interest rates, and (v) environmental problems. In addition, REITs are subject to certain other risks related specifically to their structure and focus such as: dependency upon management skills; limited diversification; the risks of locating and managing financing for projects; heavy cash flow dependency; possible default by borrowers; the costs and potential losses of self-liquidation of one or more holdings; the possibility of failing to maintain exemptions from securities registration; and, in many cases, relatively small market capitalization, which may result in less market liquidity and greater price volatility. |
• | Government Securities Risks. |
o Agency Risk. It is possible that the U.S. Government would not provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities if it is not required to do so by law. If a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality in which the Fund invests defaults and the U.S. Government does not stand behind the obligation, the Fund’s share price or yield could fall. Securities of certain U.S. Government sponsored entities, such as Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government.
o No Guarantee. The U.S. Government’s guarantee of ultimate payment of principal and timely payment of interest on certain U.S. Government securities owned by the Fund does not imply that the Fund’s shares are guaranteed or that the price of the Funds’ shares will not fluctuate.
• | Leveraged or Inverse ETF Risk. Unlike regular ETFs, the value of inverse ETFs decreases when the tracked index (or sector, currency or other benchmark) rises, and vice versa if the tracked index falls. Leveraged ETFs seek a multiple return of the tracked index. The net asset value and market price of these ETFs is generally more volatile than the value of the tracked index, or of other ETFs that do not use leverage. This is because inverse and leveraged ETFs use investment techniques and financial instruments that may be considered aggressive, including the use of derivative transactions and short selling techniques. The use of these techniques may cause the inverse or leveraged ETFs to lose more money in market environments that are adverse to their investment objectives than other funds that do not use such techniques. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that each leveraged or inverse ETF in the Fund’s portfolio will achieve its stated daily return, or that its long-term returns will be consistent with the daily return. The long-term returns of inverse ETFs may be substantially less than the daily return, particularly in volatile market conditions. Investments in leveraged or inverse ETFs may also cause the Fund to realize short-term capital gains that are taxed as ordinary income. |
Temporary Investments
From time to time, the Fund may take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s
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principal investment strategies, in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. For example, the Fund may hold all or a portion of its assets in short-term U.S. government securities, money market instruments, securities of other no-load mutual funds or repurchase agreements. If the Fund invests in shares of another mutual fund, the Fund generally will be subject to duplicative management fees. As a result of engaging in these temporary measures, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective. The Fund may also invest in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.
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 Funds and their 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 Funds and their service providers, systems, networks, or devices potentially can be breached. The Funds and their 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 Funds’ business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses; interference with the Funds’ ability to calculate their NAV; impediments to trading; the inability of the Funds, the Advisor, 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 Funds invest; counterparties with which the Funds engage 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 Funds’ 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
Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc., 1050 Crown Pointe Parkway, Suite 750, Atlanta, GA 30338, www.spectrumadvisory.com, serves as investment adviser to the Fund. Spectrum has been providing portfolio management services since its founding in 1991 by Marc S. Heilweil. The Adviser provides equity and fixed income portfolio management services to a select group of individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, trusts, estates and non-profit organizations. As of December 31, 2015, Spectrum had approximately
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$495 million in assets under management.
The Adviser provides investment advisory services and pays most of the Fund’s expenses (with certain exceptions noted below) in return for a “universal fee.” For its services to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to receive an annual fee equal to 1.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Fund, not the Adviser, pays the following expenses: brokerage fees and commissions, indirect costs of investing in other investment companies, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expenses on securities sold short), extraordinary or nonrecurring expenses, such as litigation, and any 12b-1 fees. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015, the Fund incurred advisory fees in total of 1.10% of its average net assets.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the advisory agreement is included in the Fund’s semi-annual report dated April 30, 2015.
Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager
Marc S. Heilweil has been primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund, since March 28, 2000. Mr. Heilweil has been President of the Adviser since 1991. His principal occupation since 1977 has been that of an investment counselor. Mr. Heilweil manages equity and fixed income portfolios for the Adviser’s clients.
The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the Portfolio Manager’s compensation structure, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager, and the Portfolio Manager’s ownership of shares of the Fund.
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED
The net asset value (“NAV”) and offering price (NAV plus any applicable sales charges) of the Fund’s shares is determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) every day the NYSE is open for business. The NYSE normally closes at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). NAV is computed by determining the aggregate market value of all assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, divided by the total number of shares outstanding ((assets-liabilities)/number of shares = NAV). The NYSE is closed on weekends and New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NAV takes into account 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 value as determined in good faith by the Adviser in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and evaluated
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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 underlying ETFs that hold portfolio securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, and these exchanges may trade on weekends or other days when the underlying ETFs do not price their shares, the value of some of the Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares. In computing the NAV, the Fund values foreign securities held by the Fund at the latest closing price on the exchange in which they are traded immediately prior to closing of the NYSE. Prices of foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates. If events materially affecting the value of a security in the Fund’s portfolio, particularly foreign securities, occur after the close of trading on a foreign market but before the Fund prices its shares, the security will be valued at fair value. For example, if trading in a portfolio security is halted and does not resume before the Fund calculates its NAV, the Adviser may need to price the security using the Fund’s fair value pricing guidelines. Without a fair value price, short-term traders could take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity and dilute the NAV of long-term investors. Fair valuation of the Fund’s portfolio securities can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities available to short-term traders, but there is no assurance that fair value pricing policies will prevent dilution of the Fund’s NAV by short term traders. The determination of fair value involves subjective judgments. As a result, using fair value to price a security may result in a price materially different from the prices used by other mutual funds to determine net asset value, or from the price that may be realized upon the actual sale of the security.
With respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, each Fund’s net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of those open-end management investment companies, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
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HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Purchasing Shares
The shares are offered at the public offering price, which is net asset value per share. You may purchase shares of the Fund by sending a completed application form to the following address:
Regular Mail Marathon Value Portfolio c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC PO Box 541150 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 |
Express/Overnight Mail Marathon Value Portfolio 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.
Automatic Investment Plan: You may participate in the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts. You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $100 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at 1-800-788-6086 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Investment Plan.
Purchase through Brokers: You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund’s distributor. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. 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 applicable, a brokers 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 1-800-788-6086 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.
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
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an account, you may purchase additional shares by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address. Make all checks payable to the Fund. The Fund will not accept payment in cash, including cashier’s checks or money orders. Also, to prevent check fraud, the Fund will not accept third party checks, U.S. Treasury checks, credit card checks or starter checks for the purchase of shares.
Note: Gemini Fund Services, LLC, the Fund’s transfer agent, will charge a $25 fee against a shareholder’s account, in addition to any loss sustained by the Fund, for any check returned to the transfer agent for insufficient funds.
When Order is Processed
All shares will be purchased at the NAV per share next determined after the Fund receives your application or request in good order. All requests received in good order by the Fund before 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) will be processed on that same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. will be processed on the next business day.
Good Order: When making a purchase request, make sure your request is in good order. “Good order” means your purchase request includes:
• | the name of the Fund; |
• | the dollar amount of shares to be purchased; |
• | a completed purchase application or investment stub; |
• | check payable to the “Marathon Value Portfolio.” |
Retirement Plans
You may purchase shares of the Fund for your individual retirement plans. Please call the Fund at 1-800-788-6086 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:
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.
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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 1-800-788-6086. 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 identifi- cation 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 by transfers of a minimum of $250 on specified days of each month into your established bank account. Please contact the Fund at 1-800-788-6086 for more information about the Fund’s Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
Redemptions in Kind
The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders made by a shareholder during any 90-day period by making payment in whole or in part in portfolio securities (“redemption in kind”) if the amount of such a request is large enough to affect operations (if the request is greater than the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s net assets at the beginning of the 90-day period). The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued using the same procedures as used in calculating the Fund’s NAV. A shareholder may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.
When Redemptions are Sent
Once the Fund receives your redemption request in “good order” as described below, it will issue a check based on the next determined NAV following your redemption request. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in “good order.” If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank.
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Good Order: Your redemption request will be processed if it is in “good order.” To be in good order, the following conditions must be satisfied:
• | The request should be in writing, unless redeeming by telephone, indicating the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed; |
• | The request must identify your account number; |
• | The request should be signed by you and any other person listed on the account, exactly as the shares are registered; and |
• | If you request that the redemption proceeds be sent to a person, bank or an address other than that of record or paid to someone other than the record owner(s), or if the address was changed within the last 30 days, or if the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000, the signature(s) on the request must be medallion signature guaranteed by an eligible signature guarantor. |
When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees
If you wish to change the bank or brokerage account that you have designated on your account, you may do so at any time by writing to the Fund with your signature guaranteed. A medallion signature guarantee assures that a signature is genuine and protects you from unauthorized account transfers. You will need your signature guaranteed if:
• | you request a redemption to be made payable to a person not on record with the Fund; |
• | you request that a redemption be mailed to an address other than that on record with the Fund; |
• | the proceeds of a requested redemption exceed $50,000; |
• | any redemption is transmitted by federal wire transfer to a bank other than the bank of record; or |
• | your address was changed within 30 days of your redemption request. |
Signatures may be guaranteed by any eligible guarantor institution (including banks, brokers and dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations). Further documentation will be required to change the designated account if shares are held by a corporation, fiduciary or other organization. A notary public cannot guarantee signatures.
Retirement Plans
If you own an IRA or other retirement plan, you must indicate on your redemption request whether the Fund should withhold federal income tax. Unless you elect in your redemption request that you do not want to have federal tax withheld, the redemption will be subject to withholding. Please call the Fund at 1-800-788-6086 for the most current listing and appropriate disclosure documentation on how to open a retirement account.
Low Balances
If at any time your account balance 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 account balance drops below required minimums due to a decline in NAV.
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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:
• | Committing staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Fund’s “Market Timing Trading Policy”; |
• | Rejecting or limiting specific purchase requests; and |
• | Rejecting purchase requests from certain investors. |
Though these methods involve judgments that are inherently subjective and involve some selectivity in their application, the Fund seeks to make judgments and applications that are consistent with the interests of the Fund’s shareholders.
Based on the frequency of redemptions in your account, the Adviser or Transfer Agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to (i) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases into the Fund and/or (ii) reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future exchanges or redemptions out of the Fund.
The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase requests for any reason, particularly when the shareholder’s trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser will be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase orders. The Adviser may also bar an investor who has violated these policies (and the investor’s financial advisor) from opening new accounts with the Fund.
