SouthernSun Small Cap Fund
Investor Shares: SSSFX
Institutional Shares: SSSIX
PROSPECTUS
JANUARY 23, 2014
1-866-672-3863
www.SouthernSunFunds.com
Advised by:
SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC
6070 Poplar Avenue, Suite 300
Memphis, TN 38119
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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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FUND SUMMARY
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1
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Investment Objective
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1
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Fees and Expenses of the Fund
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1
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Principal Investment Strategies
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1
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Principal Investment Risks
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2
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Performance
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3
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Investment Adviser
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4
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Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager
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4
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Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
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4
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Tax Information
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4
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Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
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4
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS
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4
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Investment Objective
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4
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Principal Investment Strategies
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4
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Principal Investment Risks
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5
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Temporary Investments
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6
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Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
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7
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MANAGEMENT
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7
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Investment Adviser
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7
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Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager
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7
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HOW SHARES ARE PRICED
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9
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HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
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10
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Purchasing Shares
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11
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Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts
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12
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When Order is Processed
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12
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Retirement Plans
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13
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HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
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13
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Redeeming Shares
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13
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Redemptions in Kind
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14
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When Redemptions are Sent
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14
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When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees
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15
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Retirement Plans
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15
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Low Balances
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15
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TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
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15
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FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES
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16
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DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
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18
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Distributor
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18
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Distribution Fees
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18
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Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries
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18
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Householding
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18
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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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19
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Privacy Notice
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21
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FUND SUMMARY
Investment Objective:
The Funds investment objective is to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
: The following table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
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Investor
Shares
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Institutional Shares
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Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
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None
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None
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
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None
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None
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Reinvested Dividends and other Distributions
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None
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None
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Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, on shares held less than 30 days)
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2.00%
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2.00%
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a
percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fees
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0.85%
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0.85%
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Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
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0.25%
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None
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Other Expenses
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0.12%
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0.12%
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Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
(1)
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0.01%
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0.01%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
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1.23%
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0.98%
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(1)
The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratios in the Funds financial statements (or the financial highlights in this Prospectus) because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by a Fund, not the indirect costs of investing in other investment companies (Acquired Funds).
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:
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Class
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Investor Shares
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$125
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$390
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$676
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$1,489
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Institutional Shares
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$100
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$312
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$542
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$1,201
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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 22% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies:
The Fund's adviser seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in common stocks of smaller capitalization (small cap) U.S. companies that the portfolio manager selects using a research-driven, value-oriented investment strategy. The Fund defines small cap securities to include securities of issuers with a market capitalization at the time of purchase within the capitalization range of companies in the Russell 2000
®
Index during the most recent 12 month period (based on month-end data). Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets (defined as net assets plus any borrowing for investment purposes) measured at the time of purchase in small cap securities.
1
The Funds portfolio will typically invest in 20-40 companies the adviser believes are niche dominant, attractively-valued with financial flexibility and uniquely-fitted management teams. When selecting companies for investment, the portfolio manager seeks opportunities that it believes have the following characteristics:
·
Financial Strength
: The adviser prefers companies that have strong internally generated discretionary cash flow and organic revenue growth.
·
Management Adaptability:
The adviser prefers management teams with measurable, transparent goals that are held accountable for performance. This applies to all levels of management from the CEO and CFO to the plant/facilities manager.
·
Niche Dominance:
The adviser prefers companies that it believes exhibit competitive advantages through superior products, process controls and technologies.
The Fund generally seeks to buy and hold stocks for the long-term, but will sell holdings that the portfolio manager believes have exceeded their intrinsic market value, become too large a position, experienced a change in fundamentals or are subject to other factors that may contribute to relative under performance.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in any one issuer than a diversified fund.
Principal Investment Risks:
As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program. Many factors affect the Funds net asset value and performance.
o
Issuer-Specific Risk.
The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market as a whole.
o
Liquidity Risk.
Some small cap securities may have few market-makers and low trading volume, which tends to increase transaction costs and may make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of a small cap security at all or at a price which represents current or fair market value.
o
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Fund has a greater potential to realize losses upon the occurrence of adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
o
Small Company Risk.
Stocks of small capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.
Because the Fund may hold large positions in certain small cap issuers, the Fund may be limited in its ability to sell such a position without significantly affecting the stock price.
o
Stock Market Risk.
Stock prices can fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or market conditions.
o
Value Investing Risk.
Because the Fund's adviser uses a value-oriented approach, there is a risk that the market will not recognize a stocks intrinsic value for an unexpectedly long time, or that the portfolio managers calculation of the underlying value will not be reflected in the market price.
2
Suitability:
The Fund may be a suitable investment for:
·
Long-term investors seeking a value investment strategy
·
Investors willing to accept price fluctuations in their investments
·
Investors willing to accept risks associated with more aggressive equity investments
The Fund may not be appropriate for:
·
Investors pursuing shorter-term investment goals
·
Investors who need regular income
Performance Information:
The bar chart and performance table below show the variability of the Funds returns, which is some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows performance of the Funds Investor Class shares for each full calendar year since the Funds inception. Returns for Institutional Class shares, which are not presented, will vary from the returns for Investor Class shares. The performance table compares the performance of the Fund over time to the performance of a broad-based market index. You should be aware that the Funds past performance (before and after taxes) may not be an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available at no cost by calling 1-866-672-3863.
Performance Bar Chart For Calendar Years Ended December 31,
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Best Quarter:
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June 30, 2009
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31.94%
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Worst Quarter:
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December 31, 2008
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(25.97)%
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Performance Table
Average Annual Total Returns
(For the periods ended December 31, 2013)
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Investor Class shares
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One Year
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Five Years
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Ten Years
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Since
Inception
(1)
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Return before taxes
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41.98%
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28.50%
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13.18%
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14.32%
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Return after taxes on distributions
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40.19%
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27.67%
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12.62%
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13.77%
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Return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares
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25.19%
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23.70%
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11.00%
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12.05%
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Institutional Class Shares - Return before taxes
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42.34%
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N/A
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N/A
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27.95%
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Russell 2000
Ò
Index
(2)
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38.82%
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20.08%
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9.07%
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8.54%
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(1) The inception date of the Funds Investor Class and Institutional Class shares is October 1, 2003 and October 1, 2009, respectively.
(2) The Russell 2000
Ò
Index is an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index which is comprised of 2000 of the smallest capitalized U.S. domiciled companies. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends. Unlike the Funds returns, however, they do not reflect any fees or expenses. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, but may be able to invest in exchange traded funds or other securities that attempt to track the index.
3
After-tax returns were calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investors tax situation and may differ from those shown, and after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold shares of the Fund through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs). After tax returns for Institutional Class shares, which are not presented, will vary from Investor Class shares.
Investment Adviser:
SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC is the Funds investment adviser.
Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager
: Michael W. Cook, Sr., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, is the Fund's portfolio manager. He has served the Fund in this capacity since it commenced operations in October 2003. Mr. Cook is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares:
For Investor Class shares, the minimum initial investment for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $250 ($25 for automatic investment plans). For Institutional Class shares, the minimum initial investment amount for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000,000. There is no minimum for subsequent investments. 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.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries:
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS
Investment Objective:
The Funds investment objective is to provide long-term capital appreciation. The Funds
investment objective is not a fundamental policy, and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days written notice.
Principal Investment Strategies:
The Fund's adviser seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in common stocks of smaller capitalization (small cap) U.S. companies that the portfolio manager selects using a research-driven, value-oriented investment strategy. The Fund defines small cap securities to include securities of issuers with a market capitalization at the time of purchase within the capitalization range of companies in the Russell 2000
®
Index during the most recent 12 month period (based on month-end data). This capitalization range will change over time. As of December 31, 2013 the range of this index was $9.6 million to $6.7 billion. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets (defined as net assets plus any borrowing for investment purposes) measured at the time of purchase in small cap securities. This 80% investment policy can be changed without shareholder approval; however, shareholders will be given at least 60 days notice prior to any such change.
4
The Funds portfolio will typically invest in 20-40 companies the adviser believes are niche dominant, attractively-valued with financial flexibility and uniquely-fitted management teams. When selecting companies for investment, the portfolio manager seeks opportunities that it believes have the following characteristics:
·
Financial Strength
: The adviser prefers companies that have strong internally generated discretionary cash flow and organic revenue growth.
·
Management Adaptability:
The adviser prefers management teams with measurable, transparent goals that are held accountable for performance. This applies to all levels of management from the CEO and CFO to the plant/facilities manager.
·
Niche Dominance:
The adviser prefers companies that it believes exhibit competitive advantages through superior products, process controls and technologies.
The Fund generally seeks to buy and hold stocks for the long-term, but will sell holdings that the portfolio manager believes have exceeded their intrinsic market value, become too large a position, experienced a change in fundamentals or are subject to other factors that may contribute to relative under performance. The Fund generally seeks to hold positions in companies as they increase in market capitalization as long as the portfolio manager considers the company to remain an attractive investment with capital appreciation potential.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in any one issuer than a diversified fund.
Principal Investment Risks:
Issuer-Specific Risk.
The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. The value of securities of smaller sized issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers. The value of certain types of securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments.
Liquidity Risk.
The smaller company stocks purchased and held by the Fund tend to trade in markets that are less liquid than markets for larger company stocks. Therefore, the sale of stocks held by the Fund often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts than does the sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities may offer a higher yield or greater potential for capital appreciation than securities that are more readily marketable, but they may not always be marketable on advantageous terms, if at all. A domestically traded security that is not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 will not be considered illiquid if the portfolio manager determines that an adequate investment trading market exists for that security. However, there can be no assurance that a market will exist for any illiquid security at a particular time.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Fund is a non-diversified investment company, which means that more of the Funds assets may be invested in the securities of a single issuer than could be invested in the securities of a single issuer by a diversified investment company. This may make the value of the Funds shares more susceptible to certain risks than shares of a diversified investment company. As a non-diversified fund, the Fund has a greater potential to realize losses upon the occurrence of adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
5
Small Company Risk.
Stocks of small capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general. These companies may have narrower markets, limited product lines, fewer financial resources, and they may be dependent on a limited management group. Investing in lesser-known, small capitalization companies involves greater risk of volatility of the Funds net asset value than is customarily associated with larger, more established companies. Often smaller capitalization companies and the industries in which they are focused are still evolving and, while this may offer better growth potential than larger, more established companies, it also may make them more sensitive to changing market conditions. Small cap companies may have returns that can vary, occasionally significantly, from the market in general.
Because the Fund may hold large positions in certain small cap issuers, the Fund may be limited in its ability to sell such a position without significantly affecting the stock price.
Stock Market Risk.
Stock markets can be volatile. In other words, the prices of stocks can fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or market conditions. The Funds investments may decline in value if the stock markets perform poorly. There is also a risk that the Funds investments will under-perform either the securities markets generally or particular segments of the securities markets.
Value Investing Risk.
Because the Fund's adviser uses a value-oriented approach, there is a risk that the market will not recognize a stocks intrinsic value for an unexpectedly long time, or that the portfolio managers calculation of the underlying value will not be reflected in the market price. The portfolio managers calculation of a stocks intrinsic value involves estimates of future cash flow, which may prove to be incorrect, and therefore, result in sales of the stock at prices lower than the Funds original purchase price.
Suitability
The Fund may be a suitable investment for:
·
Long-term investors seeking a value investment strategy
·
Investors willing to accept price fluctuations in their investments
·
Investors willing to accept risks associated with more aggressive equity investments
The Fund may not be appropriate for:
·
Investors pursuing shorter-term investment goals
·
Investors who need regular income
Temporary Investments:
To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities and money market instruments. These short-term debt securities and money market instruments include: shares of money market mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements. While the Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited. Furthermore, to the extent that the Fund invests in money market mutual funds for cash positions, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund pays its pro-rata portion of such money market funds advisory fees and operational fees. The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.
6
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. The Fund will publish a schedule of its 10 largest portfolio holdings, sector weightings, regional weightings, and portfolio characteristics as of the last calendar day of each quarter on its website at www.SouthernSunFunds.com generally within 35 days of the end of each quarter. The Fund will post a complete list of its portfolio holdings as of the last day of each fiscal quarter or semi-annual period 60 days following the end such period on its website at www.SouthernSunFunds.com. The Funds portfolio holdings will remain available on its website at least until the next quarterly update. Shareholders may request a copy of these portfolio holdings schedules at no charge by calling
1-866-672-3863.
MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser:
SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC, located at 6070 Poplar Avenue, Suite 300, Memphis, TN 38119, serves as the Funds adviser. It served as the sub-adviser for the Fund prior to the Fund's reorganization on November 6, 2008 from a series of New River Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Predecessor Fund"). The Predecessor Fund commenced operations on October 1, 2003. The adviser is a registered investment advisory firm that has been in business since 1989. As of December 31, 2013, the firm had $5.3 billion of assets under management. The adviser has overall supervisory responsibility for the general management and investment of the Fund and its securities portfolio. Subject to review and approval by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the adviser sets the Funds overall investment strategies and evaluates and manages the Funds assets.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the adviser received an annual advisory fee equal to 0.85% of the Funds average daily net assets. The adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fees and/or to make payments to limit the Funds expenses, excluding any front-end or contingent deferred loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, borrowing costs (such as investment and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes or extraordinary expenses such as litigation at least until January 31, 2015, so that the total annual operating expenses of the Funds Investor Class and Institutional Class shares will not exceed 1.50% and 1.25%, respectively, of average daily net assets. Waivers and expense payments may be recouped by the adviser from the Fund to the extent that overall expenses fall below the specified limits within three years of when the amounts were waived or paid.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees approval of the investment advisory contracts of the Fund is available in the Funds Annual Report to Shareholders dated September 30, 2013.
Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager:
Michael W. Cook, Sr., is the portfolio manager and has served in that capacity for the Fund since its inception. Mr. Cook is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. He is supported by the adviser's investment team (the "Team"). Led by Mr. Cook, Sr., the Team currently consists of himself and five analysts, each of whom is a generalist. The Team provides all analysis and company-specific research for current and future portfolio holdings in the Fund. The entire Team thoroughly examines each current and future portfolio holding which must meet SouthernSuns stringent investment criteria. While the Team attempts to evaluate all company-specific issues brought forth by the analysts, all final investment and portfolio management decisions are approved by the portfolio manager.
7
Members of the SouthernSun Investment Team:
Michael W. Cook, Sr.,
Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer
Mr. Cook is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Investment Officer of SouthernSun. In his 25 years of experience as a research analyst and portfolio manager, Mr. Cook has developed a unique investment philosophy and process which serves as the core of the firm's U.S. and Global Equity strategies. Throughout his career, he has been featured and quoted in The Wall Street Journal and Barron's and has been a speaker on CNBC, Fox Business News, and Bloomberg TV. He is also a requested presenter on U.S. and Global Small and Mid Cap opportunities at regional U.S. and European investor conferences. Mr. Cook attended Covenant College and the OCCA Business Programme, Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford, and is a member of the CFA Institute.
Phillip W. Cook
Senior Analyst, Principal
Mr. Cook joined SouthernSun in July 2006. He is responsible for coordination of research and communication within the investment team and is responsible for the research and analysis of existing portfolio companies as well as new ideas. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Cook served as the Analyst to the Chairman and CEO of Trivest Partners, a Miami-based private equity firm focused on middle-market LBOs. He received his B.S. in International Business, summa cum laude, from Auburn University and has passed Level II of the CFA exam. He also serves as Chairman of the Board for Su Casa Family Ministries.
Peter Matthews, CPA, CFA
Senior Analyst, Principal
Mr. Matthews joined SouthernSun in December 2006. He is responsible for company research and analysis of current and potential portfolio holdings. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Matthews worked in operations for Southeastern Asset Management and the Longleaf Partners Funds from April 2005 to September 2006. Mr. Matthews served as staff accountant with Ernst & Young from September 2004 to March 2005. Mr. Matthews graduated from Rhodes College in May 2000 with a major in Economics and subsequently received both his M.B.A. in August of 2003 and M.S. in Accounting in December of 2003 from the University of Memphis. He is a licensed CPA and a CFA charterholder.
Michael S. Cross
Senior Analyst, Principal
Mr. Cross joined SouthernSun in June 2008. He is responsible for company research and analysis of current and potential portfolio holdings. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Cross was an officer of Cummins, Inc. and responsible for leading one of Cummins business units. He has Global experience in Sales, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Logistics, Operations and General Management. He was with Cummins, Inc. for over 24 years. Mr. Cross received his B.S. from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. from Vanderbilts Owen School with concentrations in Finance, Accounting and Management Information Systems. He has also passed the CPA exam. Mr. Cross serves on the Board of the Neighborhood Christian Center.
8
S. Elliot Cunningham
Senior Analyst, Principal
Mr. Cunningham joined SouthernSun in 2008. His responsibilities include the research and analysis of investment opportunities and monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Cunningham served as an Analyst for RMK Funds at Morgan Asset Management. He received his B.S. in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from Auburn University and has passed Level I of the CFA exam.
James P. Dorman, CPA, CFA
Senior Analyst
Mr. Dorman joined SouthernSun in 2010. His responsibilities include the research and analysis of investment opportunities and monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Dorman was the Managing Director of Finance at Mercury Investment Management and was a financial advisor in the Corporate Reporting department at FedEx Corporation. He began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he focused on financial audits for both public and private companies in the financial services sector. Mr. Dorman received his bachelor's degree in accounting from Auburn University and his M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee. He is a licensed CPA in the state of Tennessee and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.
The Funds Statement of Additional Information provides information about Mr. Cook, Sr.s compensation structure, other accounts managed by him and the Team and his ownership interests in the Fund.
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED
The NAV of each class of Fund shares is determined at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for business. NAV is computed by determining the aggregate market value of all assets of the Fund less its liabilities divided by the total number of the Fund's shares outstanding ((asset-liabilities)/number of shares=NAV) attributable to each share class. The NYSE is closed on weekends and most national holidays. The NAV takes into account the expenses and fees of the Fund, including investment advisory, administration, and any distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of NAV of the Fund 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, securities are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security's principal exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign)
for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the last bid on the primary exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers' Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the fair value procedures approved by the Board. 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
9
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 Funds securities. Although not part of the advisers principal investment strategy, since the Fund may invest in foreign securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that may trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not price its shares, the value of the Funds portfolio may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares. In computing the NAV of the Fund, the adviser 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 Funds portfolio occur 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 Funds 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 a 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.
With respect to any portion of the Funds assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies that are registered under the 1940 Act, the Funds net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of the registered open-end management investment companies in which the Fund invests, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Share Classes:
This Prospectus describes two classes of shares offered by the Fund. Investor Shares and Institutional Shares. The Fund offers these two classes of shares so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. Refer to the information below so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. The main differences between the share classes are the sales charges, minimum investment amounts, and ongoing fees. Investor Shares pay an annual fee of 0.25% for distribution expenses pursuant to a plan adopted under Rule 12b-1 and Institutional Shares do not pay such fees. In choosing which class of shares to purchase, you should consider which will be most beneficial to you, given the amount of your purchase and the length of time you expect to hold the shares. Each class of shares in the Fund represents interest in the same portfolio of investments in the Fund. All share classes may not be available for purchase in all states.
Investor Shares:
Investor Shares of the Fund are offered at their NAV without an initial sales charge. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. Investor Shares pay up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets as reimbursement or compensation for service and distribution-related activities with respect to the Fund and/or shareholder services. Over time, fees paid under this distribution and service plan will increase the cost of a Investor Shares shareholders investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges. The minimum initial investment for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $250 ($25 for automatic investment plans).
