Strategic Alpha Fund
Effective 9/28/12, the Fund, formerly known as Absolute Strategies, changed its name.
Y shares are only available to certain institutional investors. Please click here for other share classes.
The Strategic Alpha Fund seeks to provide an attractive absolute total return, complemented by prudent investment management designed to manage risks and protect investor capital. The secondary goal of the Fund is to achieve these returns with relatively low volatility
Primary Benchmark:
MLBoA US Dollar LIBOR 3-month Constant Maturity
Portfolio Management
Matt Eagan, CFA
Kevin Kearns
Todd Vandam, CFA
Total Fund Assets (as of 4/30/2013):
$1.0 billion
Lipper Category:
Absolute Return category
Morningstar Category:
Nontraditional Bond
Strategy Highlights
-
The strategy combines the features of a traditional bond fund and an alternative investment to create an all-weather solution.
- Unconstrained by market benchmarks, this absolute return oriented strategy has the flexibility to invest in opportunities across the global fixed income landscape, as well as use derivative instruments. This mobility enables the team to respond tactically to shifting economic environments and market events.
- The strategy targets risk levels between 4% and 6%* to help dampen volatility and to help hedge against global events that influence fixed-income markets.
*Although the fund actively manages risk for a 4% to 6% standard deviation level, there is no guarantee that the fund will always maintain its targeted risk level.
Investment Strategy
- Portfolio average duration may range between -2 to 5 years
- Total long or short exposure will not exceed 100% short & 100% long on a notional basis*
- May invest up to 50% of net exposure in non-dollar currency
- May invest up to 20% of net exposure in emerging markets currency
- May invest up to 50% of net exposure in below investment grade, fixed income securities
*Limits shown are net long or short as a % of total long exposure and exclude the use of futures and related options.
About Risk
- Non-diversified funds that may focus on a relatively small number of stocks/issuers tend to be more volatile than diversified funds and the market as a whole
- Absolute return funds tend to underperform during periods of strong positive market performance
- Mutual funds that invest in bonds can lose their value. When interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall and vice versa. Credit risk (the risk that the issuer or borrower will fail to make timely payments of interest and/or principal) is heightened for lower rated or higher yielding fixed-income securities and lower rated borrowers. In addition, lower-rated debt securities may be subject to greater price volatility
- Below investment-grade (also known as high yield) securities are subject to a high degree of market and credit risk. In addition, the secondary market for these securities may lack liquidity, which in turn may adversely affect the value of these securities and that of the Fund
- Derivatives (which include, but are not limited to, futures, forward contracts, options, and swaps) generally have implied leverage (a small amount of money to make an investment of greater value). Because of this, the fund’s use of derivatives may magnify any gains or losses on those investments, as well as risk to the fund. Over the Counter (OTC) derivative contracts involve counterparty risk, or the risk of default to a derivative contract, and liquidity risk; market volatility may prevent the fund from closing out contracts at the desired time and price
- The Fund is subject to currency risk, the risk of fluctuations in exchange rates between the US dollar and foreign currencies, which may cause the value of a Fund’s investments to decline
- Stock values fluctuate and are subject to unpredictable declines due to the activities of individual companies, economic conditions and general market conditions
Past performance is no guarantee of future results.1 For further detail regarding Minimum Initial Investment, please see the fund prospectus.
2 Unlike net expense ratio, gross expense ratio does not reflect any potential reimbursement/waiver of expenses, if any, as stated in the most recent Fund prospectus. Fund expenses and expense reductions are subject to change. Expense reductions are contractual; Class Y shares are set to expire 4/30/2014. Investors should consult the most recent prospectus for more detailed information.
LIBOR stands for London Interbank Offered Rate, the rate of interest at which banks offer to lend money to one another. It is a standard financial index used in US capital markets. Indexes are unmanaged and do not incur fees. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Primary Benchmark: MLBoA US Dollar LIBOR 3-month Constant Maturity
|
Year-to-Date Performance as of 5/21/2013 Month-End Performance as of 4/30/2013 Cumulative Total Return | Class Y | Index |
|---|
| 3 month | 1.40% | 0.08% | | Year-to-date | 3.39% | 0.10% |
Average Annualized Total Return | Class Y | Index |
|---|
| 1 Year | 10.28% | 0.41% | | Since Inception (12/15/2010) | 5.07% | 0.38% |
Quarter-End Performance as of 3/31/2013 Cumulative Total Return | Class Y | Index |
|---|
| 3 month | 2.21% | 0.08% | | Year-to-date | 2.21% | 0.08% |
Average Annualized Total Return | Class Y | Index |
|---|
| 1 Year | 9.01% | 0.43% | | Since Inception (12/15/2010) | 4.73% | 0.38% |
Gross Expense Ratio: (Y) 0.87%; Net Expense Ratio: (Y) 0.87% Waivers/reimbursements are contractual and are set to expire 4/30/14. |
Lipper Rankings as of 4/30/2013 | | Class Y |
|---|
| 1 Year | 26/309 | | 3 Years | N/A | | 5 Years | N/A | | 10 Years | N/A | | Lipper Category: Absolute Return category |
Morningstar Rankings as of 3/31/2013 | | Class Y |
|---|
| 1 Year | 29/199 | | 3 Years | N/A | | 5 Years | N/A | | 10 Years | N/A | | Morningstar Category: Nontraditional Bond | Lipper and Morningstar rankings are based on total returns calculated by each ranking entity. Rankings do not take into account sales charges, if applicable, but include reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, if any. |
Performance data quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Total return and value will vary and you may have a gain or loss when shares are sold. Current performance may be lower or higher than quoted. Returns include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, if any.
