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Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type |
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Green Automotive Company Corporation (CE) | USOTC:GACR | OTCMarkets | Common Stock |
Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
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0.00 | 0.00% | 0.000001 | 0.00 | 01:00:00 |
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number | 811-4854 |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500, Lisle, IL 60532
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
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James W. Oberweis
The Oberweis Funds 3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500 Lisle, IL 60532 |
Copy to: James A. Arpaia
Vedder Price P.C. 222 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2600 Chicago, IL 60601 |
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (800) 323-6166
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2013
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
The Annual Report to Stockholders Follows.
A VISION FOR FUTURE GROWTH
ANNUAL REPORT
DECEMBER 31, 2013
| Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund |
| Oberweis Emerging Growth Fund |
| Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund |
| Oberweis China Opportunities Fund |
| Oberweis International Opportunities Fund |
| Oberweis Asia Opportunities Fund |
1-800-245-7311
www.oberweisfunds.com
Dear Fellow Oberweis Funds Shareholder:
Im pleased to report an extraordinary year for the Oberweis Funds in 2013, as every Fund beat its respective benchmark index. Among the international funds, International Opportunities gained 55.01%, China Opportunities gained 59.56%, and Asia Opportunities gained 11.95%. This compares to 23.32% for the MSCI World ex-US Small Cap Growth Index, 31.35% for the MSCI Zhong Hua Small Cap Growth Index, and 4.12% for the MSCI Asia Pacific ex-Japan Small Cap Growth Index, each Funds respective benchmark. Among the domestic funds, Small-Cap Opportunities gained 48.87%, Micro-Cap gained 64.88%, and Emerging Growth gained 56.71%. In the same period, the Russell 2000 Growth Index gained 43.30% and the Russell Micro-Cap Growth Index gained 52.84%. We are also pleased to note that the China Opportunities and International Opportunities Funds both finished the year ranked #1 by Morningstar for all share classes in their respective fund categories over trailing 1-year and 3-year periods. Over the trailing 5-year period, China Opportunities ranked #1 and International Opportunities ranked #7 in the same Morningstar categories.
The United States and Japan topped the charts in terms of major country total equity returns, as measured in local currency. Gains in Europe were amplified by currency appreciation, while the opposite was true in Japan. While Japanese equities advanced more than 50% for the year, the yen declined by over 20% relative to the U.S. dollar, spurred by the anti-deflationary policies of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In China, the Third Plenum was held in November, broadly (and without much detail) calling for more open, market-driven policies. Notably, while the stock market in China generally underperformed most other regions, the Oberweis China Opportunities Fund bucked the trend by profiting from investments in high-growth companies in ecommerce, smartphones, healthcare and clean energy. Clearly, divergence of returns across geographies, sectors, and specific companies meant that stock picking played a more important role in 2013 than in recent years past.
After a multi-year period of below-average valuations for equities, stock prices around the world have rebounded back to more normal levels. Skepticism appears less pervasive, although the euphoria typical at market tops is also not yet present. Currently, the S&P 500 trades for a P/E of 17.1x (or slightly higher than its 50-year average of 16.4x). Likewise, investor risk aversion has dropped markedly, as evidenced by investors dumping bonds in favor of stocks and real estate during the second half of 2013. According to the ICI, from June through December 31, 2013, bond funds experienced $176 billion in outflows while equity funds had $90 billion in inflows. Interestingly, of that $90 billion in equity inflows, 89% went to funds that primarily invest in non-U.S. equities, implying that a fair amount of skepticism regarding the U.S. economy and the U.S. stock market remains.
With the stock market price/earnings ratio back to a normal range and a resurgence of investor confidence in the market, one might expect the economy to be booming. This does not appear to be the case, or at least not yet. Unemployment remains at 6.7% and we estimate GDP growth of only 3.0% for 2014. The economy is doing better, but booming would be a dramatic overstatement. Many of the same macroeconomic risks that plagued equities in the past linger. Geopolitical gamesmanship continues with our friends in Iran, North Korea and to a lesser extent Russia. Congress continues to procrastinate in dealing with the deficit, even though it finally reached a budget agreement late in the year. In many states, pension costs continue to weigh on weary taxpayers, with our own home state of Illinois ranking as the poster child of fiscal irresponsibility. Additionally, the end of the Feds quantitative easing program threatens to put further upward pressure on interest rates.
Still, fundamentals are only a piece of the full picture. In the near term, the spigot of investor money flows into equities is clearly on in full force and is possibly accelerating. During the period January 2007 to June 2013, bond mutual funds experienced inflows of $1.3 trillion. Though the trend reversed in the second half of 2013, only 14% of the massive bond fund inflows since 2007
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have fled bonds and only a portion of that has flowed back into equities, suggesting that the equity inflow trend isnt over yet. Momentum is clearly on the side of the stock bulls, and such momentum alone has the potential to drive equities higher in 2014, irrespective of the fundamentals.
While stock valuations are more expensive than in recent years, money flows into equities may well support such valuations in the near-term, or even push them higher. If international equities continue to garner the lions share of mutual fund inflows, it would not surprise us to see international equities outperform U.S. stocks in 2014. Still, with valuations back to normal, the risk of unanticipated macroeconomic events disturbing the peace has risen markedly. Its one thing to buy stocks when the economy is bad and the end of the world is expected. Its quite another to jump in when investors anticipate smooth sailing and equities have been priced accordingly.
The average forward P/E ratio at the end of 2013 was 24.9 times for the Micro-Cap Fund (versus 16.3 last year), 25.3 times for the Emerging Growth Fund (versus 18.7), 20.1 times for the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund (versus 16.3), 19.0 times for the International Opportunities Fund (versus 10.9), 17.5 times for the China Opportunities Fund (versus 12.0), and 22.3 times for the Asia Opportunities Fund (versus 15.3). Remember, each of the Funds invests in companies with expected earnings growth rates substantially higher than that of the broader market. As of 12/31/13, the weighted average market capitalization was $533 million for Micro-Cap, $1.5 billion for Emerging Growth, $1.7 billion for Small-Cap Opportunities, $3.3 billion for International Opportunities, $4.6 billion for China Opportunities, and $6.0 billion for Asia Opportunities.
We appreciate your investment in The Oberweis Funds and invite you to visit our website at www.oberweisfunds.com. If you have any questions about your account, please contact shareholder services at (800) 245-7311. Thank you for investing with us in The Oberweis Funds.
Sincerely,
James W. Oberweis, CFA
President & Portfolio Manager
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We are pleased to report the following rankings, according to Morningstar, for the period ending December 31, 2013:
Oberweis International Opportunities Fund (OBIOX)
| One Year OBIOX ranked 1 st out of 144 Foreign Small/Mid Cap Growth funds for all share classes. |
| Three Year OBIOX ranked 1 st out of 121 Foreign Small/Mid Cap Growth funds for all share classes. |
| Five Year OBIOX ranked 7 th out of 89 Foreign Small/Mid Cap Growth funds for all share classes. |
Oberweis China Opportunities Fund (OBCHX)
| One Year OBCHX ranked 1 st out of 96 China Region funds for all share classes. |
| Three Year OBCHX ranked 1 st out of 71 China Region funds for all share classes. |
| Five Year OBCHX ranked 1 st out of 56 China Region funds for all share classes. |
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Global equities returned 27.49% in 2013, as measured by the MSCI World Index. Broadly, small-company stocks outperformed large company stocks. In the United States, small-company stocks outperformed large company stocks by 570 basis points, as measured by the respective returns of the Russell 2000 (+38.83%) and Russell 1000 (+33.13%) indices. Small-cap growth stocks outperformed small-cap value stocks, with the Russell 2000 Growth Index outperforming the Russell 2000 Value Index by 877 basis points. The United States and Japan were among the strongest returning countries, and emerging markets generally underperformed developed markets. Stock selection, sector selection, and country selection played a greater role in 2013 as equity market returns were more divergent and less correlated.