Although the Fund attempts to limit disruptive trading activities, some investors use a variety of strategies to hide their identities and their trading practices. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will be able to identify or limit these activities. Omnibus account arrangements are common forms of holding shares of the Fund. While the Fund will encourage financial intermediaries to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers who invest indirectly in the Fund, the Fund is limited in its ability to monitor the trading activity or enforce the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy with respect to customers of financial intermediaries. For example, should it occur, the Fund may not be able to detect market timing that may be facilitated by financial intermediaries or made difficult to identify in the omnibus accounts used by those intermediaries for aggregated purchases, exchanges and redemptions on behalf of all their customers. More specifically, unless the financial intermediaries have the ability to apply the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers through such methods as implementing short-term trading limitations or restrictions and monitoring trading activity for what might be market timing, the Fund may not be able to determine whether trading by customers of financial intermediaries is contrary to the Fund’s Market Timing Trading Policy. Brokers maintaining omnibus accounts with the Fund have agreed to provide shareholder transaction information to the extent known to the broker to the Fund upon request. If the Fund or its Transfer Agent or shareholder Servicing Agent suspects there is market timing activity in the account,
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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 and net capital gains annually. Both distributions will be reinvested in shares of the Fund unless you elect to receive cash. Dividends from net investment income (including any excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) are taxable to investors as ordinary income, while distributions of net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) are generally taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of your holding period for the shares. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the Fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash. Certain dividends or distributions declared in October, November or December will be taxed to shareholders as if received in December if they are paid during the following January. Each year the Fund will inform you of the amount and type of your distributions. IRAs and other qualified retirement plans are exempt from federal income taxation until retirement proceeds are paid out to the participant.
Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment is the difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell them.
On the account application, you will be asked to certify that your social security number or taxpayer identi- fication number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS. If you are subject to backup withholding or you did not certify your taxpayer identification number, the IRS requires the Fund to withhold a percentage of any dividend, redemption or exchange proceeds. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that does not include a certified social security or taxpayer identification number. If you do not have a social security number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending. The Fund is required to withhold taxes if a number is not delivered to the Fund within seven days.
This summary is not intended to be and should not be construed to be legal or tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisers to determine the tax consequences of owning the Fund’s shares.
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DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Distributor
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, NE 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.
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 cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments may be in addition to any Rule 12b-1 fees or sales charges, to the extent applicable and 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, we mail only one copy of the Prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at 1-800-788-6086 on days the Fund is open for business or contact your financial institution. We will begin sending you individual copies thirty days after receiving your request.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the fiscal periods presented. The Fund is a continuation of the Predecessor Fund and, therefore, the financial information includes results of the Predecessor Fund. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of the Fund. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information has been audited by Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd., the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, are included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
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(a) | Total return in the above table represents the rate that the investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of dividends. | |
(b) | Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period. | |
(c) | Recognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of the declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests. The expenses of the investment funds are excluded from the Fund’s expense ratio. | |
(d) | Effective March 8, 2013, the universal fee changed from 1.25% to 1.20%. | |
(e) | Effective March 1, 2014, the universal fee changed from 1.20% to 1.10%. |
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PRIVACY NOTICE
Rev. February 2014
FACTS |
WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? |
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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 doesnt jointly market. |
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Marathon Value Portfolio
Adviser |
Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc. 1050 Crown Pointe Parkway, Suite 750 Atlanta, GA 30338 |
Distributor |
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC 17605 Wright Street Omaha, NE 68130 |
Independent Registered Public Accountant |
Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd. 1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 800 Cleveland, OH 44115 |
Legal Counsel |
Thompson Hine LLP 41 South High Street, Suite 1700 Columbus, OH 43215 |
Custodian | Huntington National Bank 41 South High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215 | Transfer Agent |
Gemini Fund Services, LLC 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2 Omaha, NE 68130 |
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Additional information about the Fund is included in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information dated March 1, 2016 (the “SAI”). The SAI is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference (i.e., legally made a part of this Prospectus). The SAI provides more details about the Trust’s policies and management. Additional information about the Fund’s investments will also be available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders. In the Fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.
To obtain a free copy of the SAI and the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders, or other information about the Fund, or to make shareholder inquiries about the Fund, please call 1-800-788-6086 or visit www. marathonvalue.com . You may also write to:
Marathon Value Portfolio
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
Omaha, NE 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
MVPFX
PROSPECTUS
March 1, 2016
Advised by:
Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc
1-800-788-6086
www.marathonvalue.com
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 nor has the Securities and Exchange Commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Marathon Value Portfolio
a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III
MVPFX
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
March 1, 2016
This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a Prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Marathon Value Portfolio (the "Fund") dated March 1, 2016, 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 1-800-788-6086. You may also obtain a prospectus by visiting the Fund's website at www.marathonvalue.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE FUND | 1 |
INVESTMENTS AND RISKS | 1 |
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER | 10 |
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS | 11 |
INVESTMENT ADVISER | 12 |
PORTFOLIO MANAGER | 14 |
ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE | 15 |
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS | 16 |
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS | 18 |
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 20 |
LEGAL COUNSEL | 21 |
DISTRIBUTOR | 21 |
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES | 21 |
CODE OF ETHICS | 22 |
PROXY VOTING POLICIES | 22 |
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF FUND SHARES | 23 |
TAX STATUS | 26 |
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM | 31 |
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES | 32 |
MANAGEMENT | 32 |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 38 |
APPENDIX A – PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES | A-1 |
THE FUND
The Marathon Value Portfolio is a diversified series of shares of Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust organized on December 5, 2011 (the "Trust"). Pursuant to a reorganization that took place on March 8, 2013, the Fund is the successor to the Marathon Value Portfolio, a series of the Unified Series Trust (the “Predecessor Fund”), which in turn is the successor to the Marathon Value Portfolio of the AmeriPrime Funds (the “Original Fund”), pursuant to a reorganization that took place on January 3, 2003. The Predecessor Fund and the Original Fund had the same investment objectives and strategies and substantially the same investment policies as the Fund. The Original Fund commenced operations in March 1998.
The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the "Board" or "Trustees"). The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges. Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote on all matters as to which shares are entitled to vote. In addition, each share of the Fund is entitled to participate equally with other shares (i) in dividends and distributions declared by the Fund and (ii) on liquidation to its proportionate share of the assets remaining after satisfaction of outstanding liabilities. Shares of the Fund are fully paid, non-assessable and fully transferable, 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.
Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc. (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 a single class of shares. 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.
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, Related 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 Trust.
The following pages contain more detailed information about the types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, strategies the Adviser may employ in pursuit of the Fund's investment objective and a summary of related risks.
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Common Stock and Equivalents
The Fund may invest in common stock and common stock equivalents (such as rights and warrants, and convertible securities), and preferred stock. Warrants are options to purchase equity securities at a specified price valid for a specific time period. Rights are similar to warrants, but normally have a short duration and are distributed by the issuer to its shareholders. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets at the time of purchase in each of the following: rights, warrants or convertible securities.
Exchange-Traded Funds
Exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) in which the Fund may invest include S&P Depositary Receipts (“SPDRs”), inverse index ETFs, Sector ETFs and other exchange-traded products. To the extent the Fund invests in a sector product, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with that sector. Additionally, the Fund may invest in new exchange-traded shares as they become available. When the Fund invests in ETFs or other investment companies, it will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses payable directly by the investment company. In connection with its investments in other investment companies, the Fund will incur higher expenses, many of which may be duplicative. For example, shareholders may incur expenses associated with capital gains distributions by the Fund as well as the underlying funds in which the Fund invests. Shareholders may also incur increased transaction costs as a result of the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate and/or because of high portfolio turnover rates in underlying funds in which the Fund may invest. The Fund is not required to hold securities for any minimum period and, as a result, may incur short-term redemption fees and increased trading costs. When selecting underlying funds for investment, the Fund will not be precluded from investing in an underlying fund with a higher than average expense ratio. The Fund is independent from any of the underlying funds in which it invests and it has no voice in or control over the investment strategies, policies or decisions of the underlying funds. The Fund’s only option is to liquidate its investment in an underlying fund in the event of dissatisfaction with the fund. For purposes of determining the amount of Fund assets invested in equity and/or fixed income securities, the Fund will consider ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities to be equity securities, and those that invest primarily in fixed income securities will be deemed fixed income securities.
To the extent that the Fund invests in ETFs that invest in commodities, it will be subject to additional risks. Commodities are real assets such as oil, agriculture, livestock, industrial metals, and precious metals such as gold or silver. The values of ETFs that invest in commodities are highly dependent on the prices of the related commodity. The demand and supply of these commodities may fluctuate widely based on such factors as interest rates, investors’ expectation with respect to the rate of inflation, currency exchange rates, the production and cost levels of the producing countries and/or forward selling by such producers, global or regional political, economic or financial events, purchases and sales by central banks, and trading activities by hedge funds and other commodity funds. Commodity ETFs may use derivatives, such as futures, options and swaps, which exposes them to further risks, including counterparty risk (i.e., the risk that the institution on the other side of their trade will default).
The Fund may invest in leveraged and/or inverse ETFs, including multiple inverse (or ultra-short) ETFs. These ETFs are subject to additional risk not generally associated with traditional ETFs. Leveraged ETFs seek to multiply the performance of the particular benchmark that is tracked (which may be an index, a currency or other benchmark). Inverse ETFs seek to negatively correlate to the performance of its benchmark. These ETFs seek to achieve their returns by using various forms of
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derivative transactions, including by short-selling the underlying index. Ultra-short ETFs seek to multiply the negative return of the tracked index (e.g., twice the inverse return). As a result, an investment in an inverse ETFs will decrease in value when the value of the underlying index rises. For example, an inverse ETF tracking the S&P 500 Index will gain 1% when the S&P falls 1% (if it is an ultra-short ETF that seeks twice the inverse return, it will gain 2%), and will lose 1% if the S&P 500 gains 1% (if an ultra-short ETF that seeks twice the inverse return, it would lose 2%). By investing in ultra-short ETFs and gaining magnified short exposure to a particular index, the Fund can commit less assets to the investment in the securities represented on the index than would otherwise be required.
Leveraged and inverse ETFs typically determine their inverse return on a day-to-day basis and, as a result, there is no guarantee that the ETF’s actual long term returns will be equal to the daily return that the fund seeks to achieve. For example, on a long-term basis (e.g., a period of 6 months or a year), the return of a double inverse ETF may in fact be considerably less than two times the long-term inverse return of the tracked index. Furthermore, because these ETFs achieve their results by using derivative instruments, they are subject to the risks associated with derivative transactions, including the risk that the value of their derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, thereby causing the ETF to lose money and, consequently, the value of the Fund’s investment to lose value. Derivative instruments also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses to the ETF. Short sales in particular are subject to the risk that, if the price of the security sold short increases, the ETF may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short sale price, resulting in a loss to the leveraged or inverse ETF and, indirectly, to the Fund. The use of these techniques by the leveraged or inverse ETF will make the Fund’s investment in such ETF more volatile than if the Fund will to invest directly in the securities underlying the tracked index, or in an ETF that does not use leverage or derivate instruments. However, by investing in an inverse ETF rather than directly purchasing and/or selling derivative instruments, the Fund will limit its potential loss solely to the amount actually invested in the ETF (that is, the Fund will not lose more than its principal amount). Inverse ETFs may also incur capital gains, some of which may be taxed as ordinary income, thereby, increasing the amounts of the Fund’s taxable distributions.