10
Institutional Shares:
Institutional Shares are offered at their NAV without an initial sales charge. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. In addition, Institutional Shares do not have a distribution or service-related fee. The minimum initial investment amount for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000,000. There is no minimum for subsequent investments.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Share Class:
When deciding which class of shares of the Fund to purchase, you should consider the investment minimums for each Class and present and future amounts you may invest in the Fund. To help you make a determination as to which class of shares to buy, please refer back to the examples of the Funds expenses over time in the
Fees and Expenses
section of this Prospectus. You also may wish to consult with your financial adviser for advice with regard to which share class would be most appropriate for you.
Purchasing Shares:
You may purchase shares of the Fund by sending a completed application form to the following address:
|
|
via Regular Mail
The SouthernSun Funds
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 541150
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
|
or Overnight Mail
The SouthernSun Funds
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 shareholders identity. As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct.
Purchase through Brokers:
You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund's distributor. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or its designee receives the order. The broker or agent may set their own initial and subsequent investment minimums. You may be charged a fee if you use a broker or agent to buy or redeem shares of the Fund. Finally, various servicing agents use procedures and impose restrictions that may be in addition to, or different from those applicable to investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund. You should carefully read the program materials provided to you by your servicing agent.
Purchase by Wire:
If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 1-866-672-3863 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Funds designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.
11
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 Funds through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts. You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $25 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at 1-866-672-3863 for more information about the Fund's Automatic Investment Plan.
Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts
:
For Investor Class shares, the minimum initial investment for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $250 ($25 for automatic investment plans). For Institutional Class shares, the, minimum initial investment amount for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000,000. There is no minimum for subsequent investments. The adviser may waive the Institutional Class minimum account requirements for any reason, which may include:
i)
if the adviser believes that the aggregated accounts of a financial intermediary will meet the minimum initial investment requirement :
ii)
if the aggregated accounts of a group of immediate family members (i.e. a persons spouse, parents, children, siblings and in-laws) meet the minimum initial investment requirement; and
iii)
for Trustees and officers of the Trust, and the current and former employees of the adviser and its affiliates, as well as their immediate family members.
The financial intermediaries or employee benefit plans may set different minimum investment requirements for their customers' investments. Please contact your intermediary or plan sponsor for more information.
The Fund, however, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any application to purchase shares. Applications will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a check drawn on a U.S. bank, thrift institutions, or credit union in U.S. funds for the full amount of the shares to be purchased. After you open an account, you may purchase additional shares by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address. Make all checks payable to the Fund. The Fund will not accept payment in cash, including cashiers 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 shareholders 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.
12
|
Good Order
: When making a purchase request, make sure your request is in good order. Good order means your purchase request includes:
·
the name of the Fund and share class
·
the dollar amount of shares to be purchased
·
a completed purchase application or investment stub
·
check payable to the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund
|
Retirement Plans:
You may purchase shares of the Fund for your individual retirement plans. Please call the Fund at
1-866-672-3863
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:
|
|
|
|
via Regular Mail
The SouthernSun Funds
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 541150
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
|
or Overnight Mail
The SouthernSun Funds
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
Omaha, Nebraska 68130
|
Redemptions by Telephone
:
The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new accounts except retirement accounts. If you do not want the telephone redemption privilege, you must indicate this in the appropriate area on your account application or you must write to the Fund and instruct it to remove this privilege from your account.
The proceeds will be sent by mail to the address designated on your account or wired directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application. To redeem by telephone, call 1-866-672-3863. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of your telephone instructions. IRA accounts are not redeemable by telephone.
The Fund reserves the right to suspend the telephone redemption privileges with respect to your account if the name(s) or the address on the account has been changed within the previous 30 days. Neither the Fund, the transfer agent, nor their respective affiliates will be liable for complying with telephone instructions they reasonably believe to be genuine or for any loss, damage, cost or expenses in acting on such telephone instructions and you will be required to bear the risk of any such loss. The Fund or the transfer agent, or both, will employ reasonable procedures to determine that telephone instructions are genuine. If the Fund and/or the transfer agent do not employ these procedures, they may be liable to you for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. These procedures may include, among others, requiring forms of personal identification prior to acting upon telephone instructions, providing written confirmation of the transactions and/or tape recording telephone instructions.
13
Redemptions through Broker:
If shares of the Fund are held by a broker-dealer, financial institution or other servicing agent, you must contact that servicing agent to redeem shares of the Fund. The servicing agent may charge a fee for this service.
Redemptions by Wire
:
You may request that your redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account. The Fund's transfer agent imposes a $15 fee for each wire redemption and deducts the fee directly from your account. Your bank may also impose a fee for the incoming wire.
Automatic Withdrawal Plan:
If your individual account, IRA or other qualified plan account has a current account value of at least $10,000, you may participate in the Fund's Automatic Withdrawal Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money to your bank account from the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers. You may elect to make subsequent withdrawals by transfers of a minimum of $50 on specified days of each month into your established bank account. Please contact the Fund at 1-866-672-3863 for more information about the Fund's Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
Redemptions in Kind:
The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders by making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities (redemption in kind) if the amount is greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Funds assets. The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued at the Funds net asset value. A shareholder will be exposed to market risk until these securities are converted to cash and may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.
When Redemptions are Sent:
Once the Fund receives your redemption request in good order as described below, it will issue a check based on the next determined NAV following your redemption request. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in good order. If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank (usually within 10 days).
|
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 $100,000, the signature(s) on the request must be medallion signature guaranteed by an eligible signature guarantor.
|
14
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 $100,000;
·
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.
Redemption Fee:
For shares held less than 30 days, the Fund will deduct a 2% redemption fee on your redemption amount if you sell your shares or your shares are redeemed for failure to maintain the Funds balance minimum. See General Transaction Policies for further information on account closure policy. Shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last. The redemption fee does not apply to shares that were acquired through reinvestment of distributions. Shares held for 30 days or more are not subject to the 2% fee.
Redemption fees are paid to a Fund directly and are designed to offset costs associated with fluctuations in Fund asset levels and cash flow caused by short-term shareholder trading.
Low Balances:
If at any time your account balance in the Fund falls below the account minimum ($1,000 for Investor Shares and $1,000,000 for Institutional Shares), the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to at least $1,000 within 60 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 the account minimum ($1,000 for Investor Shares and $1,000,000 for Institutional Shares) due to a decline in NAV.
TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Any sale or exchange of a Funds 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.)
15
The Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income annually and net capital gains annually in December. 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 identification number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS. If you are subject to backup withholding or you did not certify your taxpayer identification number, the IRS requires the Fund to withhold a percentage of any dividend, redemption or exchange proceeds. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that does not include a certified social security or taxpayer identification number. If you do not have a social security number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending. The Fund 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 advisors to determine the tax consequences of owning the Funds shares.
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES
The Fund discourages and does not accommodate market timing. Frequent trading into and out of a Fund can harm all Fund shareholders by disrupting the Funds investment strategies, increasing Fund expenses, decreasing tax efficiency and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended for market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Accordingly, the Fund's Board has approved policies that seek to curb these disruptive activities while recognizing that shareholders may have a legitimate need to adjust their Fund investments as their financial needs or circumstances change. The Fund currently uses several methods to reduce the risk of market timing. These methods include:
o
Committing staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Funds Market Timing Trading Policy; and
o
Assessing a redemption fee for short-term trading.
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 Funds shareholders.
The redemption fee, which is uniformly imposed, is intended to discourage short-term trading and is paid to the Funds to help offset any cost associated with such short-term trading. The Funds will monitor the assessment of redemption fees against your account. Based on the frequency of
16
redemption fees assessed against your account, the advisor or transfer agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Funds Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases or exchanges into the Fund.
The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests for any reason, particularly when a shareholder's trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund nor the advisor will be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. The advisor 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 funds. While the Fund will encourage financial intermediaries to apply the Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers through such methods as implementing short-term trading limitations or restrictions, assessing the Funds redemption fee 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 Funds Market Timing Trading Policy. However, the Fund will ensure that financial intermediaries maintaining omnibus accounts on behalf of the Fund enter into an agreement with the Fund to provide shareholder transaction information, to the extent known to the financial intermediary, to the Fund upon request.
Waivers of Redemption Fees: The Fund reserves the right to waive the 2% redemption fee on shares held less than 30 days when the Fund believes such waiver is in the best interests of the Fund. The Fund has elected not to impose the redemption fee for the following transactions for direct shareholders of Fund shares (if known by the Fund).
Redemptions of shares pursuant to certain automatic rebalancing programs;
Redemptions requested following the death of a registered shareholder on an account or the settler of a living trust that is the registered shareholder of an account, for shares held in the account at the time of death;
Redemptions of shares that were purchased as participant contributions through an employer-sponsored retirement plan;
Transaction activity due to processing errors;
Shares exchanged from one share class to another within the Fund; and
Redemption of shares purchased as part of wrap programs, model-based programs or similar programs through a financial intermediary.
17
If you have any questions about whether your transaction will be subject to the redemption fee, please call the Fund at 1-866-672-3863.
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Distributor:
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the Distributor), located at 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, NE 68130, serves as distributor of the shares of the Fund. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis.
Distribution (12b-1) and Shareholder Servicing Fees:
The Trust, with respect to the Fund, has adopted the Trusts Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan for Investor Shares (the "12b-1 Plan" or "Plan"), pursuant to which the Fund may pay the Distributor an annual fee for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses up to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Investor Shares. Institutional Shares do not have a distribution plan.
The Distributor and other entities are paid under the Plan for distribution and shareholder services provided and the expenses borne by the Distributor and others in the distribution of Fund shares, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of dealers and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses; printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with the offering of the Funds shares to other than current shareholders; and preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials. In addition, the Distributor or other entities may utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan to compensate dealers or other entities for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any un-reimbursed expenses.
You should be aware that if you hold your shares for a substantial period of time, you may indirectly pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge allowed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority due to the recurring nature of distribution (12b-1) fees.
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries:
The Fund's Distributor, its affiliates, and the adviser may, at their own expense and out of their own legitimate profits, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments may be in addition to the Rule 12b-1 fees that are disclosed elsewhere in this Prospectus. These payments are generally made to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder or administrative services, or marketing support. Marketing support may include access to sales meetings, sales representatives and financial intermediary management representatives, inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or other sales programs. These payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders. The distributor may, from time to time, provide promotional incentives to certain investment firms. Such incentives may, at the distributor's discretion, be limited to investment firms who allow their individual selling representatives to participate in such additional commissions.
Householding:
To reduce expenses, we mail only one copy of the prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses share by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at 1-866
-
672-3863 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern time 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.
18
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the financial performance of the Fund shares since its inception. The Fund is a continuation of the Predecessor Fund and, therefore, the financial information presented in the financial highlights is, in part, that of the Predecessor Fund. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information for the Fund has been derived from the financial statements audited by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, whose report, along with the Funds financial statements, are included in the Funds September 30, 2013 annual report, which is available upon request at 1-866-672-3863.
Investor Class shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One year
ended
September 30,
2013
|
|
One year
ended
September 30,
2012
|
|
One year
ended
September 30,
2011
|
|
One year
ended
September 30,
2010
|
|
One year
ended
September 30,
2009
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
$ 21.64
|
|
$ 17.41
|
|
$ 15.94
|
|
$ 12.55
|
|
$ 13.89
|
|
Income From Investment Operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income (loss) (a)
|
0.00
|
(c)
|
(0.03)
|
|
(0.09)
|
|
(0.07)
|
|
0.00
|
(d)
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments
|
8.70
|
|
5.50
|
|
1.56
|
|
3.46
|
|
(1.16)
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
8.70
|
|
5.47
|
|
1.47
|
|
3.39
|
|
(1.16)
|
|
Less Distributions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
(0.10)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net realized gains on investments
|
(0.78)
|
|
(1.24)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(0.18)
|
|
Total distributions
|
(0.88)
|
|
(1.24)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(0.18)
|
|
Paid in capital from redemption fees
(c)
|
0.00
|
|
0.00
|
|
0.00
|
|
0.00
|
|
0.00
|
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
$ 29.46
|
|
$ 21.64
|
|
$ 17.41
|
|
$ 15.94
|
|
$ 12.55
|
|
Total return
(b)
|
41.42%
|
|
32.12%
|
|
9.22%
|
|
27.01%
|
|
(7.92)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (in 000's)
|
$ 417,148
|
|
$ 214,667
|
|
$ 93,228
|
|
$ 53,504
|
|
$ 59,210
|
|
Ratios to average net assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses, net of reimbursement
|
1.22%
|
|
1.25%
|
|
1.42%
|
(d)
|
1.50%
|
(d)
|
1.50%
|
|
Expenses, before reimbursement
|
1.22%
|
|
1.25%
|
|
1.33%
|
|
1.43%
|
|
1.53%
|
|
Net investment income (loss),
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
net of reimbursement
|
(0.01)%
|
|
(0.15)%
|
|
(0.44)%
|
|
(0.51)%
|
|
(0.05)%
|
|
Net investment loss,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
before reimbursement
|
(0.01)%
|
|
(0.15)%
|
|
(0.35)%
|
|
(0.44)%
|
|
(0.08)%
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
22%
|
|
31%
|
|
38%
|
|
28%
|
|
49%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Per share amounts have been calculated using the average share method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.
|
(b) Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, if any. Had the Manager not absorbed a portion of the expenses, total returns would have been lower.
|
(c) Amount is less than $.01 per share.
|
(d) Such ratio includes Advisers recapture of waived/reimbursed fees from prior periods.
|
19
Institutional Class shares*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One year ended September 30, 2013
|
|
One year ended September 30, 2012
|
|
One year ended September 30, 2011
|
|
One year ended September 30, 2010
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
$ 21.84
|
|
$ 17.52
|
|
$ 15.99
|
|
$ 12.55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income (loss)
(a)
|
0.06
|
|
0.03
|
|
( 0.02)
|
|
( 0.04)
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
on investments
|
8.80
|
|
5.53
|
|
1.55
|
|
3.48
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
8.86
|
|
5.56
|
|
1.53
|
|
3.44
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
(0.16)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
From net realized gains on investment
|
(0.78)
|
|
(1.24)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
(0.94)
|
|
(1.24)
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
Paid in capital from redemption fees
(c)
|
0.00
|
|
0.00
|
|
0.00
|
|
0.00
|
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
$ 29.76
|
|
$ 21.84
|
|
$ 17.52
|
|
$ 15.99
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total return
(b)
|
41.81%
|
|
32.45%
|
|
9.57%
|
|
27.41%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
|
$ 357,624
|
|
$ 138,985
|
|
$ 43,417
|
|
$ 17,781
|
|
Ratio to average net assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
0.97%
|
|
1.01%
|
|
1.08%
|
|
1.19%
|
|
Net investment loss
|
0.24%
|
|
0.14%
|
|
(0.12)%
|
|
(0.25)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate
|
22%
|
|
31%
|
|
38%
|
|
28%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*The Fund commenced operations on September 30, 2009.
|
(a) Per share amounts have been calculated using the average share method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.
|
(b) Total returns are historical and assume changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, if any.
|
(c) Amounts is less than $.01 per share.
|
(d) Annualized for periods less than one year.
|
20
PRIVACY NOTICE
Rev. August 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FACTS
|
WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL
INFORMATION?
|
|
|
Why?
|
Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
|
|
|
What?
|
The types of personal information we collect and share 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 chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
|
|
|
|
|
Reasons we can share your personal information
|
Does Northern Lights Fund Trust share?
|
Can you limit this sharing?
|
For our everyday business purposes
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
|
Yes
|
No
|
For our marketing purposes
to offer our products and services to you
|
No
|
We dont share
|
For joint marketing with other financial companies
|
No
|
We dont share
|
For our affiliates everyday business purposes
information about your transactions and experiences
|
No
|
We dont share
|
For our affiliates everyday business purposes
information about your creditworthiness
|
No
|
We dont share
|
For nonaffiliates to market to you
|
No
|
We dont share
|
|
|
Questions?
|
Call 1-402-493-4603
|
|
|
21
|
|
Who we are
|
Who is providing this notice?
|
Northern Lights Fund Trust
|
What we do
|
How does Northern Lights Fund Trust protect my personal information?
|
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.
|
How does Northern Lights Fund Trust 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 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 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 doesnt jointly market.
|
22
SOUTHERNSUN FUNDS
|
|
Adviser
|
SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC
6070 Poplar Avenue, Suite 300
Memphis, TN 38119
|
Distributor
|
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
17605 Wright Street
Omaha, NE 68130
|
Legal Counsel
|
Thompson Hine LLP
41 South High Street, Suite 1700
Columbus, OH 43215
|
Transfer Agent
|
Gemini Fund Services, LLC
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
Omaha, NE 68137
|
Custodian
|
The Bank of New York Mellon
One Wall Street, 25th Floor
New York, NY 10286
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
Tait, Weller & Baker, LLP
1818 Market St., Suite 2400
Philadelphia, PA 19103
|
You may obtain the following and other information on the Fund free of charge:
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI of the Fund provides more details about the Funds policies and management. The Funds SAI dated January 23, 2014 is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
Annual and Semi-Annual Report
The annual and semi-annual reports for the Fund provide the most recent financial reports and a discussion of portfolio holdings. These reports contain a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that affected the Funds performance during the last fiscal year or period.
To receive any of these documents or additional copies of the Funds Prospectus or to request additional information about the Fund, please contact us or visit our website listed below.
|
|
|
By Telephone (toll free):
|
By Mail:
|
By Internet:
|
1-866-672-3863
|
The SouthernSun Funds
|
www.SouthernSunFunds.com
|
|
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
|
|
|
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
|
|
|
Omaha, NE 68130
|
|
Through the SEC:
You may review and obtain copies of the Funds information (including the SAI) 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 SECs 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, 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
Investment Company Act File Number: 811-21720
SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund
Investor Shares: SSEFX
Institutional Shares: SSEIX
Class C Shares: SSECX
PROSPECTUS
January 23, 2014
1-866-672-3863
www.SouthernSunFunds.com
Advised
by:
SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC
6070 Poplar Avenue, Suite 300
Memphis, TN 38119
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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
FUND SUMMARY
|
1
|
Investment Objective
|
1
|
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
|
1
|
Principal Investment Strategies
|
1
|
Principal Investment Risks
|
2
|
Performance
|
3
|
Investment Adviser
|
4
|
Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager
|
4
|
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
|
4
|
Tax Information
|
4
|
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
|
4
|
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS
|
4
|
Investment Objective
|
4
|
Principal Investment Strategies
|
4
|
Principal Investment Risks
|
5
|
Temporary Investments
|
6
|
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure
|
7
|
MANAGEMENT
|
7
|
Investment Adviser
|
7
|
Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager
|
7
|
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED
|
9
|
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
|
10
|
Purchasing Shares
|
11
|
Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts
|
12
|
When Order is Processed
|
12
|
Retirement Plans
|
13
|
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
|
13
|
Redeeming Shares
|
13
|
Redemptions in Kind
|
14
|
When Redemptions are Sent
|
14
|
When You Need Medallion Signature Guarantees
|
15
|
Retirement Plans
|
15
|
Low Balances
|
15
|
TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
|
15
|
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES
|
16
|
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
|
18
|
Distributor
|
18
|
Distribution Fees
|
18
|
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries
|
18
|
Householding
|
18
|
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
|
19
|
Privacy Notice
|
21
|
FUND SUMMARY
Investment Objective:
The Funds investment objective is to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
: The following 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)
|
Investor
Shares
|
Institutional Shares
|
Class C Shares
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed
on Reinvested Dividends and other Distributions
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed,
on shares held less than 30 days)
|
2.00%
|
2.00%
|
2.00%
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a
percentage of the value of your investment)
|
Investor
Shares
|
Institutional Shares
|
Class C Shares
|
Management Fees
|
0.85%
|
0.85%
|
0.85%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
0.25%
|
None
|
1.00%
|
Other Expenses
|
0.45%
|
0.45%
|
0.45%
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
(1)
|
0.03%
|
0.03%
|
0.03%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
1.58%
|
1.33%
|
2.33%
|
Fee Waiver and/or Reimbursement
(2)
|
(0.21)%
|
(0.21)%
|
(0.21)%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
After Fee Waiver and/or Reimbursement
|
1.37%
|
1.12%
|
2.12%
|
(1) Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect costs of investing in other investment companies. The operating expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratio in the Fund's financial highlights because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Fund.