All of the Oberweis Funds significantly outperformed their benchmarks in 2013.
The International Opportunities Fund returned 55.01% versus 23.32% for the MSCI World ex-US Small Cap Growth Index. At the stock level, Kingsoft, Crooz, and Alcatel Lucent were among the top contributors to performance; NQ Mobile, Continental Gold, and CMIC Holdings were among the top detractors.
The China Opportunities Fund returned 59.56%. For comparison, the MSCI China Small-Cap Growth Index returned 24.26% and the MSCI Zhong Hua Small Cap Growth Index returned 31.35%. Vipshop Holdings, Kingsoft, and China Everbright International were among the top contributors; Chu Kong Petroleum, Honghua Group, and Luk Fook Holdings were among the top detractors.
The Oberweis Asia Opportunities Fund returned 11.95%. For comparison, the MSCI Asia ex-Japan Small Cap Growth Index returned 4.12%. Kingsoft, Bloomage Biotechnology, and Galaxy Entertainment were among the top contributors; Sino Thai Engineering, Honghua Group, and Chongkundang Holdings were among the top detractors.
The Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund returned 64.88%. Appreciation in the Funds healthcare and financial services holdings helped performance, while consumer discretionary was the greatest detractor to Fund performance. At the stock level, Medidata Solutions, BofI Holding, and NQ Mobile were among the top contributors to performance; Mistras Group, Francescas Holdings, and Guidance Software were among the top detractors.
The Emerging Growth Fund increased 56.71%. Appreciation in the Funds technology holdings helped performance. Medidata Solutions, Web.com Group, and 21Vianet Group were among the top contributors to performance; Francescas Holdings, Cirrus Logic, and Mistras Group were among the top detractors.
The Small-Cap Opportunities Fund increased 48.87%. Appreciation in the Funds producer durables holdings helped performance. At the stock level, NQ Mobile, Methode Electronics, and Medidata Solutions were among the top contributors to performance; Select Comfort, Biotelemetry, and Liquidity Services were among the top detractors.
The Russell 2000 Growth Index, which is the primary benchmark for the Small-Cap Opportunities and Emerging Growth Funds, returned 43.30%. The Russell Micro-Cap Growth Index, which is comparable to the Micro-Cap Fund, returned 52.84%.
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The portfolio turnover rates were 73% for the Micro-Cap Fund, 70% for the Emerging Growth Fund, 134% for the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, 140% for the China Opportunities Fund, 241% for the Asia Opportunities Fund, and 176% for the International Opportunities Fund. The net expense ratios of the six Funds were 1.86% for Micro-Cap, 1.53% for Emerging Growth, 2.00% for Small-Cap Opportunities, 2.07% for China Opportunities, 2.49% for Asia Opportunities, and 1.60% for International Opportunities.
For current performance information please visit www.oberweisfunds.com.
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Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund
At December 31, 2013
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Asset Allocation | |||||
Common Stocks | 96.7 | % | |||
Real Estate Investment Trust | 1.1 | % | |||
Other Assets in excess of Liabilities | 2.2 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Top Holdings | |||||
NQ Mobile, Inc. ADR | 5.8 | % | |||
Medidata Solutions, Inc. | 4.4 | % | |||
G-III Apparel Group Ltd. | 4.3 | % | |||
Gentium SpA | 3.2 | % | |||
Ring Energy, Inc. | 2.6 | % | |||
Callidus Software, Inc. | 2.6 | % | |||
United Insurance Hldgs. Corp. | 2.5 | % | |||
Barrett Business Services, Inc. | 2.4 | % | |||
Support.com, Inc. | 2.3 | % | |||
Ambarella, Inc. | 2.2 | % | |||
Other Holdings | 67.7 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Top Industries | |||||
Computer Services Software & Systems | 14.3 | % | |||
Semiconductors & Components | 8.8 | % | |||
Commercial Services | 5.8 | % | |||
Oil Crude Producer | 5.8 | % | |||
Computer Technology | 5.5 | % | |||
Pharmaceuticals | 5.0 | % | |||
Back Office Support | 4.5 | % | |||
Healthcare Services | 4.4 | % | |||
Textiles Apparel & Shoes | 4.3 | % | |||
Oil Well Equipment & Services | 4.2 | % | |||
Other Industries | 37.4 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
Oberweis Emerging Growth Fund
At December 31, 2013
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Asset Allocation | |||||
Common Stocks | 96.4 | % | |||
Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.6 | % | |||
Commercial Paper | 2.3 | % | |||
Other Assets in excess of Liabilities | 0.7 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Top Holdings | |||||
NQ Mobile, Inc. ADR | 4.4 | % | |||
Methode Electronics, Inc. | 4.0 | % | |||
Medidata Solutions, Inc. | 3.8 | % | |||
21Vianet Group, Inc. ADR | 3.7 | % | |||
Gulfport Energy Corp. | 3.4 | % | |||
Envestnet, Inc. | 2.9 | % | |||
InvenSense, Inc. | 2.8 | % | |||
G-III Apparel Group Ltd. | 2.7 | % | |||
WageWorks, Inc. | 2.5 | % | |||
Multimedia Games Hldg. Co., Inc. | 2.5 | % | |||
Other Holdings | 67.3 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Top Industries | |||||
Computer Services Software
& Systems |
15.4 | % | |||
Back Office Support | 8.4 | % | |||
Oil Crude Producer | 8.3 | % | |||
Electronics Components | 6.8 | % | |||
Computer Technology | 6.6 | % | |||
Commercial Services | 6.1 | % | |||
Textiles Apparel & Shoes | 6.0 | % | |||
Healthcare Services | 5.9 | % | |||
Diversified Retail | 3.1 | % | |||
Semiconductors & Components | 2.7 | % | |||
Other Industries | 30.7 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund
At December 31, 2013
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Asset Allocation | |||||
Common Stocks | 98.7 | % | |||
Real Estate Investment Trust | 1.1 | % | |||
Other Assets in excess of Liabilities | 0.2 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Top Holdings | |||||
Methode Electronics, Inc. | 4.4 | % | |||
NQ Mobile, Inc. ADR | 2.9 | % | |||
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. | 2.5 | % | |||
Encore Capital Group, Inc. | 2.4 | % | |||
21Vianet Group, Inc. ADR | 2.2 | % | |||
Cyberonics, Inc. | 2.1 | % | |||
Cardtronics, Inc. | 2.1 | % | |||
Ubiquiti Networks, Inc. | 2.0 | % | |||
InvenSense, Inc. | 1.9 | % | |||
Astronics Corp. | 1.8 | % | |||
Other Holdings | 75.7 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Top Industries | |||||
Computer Services Software
& Systems |
9.0 | % | |||
Medical & Dental Instruments
& Supplies |
6.7 | % | |||
Electronics Components | 6.4 | % | |||
Back Office Support | 6.1 | % | |||
Specialty Retail | 5.4 | % | |||
Healthcare Services | 4.9 | % | |||
Financial Data & Systems | 3.9 | % | |||
Computer Technology | 3.9 | % | |||
Oil Crude Producer | 3.7 | % | |||
Medical Equipment | 3.3 | % | |||
Other Industries | 46.7 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
Oberweis China Opportunities Fund
At December 31, 2013
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Asset Allocation | |||||
Common Stocks | 97.3 | % | |||
Commercial Paper | 3.6 | % | |||
Other Liabilities in excess of Assets | (0.9 | )% | |||
100.0 | % |
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Top Holdings | |||||
China Everbright International Ltd. | 4.5 | % | |||
NQ Mobile, Inc. ADR | 4.1 | % | |||
Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. | 4.1 | % | |||
Vipshop Hldgs. Ltd. ADR | 3.3 | % | |||
China State Construction International Hldgs. Ltd. | 3.1 | % | |||
Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. ADR | 3.0 | % | |||