Preferred Stock
Preferred stock has a preference in liquidation (and, generally dividends) over common stock but is subordinated in liquidation to debt. As a general rule the market value of preferred stocks with fixed dividend rates and no conversion rights varies inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk, with the price determined by the dividend rate. Some preferred stocks are convertible into other securities, (for example, common stock) at a fixed price and ratio or upon the occurrence of certain events. The market price of convertible preferred stocks generally reflects an element of conversion value. Because many preferred stocks lack a fixed maturity date, these securities generally fluctuate substantially in value when interest rates change; such fluctuations often exceed those of long term bonds of the same issuer. Some preferred stocks pay an adjustable dividend that may be based on an index, formula, auction procedure or other dividend rate reset mechanism. In the absence of credit deterioration, adjustable rate preferred stocks tend to have more stable market values than fixed rate preferred stocks. All preferred stocks are also subject to the same types of credit risks of the issuer as corporate bonds. In addition, because preferred stock is junior to debt securities and other obligations of an issuer, deterioration in the credit rating of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more senior debt security with similar yield characteristics. Preferred stocks may be rated by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) and Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”) although there is no minimum rating which a preferred stock must have (and a preferred
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stock may not be rated) to be an eligible investment for the Fund. The Adviser expects, however, that generally the preferred stocks in which the Fund invests will be rated at least BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody’s or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of the Adviser. Moody’s rating with respect to preferred stocks does not purport to indicate the future status of payments of dividends.
Debt Securities
The Fund may invest in short- and long-term debt securities, including convertible debt securities. Changes in interest rates will affect the value of the Fund’s investments in debt securities. Increases in interest rates may cause the value of the Fund’s investments to decline and this decrease in value may not be offset by higher interest income from new investments. Changes in the financial strength of an issuer or changes in the ratings of any particular security may also affect the value of fixed income securities.
Foreign Securities
The Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign equity and debt securities, measured at the time of purchase. The Fund may invest in foreign securities directly or indirectly through American Depositary Receipts. Foreign investments can involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. The value of securities denominated in or indexed to foreign currencies, and of dividends and interest from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets, and prices on some foreign markets can be highly volatile. Many foreign countries lack uniform accounting and disclosure standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, and it may be more difficult to obtain reliable information regarding an issuer’s financial condition and operations. In addition, the costs of foreign investing, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions, and custodial costs, generally are higher than for U.S. investments. Investing abroad also involves different political and economic risks. Foreign investments may be affected by actions of foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S. investors, including the possibility of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment or on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S. dollars, or other government intervention.
In the case of securities of foreign issuers, the 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 issuers, or by the U.S. government.
Foreign debt securities in which the Fund may invest will include bonds and other debt instruments issued by foreign government (i.e., sovereign debt). Sovereign debt differs from debt obligations issued by private entities in that, generally, remedies for defaults must be pursued in the courts of the defaulting party. Legal recourse is therefore limited. Political conditions, especially a sovereign entity’s willingness to meet the terms of its debt obligations, are of considerable significance. A sovereign debtor’s willingness or ability to repay principal and pay interest in a timely manner may be affected by a variety of factors, including among others, its cash flow situation, the extent of its foreign reserves, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the sovereign debtor’s policy toward principal international lenders and the political constraints to which a sovereign debtor may be subject. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities could be vulnerable to a decline in the international price of such commodities. Another factor bearing on the ability of a
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country to repay sovereign debt is the level of the country’s international reserves. Fluctuations in the level of these reserves can affect the amount of foreign exchange readily available for external debt payments and, thus, could have a bearing on the capacity of the country to make payments on its sovereign debt. Also, there can be no assurance that the holders of commercial bank loans to the same sovereign entity may not contest payments to the holders of sovereign debt in the event of default under commercial bank loan agreements.
Foreign markets may also offer less protection to investors than U.S. markets. Foreign issuers, brokers, and securities markets may be subject to less government supervision. Foreign security trading practices, including those involving the release of assets in advance of payment, may invoke increased risks in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a broker-dealer, and may involve substantial delays. It also may be difficult to enforce legal rights in foreign countries.
The considerations noted above generally are intensified for investments in developing countries. Developing countries may have relatively unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries and securities markets that trade a small number of securities.
American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign-based issuer held in trust by a bank or similar financial institution. Designed for use in U.S. and European securities markets, respectively, ADRs and EDRs are alternatives to the purchase of the underlying securities in their national market and currencies. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are denominated in U.S. dollars and are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, while EDRs are denominated in European currencies, and are designed to trade on the European markets. ADRs do not eliminate all risk inherent in investing in the securities of foreign issuers. However, by investing in ADRs rather than directly in equity securities of foreign issuers, the Fund will avoid currency risks during the settlement period for either purchases or sales. For purposes of the Fund’s investment policies, ADRs and EDRs are deemed to have the same classification as the underlying securities they represent, except that ADRs and EDRs shall be treated as indirect foreign investments. For example, an ADR or EDR representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock.
REITs
The Fund may invest up to 15% of its assets in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). A REIT is a corporation or business trust that invests substantially all of its assets in interests in real estate. Equity REITs are those which purchase or lease land and buildings and generate income primarily from rental income. Equity REITs may also realize capital gains (or losses) when selling property that has appreciated (or depreciated) in value. Mortgage REITs are those which invest in real estate mortgages and generate income primarily from interest payments on mortgage loans. Hybrid REITs generally invest in both real property and mortgages. The Fund generally considers equity REITs to be equity securities, while mortgage REITs and hybrid REITs generally are considered fixed income securities. REITs are generally subject to risks associated with direct ownership of real estate, such as decreases in real estate values or fluctuations in rental income caused by a variety of factors, including increases in interest rates, increases in property taxes and other operating costs, casualty or condemnation losses, possible environmental liabilities and changes in supply and demand for properties. Risks associated with REIT investments include the fact that equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon specialized management skills and are not fully diversified. These characteristics subject REITs to the risks associated with financing a limited number of projects. They are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidation. Additionally,
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equity REITs may be affected by any changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, and mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended.
Indexed Securities
The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in purchases of securities whose prices are indexed to the prices of other securities, securities indices, or other financial indicators. Indexed securities typically, but not always, are debt securities or deposits whose value at maturity or coupon rate is determined by reference to a specific instrument or statistic.
The performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance of the security, or other instrument to which they are indexed, and also may be influenced by interest rate changes in the U.S. and abroad. At the same time, indexed securities are subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer’s creditworthiness deteriorates. Changes in the reference instrument may cause the interest rate on an indexed security to be reduced to zero, at which point further adverse changes may lead to a reduction in the principal amount payable on maturity. Indexed securities may also be less liquid than other types of securities, and may be more volatile than the reference factor. Consistent with the Fund’s policy on illiquid investments, the Fund will only invest in indexed securities to the extent the Adviser determines that such products are liquid.
Convertible Securities
A convertible security may be a bond, debenture, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock. The Fund may invest up to 5% of its assets in convertible securities.
Junk Bonds
The Fund may invest up to 5% of its total assets in junk bonds rated at the time of purchase BB/Ba or lower by S&P or Moody’s or, unrated, but determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser. Junk bonds are subject to greater market risk and credit risk, or loss of principal and interest, than higher-rated securities. The capacity of issuers of lower-rated securities to pay interest and repay principal is more likely to weaken than is that of issuers of higher-rated securities in times of deteriorating economic conditions or rising interest rates. In addition, lower-rated securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic conditions than investment grade securities.
The market for lower-rated securities may be thinner and less active than that for higher-rated securities, which can adversely affect the prices at which these securities can be sold. To the extent that there is no established secondary market for lower-rated securities, the Fund may experience difficulty in valuing the securities for the purpose of computing its net asset value. Adverse publicity and investors’ perception about lower-rated securities, whether or not factual, may tend to impair their market value and liquidity.
Generally, investments in securities in the lower rating categories provide higher yields but involve greater volatility of price and risk of loss of principal and interest than investments in securities with higher ratings. Securities rated lower than Baa by Moody’s or BBB by S&P are considered speculative. In addition, lower ratings reflect a greater possibility of an adverse change in the financial conditions affecting the ability of the issuer to make payments of principal and interest. The market price of lower-rated securities generally responds to short term corporate and market developments
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to a greater extent than higher-rated securities which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Lower-rated securities will also be affected by the market’s perception of their credit quality and the outlook for economic growth.
In the past, economic downturns or rising interest rates have under certain circumstances caused a higher incidence of default by the issuers of these securities and may do so in the future, especially in the case of highly leveraged issuers. The prices for these securities may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. The market for lower-rated securities may be less liquid than the market for higher-rated securities. Furthermore, the liquidity of lower-rated securities may be affected by the market’s perception of their credit quality. Therefore, judgment may at times play a greater role in valuing these securities than in the case of higher-rated securities, and it also may be more difficult during certain adverse market conditions to sell lower-rated securities at their fair value to meet redemption requests or to respond to changes in the market.
The Adviser will consider all factors which it deems appropriate, including ratings, in making investment decisions for the Fund and will attempt to minimize investment risk through conditions and trends. While the Adviser may refer to ratings, it does not rely exclusively on ratings, but makes its own independent and ongoing review of credit quality.
Repurchase Agreements
A repurchase agreement is a short-term investment in which the purchaser ( i.e. , the Fund) acquires ownership of an obligation issued by the U.S. government or by an agency of the U.S. government (“U.S. Government Obligations”) (which may be of any maturity) and the seller agrees to repurchase the obligation at a future time at a set price, thereby determining the yield during the purchaser’s holding period (usually not more than seven days from the date of purchase). Any repurchase transaction in which the Fund engages will require full collateralization of the seller’s obligation during the entire term of the repurchase agreement. In the event of a bankruptcy or other default of the seller, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses in value. However, the Fund intends to enter into repurchase agreements only with the Fund’s custodian, other banks with assets of $1 billion or more and registered securities dealers determined by the Adviser to be creditworthy. The Adviser monitors the creditworthiness of the banks and securities dealers with which the Fund engages in repurchase transactions, and the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in repurchase agreements.
Loans Of Portfolio Securities
The Fund may make short- and long-term loans of its portfolio securities. Under the lending policy authorized by the Board of Trustees and implemented by the Adviser in response to requests of broker-dealers or institutional investors which the Adviser deems qualified, the borrower must agree to maintain collateral, in the form of cash or U.S. Government Obligations, with the Fund on a daily mark-to-market basis in an amount at least equal to 100% of the value of the loaned securities. The Fund will continue to receive dividends or interest on the loaned securities and may terminate such loans at any time or reacquire such securities in time to vote on any matter which the Board of Trustees determines to be important. With respect to loans of securities, there is the risk that the borrower may fail to return the loaned securities or that the borrower may not be able to provide additional collateral.
Short Sales
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Short Sales Against The Box. The Fund may engage in short sales against the box. In a short sale, the Fund sells a borrowed security and has a corresponding obligation to the lender to return the identical security. The seller does not immediately deliver the securities sold and is said to have a short position in those securities until delivery occurs. The Funds may engage in a short sale if at the time of the short sale the Fund owns or has the right to obtain without additional cost an equal amount of the security being sold short. This investment technique is known as a short sale “against the box.” It may be entered into by the Fund to, for example, lock in a sale price for a security the Fund does not wish to sell immediately. If the Fund engages in a short sale, the collateral for the short position will be segregated in an account with the Fund’s custodian or qualified sub-custodian. No more than 10% of the Fund’s net assets (taken at current value) may be held as collateral for short sales against the box at any one time.