(2) The adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fees and/or to make payments to limit Fund expenses, until January 31, 2015 so that the total annual operating expenses (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads, brokerage fees and commissions acquired fund fees and expenses, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Fund do not exceed 1.34%, 1.09% and 2.09% for Investor Shares, Institutional Shares and Class C Shares, respectively. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within the three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits. This agreement may be terminated only by the Fund's Board of Trustees, on 60 days written notice to the adviser.
Example:
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based upon these assumptions your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
Class
|
1 Year
|
3 Years
|
5 Years
|
10 Years
|
Investor Shares
|
$139
|
$478
|
$841
|
$1,861
|
Institutional Shares
|
$114
|
$401
|
$709
|
$1,583
|
Class C Shares
|
$215
|
$707
|
$1,226
|
$2,650
|
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 period, the Funds portfolio turnover rate was 25% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies:
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities (common stocks) of U.S. companies. The Fund's adviser seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in common stocks of small to middle capitalization U.S. companies that the portfolio manager selects using a research-driven, value-oriented investment strategy. The Fund defines the small to middle capitalization investable universe of securities to include securities of issuers with a market capitalization at the time of purchase within the capitalization range of companies in the Russell 2500
®
Index and/or the Russell Mid Cap Index during the most recent 12 month period (based on month-end data).
The Funds portfolio will typically invest in 20-40 companies the adviser believes are niche-dominant, attractively-valued with financial flexibility and uniquely-fitted management teams. When selecting companies for investment, the portfolio manager seeks opportunities that it believes have the following characteristics:
·
Financial Strength
: The adviser prefers companies that have strong internally generated discretionary cash flow and organic revenue growth.
·
Management Adaptability:
The adviser prefers management teams with measurable, transparent goals that are held accountable for performance. This applies to multiple levels of management from the CEO and CFO to the plant/facilities manager.
·
Niche Dominance:
The adviser prefers companies that it believes exhibit competitive advantages through superior products, process controls and technologies.
The Fund generally seeks to buy and hold stocks for the long-term, but will sell holdings that the portfolio manager believes have exceeded their intrinsic market value, become too large a position, experienced a change in fundamentals or are subject to other factors that may contribute to relative under performance.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in any one issuer than a diversified fund.
Principal Investment Risks:
As with all mutual funds, there is the risk that you could lose money through your investment in the Fund. Many factors affect the Funds net asset value and performance.
o
Issuer-Specific Risk.
The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market as a whole.
o
Limited History of Operations.
The Fund is a new mutual fund and has a limited history of operation.
o
Liquidity Risk.
Some small- and mid-cap securities may have few market-makers and low trading volume, which tends to increase transaction costs and may make it difficult for the Fund to dispose of a small- and mid-cap security at all or at a price which represents current or fair market value.
o
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Fund has a greater potential to realize losses upon the occurrence of adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
o
Small and Mid Company Risk.
Stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.
o
Stock Market Risk.
Stock prices can fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or market conditions.
o
Value Investing Risk.
Because the Fund's adviser uses a value-oriented approach, there is a risk that the market will not recognize a stocks intrinsic value for an unexpectedly long time, or that the portfolio managers calculation of the underlying value will not be reflected in the market price.
Suitability:
The Fund may be a suitable investment for:
Long-term investors seeking a value investment strategy
Investors willing to accept price fluctuations in their investments
Investors willing to accept risks associated with more aggressive equity investments
The Fund may not be appropriate for:
Investors pursuing shorter-term investment goals
Investors who need regular income
Performance Information:
The bar chart and performance table below show the variability of the Funds returns, which is some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows performance of the Funds Investor Class shares for each full calendar year since the Funds inception. Returns for Institutional Class and Class C shares, which are not presented, will vary from the returns for Investor Class shares. The performance table compares the performance of the Fund over time to the performance of a broad-based market index. You should be aware that the Funds past performance (before and after taxes) may not be an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available at no cost by calling 1-866-672-3863.
Performance Bar Chart For Calendar Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
Best Quarter:
|
September 30, 2013
|
13.97%
|
Worst Quarter:
|
June 30, 2013
|
2.87%
|
Performance Table
Average Annual Total Returns
(For the periods ended December 31, 2013)
|
|
|
Investor Class shares
|
One Year
|
Since
Inception
(1)
|
Return before taxes
|
36.45%
|
25.20%
|
Return after taxes on distributions
|
35.96%
|
23.77%
|
Return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares
|
20.90%
|
19.46%
|
Class C Shares - Return before taxes
|
35.47%
|
24.42%
|
Institutional Class Shares - Return before taxes
|
21.14%
|
19.72%
|
Russell 2000
Ò
Index
(2)
|
36.80%
|
26.51%
|
(1) The inception date of the Funds Investor Class, Class C and Institutional Class shares is April 10, 2012.
(2) The Russell 2000
Ò
Index is an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index which is comprised of 2000 of the smallest capitalized U.S. domiciled companies. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends. Unlike the Funds returns, however, they do not reflect any fees or expenses. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, but may be able to invest in exchange traded funds or other securities that attempt to track the index.
Investment Adviser:
SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC is the Funds investment adviser.
Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager
: Michael W. Cook, Sr., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, is the Fund's portfolio manager. Mr. Cook is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares:
For Investor Class and Class C shares, the minimum initial investment for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $250 ($25 for automatic investment plans). For Institutional Class shares, the minimum initial investment amount for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000,000. There is no minimum for subsequent investments. 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. Not all share classes are available for purchase in all states.
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 shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RELATED RISKS
Investment Objective:
The Funds investment objective is to provide long-term capital appreciation. The Funds
investment objective and its 80% investment policy are not fundamental policies, and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval upon 60 days written notice.
Principal Investment Strategies:
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities (common stocks) of U.S. companies. The Fund's adviser seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in common stocks of small to middle capitalization U.S. companies that the portfolio manager selects using a research-driven, value-oriented investment strategy. The Fund defines the investable universe of small to middle capitalization securities to include securities of issuers with a market capitalization at the time of purchase within the capitalization range of companies in the Russell 2500
®
Index and/or the Russell Mid Cap Index during the most recent 12 month period (based on month-end data). This capitalization range will change over time. As of December 31, 2013 the range was $9.6 million to $12.7 billion for the Russell 2500 Index and $296.4 million to $31.3 billion for the Russell Mid Cap Index.
The Funds portfolio will typically invest in 20-40 companies the adviser believes are niche dominant, attractively-valued with financial flexibility and uniquely-fitted management teams. When selecting companies for investment, the portfolio manager seeks opportunities that it believes have the following characteristics:
·
Financial Strength
: The adviser prefers companies that have strong internally generated discretionary cash flow and organic revenue growth.
·
Management Adaptability:
The adviser prefers management teams with measurable, transparent goals that are held accountable for performance. This applies to multiple levels of management from the CEO and CFO to the plant/facilities manager.
·
Niche Dominance:
The adviser prefers companies that it believes exhibit competitive advantages through superior products, process controls and technologies.
The Fund generally seeks to buy and hold stocks for the long-term, but will sell holdings that the portfolio manager believes have exceeded their intrinsic market value, become too large a position, experienced a change in fundamentals or are subject to other factors that may contribute to relative under performance. The Fund generally seeks to hold positions in companies as they increase in market capitalization as long as the portfolio manager considers the company to remain an attractive investment with capital appreciation potential.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in any one issuer than a diversified fund.
Principal Investment Risks:
Issuer-Specific Risk.
The value of a specific security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. The value of securities of smaller sized issuers can be more volatile than that of larger issuers. The value of certain types of securities can be more volatile due to increased sensitivity to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, or economic developments.
Liquidity Risk.
The small- and mid-sized company stocks purchased and held by the Fund tend to trade in markets that are less liquid than markets for larger company stocks. Therefore, the sale of stocks held by the Fund often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts than does the sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities may offer a higher yield or greater potential for capital appreciation than securities that are more readily marketable, but they may not always be marketable on advantageous terms, if
at all. A domestically traded security that is not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 will not be considered illiquid if the portfolio manager determines that an adequate investment trading market exists for that security. However, there can be no assurance that a market will exist for any illiquid security at a particular time.
Limited History of Operations.
The Fund is a new mutual fund and has a limited history of operations.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Fund is a non-diversified investment company, which means that more of the Funds assets may be invested in the securities of a single issuer than could be invested in the securities of a single issuer by a diversified investment company. This may make the value of the Funds shares more susceptible to certain risks than shares of a diversified investment company. As a non-diversified fund, the Fund has a greater potential to realize losses upon the occurrence of adverse events affecting a particular issuer.
Small and Mid Company Risk.
While stocks of mid-cap companies may be slightly less volatile than those of small-cap companies, they both still involve substantial risk. Small- and mid-cap companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, and they may be dependent on a limited management group. Stocks of small- and mid-cap companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger, more established companies or the market averages in general.
Stock Market Risk.
Stock markets can be volatile. In other words, the prices of stocks can fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or market conditions. The Funds investments may decline in value if the stock markets perform poorly. There is also a risk that the Funds investments will under-perform either the securities markets generally or particular segments of the securities markets.
Value Investing Risk.
Because the Fund's adviser uses a value-oriented approach, there is a risk that the market will not recognize a stocks intrinsic value for an unexpectedly long time, or that the portfolio managers calculation of the underlying value will not be reflected in the market price. The portfolio managers calculation of a stocks intrinsic value involves estimates of future cash flow, which may prove to be incorrect, and therefore, result in sales of the stock at prices lower than the Funds original purchase price.
Suitability:
The Fund may be a suitable investment for:
Long-term investors seeking a value investment strategy
Investors willing to accept price fluctuations in their investments
Investors willing to accept risks associated with more aggressive equity investments
The Fund may not be appropriate for:
Investors pursuing shorter-term investment goals
Investors who need regular income
Temporary Investments:
To respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may invest 100% of its total assets, without limitation, in high-quality short-term debt securities and money market instruments. These short-term debt securities and money market instruments include: shares of money market mutual funds, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, U.S. Government securities and repurchase agreements. While the Fund is in a defensive position, the opportunity to achieve its investment objective will be limited. Furthermore, to the extent that the Fund invests in money market mutual funds for cash positions, there will be some duplication of expenses because the Fund pays its pro-rata portion of such money market funds advisory fees and operational fees. The Fund may also invest a substantial portion of its assets in such instruments at any time to maintain liquidity or pending selection of investments in accordance with its policies.
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. The Fund will publish a schedule of its 10 largest portfolio holdings, sector weightings, regional weightings, and portfolio characteristics as of the last calendar day of each quarter on its website at www.SouthernSunFunds.com generally within 35 days of the end of each quarter. The Fund will post a complete list of its portfolio holdings as of the last day of each fiscal quarter or semi-annual period 60 days following the end such period on its website at www.SouthernSunFunds.com. The Funds portfolio holdings will remain available on its website at least until the next quarterly update. Shareholders may request a copy of these portfolio holdings schedules at no charge by calling
1-866-672-3863.
MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser:
SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC, located at 6070 Poplar Avenue, Suite 300, Memphis, TN 38119, serves as the Funds adviser. The adviser is a registered investment advisory firm that has been in business since 1989. As of December 31, 2013, the firm had approximately $5.3 billion of assets under management. The adviser has overall supervisory responsibility for the general management and investment of the Fund and its securities portfolio. Subject to review and approval by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the adviser sets the Funds overall investment strategies and evaluates and manages the Funds assets.
The adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fees and/or to make payments to limit the Funds expenses, until January 31, 2015 so that the total annual operating fees and expenses excluding any front-end or contingent deferred loads, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) other than, at least until January 31, 2015, so that the total annual operating expenses of the Funds Investor Class, Institutional Class and Class C shares will not exceed 1.34%, 1.09% and 2.09%, respectively, of average daily net assets. Waivers and expense payments may be recouped by the adviser from the Fund to the extent that overall expenses fall below the specified limits within three years of when the amounts were waived or paid.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees approval of the investment advisory contracts of the Fund is available the Funds annual shareholder report dated September 30, 2013.
Investment Adviser Portfolio Manager:
Michael W. Cook, Sr., is the portfolio manager and is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. He is supported by the adviser's investment team (the "Team"). Led by Mr. Cook, Sr., the Team currently consists of himself and five analysts, each of whom is a generalist. The Team provides all analysis and company-specific research
for current and future portfolio holdings in the Fund. The entire Team thoroughly examines each current and future portfolio holding which must meet SouthernSuns stringent investment criteria. While the Team attempts to evaluate all company-specific issues brought forth by the analysts, all final investment and portfolio management decisions are approved by the portfolio manager.
Members of the SouthernSun Investment Team:
Michael W. Cook, Sr.
Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager
Mr. Cook, Sr. founded SouthernSun, formerly Cook Mayer Taylor, in 1989, and is primarily responsible for the investment of SouthernSuns domestic and global assets, which include the Fund. In his 25 years of experience as a research analyst and portfolio manager, Mr. Cook has developed a unique investment philosophy and process which serves as the core of the firms U.S. and Global Equity strategies. Throughout his career, he has been featured and quoted in The Wall Street Journal and Barrons and has been a speaker on CNBC, Fox Business News, and Bloomberg TV. He is also a requested presenter on U.S. and Global Small and Mid Cap opportunities at regional U.S. and European investor conferences. Mr. Cook attended Covenant College and the OCCA Business Programme, Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford, and is a member of the CFA Institute.
Phillip W. Cook
Senior Analyst, Principal
Mr. Cook joined SouthernSun in July 2006. He is responsible for coordination of research and communication within the investment team and is responsible for the research and analysis of existing portfolio companies as well as new ideas. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Cook served as the Analyst to the Chairman and CEO of Trivest Partners, a Miami-based private equity firm focused on middle-market LBOs. He received his B.S. in International Business, summa cum laude, from Auburn University and has passed Level II of the CFA exam. He also serves as Chairman of the Board for Su Casa Family Ministries.
Michael S. Cross
Senior Analyst, Principal
Mr. Cross joined SouthernSun in June 2008. He is responsible for company research and analysis of current and potential portfolio holdings. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Cross was an officer of Cummins, Inc. and responsible for leading one of Cummins business units. He has Global experience in Sales, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Logistics, Operations and General Management. He was with Cummins, Inc. for over 24 years. Mr. Cross received his B.S. from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. from Vanderbilts Owen School with concentrations in Finance, Accounting and Management Information Systems. He has also passed the CPA exam. Mr. Cross serves on the Board of the Neighborhood Christian Center.
Peter Matthews, CPA, CFA
Senior Analyst, Principal
Mr. Matthews joined SouthernSun in December 2006. He is responsible for company research and analysis of current and potential portfolio holdings. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Matthews worked in operations for Southeastern Asset Management and the Longleaf Partners Funds from April 2005 to
September 2006. Mr. Matthews served as staff accountant with Ernst & Young from September 2004 to March 2005. Mr. Matthews graduated from Rhodes College in May 2000 with a major in Economics and subsequently received both his M.B.A. in August of 2003 and M.S. in Accounting in December of 2003 from the University of Memphis. He is a licensed CPA and a CFA charterholder.
S. Elliot Cunningham
Senior Analyst, Principal
Mr. Cunningham joined SouthernSun in 2008. His responsibilities include the research and analysis of investment opportunities and monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Cunningham served as an Analyst for RMK Funds at Morgan Asset Management. He received his B.S. in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from Auburn University and has passed Level I of the CFA exam.
James P. Dorman, CPA, CFA
Senior Analyst
Mr. Dorman joined SouthernSun in 2010. His responsibilities include the research and analysis of investment opportunities and monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining SouthernSun, Mr. Dorman was the Managing Director of Finance at Mercury Investment Management and was a financial advisor in the Corporate Reporting department at FedEx Corporation. He began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he focused on financial audits for both public and private companies in the financial services sector. Mr. Dorman received his bachelor's degree in accounting from Auburn University and his M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee. He is a licensed CPA in the state of Tennessee and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.
The Funds Statement of Additional Information provides information about Mr. Cook, Sr.s compensation structure, other accounts managed by him and the Team and his ownership interests in the Fund.
HOW SHARES ARE PRICED
The NAV of each class of Fund shares is determined at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for business. NAV is computed by determining the aggregate market value of all assets of the Fund less its liabilities divided by the total number of the Fund's shares outstanding ((asset-liabilities)/number of shares=NAV) attributable to each share class. The NYSE is closed on weekends and most national holidays. The NAV takes into account the expenses and fees of the Fund, including investment advisory, administration, and any distribution fees, which are accrued daily. The determination of NAV of the Fund 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, securities are valued each day at the last quoted sales price on each security's principal exchange. Securities traded or dealt in upon one or more securities exchanges (whether domestic or foreign)
for which market quotations are readily available and not subject to restrictions against resale shall be valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, in the absence of a sale on the primary exchange, at the last bid on the primary exchange. Securities primarily traded in the National Association of Securities Dealers' Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ
Official Closing Price. If market quotations are not readily available, securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined using the fair value procedures approved by the Board. 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 Funds securities. Although not part of the advisers principal investment strategy, since the Fund may invest in foreign securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that may trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not price its shares, the value of the Funds portfolio may change on days when you may not be able to buy or sell Fund shares. In computing the NAV of the Fund, the adviser 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 Funds portfolio occur 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 Funds 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 a 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.
With respect to any portion of the Funds assets that are invested in one or more open-end management investment companies that are registered under the 1940 Act, the Funds net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of the registered open-end management investment companies in which the Fund invests, and the prospectuses for these companies explain the circumstances under which those companies will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES
Share Classes:
This Prospectus describes three classes of shares offered by the Fund: Investor Shares, Institutional Shares and Class C Shares. The Fund offers these three classes of shares so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. Refer to the information below so that you can choose the class that best suits your investment needs. The main differences between the share classes are the sales charges minimum investment amounts ongoing fees. Investor and Class C shares pay an annual fee of 0.25% and 1.00%, respectively, for distribution expenses pursuant to a plan adopted under Rule 12b-1. Investor Class shares do not pay such fees. In choosing which class of shares to purchase, you should consider which will be most beneficial to you, given the amount of your purchase and the length of time you expect to hold the shares. Each class of shares in the Fund represents interest in the same portfolio of investments in the Fund.
All share classes may not be available for purchase in all states.
Investor Shares:
Investor Shares of the Fund are offered at their NAV without an initial sales charge. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. Investor Shares pay up to 0.25% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets as reimbursement or compensation for service and distribution-related activities with respect to the Fund and/or shareholder services. Over time, fees paid under this distribution and service plan will increase the cost of a Investor Shares shareholders investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges. The minimum initial investment for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $250 ($25 for automatic investment plans).
Institutional Shares:
Institutional Shares are offered at their NAV without an initial sales charge. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. In addition, Institutional Shares do not have a distribution or service-related fee. The minimum initial investment amount for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000,000. There is no minimum for subsequent investments.