Kingsoft Corp. Ltd. | 2.9 | % | |||
Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd. | 2.6 | % | |||
China Modern Dairy Hldgs. Ltd. | 2.6 | % | |||
SouFun Hldgs. Ltd. ADR | 2.5 | % | |||
Other Holdings | 67.3 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Top Industries | |||||
Internet Software & Services | 13.7 | % | |||
Hotels Restaurants & Leisure | 7.8 | % | |||
Software | 7.4 | % | |||
Construction & Engineering | 7.2 | % | |||
Food Products | 6.7 | % | |||
Household Durables | 5.5 | % | |||
Energy Equipment & Services | 4.7 | % | |||
Commercial Service & Supply | 4.5 | % | |||
Internet & Catalog Retail | 3.9 | % | |||
Electrical Equipment | 3.4 | % | |||
Other Industries | 35.2 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Oberweis International Opportunities Fund
At December 31, 2013
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Asset Allocation | |||||
Common Stocks | 92.6 | % | |||
Commercial Paper | 4.6 | % | |||
Other Assets in excess of Liabilities | 2.8 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Top Holdings | |||||
Seiko Epson Corp. | 3.1 | % | |||
Alcatel-Lucent | 3.1 | % | |||
Linamar Corp. | 2.6 | % | |||
Sihuan Pharmaceutical Hldgs. Group Ltd. | 2.5 | % | |||
Pandora A/S | 2.4 | % | |||
Blinkx PLC | 2.2 | % | |||
Badger Daylighting Ltd. | 2.1 | % | |||
China Gas Hldgs. Ltd. | 2.1 | % | |||
Minebea Co. Ltd. | 2.0 | % | |||
Monitise PLC | 2.0 | % | |||
Other Holdings | 75.9 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Top Industries | |||||
Auto Components | 6.8 | % | |||
Software | 4.8 | % | |||
Communications Equipment | 4.6 | % | |||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | 4.5 | % | |||
Machinery | 4.3 | % | |||
Energy Equipment & Services | 3.8 | % | |||
Internet Software & Services | 3.6 | % | |||
Media | 3.6 | % | |||
Commercial Service & Supply | 3.3 | % | |||
Computers & Peripherals | 3.1 | % | |||
Other Industries | 57.6 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
Oberweis Asia Opportunities Fund
At December 31, 2013
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Asset Allocation | |||||
Common Stocks | 97.1 | % | |||
Other Assets in excess of Liabilities | 2.9 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Top Holdings | |||||
NQ Mobile, Inc. ADR | 4.6 | % | |||
Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. | 3.7 | % | |||
Ezion Hldgs. Ltd. | 3.5 | % | |||
Kingsoft Corp. Ltd. | 3.5 | % | |||
China Modern Dairy Hldgs. Ltd. | 3.1 | % | |||
China State Construction International Hldgs. Ltd. | 3.0 | % | |||
Canadian Solar, Inc. | 3.0 | % | |||
Bloomage Biotechnology Corp. | 2.9 | % | |||
Hilong Hldg. Ltd. | 2.8 | % | |||
China Oilfield Services Ltd. | 2.6 | % | |||
Other Holdings | 67.3 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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Top Industries | |||||
Energy Equipment & Services | 10.4 | % | |||
Software | 9.3 | % | |||
Food Products | 8.3 | % | |||
Internet Software & Services | 7.5 | % | |||
Construction & Engineering | 6.5 | % | |||
Hotels Restaurants & Leisure | 5.6 | % | |||
Household Durables | 4.4 | % | |||
Automobiles | 4.0 | % | |||
Construction Materials | 3.8 | % | |||
Capital Markets | 3.4 | % | |||
Other Industries | 36.8 | % | |||
100.0 | % |
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One Year | Five Years | Ten Years | Since Inception 1/1/96 | Expense Ratio (2) | ||||||||||||||||
OBMCX | +64.88 | % | +23.60 | % | +5.75 | % | +10.29 | % | 1.86 | % | ||||||||||
Russell 2000 Growth | +43.30 | % | +22.58 | % | +9.41 | % | +6.79 | % | ||||||||||||
Russell Microcap Growth | +52.84 | % | +23.78 | % | +6.74 | % | N/A | (3) |
(1) | Performance data represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month by visiting www.oberweisfunds.com. Returns are historical and include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Oberweis Funds invest in rapidly growing smaller and medium sized companies, which may offer greater return potential. However, these investments often involve greater risks and volatility. There is no guarantee that the portfolios can achieve their objectives. |
The Russell 2000 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted earnings growth rates. The Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of 2000 companies with small-market capitalizations. The Russell indices are unmanaged and are not available for investment. The Russell Microcap Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell microcap companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell Microcap Growth Index is represented by the smallest 1,000 securities in the small cap Russell 2000 Index plus the next 1,000 securities.
(2) | Expense ratio is the total annual net fund operating expense ratio as of 12/31/13. The expense ratio gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursement was 1.87%. |
(3) | The Russell Microcap Growth Index began on July 3, 2000, and the line graph for the Index begins at the same value as the Fund on that date. |
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One Year | Five Years | Ten Years | Since Inception 1/7/87 | Expense Ratio (2) | ||||||||||||||||
OBEGX | +56.71 | % | +23.60 | % | +4.26 | % | +9.34 | % | 1.53 | % | ||||||||||
Russell 2000 Growth | +43.30 | % | +22.58 | % | +9.41 | % | +8.12 | % | ||||||||||||
Russell 2000 | +38.82 | % | +20.08 | % | +9.07 | % | +9.67 | % |
(1) | Performance data represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month by visiting www.oberweisfunds.com. Returns are historical and include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Oberweis Funds invest in rapidly growing smaller and medium sized companies, which may offer greater return potential. However, these investments often involve greater risks and volatility. There is no guarantee that the portfolios can achieve their objectives. |
The Russell 2000 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted earnings growth rates. The Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of 2000 companies with small-market capitalizations. The Russell indices are unmanaged and are not available for investment. A sales load of 4% was charged on the Oberweis Emerging Growth Fund until 12/31/91 and is not reflected in the total return figures or graph above.
(2) | Expense ratio is the total annual net fund operating expense ratio as of 12/31/13. The expense ratio gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursement was 1.53%. |
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One Year | Five Years | Ten Years | Since Inception 9/15/96 | Expense Ratio (2) | ||||||||||||||||
OBSOX | +48.87 | % | +26.46 | % | +6.86 | % | +6.89 | % | 2.00 | % | ||||||||||
Russell 2000 Growth | +43.30 | % | +22.58 | % | +9.41 | % | +6.60 | % | ||||||||||||
Russell 2000 | +38.82 | % | +20.08 | % | +9.07 | % | +8.79 | % |
(1) | Performance data represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month by visiting www.oberweisfunds.com. Returns are historical and include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Oberweis Funds invest in rapidly growing smaller and medium sized companies, which may offer greater return potential. However, these investments often involve greater risks and volatility. There is no guarantee that the portfolios can achieve their objectives. |
The Russell 2000 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted earnings growth rates. The Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of 2000 companies with small-market capitalizations. The Russell indices are unmanaged and are not available for investment.