Lipper Analytical Services Inc., a Thomson Reuters Company, is a nationally recognized organization that provides performance information for mutual funds. Copyright 2013 © Reuters. All rights reserved. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Lipper content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Lipper. Lipper shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
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Monthly as of 4/30/2013
| Characteristics | |
|---|
| Number of Issues | 476 | | Average Maturity | 6.88 | | Weighted Average Duration | 4.06 | | Annual Turnover (12/31/2012) | 92% |
| Currency Distribution | |
|---|
| U S Dollars | 90.39% | | Mexican Peso | 3.06% | | Canadian Dollar | 2.91% | | Brazilian Real | 2.15% | | Australian Dollar | 2.00% | | Chilean Peso | 1.07% | | New Zealand Dollar | 1.02% | | Russian Ruble | 1.00% | | South African Rand | 0.99% | | New Turkish Lira | 0.97% | | Philippine Peso | 0.94% | | Uruguay Peso | 0.90% | | Euro | 0.22% | | Colombian Peso | 0.10% | | Peruvian New Sol | 0.08% | | British Pound Sterling | 0.04% | | Swiss Franc | 0.03% | | Japanese Yen | -7.88% |
| Duration Distribution | |
|---|
| Less than 1 Yr. | 20.58% | | 1 to 3 Yrs. | 6.63% | | 3 to 5 Yrs. | 21.91% | | 5 to 7 Yrs. | 10.39% | | 7 to 10 Yrs. | 20.11% | | 10 Yrs. or more | 6.96% | | Other | -2.93% | | Cash & Equiv | 16.34% |
Top Ten Holdings as of 4/30/2013 | % Assets |
|---|
| OFFSET-US 10YR NOTE (CBT)JUN13 | 5.8% | | 3.5% | | OFFSET-US LONG BOND(CBT) JUN13 | 3.0% | | CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CAD | 2.4% | | QUEENSLAND TREASURY CORP AUD | 2.0% | | CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SE | 1.7% | | ASSICURAZIONI GENERALI EUR | 1.2% | | BRAZIL REP OF BRL | 1.2% | | MEXICAN BONOS M MXN | 1.1% | | UNICREDIT SPA EUR REG S | 1.1% | | Total | 23.0% | |
| Sector Distribution | |
|---|
| 0.00% | | 0.00% |
| Country Distribution | |
|---|
| United States | 55.02% | | Canada | 4.72% | | Luxembourg | 4.18% | | United Kingdom | 3.84% | | Italy | 3.73% | | Mexico | 3.59% | | Brazil | 3.59% | | Netherlands | 3.00% | | Australia | 2.39% | | Other | 15.94% |
| Maturity Distribution | |
|---|
| Less than 1 Yr. | 6.35% | | 1 to 3 Yrs. | 10.89% | | 3 to 5 Yrs. | 16.56% | | 5 to 7 Yrs. | 12.27% | | 7 to 10 Yrs. | 29.83% | | 10 Yrs. or more | 10.69% | | Other | -2.93% | | Cash & Equiv | 16.34% |
| Credit Quality | |
|---|
| Govt/Agency | 0.22% | | Aaa | 2.67% | | Aa | 4.73% | | A | 8.09% | | Baa | 32.42% | | Ba | 14.64% | | B | 11.83% | | Caa & Lower | 6.57% | | Not Rated | -6.45% | | Cash & Equiv | 25.29% |
|
Credit Quality reflects the highest credit rating assigned to individual holdings of the fund among Moody's, S&P or Fitch ratings are subject to change. The Fund's shares are not rated by any rating agency and no credit rating for Fund shares is implied.
Cash & Equivalents reflects unsettled trades, fees and derivatives. Negative Cash & Equivalents reflect the market value of future trade commitments for the fund. In the Sector, Duration and Maturity distributions, the calculations are based on the specific traits of each security related to that distribution, which can result in variations of the Cash & Equivalents weightings.