The Fund may make a short sale as a hedge, when it believes that the price of a security may decline, causing a decline in the value of a security owned by the Fund (or a security convertible or exchangeable for such security). In such case, any future losses in the Fund’s long position should be offset by a gain in the short position and, conversely, any gain in the long position should be reduced by a loss in the short position. The extent to which such gains or losses are reduced will depend upon the amount of the security sold short relative to the amount the Fund owns. There will be certain additional transaction costs associated with short sales against the box, but the Fund will endeavor to offset these costs with the income from the investment of the cash proceeds of short sales.
If the Fund effects a short sale of securities at a time when it has an unrealized gain on the securities, it may be required to recognize that gain as if it had actually sold the securities (as a “constructive sale”) on the date it effects the short sale. However, such constructive sale treatment may not apply if the Fund closes out the short sale with securities other than the appreciated securities held at the time of the short sale and if certain other conditions are satisfied. Uncertainty regarding the tax consequences of effecting short sales may limit the extent to which the Fund may effect short sales.
Short Sales (excluding Short Sales “Against the Box”). The Fund may sell securities short. A short sale is a transaction in which the Fund sells securities it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the securities.
To deliver the securities to the buyer, the Fund must arrange through a broker to borrow the securities and, in so doing, the Fund becomes obligated to replace the securities borrowed at their market price at the time of replacement, whatever that price may be. The Fund will make a profit or incur a loss as a result of a short sale depending on whether the price of the securities decreases or increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund purchases the security to replace the borrowed securities that have been sold. The amount of any loss would be increased (and any gain decreased) by any premium or interest the Fund is required to pay in connection with a short sale.
The Fund’s obligation to replace the securities borrowed in connection with a short sale will be secured by cash or liquid securities deposited as collateral with the broker. In addition, the Fund will place in a segregated account with its custodian or a qualified sub-custodian an amount of cash or liquid securities equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the market value of the securities sold at the time they were sold short and (ii) any cash or liquid securities deposited as collateral with the broker in connection with the short sale (not including the proceeds of the short sale). Until it replaces the borrowed securities, the Fund will maintain the segregated account daily at a level so that (a) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker (not including the
8 |
proceeds from the short sale) will equal the current market value of the securities sold short and (b) the amount deposited in the account plus the amount deposited with the broker (not including the proceeds from the short sale) will not be less than the market value of the securities at the time they were sold short.
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (“CMOs”)
CMOs are securities that are collateralized by mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. CMOs are issued with a variety of classes or series, which have different maturities and are often retired in sequence. CMOs may be issued by governmental or non-governmental entities such as banks and other mortgage lenders. Non-government securities may offer a higher yield but also may be subject to greater price fluctuation than government securities. Investments in CMOs are subject to the same risks as direct investments in the underlying mortgage and mortgage-backed securities. In addition, in the event of a bankruptcy or other default of an entity who issued the CMO held by the Fund, the Fund could experience both delays in liquidating its position and losses.
Options
An option is a contract in which the “holder” (the buyer) pays a certain amount (“premium”) to the “writer” (the seller) to obtain the right, but not the obligation, to buy from the writer (in a “call”) or sell to the writer (in a “put”) a specific asset at an agreed upon price (“strike price” or “exercise price”) at or before a certain time (“expiration date”). The holder pays the premium at inception and has no further financial obligation. The holder of an option will benefit from favorable movements in the price of the underlying asset but is not exposed to corresponding losses due to adverse movements in the value of the underlying asset. The writer of an option will receive fees or premiums but is exposed to losses due to adverse changes in the value of the underlying asset. The Fund may buy (hold) or write (sell) put and call options on assets, such as securities, currencies, financial commodities, and indexes of debt and equity securities (“underlying assets”) and enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate an existing position.
Writing put or call options can enable the Fund to enhance income by reason of the premiums paid by the purchaser of such options. Writing call options serves as a limited short hedge because declines in the value of the hedged investment would be offset to the extent of the premium received for writing the option. However, if the security appreciates to a price higher than the exercise price of the call option, it can be expected that the option will be exercised and the Fund will be obligated to sell the security at less than its market value or will be obligated to purchase the security at a price greater than that at which the security must be sold under the option. Writing put options serves as a limited long hedge because decreases in the value of the hedged investment would be offset to the extent of the premium received for writing the option. However, if the security depreciates to a price lower than the exercise price of the put option, it can be expected that the put option will be exercised and the Fund will be obligated to purchase the security at more than its market value.
The value of an option position will reflect, among other things, the historical price volatility of the underlying investment, the current market value of the underlying investment, the time remaining until expiration, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the underlying investment, and general market conditions.
The Fund may effectively terminate its right or obligation under an option by entering into a closing transaction. For example, the Fund may terminate its obligation under a call or put option that it had written by purchasing an identical call or put option; this is known as a closing purchase transaction. Conversely, the Fund may terminate a position in a put or call option it had purchased by
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writing an identical put or call option; this is known as a closing sale transaction. Closing transactions permit the Fund to realize the profit or limit the loss on an option position prior to its exercise or expiration.
The writing and purchasing of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Imperfect correlation between the options and securities markets may detract from the effectiveness of the option transaction.
Variable Rate Debt Instruments
The Fund may invest in variable rate debt instruments. Variable rate securities provide for a periodic adjustment in the interest rate paid on the obligations. The terms of such obligations must provide that interest rates are adjusted periodically based upon an interest rate adjustment index as provided in the respective obligations. The adjustment intervals may be regular, and range from daily up to annually, or may be based on an event, such as a change in the prime rate.
Asset-Backed and Receivable-Backed Securities
Asset-backed and receivable-backed securities are undivided fractional interests in pools of consumer loans (unrelated to mortgage loans) held in a trust. Payments of principal and interest are passed through to certificate holders and are typically supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, limited guaranty or senior/subordination. The degree of credit enhancement varies, but generally amounts to only a fraction of the asset-backed or receivable-backed security’s par value until exhausted. If the credit enhancement is exhausted, certificate holders may experience losses or delays in payment if the required payments of principal and interest are not made to the trust with respect to the underlying loans. The value of these securities also may change because of changes in the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the loan pool, the originator of the loans or the financial institution providing the credit enhancement. Asset-backed and receivable-backed securities are ultimately dependent upon payment of consumer loans by individuals, and the certificate holder generally has no recourse against the entity that originated the loans. The underlying loans are subject to prepayments which shorten the securities’ weighted average life and may lower their return. As prepayments flow through at par, total returns would be affected by the prepayments: if a security were trading at a premium, its total return would be lowered by prepayments, and if a security were trading at a discount, its total return would be increased by prepayments.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Although the Fund generally will not invest for short-term trading purposes, portfolio securities may be sold without regard to the length of time they have been held when, in the opinion of the Adviser, investment considerations warrant such action. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate is a measure of the Fund’s portfolio activity, and is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of securities by the average value of the portfolio securities held during the period. 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 ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014 and 2015 were 16.0% and 12.0%, respectively, of the average value of its portfolio.
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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions that may not be changed without approval by a "majority of the outstanding shares" of the Fund which, as used in this SAI, means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares of the Fund represented at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
1. | Borrowing Money . The Fund will not borrow money, except (a) from a bank, provided that immediately after such borrowing there is an asset coverage of 300% for all borrowings of the Fund; or (b) from a bank or other persons for temporary purposes only, provided that such temporary borrowings are in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Fund’s total assets at the time when the borrowing is made. 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. |
2. | Senior Securities . The Fund will not issue senior securities. This limitation is not applicable to activities that may be deemed to involve the issuance or sale of a senior security by the Fund, provided that the Fund’s engagement in such activities is consistent with or permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or its staff. |
3. | Underwriting . The Fund will not act as underwriter of securities issued by other persons. This limitation is not applicable to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities (including restricted securities), the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under certain federal securities laws. |
4. | Real Estate . The Fund will not purchase or sell real estate. This limitation is not applicable to investments in marketable securities which 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. | Commodities . The Fund will not purchase or sell commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other investments. This limitation does not preclude the Fund from purchasing or selling options or futures contracts, from investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities or from investing in companies which are engaged in a commodities business or have a significant portion of their assets in commodities. |
6. | Loans . The Fund will not make loans to other persons, except (a) by loaning portfolio securities, (b) by engaging in repurchase agreements, or (c) by purchasing nonpublicly offered debt securities. For purposes of this limitation, the term “loans” shall not include the purchase of a portion of an issue of publicly distributed bonds, debentures or other securities. |
7. | Concentration . The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in a particular industry. This limitation is not applicable to investments in obligations issued or guaranteed |
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by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.
8. | Diversification . The Fund will not invest in the securities of any issuer if, immediately after such investment, less than 75% of the total assets of the Fund will be invested in cash and cash items (including receivables), government securities, securities of other investment companies or other securities for the purposes of this calculation limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount (determined immediately after the latest acquisition of securities of the issuer) not greater in value than 5% of the total assets of the Fund and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer. |
The Fund observes the following policies, which are not deemed fundamental and which may be changed without shareholder vote.
1. | Pledging . The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or in any manner transfer, as security for indebtedness, any assets of the Fund except as may be necessary in connection with borrowings described in Fundamental limitation (1) above. Margin deposits, security interests, liens and collateral arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques are not deemed to be a mortgage, pledge or hypothecation of assets for purposes of this limitation. |
2. | Borrowing . The Fund will not purchase any security while borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements) representing more than 5% of its total assets are outstanding. The Fund will not enter into reverse repurchase agreements. |
3. | Margin Purchases . The Fund will not purchase securities or evidences of interest thereon on “margin.” This limitation is not applicable to short-term credit obtained by the Fund for the clearance of purchases and sales or redemption of securities, or to arrangements with respect to transactions involving options, futures contracts, short sales and other permitted investments and techniques. |
4. | Repurchase Agreements . The Fund will not invest more than 5% of its net assets in repurchase agreements. |
5. | Illiquid Investments . The Fund will not purchase securities for which there are legal or contractual restrictions on resale and other illiquid securities. |
If a restriction on the Fund's investments is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a subsequent change in the percentage of Fund assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in average duration of the Fund's investment portfolio, resulting from changes in the value of the Fund's total assets, will not be considered a violation of the restriction; provided, however, that the asset coverage requirement applicable to borrowings shall be maintained in the manner contemplated by applicable law.
INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Adviser . The Adviser is Spectrum Advisory Services, Inc., 1050 Crown Pointe Parkway, Suite 750, Atlanta, GA 30338. Marc S. Heilweil, President of the Adviser, is the sole shareholder of
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the Adviser. As of December 31, 2015, it had approximately $495 million in assets under management.
Under the terms of the management agreement (the “Agreement”), the Adviser is responsible for managing the Fund’s investments, subject to oversight by the Board of Trustees. As compensation for its management services and agreement to pay most of the Fund’s expenses, the Fund is obligated to pay the Adviser a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 1.10% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Fund, not the Adviser, pays the following expenses: brokerage fees and commissions, indirect costs of investing in other investment companies, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expenses on securities sold short), extraordinary or nonrecurring expenses, such as litigation, and any 12b-1 fees. From March 8, 2013 through March 1, 2014, the Adviser was entitled to receive an annual fee equal to 1.20% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
Prior to March 8, 2013, the Adviser provided management services to the Predecessor Fund under the terms of a prior management agreement under which the Predecessor Fund was obligated to pay the Adviser a fee computed and accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 1.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Predecessor Fund, not the Adviser, paid brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expenses on securities sold short), extraordinary or nonrecurring expenses, including litigation, and any 12b-1 fees.