(2) | Expense ratio is the total annual net fund operating expense ratio as of 12/31/13. The expense ratio gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursement was 2.39%. |
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One Year | Five Years |
Since
Inception 10/1/05 |
Expense Ratio (2) | |||||||||||||
OBCHX | +59.56 | % | +27.72 | % | +17.44 | % | 2.07 | % | ||||||||
MSCI China Small Cap Growth | +24.26 | % | +19.95 | % | +16.29 | % | ||||||||||
MSCI Zhong Hua Small Cap Growth | +31.35 | % | +23.93 | % | N/A | (3) |
(1) | Performance data represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month by visiting www.oberweisfunds.com. The principal value and investment return of an investment will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Oberweis Funds invest in rapidly growing smaller and medium sized companies, which may offer greater return potential. However, these investments often involve greater risks and volatility. Foreign and emerging market investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation and less public disclosure, as well as economic and political risk. There is no guarantee that the portfolios can achieve their objectives. |
The MSCI China Small Cap Growth Index is a free float adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the small cap growth equity market performance in China excluding A share classes, with minimum dividends reinvested net of withholding tax.
The MSCI Zhong Hua Small Cap Growth Index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of small cap stocks in the developed markets and emerging markets of China and Hong Kong excluding China A shares, with minimum dividends reinvested net of withholding tax.
(2) | Expense ratio is the total annual net fund operating expense ratio as of 12/31/13. The expense ratio gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursement was 2.07%. |
(3) | The MSCI Zhong Hua Small Cap Growth Index began on May 31, 2007, and the line graph for the Index begins at the same value as the Fund on that date. |
12
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
One Year | Five Years |
Since
Inception 2/1/07 |
Expense Ratio (2) | |||||||||||||
OBIOX | +55.01 | % | +29.91 | % | +11.03 | % | 1.60 | % | ||||||||
MSCI World ex-U.S. Small Cap Growth | +23.32 | % | +18.35 | % | +2.75 | % |
(1) | Performance data represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month by visiting www.oberweisfunds.com. The principal value and investment return of an investment will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Oberweis Funds invest in rapidly growing smaller and medium sized companies, which may offer greater return potential. However, these investments often involve greater risks and volatility. Foreign and emerging market investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation and less public disclosure, as well as economic and political risk. There is no guarantee that the portfolios can achieve their objectives. |
The MSCI World ex-US Small Cap Growth Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of small cap growth developed and emerging markets excluding the U.S., with minimum dividends reinvested net of withholding tax.
(2) | Expense ratio is the total annual net fund operating expense ratio as of 12/31/13. The expense ratio gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursement was 2.20%. |
13
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
One Year | Five Years |
Since
Inception 2/1/08 |
Expense Ratio (2) | |||||||||||||
OBAOX | +11.95 | % | +18.22 | % | -0.12 | % | 2.49 | % | ||||||||
MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex-Japan Small Cap Growth | +4.12 | % | +19.00 | % | +1.27 | % |
(1) | Performance data represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month by visiting www.oberweisfunds.com. The principal value and investment return of an investment will fluctuate so that your shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Oberweis Funds invest in rapidly growing smaller and medium sized companies, which may offer greater return potential. However, these investments often involve greater risks and volatility. Foreign and emerging market investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation and less public disclosure, as well as economic and political risk. There is no guarantee that the portfolios can achieve their objectives. |
The MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex-Japan Small Cap Growth Index is a free float adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of small cap growth developed and emerging markets in the Pacific region excluding Japan, with minimum dividends reinvested net of withholding tax.
(2) | Expense ratio is the total annual net fund operating expense ratio as of 12/31/13. The expense ratio gross of any fee waivers or expense reimbursement was 5.35%. |
14
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Equities 96.7%
|
||||||||
Auto Parts 1.5%
|
||||||||
Gentherm, Inc.* | 21,100 | $ | 565,691 | |||||
Back Office Support 4.5%
|
||||||||
Barrett Business Services, Inc. | 9,300 | 862,482 | ||||||
On Assignment, Inc.* | 21,900 | 764,748 | ||||||
1,627,230 | ||||||||
Banks Diversified 2.8%
|
||||||||
Bryn Mawr Bank Corp. | 12,300 | 371,214 | ||||||
Eagle Bancorp, Inc.* | 7,580 | 232,175 | ||||||
The Bancorp, Inc.* | 22,500 | 402,975 | ||||||
1,006,364 | ||||||||
Banks-Savings/Thrifts & Mortgage Lending 1.7%
|
||||||||
BOFI Hldg., Inc.* | 5,776 | 453,012 | ||||||
United Financial Bancorp, Inc. | 8,800 | 166,232 | ||||||
619,244 | ||||||||
Biotechnology 3.2%
|
||||||||
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.* | 12,600 | 662,760 | ||||||
Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.* | 53,000 | 498,200 | ||||||
1,160,960 | ||||||||
Building Materials 1.3%
|
||||||||
PGT, Inc.* | 46,100 | 466,532 | ||||||
Commercial Services 5.8%
|
||||||||
NQ Mobile, Inc. ADR* | 141,500 | 2,080,050 | ||||||
Communications 1.0%
|
||||||||
Procera Networks, Inc.* | 13,400 | 201,268 | ||||||
Westell Technologies, Inc.* | 42,700 | 172,935 | ||||||
374,203 | ||||||||
Computer Services Software & Systems 14.3%
|
||||||||
Attunity Ltd.* | 55,700 | 577,052 | ||||||
Callidus Software, Inc.* | 67,400 | 925,402 | ||||||
Datawatch Corp.* | 17,400 | 591,774 | ||||||
eGain Communications Corp.* | 74,400 | 761,856 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
15