Class C Shares:
Class C shares of the Fund are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge. This means that 100% of your initial investment is placed into shares of the Fund. Class C shares pay up to 1.00% on an annualized basis of the average daily net assets as reimbursement or compensation for service and distribution-related activities with respect to the Fund and/or shareholder services. Over time, fees paid under this distribution and service plan will increase the cost of a Class C shareholder's investment and may cost more than other types of sales charges.
The minimum initial investment for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $250 ($25 for automatic investment plans).
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Share Class:
When deciding which class of shares of the Fund to purchase, you should consider the investment minimums for each Class and present and future amounts you may invest in the Fund. To help you make a determination as to which class of shares to buy, please refer back to the examples of the Funds expenses over time in the
Fees and Expenses
section of this Prospectus. You also may wish to consult with your financial adviser for advice with regard to which share class would be most appropriate for you.
Purchasing Shares:
You may purchase shares of the Fund by sending a completed application form to the following address:
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via Regular Mail
The SouthernSun Funds
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 541150
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
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or Overnight Mail
The SouthernSun Funds
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
Omaha, Nebraska 68130
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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 shareholders identity. As required by law, the Fund may employ various procedures, such as comparing the information to fraud databases or requesting additional information or documentation from you, to ensure that the information supplied by you is correct.
Purchase through Brokers:
You may invest in the Fund through brokers or agents who have entered into selling agreements with the Fund's distributor. The brokers and agents are authorized to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Fund. The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or its designee receives the order. The broker or agent may set their own initial and subsequent investment minimums. You may be charged a fee if you use a broker or agent to buy or redeem shares of the Fund. Finally, various servicing agents use procedures and impose restrictions that may be in addition to, or different from those applicable to investors purchasing shares directly from the Fund. You should carefully read the program materials provided to you by your servicing agent.
Purchase by Wire:
If you wish to wire money to make an investment in the Fund, please call the Fund at 1-866-672-3863 for wiring instructions and to notify the Fund that a wire transfer is coming. Any commercial bank can transfer same-day funds via wire. The Fund will normally accept wired funds for investment on the day received if they are received by the Funds designated bank before the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Your bank may charge you a fee for wiring same-day funds.
Automatic Investment Plan:
You may participate in the Fund's Automatic Investment Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money from your bank account and invests it in the Funds through the use of electronic funds transfers or automatic bank drafts. You may elect to make subsequent investments by transfers of a minimum of $25 on specified days of each month into your established Fund account. Please contact the Fund at 1-866-672-3863 for more information about the Fund's Automatic Investment Plan.
Minimum and Additional Investment Amounts
:
For Investor Class and Class C shares, the minimum initial investment for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000 and the minimum subsequent investment is $250 ($25 for automatic investment plans). For Institutional Class shares, the, minimum initial investment amount for all accounts (including IRAs) is $1,000,000. There is no minimum for subsequent investments. The adviser may waive the Institutional Class minimum account requirements for any reason, which may include:
i)
if the adviser believes that the aggregated accounts of a financial intermediary will meet the minimum initial investment requirement :
ii)
if the aggregated accounts of a group of immediate family members (i.e. a persons spouse, parents, children, siblings and in-laws) meet the minimum initial investment requirement; and
iii)
for Trustees and officers of the Trust, and the current and former employees of the adviser and its affiliates, as well as their immediate family members.
The financial intermediaries or employee benefit plans may set different minimum investment requirements for their customers' investments. Please contact your intermediary or plan sponsor for more information.
The Fund, however, reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any application to purchase shares. Applications will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a check drawn on a U.S. bank, thrift institutions, or credit union in U.S. funds for the full amount of the shares to be purchased. After you open an account, you may purchase additional shares by sending a check together with written instructions stating the name(s) on the account and the account number, to the above address. Make all checks payable to the Fund. The Fund will not accept payment in cash, including cashiers 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 shareholders 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.
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Good Order
: When making a purchase request, make sure your request is in good order. Good order means your purchase request includes:
·
the name of the Fund and share class
·
the dollar amount of shares to be purchased
·
a completed purchase application or investment stub
·
check payable to the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund
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Retirement Plans:
You may purchase shares of the Fund for your individual retirement plans. Please call the Fund at
1-866-672-3863
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:
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via Regular Mail
The SouthernSun Funds
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 541150
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
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or Overnight Mail
The SouthernSun Funds
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
Omaha, Nebraska 68130
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Redemptions by Telephone
:
The telephone redemption privilege is automatically available to all new accounts except retirement accounts. If you do not want the telephone redemption privilege, you must indicate this in the appropriate area on your account application or you must write to the Fund and instruct it to remove this privilege from your account.
The proceeds will be sent by mail to the address designated on your account or wired directly to your existing account in a bank or brokerage firm in the United States as designated on your application. To redeem by telephone, call 1-866-672-3863. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of your telephone instructions. IRA accounts are not redeemable by telephone.
The Fund reserves the right to suspend the telephone redemption privileges with respect to your account if the name(s) or the address on the account has been changed within the previous 30 days. Neither the Fund, the transfer agent, nor their respective affiliates will be liable for complying with telephone instructions they reasonably believe to be genuine or for any loss, damage, cost or expenses in acting on such telephone instructions and you will be required to bear the risk of any such loss. The Fund or the transfer agent, or both, will employ reasonable procedures to determine that telephone instructions are genuine. If the Fund and/or the transfer agent do not employ these procedures, they may be liable to you for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. These procedures may include, among others, requiring forms of personal identification prior to acting upon telephone instructions, providing written confirmation of the transactions and/or tape recording telephone instructions.
Redemptions through Broker:
If shares of the Fund are held by a broker-dealer, financial institution or other servicing agent, you must contact that servicing agent to redeem shares of the Fund. The servicing agent may charge a fee for this service.
Redemptions by Wire
:
You may request that your redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account. The Fund's transfer agent imposes a $15 fee for each wire redemption and deducts the fee directly from your account. Your bank may also impose a fee for the incoming wire.
Automatic Withdrawal Plan:
If your individual account, IRA or other qualified plan account has a current account value of at least $10,000, you may participate in the Fund's Automatic Withdrawal Plan, an investment plan that automatically moves money to your bank account from the Fund through the use of electronic funds transfers. You may elect to make subsequent withdrawals by transfers of a minimum of $50 on specified days of each month into your established bank account. Please contact the Fund at 1-866-672-3863 for more information about the Fund's Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
Redemptions in Kind:
The Fund reserves the right to honor requests for redemption or repurchase orders by making payment in whole or in part in readily marketable securities (redemption in kind) if the amount is greater than $250,000 or 1% of the Funds assets. The securities will be chosen by the Fund and valued at the Funds net asset value. A shareholder will be exposed to market risk until these securities are converted to cash and may incur transaction expenses in converting these securities to cash.
When Redemptions are Sent:
Once the Fund receives your redemption request in good order as described below, it will issue a check based on the next determined NAV following your redemption request. The redemption proceeds normally will be sent by mail or by wire within three business days after receipt of a request in good order. If you purchase shares using a check and soon after request a redemption, your redemption proceeds will not be sent until the check used for your purchase has cleared your bank (usually within 10 days).
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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 $100,000, the signature(s) on the request must be medallion signature guaranteed by an eligible signature guarantor.
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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 $100,000;
·
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.
Redemption Fee:
For shares held less than 30 days, the Fund will deduct a 2% redemption fee on your redemption amount if you sell your shares or your shares are redeemed for failure to maintain the Funds balance minimum. See General Transaction Policies for further information on account closure policy. Shares held longest will be treated as being redeemed first and shares held shortest as being redeemed last. The redemption fee does not apply to shares that were acquired through reinvestment of distributions. Shares held for 30 days or more are not subject to the 2% fee.
Redemption fees are paid to a Fund directly and are designed to offset costs associated with fluctuations in Fund asset levels and cash flow caused by short-term shareholder trading.
Low Balances:
If at any time your account balance in the Fund falls below $1,000 for Investor Class or Class C share accounts or $1,000,000 for Institutional Class share accounts, the Fund may notify you that, unless the account is brought up to the appropriate account minimum within 60 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 the appropriate account minimum due to a decline in NAV.
TAX STATUS, DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Any sale or exchange of a Funds 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 annually and net capital gains annually in December. 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 identification number is correct and that you are not subject to backup withholding for failing to report income to the IRS. If you are subject to backup withholding or you did not certify your taxpayer identification number, the IRS requires the Fund to withhold a percentage of any dividend, redemption or exchange proceeds. The Fund reserves the right to reject any application that does not include a certified social security or taxpayer identification number. If you do not have a social security number, you should indicate on the purchase form that your application to obtain a number is pending. The Fund 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 advisors to determine the tax consequences of owning the Funds shares.
FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS OF FUND SHARES
The Fund discourages and does not accommodate market timing. Frequent trading into and out of a Fund can harm all Fund shareholders by disrupting the Funds investment strategies, increasing Fund expenses, decreasing tax efficiency and diluting the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended for market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Accordingly, the Fund's Board has approved policies that seek to curb these disruptive activities while recognizing that shareholders may have a legitimate need to adjust their Fund investments as their financial needs or circumstances change. The Fund currently uses several methods to reduce the risk of market timing. These methods include:
o
Committing staff to review, on a continuing basis, recent trading activity in order to identify trading activity that may be contrary to the Funds Market Timing Trading Policy; and
o
Assessing a redemption fee for short-term trading.
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 Funds shareholders.
The redemption fee is intended to discourage short-term trading and is paid to the Fund to help offset any cost associated with such short-term trading. The Funds will monitor the assessment of redemption fees against your account. Based on the frequency of redemption fees assessed against your account, the advisor or transfer agent may in its sole discretion determine that your trading activity is detrimental to the Fund as described in the Funds Market Timing Trading Policy and elect to reject or limit the amount, number, frequency or method for requesting future purchases or exchanges into the Fund.
The Fund reserves the right to reject or restrict purchase or exchange requests for any reason, particularly when a shareholder's trading activity suggests that the shareholder may be engaged in market timing or other disruptive trading activities. Neither the Fund nor the advisor will be liable for any losses resulting from rejected purchase or exchange orders. The advisor 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 funds. While the Fund will encourage financial intermediaries to apply the Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds Market Timing Trading Policy to their customers through such methods as implementing short-term trading limitations or restrictions, assessing the Funds redemption fee 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 Funds Market Timing Trading Policy. However, the Fund will ensure that financial intermediaries maintaining omnibus accounts on behalf of the Fund enter into an agreement with the Fund to provide shareholder transaction information, to the extent known to the financial intermediary, to the Fund upon request.
Waivers of Redemption Fees:
The Fund reserves the right to waive the 2% redemption fee on shares held less than 30 days when the Fund believes such waiver is in the best interests of the Fund. The Fund has elected not to impose the redemption fee for the following transactions for direct shareholders of Fund shares (if known by the Fund).
·
Redemptions of shares pursuant to certain automatic rebalancing programs;
·
Redemptions requested following the death of a registered shareholder on an account or the settler of a living trust that is the registered shareholder of an account, for shares held in the account at the time of death;
·
Redemptions of shares that were purchased as participant contributions through an employer-sponsored retirement plan;
·
Transaction activity due to processing errors;
·
Shares exchanged from one share class to another within the Fund; and
·
Redemption of shares purchased as part of wrap programs, model-based programs or similar programs through a financial intermediary.
If you have any questions about whether your transaction will be subject to the redemption fee, please call the Fund at 1-866-672-3863.
DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Distributor:
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the Distributor), located at 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, NE 68130, serves as distributor of the shares of the Fund. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Shares of the Fund are offered on a continuous basis.
Distribution (12b-1) and Shareholder Servicing Fees:
The Trust, with respect to the Fund, has adopted the Trusts Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan for Investor Shares and Class C Shares (the 12b-1 Plan or Plan), pursuant to which the Fund may pay the Fund's Distributor an annual fee for distribution and shareholder servicing expenses up to 0.25% and 1.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Investor Shares and Class C Shares, respectively.
The Distributor and other entities are paid under the Plan for distribution and shareholder services provided and the expenses borne by the Distributor and others in the distribution of Fund shares, including the payment of commissions for sales of the shares and incentive compensation to and expenses of dealers and others who engage in or support distribution of shares or who service shareholder accounts, including overhead and telephone expenses; printing and distribution of prospectuses and reports used in connection with the offering of the Funds shares to other than current shareholders; and preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising materials. In addition, the Distributor or other entities may utilize fees paid pursuant to the Plan to compensate dealers or other entities for their opportunity costs in advancing such amounts, which compensation would be in the form of a carrying charge on any un-reimbursed expenses.
You should be aware that if you hold your shares for a substantial period of time, you may indirectly pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge allowed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority due to the recurring nature of distribution (12b-1) fees.
Additional Compensation to Financial Intermediaries:
The Fund's Distributor, its affiliates, and the adviser may, at their own expense and out of their own legitimate profits, provide additional cash payments to financial intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund. Financial intermediaries include brokers, financial planners, banks, insurance companies, retirement or 401(k) plan administrators and others. These payments may be in addition to the Rule 12b-1 fees that are disclosed elsewhere in this Prospectus. These payments are generally made to financial intermediaries that provide shareholder or administrative services, or marketing support. Marketing support may include access to sales meetings, sales representatives and financial intermediary management representatives, inclusion of the Fund on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list, or other sales programs. These payments also may be made as an expense reimbursement in cases where the financial intermediary provides shareholder services to Fund shareholders. The distributor may, from time to time, provide promotional incentives to certain investment firms. Such incentives may, at the distributor's discretion, be limited to investment firms who allow their individual selling representatives to participate in such additional commissions.
Householding:
To reduce expenses, we mail only one copy of the prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses share by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call the Fund at 1-866
-
672-3863 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time 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 period of the Funds operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment if all dividends and distributions). This information for the Fund has been derived from the financial statements audited by Tait, Weller & Baker, LLP, whose report, along with the Fund's financial statements, are included in the Funds September 30, 2013 annual report, which is available upon request.
The table below sets forth financial data for one share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investor Class
|
|
|
One year ended
Sep. 30, 2013
|
|
Period ended
Sep. 30, 2012*
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$ 10.09
|
|
$ 10.00
|
|
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment gain (loss)
(a)
|
(0.01)
|
|
0.01
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
3.86
|
|
0.08
|
|
Total from investments operations
|
3.85
|
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
(0.07)
|
|
-
|
|
From net realized gains on investments
|
(0.82)
|
|
-
|
|
Total distributions
|
(0.89)
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid in capital from redemption fees
|
0.00
|
(d)
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
$ 13.05
|
|
$ 10.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
(b)
|
40.83%
|
|
0.90%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
|
$ 22,653
|
|
$ 263
|
|
Ratio to average net assets
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses, net of reimbursement
|
1.30%
|
|
1.15%
|
(c)
|
Expenses, before reimbursement
|
1.55%
|
|
3.06%
|
(c)
|
Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursement
|
(0.04)%
|
|
0.20%
|
(c)
|
Net investment loss, before reimbursement
|
(0.29)%
|
|
(1.71)%
|
(c)
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
25%
|
|
49%
|
|
|
|
*
|
The Fund commenced operations on April 10, 2012.
|
(a)
|
Per share amounts are calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.
|
(b)
|
Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in share price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.
|
(c)
|
Annualized for periods less than one year.
|
(d)
|
Amount is less than $.01 per share.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Institutional Class
|
|
One year ended
Sep. 30, 2013
|
|
Period ended
Sep. 30, 2012*
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$ 10.11
|
|
$ 10.00
|
|
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment gain (loss)
(a)
|
0.02
|
|
0.02
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
3.85
|
|
0.09
|
|
Total from investments operations
|
3.87
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
(0.08)
|
|
-
|
|
From net realized gains on investments
|
(0.82)
|
|
-
|
|
Total distributions
|
(0.90)
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid in capital from redemption fees
|
0.00
|
(d)
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
$ 13.08
|
|
$ 10.11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
(b)
|
41.02%
|
|
1.10%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (in 000s)
|
$ 209,419
|
|
$ 11,502
|
|
Ratio to average net assets
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses, net of reimbursement
|
1.05%
|
|
0.90%
|
(c)
|
Expenses, before reimbursement
|
1.30%
|
|
2.81%
|
(c)
|
Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursement
|
0.21%
|
|
0.45%
|
(c)
|
Net investment loss, before reimbursement
|
(0.04)%
|
|
(1.46)%
|
(c)
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
25%
|
|
49%
|
|
|
|
*
|
The Fund commenced
operations on April 10, 2012.
|
(a)
|
Per share amounts are calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.
|
(b)
|
Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in share price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.
|
(c)
|
Annualized for periods less than one year.
|
(d)
|
Amount is less than $.01 per share.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class C
|
|
One year ended
Sep. 30, 2013
|
|
Period ended
Sep. 30, 2012*
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$ 10.08
|
|
$ 10.00
|
|
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment gain (loss)
(a)
|
(0.09)
|
|
(0.02)
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
3.83
|
|
0.10
|
|
Total from investments operations
|
3.74
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
(0.05)
|
|
-
|
|
From net realized gains on investments
|
(0.82)
|
|
-
|
|
Total distributions
|
(0.87)
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid in capital from redemption fees
|
0.00
|
(d)
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
$ 12.95
|
|
$ 10.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
(b)
|
39.67%
|
|
0.80%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000s)
|
$ 6,072
|
|
$ 374
|
|
Ratio to average net assets
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses, net of reimbursement
|
2.05%
|
|
1.90%
|
(c)
|
Expenses, before reimbursement
|
2.30%
|
|
3.81%
|
(c)
|
Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursement
|
(0.79)%
|
|
(0.55)%
|
(c)
|
Net investment loss, before reimbursement
|
(1.04)%
|
|
(2.46)%
|
(c)
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
25%
|
|
49%
|
|
|
|
*
|
The Fund commenced operations on April 10, 2012.
|
(a)
|
Per share amounts are calculated using the average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period.
|
(b)
|
Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in share price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any.
|
(c)
|
Annualized for periods less than one year.
|
(d)
|
Amount is less than $.01 per share.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRIVACY NOTICE
Rev. August 2011
|
FACTS
|
WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL
INFORMATION?
|
|
|
Why?
|
Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
|
|
|
What?
|
The types of personal information we collect and share 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 chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
|
|
|
|
|
Reasons we can share your personal information
|
Does Northern Lights Fund Trust share?
|
Can you limit this sharing?
|
For our everyday business purposes
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
|
Yes
|
No
|
For our marketing purposes
to offer our products and services to you
|
No
|
We 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
|
|
|
|
|
Who we are
|
Who is providing this notice?
|
Northern Lights Fund Trust
|
What we do
|
How does Northern Lights Fund Trust protect my personal information?
|
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.
|
How does Northern Lights Fund Trust 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 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 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 doesnt jointly market.
|
SOUTHERNSUN FUNDS
|
|
Adviser
|
SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC
6070 Poplar Avenue, Suite 300
Memphis, TN 38119
|
Distributor
|
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC
17605 Wright Street
Omaha, NE 68130
|
Legal Counsel
|
Thompson Hine LLP
41 South High Street, Suite 1700
Columbus, OH 43215
|
Transfer Agent
|
Gemini Fund Services, LLC
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
Omaha, NE 68130
|
Custodian
|
The Bank of New York Mellon
One Wall Street, 25th Floor
New York, NY 10286
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
Tait, Weller & Baker, LLP
1818 Market St., Suite 2400
Philadelphia, PA 19103
|
You may obtain the following and other information on the Fund free of charge:
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI of the Fund provides more details about the Funds policies and management. The Funds SAI dated January 23, 2014 is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
Annual and Semi-Annual Report
The annual and semi-annual reports for the Fund provide the most recent financial reports and a discussion of portfolio holdings. These reports contain a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that affected the Funds performance during the last fiscal year or period.