The following table describes the advisory fees paid to the Adviser by the Predecessor Fund for the fiscal period indicated:
Fiscal Year Ended |
Advisory Fees
Accrued |
Total Expenses
Reimbursed and/or Fees Waived |
Net Advisory
Fees Paid |
|||||||||||
October 31, 2013** | $ | 232,292 | $ | 0 | $ | 232,292 | ||||||||
**For the period November 1, 2012 through March 8, 2013.
The following table describes the advisory fees paid to the Adviser by the Fund for the fiscal period indicated:
Fiscal Year Ended |
Advisory Fees
Accrued |
Total Expenses
Reimbursed and/or Fees Waived |
Net Advisory
Fees Paid |
|||||||||||
October 31, 2013* | $ | 468,472 | $ | 0 | $ | 468,472 | ||||||||
October 31, 2014 | $ | 748,931 | $ | 0 | $ | 748,931 | ||||||||
October 31, 2015 | $ | 724,025 | $ | 0 | $ | 724,025 | ||||||||
* For the period March 8, 2013 through October 31, 2013.
The Adviser may make payments to banks or other financial institutions that provide shareholder services and administer shareholder accounts. If a bank or other financial institution were prohibited from continuing to perform all or a part of such services, management of the Fund believes that there would be no material impact on the Fund or its shareholders. Banks and other financial institutions may charge their customers fees for offering these services to the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, and the overall return to those shareholders availing themselves of the bank services will be lower than to those shareholders who do not. The Fund may from time to
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time purchase securities issued by banks and other financial institutions which provide such services; however, in selecting investments for the Fund, no preference will be shown for such securities.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Portfolio Manager
As described in the Prospectus, Marc Heilweil, President of the Adviser, serves as the Portfolio Manager for the Fund and is primarily responsible for making all investment decisions of the Fund. As of October 31, 2015, the Portfolio Manager was responsible for the management of the following types of accounts, including the Fund:
Account Type |
Number of
Accounts by Account Type |
Total Assets
By Account Type |
Number of
Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee |
Total Assets By
Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee |
||||||||||||
Registered Investment Companies | 1 | $ | 64,035,929 | 0 | None | |||||||||||
Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | None | 0 | None | ||||||||||||
Other Accounts | 524 | $ | 431,036,831 | 0 | None |
Compensation
The Portfolio Manager is compensated for his services by the Adviser. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015, the Portfolio Manager’s compensation consisted of a salary, bonus, pension and retirement plans and other compensation arrangements.
Conflicts of Interest
As set forth above, the Portfolio Manager provides investment advisory and other services to clients other than the Fund. There may be circumstances under which the Portfolio Manager will cause a separate account to commit a larger percentage of its assets to an investment opportunity than the percentage of the Fund’s assets that the Portfolio Manager commits to such investment. There also may be circumstances under which the Portfolio Manager purchases or sells an investment for a separate account and does not purchase or sell the same investment for the Fund, or purchases or sells an investment for the Fund and does not purchase or sell the same investment for the other account.
It is generally the Adviser’s policy that investment decisions for all accounts that the Portfolio Manager manages be made based on a consideration of their respective investment objectives and policies, and other needs and requirements affecting the accounts and that investment transactions and opportunities be fairly allocated among the Fund and other accounts. For example, the Adviser has written policies and procedures with respect to allocation of block trades and/or investment opportunities among the Fund and other clients of the Adviser. When feasible, the Portfolio Manager will group or block various orders to more efficiently execute orders and receive reduced commissions in order to benefit the Fund and other accounts of the Adviser. In the event that more than one client wants to purchase or sell the same security on a given date and limited quantities are available, the purchases and sales will normally be made on a pro rata average price per share basis.
In addition, the Portfolio Manager may also carry on investment activities for his own account(s) and/or the accounts of immediate family members. Conflicts may arise as a result of the
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Portfolio Manager’s differing economic interests in respect of such activities, such as with respect to allocating investment opportunities. Pursuant to the Code of Ethics adopted by each of the Trust and the Adviser, the Portfolio Manager is prohibited from effecting transactions for his personal accounts which are contrary to recommendations being made to the Fund. In addition, the Portfolio Manager is prohibited from competing with the Fund in connection with such transactions.
Ownership of Securities
As of October 31, 2015, the Portfolio Manager beneficially owned the following amounts in the Fund:
Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of Shares Beneficially Owned in the Marathon Portfolio Value Fund
|
Mr. Heilweil | Over $1,000,000 |
ALLOCATION OF BROKERAGE
Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Fund are made by the Portfolio Manager, who is an employee of the Adviser. 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 the Adviser for the Fund's use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.
In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will generally take the following into consideration:
· | the best net price available; |
· | the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer; |
· | the size of and difficulty in executing the order; and |
· | the value of the expected contribution of the broker or dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a continuing basis. |
Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage 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. Research services include supplemental research, securities and economic analyses, statistical services and information with respect to the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities and analyses of reports concerning performance of accounts. 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. It is the opinion of the Board of Trustees and the Adviser that the review and study of the research and other information will not reduce the overall cost to the Adviser of performing its duties to the Fund under the Agreement.
Over-the-counter transactions may be placed with broker-dealers if the Adviser is able to obtain best execution (including commissions and price). Over-the-counter transactions may also be
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placed directly with principal market makers. Fixed income securities are normally purchased directly from the issuer, an underwriter or a market maker. Purchases include a concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and the purchase price paid to a market maker may include the spread between the bid and asked prices.
To the extent that the Fund and another of the Adviser’s clients seek to acquire the same security at about the same time, the Fund may not be able to acquire as large a position in such security as it desires or it may have to pay a higher price for the security. Similarly, the Fund may not be able to obtain as large an execution of an order to sell or as high a price for any particular portfolio security if the other client desires to sell the same portfolio security at the same time. On the other hand, if the same securities are bought or sold at the same time by more than one client, the resulting participation in volume transactions could produce better executions for the Fund. In the event that more than one client wants to purchase or sell the same security on a given date, the purchases and sales will normally be made by random client selection. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015, the Fund paid brokerage commissions of $1,974.
The following table describes the brokerage commissions paid by the Predecessor Fund for the fiscal periods indicated:
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2013* |
$1,199 |
*For the period October 31, 2012 through March 8, 2013.
The following table describes the brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for the fiscal periods indicated:
Fiscal Year Ended
October 31, 2013* |
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2014 |
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2015 |
$1,793 | $2,749 | $1,974 |
* For the period March 8, 2013 through October 31, 2013.
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 shareholders.
It is the Trust's policy to: (1) ensure that any disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interest of Trust shareholders; (2) protect the confidentiality of portfolio holdings information; (3) have procedures in place to guard against personal trading based on the information; and (4) ensure that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information does not create conflicts between the interests of the Trust's shareholders and those of the Trust's affiliates.
The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings by mailing 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 its portfolio holdings reports on Forms N-CSR and Form N-Q two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period.
The Fund may choose to make portfolio holdings information available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg “Rating Agencies”) earlier and more frequently on a confidential
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basis. The Rating Agencies may make the Fund’s top portfolio holdings available on their websites and may make the Fund’s complete portfolio holdings available to their subscribers for a fee. Neither the Fund, the Adviser, nor any of its affiliates receive any portion of this fee. Information released to Rating Agencies is not released under conditions of confidentiality nor is it subject to prohibitions on trading based on the information. The Fund also will post information regarding its ten largest portfolio holdings, as well as complete performance data to its website located at www.marathonvalue.com, within approximately 25 days after the end of the month. The information will remain posted on the website until replaced by the information for the succeeding month. If the website is for some reason inoperable, the information will be supplied no more frequently than quarterly and on a delayed basis.
Under limited circumstances, as described below, the Fund's portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q. In each case, a determination has been made that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.
Adviser. Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing the Fund's portfolio, may have full daily access to Fund portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for 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.
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.
Huntington National Bank. Huntington National Bank 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 Funds’ portfolio holdings in connection with review of the Funds’ 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
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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.
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 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 each 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,
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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 each 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 each 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); and (18) perform other services, recordkeeping and assistance relating to the affairs of the Trust as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request.
GFS also provides the Funds 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 Funds’ listing of portfolio securities and general ledger reports; (iv) reconciliation of accounting records; (v) calculation of yield and total return for the Funds; (vi) maintaining certain books and records described in Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and reconciling account information and balances among the Funds’ custodian and Adviser; and (vii) monitoring and evaluating daily income and expense accruals, and sales and redemptions of shares of the Funds.
GFS also acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Funds 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 Funds 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 each Fund for the previous month.
The following table displays the amount paid by the Fund under the Agreement for the fiscal years ended October 31:
Type of Fee: | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
Administration | $31,349 | $54,276 | $52,669 |
Fund Accounting | $17,816 | $28,159 | $28,085 |
Transfer Agent | $10,816 | $17,878 | $19,131 |
Prior to March 8, 2013, Huntington Asset Services, Inc., 2960 North Meridian Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, acted as the Fund’s transfer agent, fund accountant and administrator. Huntington received a monthly fee from the Adviser of $1.25 per shareholder account (subject to various monthly minimum fees, the maximum being $1,250 per month for assets of $10 million or more) for transfer agency services. For its services as fund accountant, Huntington received a monthly fee from the Adviser equal to an annual rate of 0.050% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to $50 million, 0.040% of the Fund’s average daily net assets from $50 million to $100 million, 0.030% of the Fund’s average daily net assets from $100 million to $150 million, and 0.020% of the Fund’s average daily net assets over $150 million (subject to various monthly minimum fees,
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the maximum being $1,667 per month for assets up to $50 million). For its administrative services, Huntington received a monthly fee from the Adviser equal to an annual rate of 0.100% of the Fund’s average daily net assets under $50 million, 0.070% of the Fund’s average daily net assets from $50 million to $100 million, 0.050% of the Fund’s average daily net assets from $100 million to $150 million, and 0.030% of the Fund’s average daily net assets over $150 million (subject to a minimum fee of $2,500 per month).
The following table provides information regarding transfer agent, fund accounting and administrative services fees paid by the Adviser on behalf of the Predecessor Fund during the last two fiscal periods:
Fiscal Year Ended |
Fees Paid for
Transfer Agent Services |
Fees Paid for
Services |
Fees Paid for
Administrative Services |
|||||||||
Fiscal period November 1, 2012 – March 7, 2013 | $5,202 | $8,922 | $18,509 | |||||||||
Custodian
Huntington National Bank, 41 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215, 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. For the compliance services rendered to the Fund, the Fund pays NLCS a one-time fee of $2,500, 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). The Fund also pays NLCS for any out-of-pocket expenses. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015, the Fund paid $15,500 for compliance service fees.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Fund has selected Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd., 1350 Euclid Avenue, 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.