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Perficient, Inc.* | 12,200 | $ | 285,724 | |||||
SciQuest, Inc.* | 8,300 | 236,384 | ||||||
Support.com, Inc.* | 216,300 | 819,777 | ||||||
Tangoe, Inc.* | 16,700 | 300,767 | ||||||
Web.com Group, Inc.* | 19,700 | 626,263 | ||||||
5,124,999 | ||||||||
Computer Technology 5.5%
|
||||||||
21Vianet Group, Inc. ADR* | 31,100 | 731,472 | ||||||
Immersion Corp.* | 35,800 | 371,604 | ||||||
Performance Technologies, Inc.* | 49,741 | 186,031 | ||||||
Silicom Ltd. | 13,900 | 635,508 | ||||||
Streamline Health Solutions, Inc.* | 8,700 | 60,726 | ||||||
1,985,341 | ||||||||
Consumer Lending 2.1%
|
||||||||
Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc.* | 79,200 | 743,688 | ||||||
Consumer Services Misc. 2.2%
|
||||||||
Stamps.com, Inc.* | 18,600 | 783,060 | ||||||
Education Services 1.2%
|
||||||||
HealthStream, Inc.* | 13,500 | 440,451 | ||||||
Electrical Scientific Instruments 0.9%
|
||||||||
TASER International, Inc.* | 21,000 | 333,480 | ||||||
Electronics Components 0.3%
|
||||||||
Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc.* | 14,800 | 107,892 | ||||||
Engineering & Contracting Services 1.2%
|
||||||||
Furmanite Corp.* | 41,400 | 439,668 | ||||||
Entertainment 1.2%
|
||||||||
Rentrak Corp.* | 10,800 | 409,212 | ||||||
Healthcare Services 4.4%
|
||||||||
Medidata Solutions, Inc.* | 26,100 | 1,579,102 | ||||||
Homebuilding 0.4%
|
||||||||
Comstock Hldg. Cos., Inc.* | 70,500 | 141,000 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
16
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Insurance Multi-Line 1.7%
|
||||||||
eHealth, Inc.* | 13,200 | $ | 613,668 | |||||
Insurance Property-Casualty 4.2%
|
||||||||
Federated National Hldg. Co. | 42,000 | 616,056 | ||||||
United Insurance Hldgs. Corp. | 62,900 | 885,632 | ||||||
1,501,688 | ||||||||
Medical & Dental Instruments & Supplies 3.7%
|
||||||||
Endologix, Inc.* | 30,800 | 537,152 | ||||||
MGC Diagnostics Corp.* | 43,101 | 545,659 | ||||||
Vascular Solutions, Inc.* | 9,800 | 226,870 | ||||||
1,309,681 | ||||||||
Oil Crude Producer 5.8%
|
||||||||
Callon Petroleum Co.* | 53,000 | 346,090 | ||||||
Evolution Petroleum Corp. | 41,600 | 513,344 | ||||||
Ring Energy, Inc.* | 76,000 | 927,200 | ||||||
Triangle Petroleum Corp.* | 33,000 | 274,560 | ||||||
2,061,194 | ||||||||
Oil Well Equipment & Services 4.2%
|
||||||||
Flotek Industries, Inc.* | 22,100 | 443,547 | ||||||
Matrix Service Co.* | 15,400 | 376,222 | ||||||
Mitcham Industries, Inc.* | 9,300 | 164,703 | ||||||
RigNet, Inc.* | 11,100 | 532,023 | ||||||
1,516,495 | ||||||||
Pharmaceuticals 5.0%
|
||||||||
Gentium S.p.A.* | 20,000 | 1,142,000 | ||||||
IGI Laboratories, Inc.* | 62,600 | 190,930 | ||||||
Lannett Co., Inc.* | 14,200 | 470,020 | ||||||
1,802,950 | ||||||||
Pollution Control 0.8%
|
||||||||
ADA-ES, Inc.* | 5,100 | 276,573 | ||||||
Producer Durables Misc. 0.2%
|
||||||||
MFRI, Inc.* | 5,800 | 83,230 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
17
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Semiconductors & Components 8.8%
|
||||||||
Ambarella, Inc.* | 23,300 | $ | 789,637 | |||||
MaxLinear, Inc.* | 32,600 | 340,018 | ||||||
Montage Technology Group Ltd.* | 25,000 | 407,750 | ||||||
Pixelworks, Inc.* | 148,000 | 713,360 | ||||||
QuickLogic Corp.* | 150,000 | 592,500 | ||||||
Silicon Image, Inc.* | 48,000 | 295,200 | ||||||
3,138,465 | ||||||||
Telecommunications Equipment 1.4%
|
||||||||
CalAmp Corp.* | 17,900 | 500,663 | ||||||
Textiles Apparel & Shoes 4.3%
|
||||||||
G-III Apparel Group Ltd.* | 21,000 | 1,553,076 | ||||||
Truckers 0.8%
|
||||||||
Roadrunner Transportation Systems, Inc.* | 10,900 | 293,755 | ||||||
Utilities Telecommunications 0.3%
|
||||||||
inContact, Inc.* | 13,500 | 105,435 | ||||||
Total Equities
|
||||||||
(Cost: $22,265,217) | $ | 34,745,040 | ||||||
Real Estate Investment Trust 1.1%
|
||||||||
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust | 17,000 | 390,320 | ||||||
Total Real Estate Investment Trust
|
||||||||
(Cost: $338,254) | $ | 390,320 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
18
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Total Investments 97.8%
|
||||||||
(Cost: $22,603,471) | $ | 35,135,360 | ||||||
Other Assets Less Liabilities 2.2% | 789,642 | |||||||
Net Assets 100% | $ | 35,925,002 |
Cost of investments is $22,619,362 for federal income tax purposes and net unrealized appreciation consists of:
|
|
|||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 12,934,114 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (418,116 | ) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 12,515,998 |
* | Non-income producing security during the year ended December 31, 2013 |
ADR American depositary receipt
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
19
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Equities 96.4%
|
||||||||
Asset Management & Custodian 0.3%
|
||||||||
Financial Engines, Inc. | 3,100 | $ | 215,388 | |||||
Auto Parts 1.7%
|
||||||||
Gentherm, Inc.* | 43,100 | 1,155,511 | ||||||
Back Office Support 8.4%
|
||||||||
MAXIMUS, Inc. | 16,800 | 739,032 | ||||||
On Assignment, Inc.* | 37,482 | 1,308,871 | ||||||
RPX Corp.* | 54,300 | 917,670 | ||||||
The Advisory Board Co.* | 18,600 | 1,184,262 | ||||||
WageWorks, Inc.* | 30,200 | 1,795,088 | ||||||
5,944,923 | ||||||||
Banks Diversified 1.0%
|
||||||||
The Bancorp, Inc.* | 39,300 | 703,863 | ||||||
Biotechnology 2.7%
|
||||||||
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.* | 27,000 | 1,420,200 | ||||||
Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.* | 27,600 | 487,968 | ||||||
1,908,168 | ||||||||
Casinos & Gambling 2.5%
|
||||||||
Multimedia Games Hldg. Co., Inc.* | 55,862 | 1,751,832 | ||||||
Commercial Services 6.1%
|
||||||||
500.com Ltd. ADR* | 32,800 | 1,160,136 | ||||||
NQ Mobile, Inc. ADR* | 211,900 | 3,114,930 | ||||||
4,275,066 | ||||||||
Communications 0.5%
|
||||||||
Procera Networks, Inc.* | 23,000 | 345,460 | ||||||
Computer Services Software & Systems 15.4%
|
||||||||
AVG Technologies N.V.* | 49,200 | 846,732 | ||||||
DealerTrack Hldgs., Inc.* | 25,000 | 1,202,000 | ||||||
eGain Corp.* | 60,200 | 616,448 | ||||||
Envestnet, Inc.* | 50,700 | 2,043,210 | ||||||
Fleetmatics Group PLC* | 20,300 | 877,975 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
20
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Infoblox, Inc.* | 14,100 | $ | 465,582 | |||||