To receive any of these documents or additional copies of the Funds Prospectus or to request additional information about the Fund, please contact us or visit our website listed below.
|
|
|
By Telephone (toll free):
|
By Mail:
|
By Internet:
|
1-866-672-3863
|
The SouthernSun Funds
|
www.SouthernSunFunds.com
|
|
c/o Gemini Fund Services, LLC
|
|
|
17605 Wright Street, Suite 2
|
|
|
Omaha, NE 68130
|
|
Through the SEC:
You may review and obtain copies of the Funds information (including the SAI) 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 SECs 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, 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.
Investment Company Act File Number: 811-21720
SouthernSun Small Cap Fund
Investor Shares: SSSFX
Institutional Shares: SSSIX
SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund
Investor Shares: SSEFX
Institutional Shares: SSEIX
Class C Shares: SSECX
Each a Series of Northern Lights Fund Trust
Statement of Additional Information
January 23, 2014
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a Prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses of SouthernSun Small Cap Fund and SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund (each a Fund and together the Funds) dated January 23, 2014. You can obtain copies of each Funds Prospectus, and annual or semi-annual reports without charge by contacting the Funds Transfer Agent, Gemini Fund Services, LLC, 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 or by calling
1-866-672-3863.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
Funds History
|
1
|
Investment Strategies and Risks
|
1
|
Investment Restrictions
|
7
|
Policies and Procedures for Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
|
9
|
Management
|
10
|
Control Persons and Principal Holders
|
17
|
Investment Adviser
|
19
|
The Distributor
|
22
|
Portfolio Manager
|
24
|
Allocation of Portfolio Brokerage
|
26
|
Portfolio Turnover
|
26
|
Other Service Providers
|
27
|
Description of Shares
|
29
|
Anti-Money Laundering Program
|
30
|
Purchase, Redemption & Pricing of Shares
|
30
|
Tax Status
|
33
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
38
|
Legal Counsel
|
38
|
Financial Statements
|
38
|
Appendix A Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
|
39
|
The SouthernSun Small Cap Fund and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund are each a non-diversified series of the Northern Lights Fund Trust, a Delaware statutory trust organized on January 19, 2005 (the Trust), consisting of two classes (Institutional Class and Investor Class) and three classes (Institutional Class, Investor Class and Class C), respectively. The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company. The Trust is governed by its Board of Trustees (the Board or Trustees).
SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC (SouthernSun or the Adviser) manages the Funds. Shares of the Funds are distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the Distributor).
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS
The investment goals, principal investment strategies and principal risks of the Funds are described in the Prospectus. A further description of certain types of investments the Funds may make and their risks appear below.
CASH MANAGEMENT. The Funds may hold un-invested cash or may invest it in cash equivalents such as money market securities, repurchase agreements, or shares of money market or short-term bond funds. Generally, these securities offer less potential for gains than other types of securities.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT, BANKERS ACCEPTANCES AND OTHER BANK OBLIGATIONS. The Funds may invest in certificates of deposit, which are receipts issued by a depository institution in exchange for the deposit of fund. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The certificate usually can be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity. The Funds may invest in bankers acceptances, which typically arise from short-term credit arrangements designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then accepted by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures the deposits of federally insured banks and savings and loan associations (collectively referred to as banks) up to $250,000. The Funds may, within the limits set forth in the Prospectus, purchase bank obligations, which are fully insured as to principal by the FDIC. Currently, to remain fully insured as to principal, these investments must be limited to $250,000 per bank; if the principal amount and accrued interest together exceed $250,000, the excess principal and accrued interest will not be insured. Insured bank obligations may have limited marketability. Unless the Adviser, through delegated authority from the Board of Trustees (Board), determines that a readily available market exists for such obligations, the Funds will treat such obligations as subject to the 15% limit for illiquid investments as set forth in the Prospectus unless such obligations are payable at principal amount plus accrued interest on demand or within seven days after demand.
1
COMMERCIAL PAPER. The Funds may invest in commercial paper, which consists of short-term (usually from 1 to 270 days) unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations in order to finance their current operations.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES. The Funds may invest in convertible securities, which are fixed-income securities convertible into common stock. Convertible securities rank senior to common stocks in a corporations capital structure and, therefore, entail less risk than the corporations common stock. The value of a convertible security is a function of its investment value (its value as if it did not have a conversion privilege), and its conversion value (the securitys worth if it were to be exchanged for the underlying security, at market value, pursuant to its conversion privilege).
To the extent that a convertible securitys investment value is greater than its conversion value, its price will be primarily a reflection of such investment value and its price will be likely to increase when interest rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise, as with a fixed-income security (the credit standing of the issuer and other factors may also have an effect on the convertible securitys value). If the conversion value exceeds the investment value, the price of the convertible security will rise above its investment value and, in addition, the convertible security will sell at some premium over its conversion value. (This premium represents the price investors are willing to pay for the privilege of purchasing a fixed-income security with a possibility of capital appreciation due to the conversion privilege). At such times the price of the convertible security will tend to fluctuate directly with the price of the underlying equity security. Convertible securities may be purchased by the Funds at varying price levels above their investment values and/or their conversion values in keeping with the Funds objectives.
The transactions described in this section may also cause certain Federal income tax consequences described below under the heading Federal Tax Status.
DEBT SECURITIES. The Funds may invest in debt securities, which are used by issuers to borrow money. The issuer usually pays a fixed, variable, or floating rate of interest, and must repay the amount borrowed, usually at the maturity of the security. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay interest but are sold at a deep discount from their face values. Debt securities include corporate bonds, government securities, repurchase agreements, and mortgage and other asset-backed securities.
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS (ETFs). The Funds may invest in shares of open-end mutual funds or unit investment trusts that are traded on a stock exchange, called exchange-traded funds or ETFs. Typically, an ETF seeks to track the performance of an index, such as the S&P 500 or the NASDAQ 100, by holding in its portfolio either the same securities that comprise the index, or a representative sample of the index. Investing in an ETF will give the Funds exposure to the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based, and the Funds generally will gain or lose value depending on the performance of the index. ETFs have expenses, including the advisory and administrative fees paid by the ETF, and, as a result, an investor in the Funds is subject to a duplicate level of fees if the Funds invest in ETFs.
Unlike shares of typical mutual funds or unit investment trusts, shares of ETFs are bought and sold based on market values throughout each trading day, and not at net asset value. For this reason, shares could trade at either a premium or discount to net asset value. Currently, the Funds intend to invest only in ETFs that track equity market indices. The portfolios held by these ETFs are publicly disclosed on each trading day and an approximation of actual net asset value is disseminated throughout the trading day. Because of this transparency, the trading prices of these index-based ETFs tend to closely track the actual net asset value of the underlying portfolios. If available, the Funds may invest in ETFs that are based on fixed income indices, or that are actively managed.
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Actively managed ETFs will likely not have the transparency of index based ETFs, and therefore, may be more likely to trade at a discount or premium to actual net asset values. If an ETF held by the Funds trades at a discount to net asset value, the Funds could lose money even if the securities in which the ETF invests go up in value.
FOREIGN INVESTING. The Funds may invest in foreign companies through depositary receipts or by purchasing securities traded on U.S. exchanges. American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), as well as other hybrid forms of ADRs, including European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer. These certificates are issued by depository banks and generally trade on an established market in the United States or elsewhere. The underlying shares are held in trust by a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuers home country. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services, including forwarding dividends and interest and corporate actions. ADRs are alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, ADRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities. These risks include, among others, foreign exchange risk as well as the political and economic risks of the underlying issuers country. Foreign securities, foreign currencies, and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. The value of securities denominated in foreign currencies, and of dividends and interest paid with respect to such securities will fluctuate based on the relative strength of the U.S. dollar.
There may be less publicly available information about foreign securities and issuers than is available about domestic securities and issuers. Foreign companies generally are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic companies. Securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and their prices may be more volatile than securities of comparable domestic companies. The Funds interest and dividends from foreign issuers may be subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes, thereby reducing a Funds net investment income.
Economies of particular countries or areas of the world may differ favorably or unfavorably from the economy of the United States. Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S. markets. It is anticipated that in most cases the best available market for foreign securities will be on an exchange or in over-the-counter markets located outside the United States. Foreign stock markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. Foreign security trading practices, including those involving securities settlement where a Funds assets may be released prior to receipt of payment, may result in increased risk in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a foreign broker-dealer, and may involve substantial delays. In addition, the costs of foreign investing, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions and custodial costs, are generally higher than for U.S. investors. In general, there is less overall governmental supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the United States. It may also be difficult to enforce legal rights in foreign countries. Foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and standards of practice comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers.
The Funds may invest in issuers domiciled in "emerging markets," those countries determined by the Adviser to have developing or emerging economies and markets. Emerging market investing involves risks in addition to those risks involved in foreign investing. For example, many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. In addition, economies in emerging markets generally are dependent heavily upon international
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trade and, accordingly, have been and continue to be affected adversely by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. The securities markets of emerging countries are substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the securities markets of the United States and other more developed countries. Brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs relating to investment in foreign markets generally are more expensive than in the United States, particularly with respect to emerging markets. In addition, some emerging market countries impose transfer taxes or fees on a capital market transaction.
ILLIQUID OR RESTRICTED SECURITIES. The Funds may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act). Where registration is required, the Funds may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Funds may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Funds might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to sell. Restricted securities will be priced at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Board of the Trust. If through the appreciation of illiquid securities or the depreciation of liquid securities, the Funds should be in a position where more than 15% of the value of its net assets are invested in illiquid assets, including restricted securities, the Funds will take appropriate steps to protect liquidity.
Notwithstanding the above, the Funds may purchase securities which, while privately placed, are eligible for purchase and sale under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. This rule permits certain qualified institutional buyers to trade in privately placed securities even though such securities are not registered under the 1933 Act. The Adviser, under the supervision of the Board of the Trust, will consider whether securities purchased under Rule 144A are illiquid and thus subject to the Funds restriction of investing no more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. A determination of whether a Rule 144A security is liquid or not is a question of fact. In making this determination, the Adviser will consider the trading markets for the specific security taking into account the unregistered nature of a Rule 144A security. In addition, the Adviser could consider (1) the frequency of trades and quotes, (2) the number of dealers and potential purchases, (3) any dealer undertakings to make a market, and (4) the nature of the security and of marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer). The liquidity of Rule 144A securities would be monitored, and if as a result of changed conditions it is determined that a Rule 144A security is no longer liquid, the Funds holdings of illiquid securities would be reviewed to determine what, if any, steps are required to assure that the Funds does not invest, more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Investing in Rule 144A securities could have the effect of increasing the amount of a Funds assets invested in illiquid securities if qualified institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.
A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are registered under the Securities Act, including foreign securities. The fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of the liquidity of such investments. Rule 144A under the Securities Act allows such a broader institutional trading market for securities otherwise subject to restrictions on resale to the general public. Rule 144A establishes a "safe harbor" from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for resale of certain securities to qualified institutional buyers . Rule 144A has produced enhanced liquidity for many restricted securities, and market liquidity for such securities may continue to expand as a result of this regulation and the consequent existence of the PORTAL system, which is an automated system for the trading, clearance and settlement of unregistered securities of domestic and foreign issuers sponsored by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
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Under guidelines adopted by the Trust's Board, the Adviser of the Funds' may determine that particular Rule 144A securities, and commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, are liquid even though they are not registered. A determination of whether such a security is liquid or not is a question of fact.
In
making this determination, the adviser will consider, as it deems appropriate under the circumstances and among other factors: (1) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security; (3) the number of other potential purchasers of the security; (4) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; (5) the nature ofthe security (e.g., debt or equity, date of maturity, terms of dividend or interest payments, and other material terms) and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer); and (6) the rating of the security and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer. In the case of commercial paper, the adviser will also determine that the paper (1) is not traded flat or in default as to principal and interest, and (2) is rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least two National Statistical Rating Organization ("NRSRO") or, if only one NRSRO rates the security, by that NRSRO, or, if the security is unrated, the adviser determines that it is of equivalent quality.
Rule 144A securities and Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper that have been deemed liquid as described above will continue to be monitored by the Fund's adviser to determine
if
the security is no longer liquid as the result of changed conditions . Investing in Rule 144A securities or Section 4(a)(2) commercial paper could have the effect of increasing the amount of a Fund's assets invested in illiquid securities if institutional buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES. The Funds may purchase shares of registered or unregistered trusts or investment companies, including exchange traded funds that invest principally in securities in which the Funds is authorized to invest. The return on a Funds investments in investment companies will be reduced by the operating expenses, including investment advisory and administrative fees, of such companies. The Funds investment in an investment company may require the payment of a premium above the net asset value of the investment companys shares, and the market price of the investment company assets. The Funds will not invest in any investment company or trust unless it is believed that the potential benefits of such investment are sufficient to warrant the payment of any such premium. Under the 1940 Act, the Funds generally may not invest more than 10% of its assets in investment companies or more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one investment company, nor may it own more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of any such company. Rules recently adopted by the SEC permit the Funds to make investments in affiliated and unaffiliated money market funds in excess of these limits.
LENDING FUND SECURITIES. To generate income for the purpose of helping to meet its operating expenses, the Funds may lend securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations. The Funds loan of securities will be collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S. Government Securities. The cash or instruments collateralizing the Funds loan of securities will be maintained at all times in a segregated account with the Funds custodian, or with a designated sub-custodian, in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the loaned securities. In lending securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations, the Funds are subject to risks, which, like those associated with other extensions of credit, include delays in recovery and possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially.
The Funds custodian bank arranges for the Funds securities loans and manages collateral received in connection with these loans.
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REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Funds may invest in repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is an instrument under which the investor (such as a Fund) acquires ownership of a security (known as the underlying security) and the seller (i.e., a bank or primary dealer) agrees, at the time of the sale, to repurchase the underlying security at a mutually agreed upon time and price, thereby determining the yield during the term of the agreement. This results in a fixed rate of return insulated from market fluctuations during such period, unless the seller defaults on its repurchase obligations. A Funds will enter into repurchase agreements only where (i) the underlying securities are of the type (excluding maturity limitations) which the Funds investment guidelines would allow it to purchase directly, (ii) the market value of the underlying security, including interest accrued, will be at all times at least equal to the value of the repurchase agreement, and (iii) payment for the underlying security is made only upon physical delivery or evidence of book-entry transfer to the account of the Funds custodian. Repurchase agreements usually are for short periods, often under one week, and will not be entered into by a Fund for a duration of more than seven days if, as a result, more than 15% of the net asset value of a Fund would be invested in such agreements or other securities which are not readily marketable.
The Funds will assure that the amount of collateral with respect to any repurchase agreement is adequate. As with a true extension of credit, however, there is risk of delay in recovery or the possibility of inadequacy of the collateral should the seller of the repurchase agreement fail financially. In addition, a Fund could incur costs in connection with the disposition of the collateral if the seller were to default. The Funds will enter into repurchase agreements only with sellers deemed to be creditworthy by the Adviser, pursuant to guidelines or procedures approved by the Board of the Trust, and only when the economic benefit to a Fund is believed to justify the attendant risks. The Funds have adopted standards for the sellers with whom they will enter into repurchase agreements. The Board of the Trust believes these standards are designed to reasonably assure that such sellers present no serious risk of becoming involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the time frame contemplated by the repurchase agreement. The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements only with well-established securities dealers or with member banks of the Federal Reserve System.
TEMPORARILY DEFENSIVE POLICIES. The Funds reserve the right to invest without limitation in cash equivalents, preferred stocks and investment-grade debt instruments for temporary, defensive purposes.
TIME DEPOSITS AND VARIABLE RATE NOTES. The Funds may invest in time deposits and variable rate notes. Commercial paper obligations which a Fund may buy are unsecured and may include variable rate notes. The nature and terms of a variable rate note (i.e., a Master Note) permit the Funds to invest fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest pursuant to a direct arrangement between a Fund as lender, and the issuer, as borrower. It permits daily changes in the amounts borrowed. The Funds have the right at any time to increase, up to the full amount stated in the note agreement, or to decrease the amount outstanding under the note. The issuer may prepay at any time and without penalty any part of or the full amount of the note. The note may or may not be backed by one or more bank letters of credit. Because these notes are direct lending arrangements between a Fund and the issuer, it is not generally contemplated that they will be traded; moreover, there is currently no secondary market for them. Except as specifically provided in the Prospectus there is no limitation on the type of issuer from whom these notes will be purchased; however, in connection with such purchase and on an ongoing basis, the Funds Adviser will consider the earning power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer, and its ability to pay principal and interest on demand, including a situation in which all holders of such notes made demand simultaneously. The Funds will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in variable rate notes. Variable rate notes are subject to the Funds investment restriction on illiquid securities unless such notes can be put back to the issuer on demand within seven days.
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WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES. The Funds may take advantage of offerings of eligible securities on a when-issued basis, i.e., delivery of and payment for such securities take place sometime after the transaction date on terms established on such date. Normally, settlement on U.S. Government securities takes place within ten days. The Funds only will make when-issued commitments on eligible securities with the intention of actually acquiring the securities. If a Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued security (prior to its acquisition), it could, as with the disposition of any other Fund obligation, incur a gain or loss due to market fluctuation. No when-issued commitments will be made if, as a result, more than 15% of the net assets of a Fund would be so committed.
The investment strategies and risks set forth above, and the following policies and limitations supplement those set forth in the Prospectus. For purposes of all of the Funds investment policies: (i) all percentage limitations apply immediately after an initial or subsequent purchase; and (ii) any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in the amount of total assets does not require elimination of any security from the Funds. Accordingly, any subsequent change in values, net assets or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether the investment complies with the Funds investment policies and limitations.
Other than the fundamental investment restrictions set forth below, all investment policies are non-fundamental. The Funds fundamental investment policies and limitations may be changed only with the consent of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the particular Fund. As used in this Statement of Additional Information, the term majority of the outstanding voting securities means the lesser of (1) 67% of the shares of a Fund present at a meeting where the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund. Shares of one class of shares of a Fund will be voted separately on matters affecting only that class.
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS AND POLICIES
1.
The Funds may not purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, a Funds investments would be concentrated in the securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the same industry. The following explanation is not part of the fundamental investment restriction and may be modified without shareholder approval to reflect changes in the legal and regulatory requirements. The SEC staff currently takes the position that an open-end investment company concentrates its investments in a particular industry if 25% or more of its total assets are invested in issuers within that industry. This restriction does not limit a Funds from investing in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, or its agencies or instrumentalities or in tax-exempt securities. In applying the Funds fundamental policy concerning industry concentration, the Funds will apply a non-fundamental policy, described hereafter, governing categorization of companies into specific industries. Concentration will be examined by looking at the companys particular niche and not its general industry.
2.
The Funds may not borrow money or issue senior securities, except as the 1940 Act, any rule or order there-under, or SEC staff interpretation thereof, may permit.
3.
The Funds shall not purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Funds from purchasing or selling options and futures contracts or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities).
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4.
The Funds shall not purchase or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Funds from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or securities of companies engaged in the real estate business).
5.
The Funds shall not underwrite securities of other issuers except to the extent that the Funds may be deemed to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act in acquiring, disposing of, or re-selling a security.
6.
The Funds shall not make loans, provided that this restriction does not prevent the Funds from purchasing debt securities, entering into repurchase agreements or loaning its assets to broker-dealers, financial organizations or institutional investors.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
The following policies may be changed by the Board of the Trust without shareholder approval:
1.