Due to rounding, quality, maturity, sector, currency, country and duration totals may not equal 100.00%.
Quarterly as of 3/31/2013
| Characteristics | Fund | Index |
|---|
| Number of Issues | 456 | | | Average Maturity | 6.28 | | | Weighted Average Duration | 3.6 | | | Annual Turnover (12/31/2012) | 92% | |
| Currency Distribution | Fund | Index |
|---|
| U S Dollars | 92.55% | 0.00% | | Canadian Dollar | 2.84% | 0.00% | | Mexican Peso | 2.01% | 0.00% | | Brazilian Real | 1.18% | 0.00% | | Japanese Yen | 1.01% | 0.00% | | Chilean Peso | 0.96% | 0.00% | | Uruguay Peso | 0.80% | 0.00% | | South African Rand | 0.65% | 0.00% | | South Korean Won | 0.65% | 0.00% | | Colombian Peso | 0.11% | 0.00% | | Peruvian New Sol | 0.08% | 0.00% | | Swiss Franc | 0.03% | 0.00% | | British Pound Sterling | -0.88% | 0.00% | | Euro | -2.00% | 0.00% |
| Duration Distribution | Fund | Index |
|---|
| Less than 1 Yr. | 20.07% | 0.00% | | 1 to 3 Yrs. | 8.62% | 0.00% | | 3 to 5 Yrs. | 17.40% | 0.00% | | 5 to 7 Yrs. | 17.00% | 0.00% | | 7 to 10 Yrs. | 8.07% | 0.00% | | 10 Yrs. or more | 9.05% | 0.00% | | Other | -2.68% | 0.00% | | Cash & Equiv | 22.47% | 0.00% |
Top Ten Holdings as of 3/31/2013 | % Assets |
|---|
| OFFSET-EURO-BUND FUTURE JUN13 | 3.4% | | OFFSET-EURO-OAT FUTURE JUN13 | 2.6% | | 2.5% | | OFFSET-US 10YR NOTE (CBT)JUN13 | 2.4% | | CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CAD | 2.3% | | CATERPILLAR FINANCIAL SE | 1.9% | | QUEENSLAND TREASURY CORP AUD | 1.4% | | MEXICAN BONOS M MXN | 1.2% | | OFFSET-US LONG BOND(CBT) JUN13 | 1.0% | | ENERGY FUTURE/EFIH FINAN 144A W/RTS | 0.9% | | Total | 19.6% | |
| Sector Distribution | Fund | Index |
|---|
| 0.00% | 0.00% | | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Country Distribution | Fund | Index |
|---|
| United States | 62.39% | 0.00% | | Canada | 4.70% | 0.00% | | United Kingdom | 4.00% | 0.00% | | Mexico | 3.71% | 0.00% | | Luxembourg | 3.69% | 0.00% | | Brazil | 2.94% | 0.00% | | Netherlands | 2.11% | 0.00% | | Spain | 1.92% | 0.00% | | Australia | 1.81% | 0.00% | | Other | 12.73% | 0.00% |
| Maturity Distribution | Fund | Index |
|---|
| Less than 1 Yr. | 6.65% | @ERROR% | | 1 to 3 Yrs. | 11.36% | @ERROR% | | 3 to 5 Yrs. | 16.13% | @ERROR% | | 5 to 7 Yrs. | 16.23% | @ERROR% | | 7 to 10 Yrs. | 18.33% | @ERROR% | | 10 Yrs. or more | 11.50% | @ERROR% | | Other | -2.68% | @ERROR% | | Cash & Equiv | 22.47% | @ERROR% |
| Credit Quality | Fund | Index |
|---|
| Govt/Agency | 0.24% | @ERROR% | | Aaa | 2.26% | @ERROR% | | Aa | 4.71% | @ERROR% | | A | 9.13% | @ERROR% | | Baa | 26.08% | @ERROR% | | Ba | 15.19% | @ERROR% | | B | 11.50% | @ERROR% | | Caa & Lower | 6.79% | @ERROR% | | Not Rated | -10.59% | @ERROR% | | Cash & Equiv | 34.69% | @ERROR% |
|
Credit Quality reflects the highest credit rating assigned to individual holdings of the fund among Moody's, S&P or Fitch ratings are subject to change. The Fund's shares are not rated by any rating agency and no credit rating for Fund shares is implied.
Cash & Equivalents reflects unsettled trades, fees and derivatives. Negative Cash & Equivalents reflect the market value of future trade commitments for the fund. In the Sector, Duration and Maturity distributions, the calculations are based on the specific traits of each security related to that distribution, which can result in variations of the Cash & Equivalents weightings.
Due to rounding, quality, maturity, sector, currency, country and duration totals may not equal 100.00%.