Interactive Intelligence, Inc.* | 23,700 | 1,596,432 | ||||||
SciQuest, Inc.* | 15,600 | 444,288 | ||||||
Silver Springs Networks, Inc.* | 16,000 | 336,000 | ||||||
Support.com, Inc.* | 31,000 | 117,490 | ||||||
Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.* | 12,600 | 391,482 | ||||||
Tangoe, Inc.* | 35,100 | 632,151 | ||||||
Web.com Group, Inc.* | 40,700 | 1,293,853 | ||||||
10,863,643 | ||||||||
Computer Technology 6.6%
|
||||||||
21Vianet Group, Inc. ADR* | 111,500 | 2,622,480 | ||||||
Stratasys, Inc.* | 7,800 | 1,050,660 | ||||||
Synaptics, Inc.* | 19,100 | 989,571 | ||||||
4,662,711 | ||||||||
Consumer Services Misc. 2.0%
|
||||||||
51job, Inc. ADR* | 7,800 | 607,620 | ||||||
Stamps.com, Inc.* | 18,200 | 766,220 | ||||||
1,373,840 | ||||||||
Diversified Metals & Minerals 0.5%
|
||||||||
U.S. Silica Hldgs., Inc. | 10,700 | 364,977 | ||||||
Diversified Retail 3.1%
|
||||||||
Overstock.com, Inc.* | 31,100 | 957,569 | ||||||
Vipshop Hldgs. Ltd.* | 14,900 | 1,246,832 | ||||||
2,204,401 | ||||||||
Education Services 2.2%
|
||||||||
Grand Canyon Education, Inc.* | 27,500 | 1,199,000 | ||||||
HealthStream, Inc.* | 10,300 | 336,048 | ||||||
1,535,048 | ||||||||
Electronics 1.3%
|
||||||||
IPG Photonics Corp.* | 11,700 | 908,037 | ||||||
Electronics Components 6.8%
|
||||||||
InvenSense, Inc.* | 94,100 | 1,955,398 | ||||||
Methode Electronics, Inc. | 83,500 | 2,854,865 | ||||||
4,810,263 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
21
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Energy Equipment 1.0%
|
||||||||
SunPower Corp.* | 23,300 | $ | 694,573 | |||||
Healthcare Services 5.9%
|
||||||||
Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.* | 12,800 | 605,824 | ||||||
Medidata Solutions, Inc.* | 44,400 | 2,686,289 | ||||||
Omnicell, Inc.* | 34,300 | 875,679 | ||||||
4,167,792 | ||||||||
Homebuilding 1.0%
|
||||||||
Taylor Morrison Home Corp.* | 30,200 | 677,990 | ||||||
Insurance Multi-Line 1.3%
|
||||||||
eHealth, Inc.* | 20,000 | 929,800 | ||||||
Medical & Dental Instruments & Supplies 0.8%
|
||||||||
Endologix, Inc.* | 34,100 | 594,704 | ||||||
Medical Equipment 1.4%
|
||||||||
Cyberonics, Inc.* | 15,100 | 987,872 | ||||||
Oil Crude Producer 8.3%
|
||||||||
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc*. | 32,200 | 1,399,734 | ||||||
Diamondback Energy, Inc.* | 15,400 | 814,383 | ||||||
EPL Oil & Gas, Inc.* | 30,700 | 874,950 | ||||||
Gulfport Energy Corp.* | 38,500 | 2,430,505 | ||||||
Northern Oil & Gas, Inc.* | 19,900 | 299,893 | ||||||
5,819,465 | ||||||||
Pharmaceuticals 1.7%
|
||||||||
Lannett Co., Inc.* | 35,900 | 1,188,290 | ||||||
Recreational Vehicles & Boats 0.6%
|
||||||||
Winnebago Industries, Inc.* | 16,600 | 455,670 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
22
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Securities Brokerage & Services 0.5%
|
||||||||
FXCM, Inc. | 20,800 | $ | 371,072 | |||||
Semiconductors & Components 2.7%
|
||||||||
Ambarella, Inc.* | 39,600 | 1,342,044 | ||||||
Diodes, Inc.* | 24,200 | 570,152 | ||||||
1,912,196 | ||||||||
Specialty Retail 0.6%
|
||||||||
Zumiez, Inc.* | 16,600 | 431,600 | ||||||
Telecommunications Equipment 0.7%
|
||||||||
CalAmp Corp.* | 17,900 | 500,663 | ||||||
Textiles Apparel & Shoes 6.0%
|
||||||||
Apparel Hldg. Corp.* | 49,800 | 1,527,366 | ||||||
G-III Apparel Group Ltd.* | 25,400 | 1,878,482 | ||||||
Steven Madden Ltd.* | 21,750 | 795,833 | ||||||
4,201,681 | ||||||||
Truckers 1.3%
|
||||||||
Roadrunner Transportation Systems, Inc.* | 33,800 | 910,910 | ||||||
Utilities Telecommunications 1.5%
|
||||||||
8x8, Inc.* | 102,500 | 1,040,375 | ||||||
Total Equities
|
||||||||
(Cost: $44,240,523) | $ | 67,907,784 | ||||||
Real Estate Investment Trust 0.6%
|
||||||||
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust | 19,900 | 456,904 | ||||||
Total Real Estate Investment Trust
|
||||||||
(Cost: $443,676) | $ | 456,904 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
23
|
|
|
||||||
Face Amount | Value | |||||||
Commercial Paper 2.3%
|
||||||||
Prudential Financial 0.25% due 1/03/2014 | 1,600,000 | $ | 1,600,000 | |||||
Total Commercial Paper
|
||||||||
(Cost: $1,600,000) | $ | 1,600,000 | ||||||
Total Investments 99.3%
|
||||||||
(Cost: $46,284,199) | $ | 69,964,688 | ||||||
Other Assets Less Liabilities 0.7% | 527,957 | |||||||
Net Assets 100% | $ | 70,492,645 |
Cost of investments is $46,491,885 for federal income tax purposes and net unrealized appreciation consists of:
|
|
|||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 24,644,928 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (1,172,125 | ) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 23,472,803 |
* | Non-income producing security during the year ended December 31, 2013 |
ADR American depositary receipt
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
24
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Equities 98.7%
|
||||||||
Aerospace 3.1%
|
||||||||
Astronics Corp.* | 3,360 | $ | 171,360 | |||||
HEICO Corp. | 2,000 | 115,900 | ||||||
287,260 | ||||||||
Air Transporation 1.0%
|
||||||||
Spirit Airlines, Inc.* | 2,100 | 95,361 | ||||||
Auto Parts 3.0%
|
||||||||
Federal-Mogul Corp.* | 3,300 | 64,944 | ||||||
Gentex Corp.* | 3,400 | 112,132 | ||||||
Tower International, Inc.* | 4,900 | 104,860 | ||||||
281,936 | ||||||||
Back Office Support 6.1%
|
||||||||
Barrett Business Services, Inc. | 1,100 | 102,014 | ||||||
Huron Consulting Group, Inc.* | 2,000 | 125,340 | ||||||
Korn/Ferry International* | 5,100 | 133,212 | ||||||
On Assignment, Inc.* | 3,300 | 115,236 | ||||||
WageWorks, Inc.* | 1,600 | 95,104 | ||||||
570,906 | ||||||||
Banks Diversified 2.1%
|
||||||||
PrivateBancorp, Inc. | 3,700 | 107,041 | ||||||
Wintrust Financial Corp.* | 1,900 | 87,628 | ||||||
194,669 | ||||||||
Banks Savings/Thrifts & Mortgage Lending 0.8%
|
||||||||
BOFI Hldg., Inc.* | 1,000 | 78,430 | ||||||
Biotechnology 1.6%
|
||||||||
Albany Molecular Research, Inc.* | 5,700 | 57,456 | ||||||
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.* | 1,800 | 94,680 | ||||||
152,136 | ||||||||
Building Materials 0.8%
|
||||||||
PGT, Inc.* | 7,400 | 74,888 | ||||||
Commercial Services 2.9%
|
||||||||
NQ Mobile, Inc. ADR* | 18,800 | 276,360 | ||||||
Communications 3.0%
|
||||||||
Extreme Networks, Inc.* | 16,500 | 115,170 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
25
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
ShoreTel, Inc.* | 17,500 | $ | 162,400 | |||||