The Funds do not currently intend to purchase any security if, as a result, more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are deemed to be illiquid because they are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale or because they cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the prices at which they are valued.
2.
The Funds do not currently intend to borrow money, except from banks for temporary or emergency purposes not in excess of one-third of the value of a Funds assets, and except that, if authorized, a Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and engage in roll transactions, provided that reverse repurchase agreements, roll transactions and any other transactions constituting borrowing by the Funds may not exceed one-third of the Funds total assets and if the Funds borrowing, including reverse repurchase agreements, exceeds 5% of the value of the Funds total assets, the Funds will not purchase any additional securities.
3.
The Funds do not currently intend to purchase securities on margin, except that a Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, and provided that margin payments in connection with futures contracts and options on futures contracts shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.
4.
The Funds do not currently intend to sell securities short, unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in-kind and amount to the securities sold short, and provided that transactions in futures contracts and options are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.
5.
The Funds do not currently intend to make loans in an aggregate amount exceeding one-third of a Funds total assets at the time the loan is made, or to lend assets other than securities to other parties, except by (a) lending money (up to 15% of a Funds net assets) to a registered investment company or portfolio for which the Adviser or an affiliate serves as investment adviser or (b) assuming any unfunded commitments in connection with the acquisition of loans, loan participations, or other forms of debt instruments. (This limitation does not apply to purchases of debt securities, to repurchase agreements, or to acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments.)
6.
The U.S. Equity Fund has adopted a policy to invest at least 80% of its assets (defined as net assets plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in U.S. equity securities, as defined in the current Prospectus. Shareholders of the Fund will be provided with at least 60 days prior notice of any change in the Funds 80% policy. The notice will be provided in a separate written document containing the following, or similar, statement, in boldface type: "Important Notice Regarding Change in Investment Policy." The statement will also appear on the envelope in which the notice is delivered, unless the notice is delivered separately from other communications to the shareholder.
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7.
The Small Cap Fund has adopted a policy to invest at least 80% of its assets (defined as net assets plus the amount of any borrowing for investment purposes) in small cap securities, as defined in the current Prospectus. Shareholders of the Fund will be provided with at least 60 days prior notice of any change in the Funds 80% policy. The notice will be provided in a separate written document containing the following, or similar, statement, in boldface type: "Important Notice Regarding Change in Investment Policy." The statement will also appear on the envelope in which the notice is delivered, unless the notice is delivered separately from other communications to the shareholder.
The investment goal of each Fund is a non-fundamental policy and such policy may be changed by the Board of the Trust without shareholder approval.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the disclosure of the Funds portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that such disclosure is in the best interests of Funds 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 Funds will publish a schedule of their 10 largest portfolio holdings, sector weightings, regional weightings, and portfolio characteristics as of the last calendar day of each quarter on its website at www.SouthernSunFunds.com generally within 35 days of the end of each quarter. The Fund will also post a complete list of their portfolio holdings as of the last day of each fiscal quarter or semi-annual period 60 days following the end such period on its website at www.SouthernSunFunds.com. The Funds portfolio holdings will remain available on its website at least until the next quarterly update.
Each Fund will also disclose its portfolio holdings by mailing its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders approximately two months after the end of the fiscal year and semi-annual period. The Fund may also disclose their portfolio holdings by mailing a quarterly report to its shareholders. In addition, the Funds will disclose their portfolio holdings reports on Forms N-CSR and Form N-Q approximately two months after the end of each quarter/semi-annual period.
The Funds may choose to make portfolio holdings information available to rating agencies such as Lipper, Morningstar or Bloomberg more frequently on a confidential basis.
Under limited circumstances, as described below, the Funds portfolio holdings may be disclosed to, or known by, certain third parties in advance of their filing with the SEC on Form N-CSR or Form N-Q. In each case, a determination has been made that such advance disclosure is supported by a legitimate business purpose and that the recipient is subject to a duty to keep the information confidential.
·
The Adviser.
Personnel of the Adviser, including personnel responsible for managing the Funds portfolio, may have full daily access to each Funds portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for the Adviser to provide their management,
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administrative, and investment services to the Funds. As required for purposes of analyzing the impact of existing and future market changes on the prices, availability, demand and liquidity of such securities, as well as for the assistance of the portfolio adviser 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 Funds; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Funds portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.
·
The Bank of New York Mellon
. The Bank of New York Mellon is custodian for the Funds; therefore, its personnel have full daily access to the Funds portfolio holdings since that information is necessary in order for them to provide the agreed-upon services for the Trust.
·
Tait, Weller & Baker, LLP.
Tait Weller & Baker, LLP is the Funds independent registered public accounting firm; therefore, its personnel have access to the Funds portfolio holdings in connection with auditing of the Funds annual financial statements and providing assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings.
·
Thompson Hine LLP.
Thompson Hine LLP is counsel to the Funds; therefore its personnel have access to the Funds portfolio holdings in connection with the review of the Funds annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and SEC filings.
Additions to List of Approved Recipients
The Funds Chief Compliance Officer is the person responsible, and whose prior approval is required, for any disclosure of the Funds portfolio securities to persons, other than those listed 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 Funds, the Adviser or any other party receive any direct or indirect compensation in connection with the disclosure of information about the Funds portfolio holdings.
Compliance With Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Procedures
The Funds Chief Compliance Officer will report periodically to the Board of the Trust with respect to compliance with the Funds 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 Trusts policies on disclosure of portfolio holdings will protect the Funds from the potential misuse of holdings information by individuals or firms in possession of that information.
The business of the Trust is managed under the direction of the Board in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and the Trusts By-laws (the Governing Documents), which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are available upon request. The Board
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consists of seven individuals, at least six 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 Trusts 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 Trust is led by Anthony Hertl, an Independent Trustee, who has served as the Chairman of the Board since July 2013. The Board of Trustees is comprised of Mr. Hertl, five (5) additional Independent Trustees, and one (1) Interested Trustee. Andrew Rogers, the Interested Trustee, is the Chief Executive Officer of Gemini Fund Services, LLC, and President of the Trust. Additionally, under certain 1940 Act governance guidelines that apply to the Trust, the Independent Trustees will meet in executive session, at least quarterly. Under the Trusts 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, (c) execution and administration of Trust policies including (i) setting the agendas for board meetings and (ii) providing information to board members in advance of each board meeting and between board meetings. Generally, the Trust believes it best to have a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who together with the President (principal executive officer), are seen by our shareholders, business partners and other stakeholders as providing strong leadership. The Trust believes that its Chairman, the independent chair of the Audit Committee, and, as an entity, the full Board of Trustees, provide effective leadership that is in the best interests of the Trust, its funds and each shareholder.
Board Risk Oversight
The Board of Trustees has a standing independent Audit Committee with a separate chair, Mark H. Taylor. 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 Trust believes that each Trustee is competent to serve because of their individual overall merits including: (i) experience, (ii) qualifications, (iii) attributes and (iv) skills. Mr. Hertl has over 20 years of business experience in financial services industry and related fields including serving as chair of the finance committee for the Borough of Interlaken, New Jersey and Vice President-Finance and Administration of Marymount College, holds a Certified Public Accountant designation, currently serves or has served as a member of other mutual fund boards outside of the Fund Complex and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his years of service to this Board and other fund boards. Gary W. Lanzen has over 20 years of business experience in the financial services industry, holds a Masters degree in Education Administration, is a Certified Financial Planner ("CFP"), serves as a member of two other mutual fund boards outside of the Fund Complex and possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework
11
under which investment companies must operate based on his years of service to this Board and other mutual fund boards. Mark H. Taylor, has over two decades of academic and professional experience in the accounting and auditing areas, has Doctor of Philosophy, a Masters and Bachelor degrees in Accounting, is a Certified Public Accountant and is Professor of Accountancy at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. He serves as a member of two other mutual fund boards outside of the Fund Complex, has served a fellowship in the Office of the Chief Accountant at the headquarters of the United States Securities Exchange Commission, served a three-year term on the AICPA Auditing Standards Board (2008-2011), and like the other Board members, possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on his years of service to this Board and other mutual fund boards. John V. Palancia has over 30 years of business experience in financial services industry including serving as the Director of Futures Operations for Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. Mr. Palancia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He also possesses a strong understanding of risk management, balance sheet analysis 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 and serves as a member of three other fund boards. Andrew Rogers has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and has served as the President of the Trust since 2006. Mr. Rogers is also currently the Chief Executive Officer of Gemini Fund Services, LLC. Prior to joining Gemini Fund Services, LLC, he served in executive roles at J.P. Morgan Chase and Co. and Alliance Capital Management Holdings L.P. as Financial Reporting Manager. Mr. Rogers holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Mark D. Gersten has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, having served in executive roles at AllianceBernstein LP and holding key industry positions at Prudential-Bache Securities and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. He also serves as a member of two other mutual fund boards outside of the Fund Complex. Mr. Gersten is a certified public accountant and holds an MBA in accounting. Like other trustees, his experience has given him a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies operate. Mark S. Garbin has more than 30 years of experience in corporate balance sheet and income statement risk management for large asset managers, serving as Managing Principal of Coherent Capital Management LLC since 2007. Mr. Garbin has extensive derivatives experience and has provided consulting services to alternative asset managers. He is both a Chartered Financial Analyst and Professional Risk Manager charterholder and holds advanced degrees in international business. The Trust does not believe any one factor is determinative in assessing a Trustee's qualifications, but that the collective experience of each Trustee makes them each highly qualified.
The following is a list of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust and each persons principal occupation over the last five years. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee and Officer is 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, Nebraska 68130.
12
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address and Year of Birth
|
Position/Term of Office*
|
Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years
|
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex** Overseen by Trustee
|
Other Directorships held by Trustee During the Past Five Years
|
Anthony J. Hertl
^
Born in 1950
|
Trustee
Since 2005; Chairman of the Board since 2013
|
Consultant to small and emerging businesses (since 2000).
|
102
|
AdvisorOne Funds (12 portfolios) (2004-2013); Alternative Strategies Fund (since June 2010); Satuit Capital Management Trust; The Z-Seven Fund, Inc. (2007 May, 2010), Greenwich Advisers Trust (2007- February 2011), Global Real Estate Fund (2008-2011), The World Funds Trust (2010-2013) and Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2006)
|
Gary W. Lanzen
^
Born in 1954
|
Trustee
Since 2005
|
President, Orizon Investment Counsel, Inc. (2000-2006); Chief Investment Officer (2000 -2010); Founder and Partner, Orizon Group, Inc. (a financial services company) (2000-2006).
|
102
|
AdvisorOne Funds (12 portfolios) (since 2003);
Alternative Strategies Fund (2010-2011); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2006)
|
Mark H. Taylor
^
Born in 1964
|
Trustee
Since 2007
|
Andrew D. Braden Professor of Accounting and Auditing, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University (since 2009); John P. Begley Endowed Chair in Accounting, Creighton University (2002 2009); Former member of the AICPA Auditing Standards Board, AICPA (2008-2011).
|
128
|
Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2010); Lifetime Achievement Mutual Fund, Inc. (LFTAX) (Director and Audit Committee Chairman) (2007-2012); NLFT III (since February 2012); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2007)
|
John V. Palancia
Born in 1954
|
Trustee
Since 2011
|
Retired (since 2011). Formerly, Director of Futures Operations, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. (1975-2011).
|
128
|
Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2011); NLFT III (since February 2012); Alternative Strategies Fund (since 2012)
|
Mark D. Gersten
Born in 1950
|
Trustee
Since 2013
|
Independent Consultant (since 2012); Senior Vice President Global Fund Administration Mutual Funds & Alternative Funds, AllianceBernstein LP (1985 2011).
|
102
|
Schroder Global Series Trust and Two Roads Shared Trust (since 2012); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013)
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Garbin
Born in 1951
|
Trustee
Since 2013
|
Managing Principal, Coherent Capital Management LLC (since 2007); Managing Director and Head of Equity Derivatives -Americas, Rabobank International (2006-2007).
|
102
|
Two Roads Shared Trust
(since 2012); Forethought Variable Insurance Trust (since 2013) (Lead Independent and Chairman of the Valuation Committee); Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013)
|
Interested
Trustees
and
Officers
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address and Year of Birth
|
Position/Term of Office*
|
Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years
|
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex** Overseen by Trustee
|
Other Directorships held by Trustee During the Past Five Years
|
Andrew Rogers
80 Arkay Drive***
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Born in 1969
|
Trustee Since 2013;
President
Since 2006
|
Chief Executive Officer, Gemini Alternative Funds, LLC (since 2013); Chief Executive Officer , Gemini Hedge Fund Services, LLC (since 2013); Chief Executive Officer, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); President and Manager, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2006 - 2012); Formerly Manager, Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (2006 2008); and President and Manager, GemCom LLC (2004 - 2011).
|
102
|
Northern Lights Variable Trust (since 2013)
|
Kevin E. Wolf
80 Arkay Drive
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Born in 1969
|
Treasurer
Since 2006
|
President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); Director of Fund Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2006 - 2012); and Vice-President, GemCom, LLC (2004 - 2013).
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
James P. Ash
80 Arkay Drive
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Born in 1976
|
Secretary
Since 2011
|
Senior Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2012); Vice President, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2011 - 2012); Director of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2009 - 2011); Assistant Vice President of Legal Administration, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2008 - 2011).
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Lynn Bowley
17605 Wright Street Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130
Born in 1958
|
Chief Compliance Officer
Since 2007
|
Compliance Officer of Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (since 2007); Vice President of Investment Support Services for Mutual of Omaha Companies (2002 2006).
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
* The term of office for each Trustee and officer listed above will continue indefinitely until the individual resigns or is removed.
** The term Fund Complex includes the Northern Lights Fund Trust (NLFT), Northern Lights Fund Trust III (NLFT III) and the Northern Lights Variable Trust (NLVT).
***Andrew Rogers is an interested person of the Trust as that term is defined under the 1940 Act, because of his affiliation with Gemini Fund Services, LLC, (the Trusts Administrator, Fund Accountant, Transfer Agent).
^ These Trustees were named in the SEC order instituting settled administrative proceedings against Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC, Gemini Fund Services, LLC and certain Trustees. For more information, please see the Legal Proceedings below.
14
Legal Proceedings
On May 2, 2013, the SEC filed an
order instituting settled administrative proceedings (the Order) against Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (NLCS), Gemini Fund Services, LLC (GFS), certain current Trustees of the Trust, and two former Trustees. To settle the SECs charges, GFS and NLCS each agreed to pay $50,000 penalties, and both firms and the named Trustees agreed to engage an independent compliance consultant to address the violations found in the Order. The firms and the named Trustees agreed to settle with the SEC without admitting or denying the SECs findings, while agreeing to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of those provisions. There were no allegations that shareholders suffered any monetary harm. The SEC charges were not against the Adviser or the Funds.
The Order found that on certain occasions during the period January 2009 to December 2010, disclosures included in shareholder reports (concerning the Trustees adviser evaluation process under Section 15(c) of the 1940 Act) filed by certain funds of the Trust contained boilerplate disclosures that were materially untrue or misleading in violation of Section 34(b) of the 1940 Act. These disclosures were included in the fund shareholder reports based on board minutes drafted by GFS, reviewed by the Trusts outside counsel, and then reviewed and approved by the Trustees. The Order found that the named Trustees therefore were a cause of these violations. In addition, GFS failed to ensure that certain shareholder reports contained the required disclosures concerning the Trustees evaluation process and failed to ensure that certain series within the Trust maintained and preserved their Section 15(c) files in accordance with 1940 Act recordkeeping requirements. Accordingly, GFS caused those funds violations of Sections 30(e) and 31(a) of the Investment Company Act and Rules 30e-1 and 31a-2(a)(6) thereunder.
The Order found that, during the relevant period, NLCS and the four named Trustees were also a cause of violations of Rule 38a-1(a)(1) under the 1940 Act, which requires registered investment companies to adopt and implement written compliance policies and procedures. Specifically, the Order found that NLCS and the named Trustees failed to implement certain policies and procedures of the Trust that required the funds CCO to provide the advisers compliance manuals to the named Trustees for their review or, as an alternative, summaries of the compliance programs. Rather than following this process, the Order found that the named Trustees approval of the advisers compliance programs was based primarily on their review of a brief written statement prepared by NLCS and a verbal representation by NLCS that such manuals were adequate.
Board Committees
Audit Committee
The Board has an Audit Committee that consists of all the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Audit Committees responsibilities include: (i) recommending to the Board the selection, retention or termination of the Trusts 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 Trusts 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 Trusts independent auditors and recommending that the Board take appropriate action in response thereto to satisfy itself of the auditors independence; and (v) considering the comments of the independent auditors and managements responses thereto with respect to the quality and adequacy of the Trusts accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and internal controls.
15
The Audit Committee operates pursuant to an Audit Committee Charter. The Audit Committee is responsible for seeking and reviewing nominee candidates for consideration as Independent Trustees as is from time to time considered necessary or appropriate. The Audit Committee generally will not consider shareholder nominees. The Audit Committee is also responsible for reviewing and setting Independent Trustee compensation from time to time when considered necessary or appropriate. During the past fiscal year the Audit Committee held twelve meetings.
Compensation
Effective October 1, 2013, 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 $28,587.50 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 April 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013, each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an investment adviser to any series of the Trust received a quarterly fee of $27,625. Prior to April 1, 2013 each Trustee who is not affiliated with the Trust or an adviser received a quarterly fee of $21,500. Effective July 1, 2013, in addition to the quarterly fees and reimbursements, the Chairman of the Board receives a quarterly fee of $5,775 and the Audit Committee Chairman receives a quarterly fee of $1,725.
Additionally, in the event a meeting of the Board of Trustees other than its regularly scheduled meetings (a Special Meeting) is required, each Independent Trustee will receive a fee of $2,500 per Special Meeting, as well as reimbursement for any reasonable expenses incurred, to be paid by the relevant series of the Trust or its investment adviser depending on the circumstances necessitating the Special Meeting.
The interested persons who serve as Trustees of the Trust receive no compensation for their services as Trustees. None of the executive officers receive compensation from the Trust.
The table below details the amount of compensation the Trustees received from the Trust during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013. Each Independent Trustee attended all quarterly meetings during the period. The Trust does not have a bonus, profit sharing, pension or retirement plan.
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Position
|
Aggregate Compensation From Trust ****
|
Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Funds Expenses
|
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement
|
Total Compensation From Trust and Fund Complex***** Paid to Directors
|
Anthony J. Hertl
|
$119,250
|
None
|
None
|
$140,000
|
Gary Lanzen
|
$103,250
|
None
|
None
|
$120,000
|
Mark H. Taylor
|
$103,250
|
None
|
None
|
$144,125
|
John V. Palancia
|
$103,250
|
None
|
None
|
$141,000
|
Michael Miola*
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Andrew Rogers**
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Mark D. Gersten***
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
Mark Garbin***
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
16
* This Trustee was deemed to be an interested person as defined in the 1940 Act as a result of his affiliation with Gemini Fund Services, LLC (the Trusts Administrator, Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant) and Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the Funds Distributor) and Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (the Trusts compliance service provider). Mr. Miola resigned from the Trust in September 2013.
** This Trustee is deemed to be an interested person as defined in the 1940 Act as a result of his affiliation with Gemini Fund Services, LLC (the Trusts Administrator, Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant).
***Elected as a Trustee in September 2013.
**** There are currently multiple series comprising the Trust. Trustees fees are allocated equitably among the series in the Trust.
***** The term Fund Complex includes the Northern Lights Fund Trust, Northern Lights Fund Trust III and the Northern Lights Variable Trust.