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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 Distributor from Fund during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015:
Fund | Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions | Compensation on Redemptions and Repurchases | Brokerage Commissions | Other Compensation |
Marathon Value Portfolio | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
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 class. 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.
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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 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, 1-800-788-6086 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 1-800-788-6086 and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.
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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 last bid price. Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less 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.
Fund shares are valued at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (the "NYSE Close") on each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. For purposes of calculating the NAV, the Fund normally uses pricing data for domestic equity securities received shortly after the NYSE Close and do 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.
If market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable, securities will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the Trust’s Fair Value Committee and in accordance with the Trust’s Portfolio Securities Valuation Procedures. 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 Fund may hold securities, such as private placements, interests in commodity pools, other non-traded securities or temporarily illiquid securities, for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable. These securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board. The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value team composed of one of more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) Adviser. The team may also enlist third party
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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.
Fair Value Team and Valuation Process . This team is composed of one of more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) Adviser. The applicable investments are valued collectively via inputs from each of these groups. For example, fair value determinations are required for the following securities: (i) securities for which market quotations are insufficient or not readily available on a particular business day (including securities for which there is a short and temporary lapse in the provision of a price by the regular pricing source), (ii) securities for which, in the judgment of the Adviser, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument. Factors which may cause the Adviser to make such a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an asked price is available; the spread between bid and asked prices is substantial; the frequency of sales; the thinness of the market; the size of reported trades; and actions of the securities markets, such as the suspension or limitation of trading; (iii) securities determined to be illiquid; (iv) securities with respect to which an event that will affect the value thereof has occurred (a “significant event”) since the closing prices were established on the principal exchange on which they are traded, but prior to the Fund’s calculation of its net asset value. Specifically, interests in commodity pools or managed futures pools are valued on a daily basis by reference to the closing market prices of each futures contract or other asset held by a pool, as adjusted for pool expenses. Restricted or illiquid securities, such as private placements or non-traded securities, are valued via inputs from the Adviser valuation based upon the current bid for the security from two or more independent dealers or other parties reasonably familiar with the facts and circumstances of the security (who should take into consideration all relevant factors as may be appropriate under the circumstances). If the Adviser is unable to obtain a current bid from such independent dealers or other independent parties, the fair value team shall determine the fair value of such security using the following factors: (i) the type of security; (ii) the cost at date of purchase; (iii) the size and nature of the Fund’s holdings; (iv) the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase and subsequent thereto; (v) information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; (vi) the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the security and the existence of any registration rights; (vii) how the yield of the security compares to similar securities of companies of similar or equal creditworthiness; (viii) the level of recent trades of similar or comparable securities; (ix) the liquidity characteristics of the security; (x) current market conditions; and (xi) the market value of any securities into which the security is convertible or exchangeable.
Standards For Fair Value Determinations . As a general principle, the fair value of a security is the amount that a Fund might reasonably expect to realize upon its current sale. The Trust has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820"). In accordance with ASC 820, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including such a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the
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assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund's investments relating to ASC 820. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.
Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The fair value team takes into account the relevant factors and surrounding circumstances, which may include: (i) the nature and pricing history (if any) of the security; (ii) whether any dealer quotations for the security are available; (iii) possible valuation methodologies that could be used to determine the fair value of the security; (iv) the recommendation of the portfolio manager of the Fund with respect to the valuation of the security; (v) whether the same or similar securities are held by other funds (if any) managed by the Adviser or other funds of the Trust and the method used to price the security in those funds; (vi) the extent to which the fair value to be determined for the security will result from the use of data or formulae produced by independent third parties; and (vii) the liquidity or illiquidity of the market for the security.
Board of Trustees Determination . The Board of Trustees meets at least quarterly to consider the valuations provided by the fair value team and ratify valuations for the applicable securities. The Board considers the reports provided by the fair value team, including follow-up studies of subsequent market-provided prices when available, in reviewing and determining in good faith the fair value of the applicable portfolio securities.
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, Presidents’ 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 net asset value 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.
TAX STATUS
The following discussion is general in nature and should not be regarded as an exhaustive presentation of all possible tax ramifications. All shareholders should consult a qualified tax adviser regarding their investment in the Fund.
The Fund intends to qualify as regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Tax Code"), which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to shareholders. 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 Tax 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. Under pre-enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains for eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital, irrespective of the character of the original loss. Capital loss carry forwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carry forwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.
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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 Tax 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, and no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Fund unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.
To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Tax 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.
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 Tax 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 Tax Code.
Distributions of taxable net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.
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.
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A redemption of Fund shares by a shareholder will result in the recognition of taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the shareholder's tax basis in his or her Fund shares. Such gain or loss is treated as a capital gain or loss if the shares are held as capital assets. However, any loss realized upon the redemption of shares within six months from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as capital gain dividends during such six-month period. All or a portion of any loss realized upon the redemption of shares may be disallowed to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within 30 days before or after such redemption.
Distributions of taxable net investment income and net capital gain will be taxable as described above, whether received in additional cash or shares. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset value of a share on the reinvestment date.
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.
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 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 Tax Code, the Fund will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Tax Code, distributions of taxable 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 a 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
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as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. A 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 a 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, the Fund's transactions in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts, straddles and foreign currencies will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund's securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders.
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 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 they 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)
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may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.
Foreign Taxation
Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. Tax treaties and conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be able to elect to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders the amount of eligible foreign income and similar taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, a shareholder generally subject to tax will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable dividends actually received) his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, and may be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his or her pro rata share of foreign taxes in computing his or her taxable income or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his or her U.S. federal income tax liability, subject to certain limitations. In particular, a shareholder must hold his or her shares (without protection from risk of loss) on the ex-dividend date and for at least 15 more days during the 30-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit with respect to a gain dividend. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions. Each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year whether the foreign taxes paid by 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 holding the security 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.
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.
A fund that holds the foregoing kinds of securities may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount, which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary (including when it is not advantageous to do so). The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Shareholders of the Fund may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Fund and on redemptions of the Fund's shares.
A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. In January of each year the Fund issues to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.
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 a 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. That shareholder's vote could have more significant effect on matters presented at a shareholder's meeting than votes of other shareholders.
As of February 2, 2016, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund:
Name and Address |
Shares | Percentage of Fund | |||||
Charles Schwab & Co. INC. 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104 |
2,051074.9860 | 75.98% | |||||
National Financial Services Corp. 1 World Financial Center New York, NY 10281 |
251,666.4340 | 9.32% | |||||
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.
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
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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/Lead Independent Trustee, 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 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, 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
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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 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
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below. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and Officer is 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130.
Independent Trustees
|
|||||
Name,
Address* Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held
with Registrant |
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). | 39 | 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). | 39 | Monetla Mutual Funds (since 2015). |
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). | 149 | 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); President, Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association (2012-2015); Former member of the AICPA | 149 | 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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|
|
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). | 39 | 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). |
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). |
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). |
Audit Committee. The Board has an Audit Committee that consists solely of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committee's responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the Trust's independent auditors; (ii) reviewing with the independent auditors the scope, performance and anticipated cost of their audit; (iii) discussing with the independent auditors certain matters relating to the Trust's financial statements, including any adjustment to such financial statements recommended by such independent auditors, or any other results of any audit; (iv) reviewing on a periodic basis a formal written statement from the independent auditors with respect to their independence, discussing with the independent auditors any relationships or services disclosed in the statement that may impact the objectivity and independence of the Trust's independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditor's independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and management's responses thereto
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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 six meetings.
Compensation of Directors . Effective January 1, 2016, 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 $16,000 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, 2015 through December 31, 2015, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust received a quarterly fee of $13,500.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, 2016, in addition to the quarterly fees and reimbursements, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly fee of $3,750, and the Audit Committee Chairmen receive a quarterly fee of $3,000.
Additionally, in the event an in-person 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 received from the Trust during the Fund’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2015. 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 | $50,000 | $50,000 |
Patricia Luscombe*** | $40,500 | $40,500 |
John V. Palancia | $62,000 | $210,750 |
Mark H. Taylor | $59,000 | $230,250 |
Jeffery D. Young*** | $40,500 | $40,500 |
* 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, Northern Lights fund Trust IV and Northern Lights Variable Trust.
*** Ms. Luscombe and Mr. Young were added as members of the Board of Trustees, effective January 1, 2015.
Trustees' Ownership of Shares in the Fund . As of December 31, 2015, 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 |
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Name of Trustee | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies* |
John V. Palancia | None | None |
Mark H. Taylor | None | None |
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.
** Ms. Luscombe and Mr. Young were added as members of the Board of Trustees, effective January 1, 2015.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements and report of the independent registered public accounting firm required to be included in this Statement of Additional Information are hereby incorporated by reference to the Annual Report for the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015. You can obtain the Annual Report without charge by calling the Fund at 1-800-788-6086.
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APPENDIX A
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
SPECTRUM ADVISORY SERVICES, INC.
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
The exercise of proxy voting rights is an important element in the successful management of clients' investments. Historically, our clients have voted their proxies, but we have gone to the clients on occasion and requested that they send us the proxy for us to vote. As the manager of $446 million in client assets, Spectrum Advisory Services recognizes its fiduciary responsibility to vote proxies solely in the best interests of both its ERISA and non-ERISA clients. We have therefore adopted the following proxy voting guidelines as part of our overall goal of maximizing the growth of our clients' assets.
Spectrum generally votes proxies in furtherance of the long-term economic value of the underlying securities. We consider each proxy proposal on its own merits, and we make an independent determination of the advisability of supporting or opposing management's position. We believe that the recommendations of management should be given substantial weight, but we will not support management proposals that we believe are detrimental to the underlying value of our clients' positions.
We usually oppose proposals that dilute the economic interest of shareholders, and we also oppose those that reduce shareholders' voting rights or otherwise limit their authority. With respect to takeover offers, Spectrum calculates a ‘going concern' value for every holding. If the offer approaches or exceeds our value estimate, we will generally vote for the merger, acquisition or leveraged buy-out.
The following guidelines deal with a number of specific issues, particularly in the area of corporate governance. While they are not exhaustive, they do provide a good indication of Spectrum's general approach to a wide range of issues. They are not hard and fast rules, as, on occasion, we may vote a proxy otherwise than suggested by the guidelines, but departures from the guidelines will be rare, and we will explain the basis for such votes.
I. Directors and Auditors
Spectrum generally supports the management slate of directors, although we may withhold our votes if the board has adopted excessive anti-takeover measures.
We favor inclusion of the selection of auditors on the proxy as a matter for shareholder ratification. As a general rule, in the absence of any apparent conflict of interest, we will support management's selection of auditors.
II. Corporate Governance
In the area of corporate governance, Spectrum will generally support proxy measures that we believe tend to increase shareholder rights.
A. Confidential Voting. We generally support proposals to adopt confidential voting and independent vote tabulation practices, which we believe lessen potential management pressure on shareholders and thus allow shareholders to focus on the merits of proxy proposals.
A- 1 |
B. Greenmail. Unless they are part of anti-takeover provisions, we usually support anti-greenmail proposals because greenmail tends to discriminate against shareholders, other than the greenmailer, and may result in a decreased stock price.