277,570 | ||||||||
Computer Services Software & Systems 9.0%
|
||||||||
CommVault Systems, Inc.* | 1,500 | 112,293 | ||||||
CSG Systems International, Inc. | 3,600 | 105,840 | ||||||
eGain Corp.* | 5,800 | 59,392 | ||||||
Lionbridge Technologies, Inc.* | 23,300 | 138,868 | ||||||
Responsys, Inc.* | 3,867 | 105,994 | ||||||
SS&C Technologies Hldgs., Inc.* | 2,900 | 128,354 | ||||||
Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.* | 2,300 | 71,461 | ||||||
Web.com Group, Inc.* | 3,800 | 120,802 | ||||||
843,004 | ||||||||
Computer Technology 3.9%
|
||||||||
21Vianet Group, Inc. ADR* | 8,600 | 202,272 | ||||||
Immersion Corp.* | 6,900 | 71,622 | ||||||
Synaptics, Inc.* | 1,700 | 88,077 | ||||||
361,971 | ||||||||
Consumer Lending 2.4%
|
||||||||
Encore Capital Group, Inc.* | 4,400 | 221,144 | ||||||
Consumer Services Misc. 1.5%
|
||||||||
Stamps.com, Inc.* | 3,316 | 139,604 | ||||||
Diversified Manufacturing Operations 1.5%
|
||||||||
ITT Corp. | 3,300 | 143,286 | ||||||
Electronics Components 6.4%
|
||||||||
InvenSense, Inc.* | 8,800 | 182,864 | ||||||
Methode Electronics, Inc. | 12,100 | 413,699 | ||||||
596,563 | ||||||||
Engineering & Contracting Services 1.3%
|
||||||||
Furmanite Corp.* | 11,100 | 117,882 | ||||||
Environmental Maintenance & Security Services 0.7%
|
||||||||
G&K Services, Inc. | 1,100 | 68,453 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
26
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Financial Data & Systems 3.9%
|
||||||||
Advent Software, Inc. | 4,800 | $ | 167,770 | |||||
Cardtronics, Inc.* | 4,500 | 195,525 | ||||||
363,295 | ||||||||
Foods 1.5%
|
||||||||
The Hain Celestial Group, Inc.* | 1,600 | 145,248 | ||||||
Healthcare Facilities 2.1%
|
||||||||
AmSurg Corp.* | 2,900 | 133,168 | ||||||
Universal Health Services, Inc. | 800 | 65,008 | ||||||
198,176 | ||||||||
Healthcare Services 4.9%
|
||||||||
AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.* | 9,600 | 141,120 | ||||||
BioTelemetry, Inc.* | 9,300 | 73,842 | ||||||
Medidata Solutions, Inc.* | 2,620 | 158,515 | ||||||
Omnicell, Inc.* | 3,500 | 89,355 | ||||||
462,832 | ||||||||
Machinery Construction & Handling 1.4%
|
||||||||
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. | 1,400 | 130,424 | ||||||
Medical & Dental Instruments & Supplies 6.7%
|
||||||||
Alere, Inc.* | 3,600 | 130,320 | ||||||
Align Technology, Inc.* | 2,400 | 137,136 | ||||||
Cantel Medical Corp. | 1,800 | 61,038 | ||||||
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.* | 5,200 | 81,848 | ||||||
MGC Diagnostics Corp.* | 6,900 | 87,354 | ||||||
NuVasive, Inc.* | 4,100 | 132,553 | ||||||
630,249 | ||||||||
Medical Equipment 3.3%
|
||||||||
Cyberonics, Inc.* | 3,000 | 196,266 | ||||||
DexCom, Inc.* | 3,300 | 116,853 | ||||||
313,119 | ||||||||
Oil Crude Producer 3.7%
|
||||||||
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.* | 2,000 | 86,940 | ||||||
Gulfport Energy Corp.* | 1,500 | 94,695 | ||||||
Ring Energy, Inc.* | 14,000 | 170,800 | ||||||
352,435 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
27
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Paper 1.5%
|
||||||||
KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp.* | 2,600 | $ | 145,236 | |||||
Railroad Equipment 2.9%
|
||||||||
Trinity Industries, Inc. | 3,000 | 163,560 | ||||||
Wabtec Corp. | 1,500 | 111,405 | ||||||
274,965 | ||||||||
Recreational Vehicles & Boats 1.4%
|
||||||||
Brunswick Corp. | 2,900 | 133,574 | ||||||
Restaurants 1.1%
|
||||||||
Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. | 2,100 | 101,220 | ||||||
Specialty Retail 5.4%
|
||||||||
Conns, Inc.* | 1,800 | 141,642 | ||||||
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. | 1,700 | 234,974 | ||||||
Penske Automotive Group, Inc. | 2,700 | 127,332 | ||||||
503,948 | ||||||||
Telecommunications Equipment 2.0%
|
||||||||
Ubiquiti Networks, Inc.* | 4,000 | 183,840 | ||||||
Textiles Apparel & Shoes 2.2%
|
||||||||
G-III Apparel Group Ltd.* | 1,400 | 103,538 | ||||||
Skechers USA, Inc.* | 3,100 | 102,703 | ||||||
206,241 | ||||||||
Truckers 2.0%
|
||||||||
Arkansas Best Corp.* | 2,600 | 87,568 | ||||||
Universal Truckload Services, Inc. | 3,300 | 100,683 | ||||||
188,251 | ||||||||
Wholesale & International Trade 1.6%
|
||||||||
CaesarStone Sdot-Yam Ltd. | 3,000 | 149,010 | ||||||
Total Equities
|
||||||||
(Cost: $6,688,973) | $ | 9,263,486 | ||||||
Real Estate Investment Trust 1.1%
|
||||||||
PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust | 4,600 | 105,616 | ||||||
Total Real Estate Investment Trust
|
||||||||
(Cost: $99,670) | $ | 105,616 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
28
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Total Investments 99.8%
|
||||||||
(Cost: $6,788,643) | $ | 9,369,102 | ||||||
Other Assets Less Liabilities 0.2% | 22,692 | |||||||
Net Assets 100% | $ | 9,391,794 |
Cost of investments is $6,804,370 for federal income tax purposes and net unrealized appreciation consists of:
|
|
|||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 2,656,731 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (91,999 | ) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 2,564,732 |
* | Non-income producing security during the year ended December 31, 2013 |
ADR American depositary receipt
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
29
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Equities 97.3%
|
||||||||
Auto Components 1.6%
|
||||||||
Xinyi Glass Hldg. Co. Ltd. | 3,500,000 | $ | 3,087,319 | |||||
Automobiles 2.6%
|
||||||||
Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd. | 950,000 | 5,243,542 | ||||||
Capital Markets 3.2%
|
||||||||
Haitong Securities Co. Ltd.* | 1,200,000 | 2,089,164 | ||||||
Noah Hldgs. Ltd. ADR | 238,400 | 4,291,200 | ||||||
6,380,364 | ||||||||
Chemicals 2.0%
|
||||||||
Bloomage Biotechnology Corp. | 1,800,000 | 3,992,623 | ||||||
Commercial Service & Supply 4.5%
|
||||||||
China Everbright International Ltd. | 6,650,000 | 8,901,771 | ||||||
Computers & Peripherals 0.4%
|
||||||||
Goldpac Group Ltd.* | 900,000 | 870,485 | ||||||
Construction & Engineering 7.2%
|
||||||||
China Machinery Engineering Corp. | 3,100,000 | 2,506,609 | ||||||
China Singyes Solar Technologies Hldgs. Ltd. | 2,600,000 | 2,615,323 | ||||||
China State Construction International Hldgs. Ltd. | 3,500,000 | 6,273,938 | ||||||
Sinopec Engineering Group Co. Ltd.* | 2,000,000 | 2,991,888 | ||||||
14,387,758 | ||||||||