Trustee Ownership
The following table indicates the dollar range of equity securities that each Trustee beneficially owned in the Fund as of December 31, 2013.
|
|
|
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
|
Anthony J. Hertl
|
None
|
None
|
Gary Lanzen
|
None
|
None
|
John V. Palancia
|
None
|
None
|
Andrew Rogers*
|
None
|
None
|
Mark Taylor
|
None
|
None
|
Mark D. Gersten
|
None
|
None
|
Mark Garbin
|
None
|
None
|
* This Trustee is deemed to be an interested person as defined in the 1940 Act as a result of his affiliation with Gemini Fund Services, LLC (the Trusts Administrator, Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant),
Management Ownership
As of January 2, 2014, the Trustees and officers, as a group, owned less than 1.00% of the Funds outstanding shares and 1.00% of the Fund Complexs outstanding shares.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS
A control person is one who owns beneficially or through controlled companies more than 25% of the voting securities of a company or acknowledged the existence of control.
As of January 2, 2014, the following shareholders of record owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each Fund.
SouthernSun Small Cap Fund
|
|
|
Institutional Shares
|
Shares
|
Percentage of Fund
|
National Financial
2,934,530
21.94%
499 Washington Blvd, Floor 5
Jersey City, NJ 07310
17
Charles Schwab
2,154,881
16.11%
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
Calhoun & Co
1,562,080
11.68%
PO Box 75000 M/C #3446
Detroit, MI 48275
Mitra & Co FBO
670,473
5.01%
C/O M&I trust Co NA Attn MF
11270 W Park Place Suite 400
Milwaukee, WI 53224
|
|
|
Investor Shares
|
Shares
|
Percentage of Fund
|
National Financial
6,689,645
46.04%
499 Washington Blvd, Floor 5
Jersey City, NJ 07310
Charles Schwab
3,102,458
21.35%
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund
|
|
|
Institutional Shares
|
Shares
|
Percentage of Fund
|
National Financial
1,795,190
8.58%
499 Washington Blvd, Floor 5
Jersey City, NJ 07310
Charles Schwab
1,545,427
7.39%
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
Independence Trust
1,126,152
5.38%
325 Bridge Street
PO Box 682188
Franklin, TN 37064
|
|
|
Investor Shares
|
Shares
|
Percentage of Fund
|
Charles Schwab
1,776,225
51.55%
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
National Financial
395,999
11.49%
499 Washington Blvd, Floor 5
Jersey City, NJ 07310
|
|
|
Class C Shares
|
Shares
|
Percentage of Fund
|
Charles Schwab
51,240
5
7.47%
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
18
Investment Adviser and Advisory Agreement
The Adviser of the Funds is located at 6070 Poplar Avenue, Suite 300, Memphis, Tennessee 38119. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust, on behalf of the Funds (the Advisory Agreement), the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board of the Trust, and in conformity with the stated policies of the Funds, manages the operations of the Funds. Michael W. Cook, Sr. is the controlling member of the Adviser.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, under the supervision of the Board, agrees to invest the assets of the Funds in accordance with applicable law and the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in each Funds current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and subject to such further limitations as the Trust may from time to time impose by written notice to the Adviser. The Adviser shall act as the investment Adviser to the Funds and, as such shall (i) obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, business, securities markets and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in discharging its responsibilities here under, (ii) formulate a continuing program for the investment of the assets of the Funds in a manner consistent with its investment objective, policies and restrictions, and (iii) determine from time to time securities to be purchased, sold, retained or lent by the Funds, and implement those decisions, including the selection of entities with or through which such purchases, sales or loans are to be effected; provided, that the Adviser will place orders pursuant to its investment determinations either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer, and if with a broker or dealer, (a) will attempt to obtain the best price and execution of its orders, and (b) may nevertheless in its discretion purchase and sell portfolio securities from and to brokers who provide the Adviser with research, analysis, advice and similar services and pay such brokers in return a higher commission or spread than may be charged by other brokers. The Adviser also provides the Funds with all necessary office facilities and personnel for servicing the Funds investment, compensates all officers, Trustees and employees of the Trust who are officers, directors or employees of the Adviser, and all personnel of the Funds or the Adviser performing services relating to research, statistical and investment activities.
In addition, the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, provides the management and administrative services necessary for the operation of the Funds. These services include providing facilities for maintaining the Trusts organization; supervising relations with custodians, transfer and pricing agents, accountants, underwriters and other persons dealing with the Funds; preparing all general shareholder communications and conducting shareholder relations; maintaining the Funds records and the registration of the Funds shares under federal securities laws and making necessary filings under state securities laws; developing management and shareholder services for the Funds; and furnishing reports, evaluations and analyses on a variety of subjects to the Trustees.
The following table sets forth the annual management fee rate payable by the Funds to SouthernSun Asset Management, Inc. pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, expressed as a percentage of the Funds average daily net assets, computed daily and payable monthly:
|
|
Fund
|
Management Fees
|
SouthernSun Small Cap Fund
|
0.85%
|
SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund
|
0.85%
|
19
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund accrued $1,103.082 in advisory fees. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund accrued $567,104 in advisory fees. The following table displays the advisory fees that were paid by the Funds during the fiscal period ended September 30, 2012:
|
|
|
FUND
|
Advisory Fees
Paid
|
Advisory Fees
Recaptured
|
SouthernSun Small Cap Fund
|
$2,371,545
|
$0
|
SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund
|
$43,483
|
$43,483
|
The following table displays the advisory fees that were paid by the Funds during the fiscal period ended September 30, 2013:
|
|
|
FUND
|
Advisory Fees
Paid
|
Advisory Fees
Recaptured
|
SouthernSun Small Cap Fund
|
$4,716,277
|
$0
|
SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund
|
$504,008
|
$142,517
|
The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive its management fees and/or to make payments to limit Fund expenses, until January 31, 2015 so that the total annual operating expenses (excluding any front-end or contingent deferred loads, taxes, brokerage fees and commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), taxes or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Funds do not exceed the percentages in the table below. Waiver/reimbursement is subject to possible recoupment from the Funds in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the foregoing expense limits. No reimbursement amount will be paid to the Adviser in any fiscal quarter unless the Trusts Board of Trustees has determined in advance that a reimbursement is in the best interest of the Funds and its shareholders. Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Funds expenses and increase its performance.
|
|
|
Fund
|
Expense Cap
|
Minimum Duration
|
SouthernSun Small Cap Fund Investor Class shares
|
1.50%
|
January 31, 2015
|
SouthernSun Small Cap Fund Institutional Class shares
|
1.25%
|
January 31, 2015
|
SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund Investor Class shares
|
1.34%
|
January 31, 2015
|
SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund Institutional Class shares
|
1.09%
|
January 31, 2015
|
SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund
Class C shares
|
2.09%
|
January 31, 2015
|
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement are paid by the Funds. Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Funds are responsible for the payment of the following expenses among others: (a) the fees payable to the Adviser, (b) the fees and expenses of Trustees who are not affiliated persons of the Adviser or Distributor (as defined under the section entitled (The Distributor) (c) the fees and certain expenses of the Custodian (as defined under the section
20
entitled Custodian) and Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent (as defined under the section entitled Transfer Agent), including the cost of maintaining certain required records of the Funds and of pricing the Funds shares, (d) the charges and expenses of legal counsel and independent accountants for the Funds, (e) brokerage commissions and any issue or transfer taxes chargeable to the Funds in connection with its securities transactions, (f) all taxes and corporate fees payable by the Fund to governmental agencies, (g) the fees of any trade association of which the Fund may be a member, (h) the cost of share certificates representing shares of the Fund, (i) the cost of fidelity and liability insurance, (j) the fees and expenses involved in registering and maintaining registration of the Fund and of its shares with the SEC, qualifying its shares under state securities laws, including the preparation and printing of the Funds registration statements and prospectuses for such purposes, (k) all expenses of shareholders and Trustees meetings (including travel expenses of trustees and officers of the Fund who are directors, officers or employees of the Adviser) and of preparing, printing and mailing reports, proxy statements and prospectuses to shareholders in the amount necessary for distribution to the shareholders and (l) litigation and indemnification expenses and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Funds business.
The Advisory Agreement continued in effect for two (2) years initially and thereafter shall continue from year to year provided such continuance is approved at least annually by (a) a vote of the majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and by (b) the majority vote of either all of the Trustees or the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funds. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty on 60 days written notice by a vote of a majority of the Trustees or by the Adviser, or by holders of a majority of that Trusts outstanding shares. The Advisory Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
Codes of Ethics
The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor (as defined under the section entitled (The Distributor)) each have adopted codes of ethics (the Code) 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 Funds.
In addition, the Code, which applies only to the Trusts 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 Funds; iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rule and regulations; iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of this Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and v) accountability for adherence to the Code.
Proxy Voting Policies
The Board has adopted Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) on behalf of the Trust, which delegate the responsibility for voting proxies to the Adviser, subject to the Boards continuing oversight. The Policies require that the Adviser vote proxies received in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Funds and its shareholders. The Policies also require the Adviser to present to the Board, at least annually, the Advisers Proxy Policies and a record of each proxy voted by the Adviser on behalf of the Funds, including a report on the resolution of all proxies identified by the Adviser as involving a conflict of interest.
21
Where a proxy proposal raises a material conflict between the Advisers interests and the Funds interests, the Adviser will resolve the conflict by voting in accordance with the policy guidelines or at the clients directive using the recommendation of an independent third party. If the third partys recommendations are not received in a timely fashion, the Adviser will abstain from voting the securities held by that clients account. A copy of the Adviser's proxy voting policies is attached hereto as Appendix B.
More information
. Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds at 1-866-672-3863 and (2) on the U.S. SECs website at http://www.sec.gov and will be sent within three business days of receipt of a request.
Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, (the Distributor) located at 17605 Wright Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68130 serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Trust pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement with the Trust (the Underwriting Agreement). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each states securities laws and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA). The offering of the Funds shares are continuous. The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Fund shares, will use its best efforts to distribute the Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds. The Underwriting Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
The following table sets forth the total compensation received by the Distributor from the Funds during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013:
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Fund
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Net Underwriting Discounts and Commissions
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Compensation on Redemptions and Repurchases
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Brokerage Commissions
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Other Compensation
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SouthernSun Small Cap Fund
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$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
$0
|
The Distributor also receives 12b-1 fees from each Fund as described under the following section entitled Rule 12b-1 Plan.
22
Rule 12b-1 Plan
The Trust, with respect to the Funds, has adopted the Trusts Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for each Funds Investor Class and SouthernSun U.S. Equitys Class C shares (the Plan) pursuant to which the Fund is authorized to pay the Distributor, as compensation for Distributors account maintenance services under the Plan, a distribution and shareholder servicing fee at the rate of up to 0.25% for each Funds Investor Class shares and 1.00% of SouthernSun U.S. Equitys Class C shares of the average daily net assets attributable to the class. Such fees are to be paid by the funds monthly, or at such other intervals as the Board shall determine. There is no Plan for the Institutional Class shares. Such fees shall be based upon the Fund's average daily net assets during the preceding month, and shall be calculated and accrued daily. The Fund may pay fees to the Distributor at a lesser rate, as agreed upon by the Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Distributor. The Plans authorize payments to the Distributor as compensation for providing account maintenance services to the Investor and SouthernSun U.S. Equitys Class C shares Fund shareholders, including arranging for certain securities dealers or brokers, administrators and others ("Recipients") to provide these services and paying compensation for these services.
The services to be provided under the Plan by Recipients may include, but are not limited to, the following: assistance in the offering and sale of the each Funds Investor shares and SouthernSun U.S. Equitys Class C shares (and in other aspects of the marketing of the shares to clients or prospective clients of the respective recipients; answering routine inquiries concerning the Fund; assisting in the establishment and maintenance of accounts or sub-accounts in the Fund and in processing purchase and redemption transactions; making the Fund's investment plan and shareholder services available; and providing such other information and services to investors in shares of the Fund as the Distributor or the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, may reasonably request. The distribution services shall also include any advertising and marketing services provided by or arranged by the Distributor with respect to the Fund.
The Distributor is required to provide a written report, at least quarterly to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, specifying in reasonable detail the amounts expended pursuant to each of the Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures were made. Further, the Distributor will inform the Board of any Rule 12b-1 fees to be paid by the Distributor to Recipients.
During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 the SouthernSun Small Cap Funds Investor Class shares paid $465,603 and SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund paid $801 in distribution related fees pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 the SouthernSun Small Cap Funds Investor Class shares paid $805,996 and SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund paid $37,140 in distribution related fees pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan. These expenses were allocated as shown in the below table:
Actual 12b-1 Expenditures Paid by the Funds
During the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2013
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SouthernSun Small Cap Fund
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SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund
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Total Dollars Allocated
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Advertising/Marketing
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None
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None
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Printing/Postage
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None
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None
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Payment to distributor
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$84,838
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$1,687
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Payment to dealers
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$197,460
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$25,121
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Compensation to sales personnel
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None
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None
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Other
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$523,699
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$10,332
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Total
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$805,996
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$37,140
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23
The Distributor is required to report in writing to the Board, at least quarterly, on the amounts and purpose of any payment made under the Rule 12b-1 Plan. The Distributor is also required to furnish the Board with such other information as may reasonably be requested in order to enable the Trustees to make an informed determination of whether the Rule 12b-1 Plan should be continued.
The initial term of the Rule 12b-1 Plan was one year and this will continue in effect from year to year thereafter, provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and do not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the Rule 12b-1 Plan (Rule 12b-1 Trustees) by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Rule 12b-1 Plan. The Rule 12b-1 Plan and Agreement may be terminated at any time by the Trust or the Funds by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of the Funds. The Rule 12b-1 Plan will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of the Distributors compensation to be paid by the Funds, unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds (as defined in the 1940 Act). All material amendments must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Rule 12b- 1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on a Rule 12b-1 Plan. During the term of the Rule 12b-1 Plan, the selection and nomination of non-interested Trustees of the Trust will be committed to the discretion of current non-interested Trustees. The Distributor will preserve copies of the Rule 12b-1 Plan, any related agreements, and all reports, for a period of not less than six years from the date of such document and for at least the first two years in an easily accessible place.
Any agreement related to the Plan will be in writing and provide that: (a) it may be terminated by the Trust or the Funds at any time upon sixty days written notice, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the respective Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or the Funds; (b) it will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act); and (c) it will continue in effect for a period of more than one year from the date of its execution or adoption only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a majority of the Board and a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees by votes cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such agreement.
Michael W. Cook, Sr. is the portfolio manager of the Funds and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds. As of September 30, 2013, Mr. Cook, Sr. was responsible for the management of the following types of accounts in addition to the Funds:
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Account Type
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Number of Accounts by Account Type
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Total Assets By Account Type
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Number of Accounts by Type Subject to a Performance Fee
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Total Assets By Account Type Subject to a Performance Fee
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Michael W. Cook, Sr.
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Registered Investment Companies
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4
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$1,230.0 million
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N/A
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N/A
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24
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|
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Other Pooled Investment Vehicles
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4
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$57.1 million
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1
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$4.23 million
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Other Accounts
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2,582
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$3,186.1 million
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N/A
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N/A
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Conflicts of Interest
As indicated in the table above, the portfolio manager may manage numerous accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include registered investment companies, other types of pooled accounts (e.g., collective investment funds), and separate accounts (i.e., accounts managed on behalf of individuals or public or private institutions). The portfolio manager makes investment decisions for each account based on the investment objectives and policies and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that portfolio.
When a portfolio manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, the Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Funds, or it may receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. In those instances, the portfolio manager may have an incentive to favor the higher and/or performance-based fee accounts over the Funds. The Adviser have adopted policies and procedures designed to address these potential material conflicts. For instance, portfolio managers within the Adviser are normally responsible for all accounts within a certain investment discipline, and do not, absent special circumstances, differentiate among the various accounts when allocating resources. Additionally, the Adviser utilizes a system for allocating investment opportunities among portfolios that is designed to provide a fair and equitable allocation.
Compensation
Mr. Cook, Sr. receives a fixed salary, retirement plan and other fringe benefit arrangements from SouthernSun in addition to his indirect ownership interest in SouthernSun.
Ownership of Securities
The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the portfolio manager in the Funds as of September 30, 2013:
Small Cap Fund
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Name of Portfolio Manager
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Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Predecessor Fund
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Michael W. Cook
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$100-001-$500,000
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U.S. Equity Fund
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Name of Portfolio Manager
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Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in the Predecessor Fund
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Michael W. Cook
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$100-001-$500,000
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ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE
Specific decisions to purchase or sell securities for the Funds are made by the portfolio manager. The Adviser is authorized by the Trustees to allocate the orders placed by it on behalf of the Funds to brokers or dealers who may, but need not, provide research or statistical material or other services to the Funds or the Adviser for the Funds use. Such allocation is to be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser may determine.
In selecting a broker or dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser will take the following into consideration:
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the best net price available;
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the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker or dealer;
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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 Funds on a continuing basis.
Brokers or dealers executing a portfolio transaction on behalf of the Funds may receive a commission in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for executing the transaction if the Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage, research and other services provided to the Funds. In allocating portfolio brokerage, the Adviser may select brokers or dealers who also provide brokerage, research and other services to other accounts over which the Adviser exercises investment discretion. Some of the services received as the result of each Funds transactions may primarily benefit accounts other than the Funds, while services received as the result of portfolio transactions effected on behalf of those other accounts may primarily benefit the Funds.
For the fiscal period ended September 30, 2011, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid brokerage commissions of $124,215. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid brokerage commissions of $257,573 and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund paid brokerage commissions of $9,098. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid brokerage commissions of $331,167 and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund paid brokerage commissions of $137,161.
The Funds portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Funds during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by the Funds. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of the Funds portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period.
26
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, the SouthernSun Small Cap Funds portfolio turnover rate was 38%. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, the SouthernSun Small Cap Funds portfolio turnover rate was 31% and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Funds portfolio turnover rate was 49%. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the SouthernSun Small Cap Funds portfolio turnover rate was 22% and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Funds portfolio turnover rate was 25%.
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 Funds 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 Funds. Such officers may be directors, officers or employees of GFS or its affiliates.
The Agreement became effective on June 22, 2011 will remain in effect for an initial term of two years from the applicable effective date for the Funds, 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) monitoring the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Trust by others service providers; (2) monitoring Fund holdings and operations for post-trade compliance with the Funds registration statement and applicable laws and rules; (3) preparing and coordinating the printing of semi-annual and annual financial statements; (4) preparing selected management reports for performance and compliance analyses; (5) preparing and disseminating materials for and attending and participating in meetings of the Board; (6) determining income and capital gains available for distribution and calculating distributions required to meet regulatory, income, and excise tax requirements; (7) reviewing the Trust's federal, state, and local tax returns as prepared and signed by the Trust's independent public accountants; (8) preparing and maintaining 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) assisting in and monitoring the preparation, filing, printing and where applicable, dissemination to shareholders of amendments to the Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A, periodic reports to the Trustees, shareholders and the SEC, notices pursuant to Rule 24f-2, proxy materials and reports to the SEC on Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, N-Q and N-PX; (10) coordinating the Trust's audits and examinations by assisting each Funds independent public accountants; (11) determining, in consultation with others, the jurisdictions in which shares of the Trust shall be registered or qualified for sale and facilitating such registration or qualification; (12) monitoring sales of shares and ensure that the shares are properly and duly registered with the SEC; (13) monitoring the calculation of performance data for the Fund; (14) preparing, or cause to be prepared, expense and financial reports; (15) preparing authorizations for the payment of Trust expenses and pay, from Trust assets, all bills of the Trust; (16) providing information typically supplied in the investment company
27
industry to companies that track or report price, performance or other information with respect to investment companies; (17) upon request, assisting 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) performing other services, recordkeeping and assistance relating to the affairs of the Trust as the Trust may, from time to time, reasonably request.