C. Indemnification of Directors. We usually vote in favor of charter or by-law amendments that expand the indemnification of directors or limit their liability for breaches of care, because we believe such measures are important in attracting competent directors and officers.
D. Cumulative Voting Rights. We usually support cumulative voting as an effective method of guaranteeing minority representation on a board.
E. Opt Out of Delaware. We usually support by-law amendments requiring a company to opt out of the Delaware takeover statute because it is undemocratic and contrary to the principle that shareholders should have the final decision on merger or acquisition.
F. Increases in Common Stock. We will generally support an increase in common stock of up to three times the number of shares outstanding and scheduled to be issued, including stock options, provided the increase is not intended to implement a poison pill defense.
Spectrum generally votes against the following anti-takeover proposals, as we believe they diminish shareholder rights.
A. Fair Price Amendments. We generally oppose fair price amendments because they may deter takeover bids, but we will support those that consider only a two year price history and are not accompanied by a supermajority vote requirement.
B. Classified Boards. We generally oppose classified boards because they limit shareholder control.
C. Blank Check Preferred Stock. We generally oppose the authorization of blank check preferred stock because it limits shareholder rights and allows management to implement anti-takeover policies without shareholder approval.
D. Supermajority Provisions. We usually oppose supermajority voting requirements because they often detract from the majority's rights to enforce it will.
E. Golden Parachutes. We generally oppose golden parachutes, as they tend to be excessive and self-serving, and we favor proposals, which require shareholder approval of golden parachutes and similar arrangements.
F. Poison Pills. We believe poison pill defenses tend to depress the value of shares. Therefore, we will vote for proposals requiring (1) shareholder ratification of poison pills, (2) sunset provision for existing poison pills, and (3) shareholder vote on redemption of poison pills.
G. Reincorporation. We oppose reincorporation in another state in order to take advantage of a stronger anti-takeover statute.
H. Shareholder Rights. We oppose proposals that would eliminate, or limit, the rights of shareholders to call special meetings and to act by written consent because they detract from basic shareholder authority.
A- 2 |
Spectrum generally votes on other corporate governance issues as follows:
A. Other Business. Absent any compelling grounds, we usually authorize management to vote in its discretion.
B. Differential Voting Rights. We usually vote against the issuance of new classes of stock with differential voting rights, because such rights can dilute the rights of existing shares.
C. Directors-Share Ownership. While we view some share ownership by directors as having a positive effect, we will usually vote against proposals requiring directors to own a specific number of shares.
D. Independent Directors. While we oppose proposals, which would require that a board consist of a majority of independent directors, we may support proposals, which call for some independent positions on the board.
E. Preemptive Rights. We generally vote against preemptive rights proposals, as they may tend to limit share ownership, and they limit management's flexibility to raise capital.
F. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). We evaluate ESOPs on a case-by-case basis. We usually vote for unleveraged ESOPs if they provide for gradual accumulation of moderate levels of stock. For leveraged ESOPs, we examine the company's state of incorporation, existence of super-majority vote rules in the charter, number of shares authorized for ESOP and number of shares held by insiders. We may also examine where the ESOP shares are purchased and the dilutive effect of the purchase. We vote against leveraged ESOPs if all outstanding loans are due immediately upon a change in control or if the ESOP appears to be primarily designed as an anti-takeover device.
III. Compensation and Stock Options Plans
We review compensation plan proposals on a case-by-case basis. We believe that strong compensation programs are needed to attract, hold and motivate good executives and outside directors, and so we generally tend to vote with management on these issues. However, if the proposals appear excessive, or bear no rational relation to company performance, we may vote in opposition.
With respect to compensation plans which utilize stock options or stock incentives, our analyses generally have lead us to vote with management. However, if the awards of options appear excessive, or if the plans reserve an unusually large percentage of the company's stock for the award of options, we may oppose them because of concerns regarding the dilution of shareholder value. Compensation plans that come within the purview of this guideline include long-range compensation plans, deferred compensation plans, long-term incentive plans, performance stock plans, and restricted stock plans and share option arrangements.
IV. Social Issues
Spectrum has a fiduciary duty to vote on all proxy issues in furtherance of the long-term economic value of the underlying shares. Consistent with that duty, we will vote on social issues with a view toward promoting good corporate citizenship, but also with the realization that we cannot require a company to go beyond applicable legal requirements or put itself in a noncompetitive position.
A- 3 |
We have found that management generally analyzes such issues on the same basis, and so we generally support management's recommendations on social issue proposals. However, if our analysis shows that adoption of such a proposal would have a positive impact on the share value, we may vote in favor.
Examples of proposals in this category include:
1. | Anti – Abortion |
2. | Affirmative Action |
3. | Animal Rights |
a. | Animal Testing |
b. | Animal Experimentation |
c. | Factory Farming |
4. | Chemical Releases |
5. | El Salvador |
6. | Environmental Issues |
a. | CERES Principles |
b. | Environmental Protection |
7. | Equal Opportunity |
8. | Discrimination |
9. | Government Service |
10. | Infant Formula |
11. | Israel |
12. | Military Contracts |
13. | Northern Ireland |
14. | Nuclear Power |
a. | Nuclear Waste |
b. | Nuclear Energy Business |
15. | Planned Parenthood Funding |
16. | Political Contributions |
17. | South Africa |
a. | Sullivan Principles |
18. | Space Weapons |
19. | Tobacco-Related Products |
20. | World Debt |
A- 4 |
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) 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.
(ii) 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.
(ii)(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.
(iii) 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.
(iii)(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.
(iv) 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.
(v) 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.
(vi) 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.
(vii) 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.
(viii) 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.
(viii)(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.
(ix) 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.
(x) 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.
(x)(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.
(xi) 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.
(xii) 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.
(xiii) 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.
(xiv) 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.
(xv) 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.
(xvi) 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.
(xvii) 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.
(xviii) 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.
(xviii)(a) Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between RESQ Investment Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund is filed herewith.
(xix) 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.
(xx) 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.
(xxi) 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.
(xxii) 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.
(xxiii) 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.
(xxiv) 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.
(xxv) 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.
(xxvi) 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.
(xxvii) 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.
(xxviii) 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.
(xxix) 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.
(xxx) Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund as previously filed on September 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Stamen in Post-Effective Amendment No. 203, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxi) 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.
(xxxii) 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.
(xxxiii) 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.
(xxxiv) 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.
(xxxv) 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.
(xxxvi) 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.
(xxxvii) 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 as previously filed on September 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Stamen in Post-Effective Amendment No. 203, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxviii) 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.
(xxxix) 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.
(xl) Investment Advisory Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund as previously filed on September 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xli) Investment Advisory Agreement between Absolute Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund as previously filed on October 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 207, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xlii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund is filed as previously filed on October 19, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 208, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xliii) Investment Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund is filed as previously filed on October 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 210, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xliv) Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Swan Capital Management, LLC, and Swan Global Management, LLC, with respect to the Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund and Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund is filed as previously filed on October 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 210, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(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.
(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 R.W. Rogé & Company, Inc. and Registrant, with respect to the Rogé Partners Fund as previously filed on October 28, 2015 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 214, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xv) 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.
(xvi) 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.
(xvii) 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.
(xviii) 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.
(xix) 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.
(xx) 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.
(xxi) 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.
(xxiii) 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.
(xxiii) 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.
(xxiv) 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.
(xxv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund is as previously filed on September 24, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 203, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxvi) 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.
(xxvii) 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.
(xxvii) 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.
(xxix) 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.
(xxx) 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.
(xxxi) 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.
(xxxii) 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.
(xxxiii) 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.
(xxxiv) 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.
(xxxv) Expense Limitation Agreement between Pinnacle Family Advisers, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund previously filed on September 3, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 202, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxvi) Expense Limitation Agreement between Absolute Capital Management, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Absolute Capital Asset Allocator Fund and Absolute Capital Defender Fund as previously filed on October 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 207, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxvii) Expense Limitation Agreement between Counterpoint Mutual Funds, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund as previously filed on October 19, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 208, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxxviii) 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.
(xxxix) 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 is filed as previously filed on October 27, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 210, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(i) Legal consent is filed herewith.
(j) Other Opinions. Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is filed herewith.
(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 as previously filed on January 22, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 221, 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 is filed herewith.
(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 September 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.
(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.
(iii) 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.
(iv) Code of Ethics of Footprints Asset Management & Research, Inc. as previously filed on January 22, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 221, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(v) 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.
(vi) Code of Ethics of Caerus Investors, LLC as previously filed on January 22, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 221, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(vii) Code of Ethics of Weatherbie Capital, LLC as previously filed on January 22, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 221, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(viii) Code of Ethics of Good Harbor Financial, LLC as previously filed on January 22, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 221, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(ix) 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.
(x) 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.
(xi) 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.
(xii) 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.
(xiii) 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.
(xiv) 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.
(xv) Code of Ethics of Global View Capital Management, Ltd. as previously filed on January 22, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 221, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xvi) 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.
(xvii) Code of Ethics of RESQ Investment Partners, LLC as previously filed on January 22, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 221, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xviii) 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.
(xix) Code of Ethics of Horizon Capital Management, Inc. as previously filed on January 22, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 221, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xx) 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.
(xxi) Code of Ethics of Newfound Research LLC as previously filed on January 22, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 221, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxii) 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.
(xxiii) Code of Ethics of FDO Partners, LLC as previously filed on January 22, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 221, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxiv) 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.
(xxv) 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.
(xxvi) 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.
(xxvii) Code of Ethics of Swan Global Management, LLC as previously filed on January 22, 2016 to the Registrant's Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 221, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(xxviii) Code of Ethics of United Global Advisors, LLC to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(xxix) Code of Ethics of Absolute Capital Management, LLC as previously filed on October 13, 2015 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement in Post-Effective Amendment No. 207, and hereby incorporated by reference.
(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:
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 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.
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.
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.
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. 801-61336.
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, 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, Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, 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.
(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, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary | None |
William Wostoupal | President | None |
Daniel Applegarth | Treasurer/ FINOP | None |
Mike Nielsen | Chief Compliance Officer and AML Compliance Officer | None |
Bill Strait | General Counsel | 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 26th day of February, 2016.