For the administrative services rendered to the Funds by GFS, each Fund pays GFS a fee equal to the greater of a minimum fee of $20,000 or 0.03% on the first $100 million of net assets, 0.02% on the next $300 million of net assets and 0.01% on net assets greater than $400 million. The Fund also pays GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid $53,416 for administrative fees. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid $85,552 and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund paid $11,942 in administrative fees. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid $132,569 and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund paid $36,851 in administrative fees.
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 Fund; (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 Fund.
For the fund accounting services rendered to the Funds under the Agreement, each Fund pays the GFS a fee equal to a base annual fee of $25,000 plus or 0.0125% on net assets of $200 million and 0.0075% on net assets greater than $500 million. The Fund also pays the GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid $36,910 for fund accounting fees. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid $51,134 and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund paid $16,530 in fund accounting fees. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid $85,601 and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund paid $37,917 in fund accounting fees.
GFS also
acts as transfer, dividend disbursing, and shareholder servicing agent for the Fund pursuant to the Agreement. Under the agreement, GFS is responsible for administering and performing transfer agent functions, dividend distribution, shareholder administration, and maintaining necessary records in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
For such services rendered to the Funds under the Agreement, each Fund pays GFS a transfer agent fee equal to a minimum fee of $15,000 or $14 per account. The Fund also pays the GFS for any out-of-pocket expenses. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid $52,565 for transfer agency fees. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid $96,235 and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund paid $23,224 in transfer agency fees. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid $159,827 and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund paid $59,913 in transfer agency fees.
Custodian
Bank of New York Mellon (BONY or the Custodian), One Wall Street, 25th Floor, New York, New York 10286, serves as the custodian of the Funds assets pursuant to a Custody Agreement by and between BONY and the Trust on behalf of the Funds. BONYs responsibilities include safeguarding and controlling the Funds cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of securities, and
28
collecting interest and dividends on the Funds investments. Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, BONY 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 Funds may employ foreign sub-custodians that are approved by the Board to hold foreign assets.
GFS serves as Custody Administrator under the Funds Custody Agreement with BNY, and receives a share of the fees paid to the Custodian for performing certain administrative tasks normally performed by the Custodian, as well as certain enhanced reporting in connection with these functions. For these services, GFS receives a share of the asset-based custody fee as well as a portion of certain transaction fees paid under the Custody Agreement
.
Compliance Officer
Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (NLCS), 17605 Wright Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68130, 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. NLCSs 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 September 30, 2011, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid $17,426 in compliance service fees. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid $22,091 and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund paid $418 in compliance service fees, respectively. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund paid $25,991 and the SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund paid $1,645 in compliance service fees, respectively.
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. Matters such as ratification of the independent public accountants and election of Trustees are not subject to separate voting requirements and may be acted upon by shareholders of the Trust voting without regard to series.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. Each share, on a class-specific basis, has equal dividend, distribution and liquidation rights. There are no conversion or preemptive rights applicable to any shares of the Funds. All shares issued are fully paid and non-assessable.
29
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAM
The Trust has established an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Program (the Program) as required by Section 352 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 Trusts Program is written and has been approved by the Funds Board of Trustees. The Program provides for the development of policies, procedures and internal controls reasonable designed to prevent money maundering, the designation of an anti-money laundering compliance officers who are responsible for implementing and monitoring the Program, ongoing anti-money laundering training for appropriate persons and an independent audit function to determine the effectiveness of the Program. The Trusts secretary serves as its Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.
Procedures to implement the Program include, but are not limited to, determining that the Funds Distributor and Transfer Agent have established reasonable anti-money laundering procedures, have reported suspicious and/or fraudulent activity and have completed thorough reviews of all new opening account applications. The Trust will not transact business with any person or entity whose identity cannot be adequately verified under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act.
As a result of the Program, the Trust may be required to freeze the account of a shareholder if the shareholder appears to be involved in suspicious activity or if certain account information matches information on government lists of known terrorists or other suspicious persons, or the Trust may be required to transfer the account or proceeds of the account to a governmental agency.
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES
Calculation of Share Price
As indicated in the Prospectus under the heading "Net Asset Value," NAV of the Funds shares is determined by dividing the total value of the Funds portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Funds.
For purposes of calculating the NAV, portfolio securities and other assets for which market quotes are available are stated at market value. Market value is generally determined on the basis of last reported sales prices, or if no sales are reported, based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers, or pricing services. Securities primarily traded in the NASDAQ National Market System for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued using the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (NOCP). If the NOCP is not available, such securities shall be valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation, or if there has been no sale on such day, at the last bid price. Certain securities or investments for which daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, with reference to other securities or indices. Short-term investments having a maturity of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost. Exchange traded options, futures and options on futures are valued at the settlement price determined by the exchange. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or persons acting at their direction.
Investments initially valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from pricing services. As a result, the NAV of the Funds shares may be affected by changes in the value of currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The value of securities traded
30
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.
Each Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds or its agents after the NAV has been calculated on a particular day will not generally be used to retroactively adjust the price of the security or the NAV determined earlier that day.
In unusual circumstances, instead of valuing securities in the usual manner, the Funds may value securities at fair value or estimate their value as determined in good faith by the Board or their designees, pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair valuation may also be used by the Board if extraordinary events occur after the close of the relevant market but prior to the NYSE Close.
A 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 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 or sub-adviser, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument. Factors which may cause the adviser or sub-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 a Funds 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 or sub-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 or sub-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
31
security; (ii) the cost at date of purchase; (iii) the size and nature of the Funds 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 Funds 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 assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, developed based on the best information available under 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 a Funds 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 a portfolio manager of the Funds with respect to the valuation of the security; (v) whether the same or similar securities are held by other Funds managed by the adviser (or sub-adviser) or other Funds 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 fair value team and ratify valuations for the applicable securities. The Board of Trustees 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.
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The Trust expects that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) will be closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Purchase of Shares
Orders for shares received by the Funds in good order prior to the close of business on the NYSE on each day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at net asset value per share computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE. Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or on a day it is not open for trading, are priced at the close of such NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined net asset value per share. In its sole discretion, the Funds may accept securities as payment for the purchase of each Funds shares.
Redemption of Shares
The Funds will redeem all or any portion of a shareholder's shares of the Funds when requested in accordance with the procedures set forth in the "Redemptions" section of the Prospectus. Under the 1940 Act, a shareholders right to redeem shares and to receive payment therefore may be suspended at times:
(a) when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;
(b) when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason;
(c) when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Funds of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Funds fairly to determine the value of its net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the SEC (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or
(d) when the SEC by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.
In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on the 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.
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 Funds.
The Funds have each qualified and intend to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and intends to continue to so qualify, which requires compliance with certain requirements concerning the sources of its income, diversification of its assets, and the amount and timing of its distributions to
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shareholders. Such qualification does not involve supervision of management or investment practices or policies by any government agency or bureau. By so qualifying, the Funds 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 Funds will be computed in accordance with Section 852 of the Code.
Net investment income is made up of dividends and interest less expenses. Net capital gain for a fiscal year is computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the Funds. Capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 may now be carried forward indefinitely and retain the character of the original loss. Under previously enacted laws, capital losses could be carried forward to offset any capital gains for only eight years, and carried forward as short-term capital losses, irrespective of the character of the original loss. Capital loss carryforwards are available to offset future realized capital gains. To the extent that these carryforwards are used to offset future capital gains it is probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders.
The Funds intend to distribute all of its net investment income, any excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, and any excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code and therefore should not be required to pay any federal income or excise taxes. Distributions of net investment income and net capital gain, if any, will be made annually no later than December 31 of each year. Both types of distributions will be in shares of the Funds unless a shareholder elects to receive cash.
To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the Funds 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 holding so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds control 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 Funds fail 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 Funds 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 Funds generally would not be liable for income tax on the Funds net investment income or net realized capital gains in their individual capacities. Distributions to shareholders, whether from the Funds 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 Funds.
The Funds are subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gain under a prescribed formula contained in Section 4982 of the Code. The formula requires payment to shareholders during a calendar year of distributions representing at least 98% of the Funds 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
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during such year plus 100% of any income that was neither distributed nor taxed to the Funds during the preceding calendar year. Under ordinary circumstances, the Funds expect to time its distributions so as to avoid liability for this tax.
The following discussion of tax consequences is for the general information of shareholders that are subject to tax. Shareholders that are IRAs or other qualified retirement plans are exempt from income taxation under the Code.
Distributions of taxable net investment income and the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are 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 Trust have been held by such shareholders.
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their net investment income, which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Funds. U.S. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.
A redemption of a Funds 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 shareholders 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.
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 Code, the Funds will be required to report to the Internal Revenue Service all distributions of taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of Fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of 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 Funds are 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.
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Options, Futures, Forward Contracts and Swap Agreements
To the extent such investments are permissible for the Funds, the Funds 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 Funds, defer losses to the Funds, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds 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 recipients basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If the Funds book income is less than taxable income, the Funds 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 Funds in certain "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs") could subject the Funds 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 Funds may elect to treat a PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" ("QEF"), in which case the Funds will be required to include its share of the company's income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company.
The Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require the Funds 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 Funds total return.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The Funds transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.
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 a Funds total
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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 a 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 a 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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds may be treated as having acquisition discount, or OID in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, the Funds will be required to include the acquisition discount,
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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 Funds 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 Funds may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the Funds and on redemptions of a Funds shares.
A brief explanation of the form and character of the distribution accompany each distribution. In January of each year the Funds issue to each shareholder a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the application of federal, state and local and foreign tax law in light of their particular situation.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Funds have selected
Tait, Weller & Baker LLP, located at 1818 Market Street, Suite 2400, Philadelphia, PA 19103, as their 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.
Thompson Hine LLP, 41 South High Street, Suite 1700 Columbus, Ohio 43215 serves as the Trust's legal counsel.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements and report of the independent registered public accounting firm required to be included in this SAI are hereby incorporated by reference to the Annual Report for the Funds for the fiscal period ended September 30, 2013. You can obtain a copy of the Annual Report without charge by calling the Funds at 1-866-672-3863.
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APPENDIX A PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Pursuant to Rule 206(4)-6 (17 CFR 275.206(4)-6) and amendments to Rule 204-2 (17 CFR 275.204-2) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 as amended (the Act), it is a fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative act, practice or course of business, within the meaning of Section 206(4) of the Act, for an investment adviser to exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, unless (i) the adviser has adopted and implemented written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the adviser votes proxies in the best interests of its clients, (ii) the adviser describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients and provides copies on request, and (iii) the adviser discloses to clients how they may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.
In order to fulfill its responsibilities under the Act, SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC (hereinafter we or our) has adopted the following policies and procedures for proxy voting with regard to companies in investment portfolios of our clients.
?
RESPONSIBILITY
?
The Investment Team
has the responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of our proxy voting policy, practices, and disclosures, including outlining our voting guidelines in our procedures.
?
The Operations Team has the record keeping responsibilities for retaining all proxy-related documents.
KEY OBJECTIVES
The key objectives of these policies and procedures recognize that a companys management is entrusted with the day-to-day operations and longer term strategic planning of the company, subject to the oversight of the companys board of directors. While ordinary business matters are primarily the responsibility of management and should be approved solely by the corporations board of directors, these objectives also recognize that the companys shareholders must have final say over how management and directors are performing, and how shareholders rights and ownership interests are handled, especially when matters could have substantial economic implications to the shareholders.
Therefore, we will pay particular attention to the following matters in exercising our proxy voting responsibilities as a fiduciary for our clients:
Accountability
. Each company should have effective means in place to hold those entrusted with running a companys business accountable for their actions. Management of a company should be accountable to its board of directors and the board should be accountable to shareholders.
Alignment of Management and Shareholder Interests
. Each company should endeavor to align the interests of management and the board of directors with the interests of the companys shareholders. For example, we generally believe that compensation should be designed to reward management for doing a good job of creating value for the shareholders of the company.
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Transparency
. Promotion of timely disclosure of important information about a companys business operations and financial performance enables investors to evaluate the performance of a company and to make informed decisions about the purchase and sale of a companys securities.
DECISION METHODS
No set of proxy voting guidelines can anticipate all situations that may arise. In special cases, we may seek insight from company management on how a particular proxy proposal will impact the financial prospects of a company, and vote accordingly. As Adviser to the SouthernSun Funds (the Funds), each a series of the Northern Lights Fund Trust (the Trust), we will vote proxies of the Funds solely in the interest of its shareholders. We will not subordinate the interests of the Funds to any unrelated objectives. We will act with the care, skill, prudence and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent man acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of like character and with like aims.
SouthernSun utilizes Broadridge Proxy Edge in order to access web based proxy voting and meeting information to assist in the administration of the voting process. In addition, we use the Broadridge Integrated Recommendations to provide vote recommendations for proxy votes, which we may utilize in our research process to assist the overall decision process on proxy votes.
In some instances, a proxy vote may present a conflict between the interests of a client, on the one hand, and our interests or the interests of a person affiliated with us, on the other. When a conflict is identified as material, SouthernSun will disclose the conflict to the affected client, whether it is a private account client or the Board of Trustees for the Northern Lights Fund Trust of which the SouthernSun Small Cap Fund is a member. Upon contact, SouthernSun will then either vote in accordance with the client specific instructions or obtain permission to vote, as usual, in the best interest of shareholders. If SouthernSun is unable to contact the client, Broadridge may be consulted. The documentation will be maintained with the copy of the proxy vote submitted in the proxy file. We will report to the Board of Trustees of the Trust, on a regular basis but not less than annually, any conflicts of interest that arose from proxy votes and how such conflicts were resolved.
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
Election of the Board of Directors
We believe that good corporate governance generally starts with a board composed primarily of independent directors, unfettered by significant ties to management, all of whose members are elected annually. In addition, key board committees should be entirely independent.
The election of a companys board of directors is one of the most fundamental rights held by shareholders. We will evaluate board structures on a case-by-case basis.
Approval of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We believe that the relationship between a company and its auditors should be limited primarily to the audit engagement, although it may include certain closely related activities that do not raise an appearance of impaired independence.
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We will evaluate on a case-by-case basis instances in which the audit firm has a substantial non-audit relationship with a company to determine whether we believe independence has been, or could be, compromised.
Equity-based compensation plans
We believe that appropriately designed equity-based compensation plans, approved by shareholders, can be an effective way to align the interests of shareholders and the interests of directors, management, and employees by providing incentives to increase shareholder value. Conversely, we are opposed to plans that substantially dilute ownership interests in the company, provide participants with excessive awards, or have inherently objectionable structural features.
We will generally support measures intended to increase stock ownership by executives and the use of employee stock purchase plans to increase company stock ownership by employees. These may include:
1.
Requiring senior executives to hold stock in a company.
2.
Requiring stock acquired through option exercise to be held for a certain period of time.
3.
Using restricted stock grants instead of options.
4.
Awards based on non-discretionary grants specified by the plans terms rather than subject to managements discretion.
While we evaluate plans on a case-by-case basis, we will generally oppose plans that have the following features:
1.
Annual option grants that would exceed 2% of outstanding shares.
2.
Ability to issue options with an exercise price below the stocks current market price.
3.
Automatic share replenishment (evergreen) feature.
4.
Authorization to permit the board of directors to materially amend a plan without shareholder approval.
5.
Authorizes the re-pricing of stock options or the cancellation and exchange of options without shareholder approval.
These are guidelines, and we consider other factors, such as the nature of the industry and size of the company, when assessing a plans impact on ownership interests.
Corporate Structure
We view the exercise of shareholders rights, including the rights to act by written consent, to call special meetings and to remove directors, to be fundamental to good corporate governance.
Because classes of common stock with unequal voting rights limit the rights of certain shareholders, we generally believe that shareholders should have voting power equal to their equity interest in the company and should be able to approve or reject changes to a companys by-laws by a simple majority vote.
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Because the requirement of a supermajority vote can limit the ability of shareholders to effect change, we generally support proposals to remove super-majority (typically from 66.7% to 80%) voting requirements for certain types of proposals and oppose proposals to impose super-majority requirements.
Shareholder Rights Plans
While we recognize that there are arguments both in favor of and against shareholder rights plans which when triggered by a hostile acquisition attempt give shareholders share purchase or sale rights so far out of line with the market as to advantage certain shareholders at the risk of diminution of wealth to the company, also known as poison pills, such measures may tend to entrench current management, which we may consider to have a negative impact on shareholder value.
We believe the best approach is for a company to seek shareholder approval of rights plans and we generally support shareholder resolutions requesting that shareholders be given the opportunity to vote on the adoption of rights plans.
We will maintain records of our proxy voting and any document created that was material in determining the vote for at least five years (2 years on site.)
INVESTMENT COMPANY ISSUES
Proposal
The Funds may invest in other investment companies that are not affiliated (Underlying Funds) and are required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) to handle proxies received from Underlying Funds in a certain manner. Notwithstanding the guidelines provided in these procedures, it is our policy to vote all proxies received from the Underlying Funds in the same proportion that all shares of the Underlying Funds are voted, or in accordance with instructions received from fund shareholders, pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act. After properly voted, the proxy materials are placed in a file maintained by our Director of Operations for future reference.
Review
·
The Board of Trustees of the Trust will conduct an annual review of the
past years proxy voting as well as the guidelines established for proxy voting. Documentation will be maintained of this review.
A report setting forth the results of this review will be maintained by the Board of Trustees.
SEC Filings
We will file Form N-PX containing each Funds complete proxy voting record for the twelve-month period ended June 30 with the SEC by August 31 of each year. We will file these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures in the Funds Registration Statement.
PROCEDURES
·
SouthernSun has adopted procedures to implement the firms policy and reviews to monitor and insure the firms policy is observed, implemented properly and amended or updated, as appropriate, which include the following:
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·
Voting
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All employees will forward any proxy materials received on behalf of clients to the Operations Team.
·
The Operations Team will determine which client accounts hold the security to which the proxy relates;
Absent material conflicts, the Investment Team will determine how SouthernSun should vote the proxy in accordance with applicable voting guidelines and then complete the proxy. The Operations Team in conjunction with a proxy voting service will tabulate all custodial records and electronically send the vote into the company.
·
Disclosure
·
SouthernSun will provide conspicuously displayed information in its Disclosure Document (ADV Part 2) summarizing our proxy voting policy and procedures, including a statement that clients may request information regarding how SouthernSun voted a clients proxies, and that clients may request a copy of our policies and procedures.
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The Operations Team will also send a copy of our policy to all new clients.
Client Requests for Information
·
All client requests for information regarding proxy votes, or policies and procedures, received by any employee should be forwarded to the Operations Team.
·
In response to any request the Operations Team will prepare a written response to the client with the information requested, and as applicable will include the name of the issuer, the proposal voted upon, and how SouthernSun voted the clients proxy with respect to each proposal about which client inquired.
Records Retention
We will maintain the following records:
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Copies of all policies and procedures written
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A copy of each proxy statement received
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A record of each vote cast
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A copy of any document created that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies or that memorializes the basis for that decision.
·
Copy of each written request for voting information
·
Copy of each written response to oral/written request
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OTHER
Client and Other Information
A copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures is available to our clients, without charge, upon request, by calling (901) 333-6980. We will send a copy of these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures within three business days of receipt of a request, by first-class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery.
When proxies have not been received on behalf of a client, we will make reasonable efforts to obtain missing proxies. In addition, we will provide each client, without charge, upon request, information regarding the proxy votes cast by us with regard to the clients securities. In the event that a client has additional securities that we do not manage in a particular account, SouthernSun will provide the proxy voting information directly to the client so that they can vote the proxy personally.
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