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: February 26, 2016
*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. |
Amendment to the Investment Advisory Agreement between RESQ Investment Partners, LLC and Registrant, with respect to the RESQ Absolute Equity Fund and RESQ Absolute Income Fund | (d)(xviii)(a) |
Amended and Restated exhibit A to Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class C Shares | (m)(ii)(a) |
Legal Consent | (i) |
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | (j) |
FIRST AMENDMENT TO INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Between
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III
and
RESQ Investment Partners, LLC
THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT (the “First Amendment”) is made and effective as of February 1, 2016, between Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and RESQ Investment Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”) located at 9383 E. Bahia Drive, Suite 120, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, the parties previously entered into that certain Investment Advisory Agreement between Northern Lights Fund Trust III and RESQ Investment Partners, LLC dated as of November 21, 2013 (the “Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Adviser has subsequently agreed to lower the annual adivosry fee as a percentage of net assest of the RESQ Strategic Income Fund and RESQ Dynamic Allocation Fund;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Appendix A of the Agreement is hereby replaced with the following:
NAME OF FUND |
ANNUAL ADVISORY FEE AS A % OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF THE FUND |
RESQ Strategic Income Fund | 1.45% |
RESQ Dynamic Allocation Fund | 1.45% |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this First Amendment 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/ James P. Ash ______________
Name: James P. Ash
Title: President
RESQ Investment Partners, LLC
By: _ /s/ Paul Kujalowicz _________
Name: Paul Kujalowicz
Title: Chief Operating Officer
February 26, 2016
VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION
Securities & Exchange Commission
Public Filing Desk
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: Northern Lights Fund Trust III, File Nos. 333-178833 and 811-22655
Dear Sir/Madam:
On behalf of Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a registered investment company (the “Trust”), we hereby submit, via electronic filing, Post-Effective Amendment No. 236 to the Trust’s Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933. The Amendment is filed pursuant to Rule 485(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. The main purpose of this filing is to update financial information for Marathon Value Portfolio. We believe that this update does not contain any disclosure that would render it ineligible to become effective pursuant to Rule 485(b).
If you have any questions, please contact Christopher Moore at (614) 469-3266 or JoAnn Strasser at (614) 469-3265.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Thompson Hine LLP
Thompson Hine LLP
994600.32
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 December 23, 2015, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of Marathon Value Portfolio, a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust III, for the year ended October 31, 2015, and to the references to our firm under the headings “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectus and “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Policies and Procedures for Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings” in the Statement of Additional Information.
Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd.
Cleveland, Ohio
February 25, 2016
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III
CLASS C
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN
PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1
UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Adopted May 30, 2013
WHEREAS, Northern Lights Fund Trust III, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open- end management investment company; and
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest without par value (the "Shares"), which may be divided into one or more series of Shares (each such series a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust previously adopted separate distribution plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (each an "Existing Plan" and collectively, the "Existing Plans") for certain of the Funds in existence prior to the date hereof; and
WHEREAS, the trustees of the Trust now desire to amend and consolidate the Existing Plans into a separate master plan for each class of Shares offered by the Funds, such that there will exist one master plan for each similarly named class of Shares; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of such consolidation is to make administration of the Existing Plans more convenient and such consolidation shall be given effect without amending the amount to be spent for distribution and/or shareholder services and thus may be approved in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act by a vote of the board of trustees of the Trust (the "Board"), including those Board members who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of such plans or any agreements related thereto (“Independent Trustees”); and
WHEREAS, the trustees of the Trust as a whole, and the Independent Trustees, have determined, through the exercise of reasonable business judgment and in light of their fiduciary duties under state law and under Sections 36(a) and (b) of the 1940 Act, that there is a reasonable likelihood that amendment and consolidation of the Existing Plans into separate master plans for each class of Shares offered by the Funds, including, without limitation, this Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan for Class C Shares of the Funds (this "Plan") will benefit each applicable Fund and its shareholders; and
WHEREAS, each Fund may engage a distributor (the "Distributor") to provide, or arrange for the provision of services pursuant to this Plan and the Funds are willing to authorize the payment of certain fees as set forth herein in consideration of the Distributor’s offering such services.
NOW THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts this Plan for each Fund listed in Exhibit A (as it may be amended from time to time) and the payment of certain fees as follows:
1. Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services.
a. Distribution Activities. Each Fund is authorized to engage in, directly or indirectly through the Distributor or otherwise, and to perform, or cause to be performed, activities related to the distribution of Class C Shares of the Fund, which activities may include, but are not limited to, the following ("Distribution Activities"): (a) the making of payments, including payment of incentive compensation, to securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others that are engaged in the sale of Class C Shares of the Fund, or that may be advising shareholders of the Fund regarding the purchase, sale or retention of Class C Shares of the Fund; (b) incurring expenses of maintaining personnel (including personnel of organizations with which the Fund has entered into agreements related to this Plan) who engage in or support distribution of Class C Shares of the Fund; (c) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports of the Fund for recipients other than existing shareholders of the Fund; (d) incurring costs of formulating and implementing marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to, sales seminars, direct mail promotions and television, radio, newspaper, magazine and other mass media advertising; (e) incurring costs of preparing, printing and distributing sales literature; (f) incurring costs of obtaining such information, analyses and reports with respect to marketing and promotional activities as the Fund may, from time to time, deem advisable; and (g) incurring costs of implementing and operating this Plan. The Trust also is authorized to engage in Distribution Activities related to the distribution of Class C Shares of the Funds, either directly or indirectly through persons with whom the Trust has entered into agreements related to this Plan, including, without limitation, the Distributor.
b. Shareholder Services. In order to facilitate and/or enhance the Fund’s and/or the Trust’s Distribution Activities related to the Fund’s Class C Shares, each Fund may pay fees (or otherwise incur expenses) (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2 hereof) for Shareholder Services. For purposes of this Plan “Shareholder Services” shall mean those services of securities dealers or other financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers and others rendered in connection with the holding of Class C Shares of the Fund for shareholders in omnibus accounts or as shareholders of record or in providing shareholder support or administrative services to the Fund and its shareholders or that are rendered to shareholders of the Fund’s Class C Shares and not otherwise provided by the Trust’s transfer agent, including, but not limited to, allocated overhead, office space and equipment, telephone facilities and expenses, answering routine inquiries regarding the Trust or the Fund, processing shareholder transactions, and in providing such other shareholder services as the Trust or the Fund may reasonably request.
2. | Fees. |
a. Distribution and Shareholder Service Fees . Each Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services
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at an aggregate, annualized rate not to exceed the lesser of (i) the "Maximum Authorized Rate" and (ii) the "Currently Approved Rate" (each as set forth opposite such Fund’s name on Exhibit A attached hereto). The "Maximum Authorized Rate" shall mean the maximum rate authorized by the Board under this Plan and the "Currently Approved Rate" shall mean that portion of the Maximum Authorized Rate that is currently authorized for payment by the Fund, as may be amended from time to time by the Board. The applicable rate shall be applied to the average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares of the Fund. In no event shall the rate paid for Distribution Activities exceed 0.75% and the rate paid for Shareholder Services exceed 0.25% per annum.
b. Fees in Relation to Expenses. The amount of fees payable by each Fund pursuant to this Section 2 may be greater or lesser than the expenses actually incurred by such Fund or by the Distributor or other financial intermediary on behalf of such Fund in connection with the performance of Distribution Activities and Shareholder Services. The amount of fees payable by each Fund to the Distributor pursuant to this Section 2 may be reduced by amounts (if any) paid directly by such Fund to the provider of any Distribution Activities or Shareholder Services.
3. Authority of the Distributor. Each Fund is hereby authorized and directed to retain the services of the Distributor to act as its principal underwriter, and, in such capacity, the Distributor is authorized to engage in Distribution Activities and/or Shareholder Services for and on behalf of the Funds and to enter into agreements with securities dealers, financial intermediaries, financial institutions, investment advisers, and others to engage in Distribution Activities and/or Shareholder Services for and on behalf of the Funds and to receive for itself or for the benefit of such third parties (and to the extent received for the benefit of such third parties to pay to such third parties) the fees authorized to be paid by the Funds pursuant to Section 2 hereof. The Distributor also is authorized to make payments to the investment adviser of any Fund for reimbursement of marketing related expenses and/or compensation for administrative assistance.
4. | Term and Termination. |
a. This Plan shall become effective with respect to each Fund listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (which may be amended from time to time) upon the first issuance by such Fund of Class C Shares.
b. Unless terminated as herein provided, this Plan shall continue in effect for one year from the effective date and shall continue in effect for successive periods of one year thereafter, but only so long as each such continuance is specifically approved by votes of a majority of both: (i) the trustees of the Board; and (ii) the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
c. This Plan may be terminated with respect to a Fund at any time, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Class C Shares of the Fund; and Exhibit A attached hereto shall be amended accordingly.
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d. The Trust or any Fund subject to this Plan may terminate any agreement related to this Plan, without payment of any penalty, by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Class C Shares of the Fund, upon sixty (60) days’ written notice to the other parties to such agreement. In addition, any agreement related to this Plan shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
5. Amendments . All material amendments to this Plan (including, without limitation, material amendments to Exhibit A attached hereto) must be approved in the manner provided for annual renewal of this Plan in Section 4(b) hereof. In addition, this Plan (including, without limitation, Exhibit A attached hereto) may not be amended to increase materially the amount of expenditures provided for in Sections 2 and 3 hereof unless such amendment is approved by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Class C Shares of the Fund to which the increase applies.
6. Selection and Nomination of Independent Trustees. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Independent Trustees shall be made solely at the discretion of the Independent Trustees.
7. Quarterly Reports. The Board shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related agreement and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
8. Recordkeeping. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreement and all reports made pursuant to Section 7 hereof, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the agreements or such reports, as the case may be, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
9. Limitation of Liability. A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Delaware and notice is hereby given that this Plan is executed on behalf of the trustees of the Trust as trustees and not individually and that the obligations of this Plan are not binding upon the trustees, the shareholders of the Funds individually or, with respect to each Fund, the assets or property of any other series of the Trust, but are binding only upon the assets and property of each Fund, respectively.
10. Incorporation by Reference. Exhibit A to this Plan (as the same may be amended from time to time) shall be deemed part of this Plan and is incorporated herein by this reference.
11. Defined Terms. As used in this Plan, the terms "majority of the outstanding voting securities," "assignment," and "interested person" shall have the meanings ascribed to those terms in the 1940 Act.
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Exhibit A
NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST III CLASS C
MASTER DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING PLAN
Date Last Amended: August 27, 2015
Fund Name | Maximum Authorized Rate | Currently Approved Rate | Distributor |
Cane Alternative Strategies Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Foreside Fund Services, LLC |
Counterpoint Tactical Equity Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Counterpoint Tactical Income Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Footprints Discover Value Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Good Harbor Tactical Core Developed Markets Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Good Harbor Tactical Core Emerging Markets Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Good Harbor Tactical Core US Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Good Harbor Tactical Core US II Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Good Harbor Tactical Equity Income Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Leland Currency Strategy Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Leland International Advantage Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Leland Thomson Reuters Private Equity Index Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Leland Thomson Reuters Venture Capital Index Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Newfound Multi-Asset Income Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Newfound Risk Managed Global Sectors Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Newfound Risk Managed U.S Sectors Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Newfound Total Return Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Persimmon Long/Short Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Pinnacle Sherman Multi-Strategy Core Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Pinnacle Tactical Allocation Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Raylor Managed Futures Strategy Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
RESQ Dynamic Allocation Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
RESQ Strategic Income Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
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Swan Defined Risk Emerging Markets Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Swan Defined Risk Foreign Developed Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Swan Defined Risk Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
Swan Defined Risk U.S. Small Cap Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
The Covered Bridge Fund | 1.00% | 1.00% | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC |
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Acknowledged and Approved by:
Northern Lights Fund Trust III: | Northern Lights Distributors, LLC: | ||
By: |
/s/ James P. Ash
James P. Ash, President |
By: |
/s/ Brian Nielsen
Brian Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer |
Foreside Fund Services, LLC: | |||
By: |
/s/ Mark Fairbanks
Name: Mark Fairbanks Title: Vice President Effective Date: August 27, 2015 |