Construction Materials 3.0%
|
||||||||
Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd.* | 1,000,000 | 3,707,620 | ||||||
China Resources Cement Hldgs. Ltd.* | 3,300,000 | 2,217,222 | ||||||
5,924,842 | ||||||||
Electrical Equipment 3.4%
|
||||||||
Boer Power Hldgs. Ltd. | 2,000,000 | 1,836,401 | ||||||
Trigiant Group Ltd. | 9,000,000 | 3,052,500 | ||||||
Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric Co. Ltd.* | 500,000 | 1,799,002 | ||||||
6,687,903 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
30
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Electronic Equipment & Instruments 1.8%
|
||||||||
PAX Global Technology Ltd.* | 6,500,000 | $ | 2,615,323 | |||||
Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd. | 880,000 | 855,680 | ||||||
3,471,003 | ||||||||
Energy Equipment & Services 4.7%
|
||||||||
China Oilfield Services Ltd.* | 1,000,000 | 3,101,505 | ||||||
Hilong Hldg. Ltd.* | 4,000,000 | 3,425,196 | ||||||
Jutal Offshore Oil Services Ltd. | 6,000,000 | 1,160,646 | ||||||
SPT Energy Group, Inc.* | 2,900,000 | 1,724,076 | ||||||
9,411,423 | ||||||||
Food Products 6.7%
|
||||||||
Biostime International Hldgs. Ltd. | 400,000 | 3,567,054 | ||||||
China Huishan Dairy Hldgs. Co. Ltd.* | 6,000,000 | 2,166,540 | ||||||
China Modern Dairy Hldgs. Ltd.* | 9,500,000 | 5,145,532 | ||||||
Yashili International Hldgs. Ltd. | 4,000,000 | 2,450,253 | ||||||
13,329,379 | ||||||||
Gas Utilities 2.4%
|
||||||||
China Gas Hldgs. Ltd. | 3,200,000 | 4,704,487 | ||||||
Healthcare Equipment & Supplies 0.9%
|
||||||||
PW Medtech Group Ltd.* | 4,000,000 | 1,831,242 | ||||||
Hotels Restaurants & Leisure 7.8%
|
||||||||
500.com Ltd. ADR* | 126,000 | 4,456,620 | ||||||
China Lodging Group, Ltd. ADR* | 100,000 | 3,046,000 | ||||||
Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.* | 900,000 | 8,072,295 | ||||||
15,574,915 | ||||||||
Household Durables 5.5%
|
||||||||
Haier Electronics Group Co. Ltd.* | 1,000,000 | 2,901,616 | ||||||
Hisense Kelon Electrical Hldgs. Co. Ltd.* | 1,400,000 | 2,119,599 | ||||||
Louis XIII Hldgs. Ltd.* | 400,000 | 402,873 | ||||||
Man Wah Hldgs. Ltd. | 2,100,000 | 3,287,724 | ||||||
Merry Electronics Co. Ltd.* | 380,000 | 2,218,531 | ||||||
10,930,343 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
31
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders 2.3%
|
||||||||
Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy Co. Ltd.* | 4,500,000 | $ | 2,361,915 | |||||
China WindPower Group Ltd.* | 10,000,000 | 799,556 | ||||||
Huaneng Renewables Corp. Ltd. | 3,000,000 | 1,439,201 | ||||||
4,600,672 | ||||||||
Internet & Catalog Retail 3.9%
|
||||||||
E-Commerce China Dangdang, Inc. ADR* | 100,000 | 955,000 | ||||||
Qunar Cayman Islands Ltd. ADR* | 12,600 | 334,278 | ||||||
Vipshop Hldgs. Ltd. ADR* | 77,400 | 6,476,832 | ||||||
7,766,110 | ||||||||
Internet Software & Services 13.7%
|
||||||||
21Vianet Group, Inc. ADR* | 200,000 | 4,704,000 | ||||||
Autohome, Inc. ADR* | 40,000 | 1,463,600 | ||||||
Bitauto Hldgs. Ltd. ADR* | 100,000 | 3,196,000 | ||||||
NetEase.com, Inc. ADR | 52,000 | 4,087,200 | ||||||
Qihoo 360 Technology Co. Ltd. ADR* | 72,000 | 5,907,600 | ||||||
SINA Corp.* | 38,000 | 3,201,500 | ||||||
Youku.com, Inc. ADR* | 40,000 | 1,212,000 | ||||||
YY, Inc. ADR* | 70,000 | 3,519,600 | ||||||
27,291,500 | ||||||||
Machinery 0.6%
|
||||||||
Ka Shui International Hldgs. Ltd. | 4,000,000 | 1,238,023 | ||||||
Metals & Mining 0.4%
|
||||||||
Angang Steel Co. Ltd.* | 1,200,000 | 891,377 | ||||||
Oil, Gas, & Consumable Fuels 0.3%
|
||||||||
Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.* | 250,000 | 440,401 | ||||||
Sinopec Kantons Hldgs. Ltd. | 200,000 | 222,328 | ||||||
662,729 | ||||||||
Paper & Forest Products 0.0%
|
||||||||
China Forestry Hldgs. Ltd. (a) * | 5,760,000 | | ||||||
Personal Products 0.1%
|
||||||||
Magic Hldgs. International Ltd. | 300,000 | 237,546 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
32
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Pharmaceuticals 3.0%
|
||||||||
Dawnrays Pharmaceutical Hldgs. Ltd. | 6,000,000 | $ | 3,814,658 | |||||
Lijun International Pharmaceutical Hldg. Co. Ltd. | 4,200,000 | 1,148,266 | ||||||
Shandong Luoxin Pharmacy Stock Co. Ltd. | 1,200,000 | 1,021,369 | ||||||
5,984,293 | ||||||||
Real Estate 2.5%
|
||||||||
SouFun Hldgs. Ltd. ADR* | 60,000 | 4,944,600 | ||||||
Real Estate Management & Development 1.9%
|
||||||||
CIFI Hldgs. Group Co. Ltd.* | 6,300,000 | 1,332,422 | ||||||
Country Garden Hldgs. Co. Ltd.* | 1,500,000 | 905,304 | ||||||
Sunac China Hldgs. Ltd.* | 2,650,000 | 1,589,118 | ||||||
3,826,844 | ||||||||
Semiconductor & Semiconductor Equipment 2.3%
|
||||||||
Canadian Solar, Inc.* | 130,000 | 3,876,600 | ||||||
Xinyi Solar Hldgs. Ltd.* | 3,000,000 | 619,011 | ||||||
4,495,611 | ||||||||
Software 7.4%
|
||||||||
China Mobile Games & Entertainment Group Ltd. ADR* | 30,550 | 770,777 | ||||||
Kingsoft Corp. Ltd. | 2,000,000 | 5,764,544 | ||||||
NQ Mobile, Inc. ADR* | 555,000 | 8,158,500 | ||||||
14,693,821 | ||||||||
Specialty Retail 1.2%
|
||||||||
Bonjour Hldgs. Ltd. | 4,800,000 | 1,046,129 | ||||||
Luk Fook Hldgs. (International) Ltd. | 350,000 | 1,331,519 | ||||||
2,377,648 | ||||||||
Total Equities
|
||||||||
(Cost: $135,752,046) | $ | 193,740,173 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
33
|
|
|
||||||
Face Amount | Value | |||||||
Commercial Paper 3.6%
|
||||||||
Prudential Financial 0.25% Due 1/03/2014 | 7,200,000 | $ | 7,200,000 | |||||
Total Commercial Paper
|
||||||||
(Cost: $7,200,000) | $ | 7,200,000 | ||||||
Total Investments 100.9%
|
||||||||
(Cost: $142,952,046) | $ | 200,940,173 | ||||||
Other Liabilities Less Assets (0.9%) | (1,730,792 | ) | ||||||
Net Assets 100% | $ | 199,209,381 |
Cost of investments is $143,651,318 for federal income tax purposes and net unrealized appreciation consists of:
|
|
|||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 62,434,572 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (5,145,717 | ) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 57,288,855 |
(a) | Certain securities were fair valued under the discretion of the Board of Trustees |
* | Non-income producing security during the year ended December 31, 2013 |
ADR American depositary receipt
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (As a Percentage of Net Assets)
|
|
|||
China (Includes the People's Republic of China and Hong Kong) | 96.2 | % | ||
Taiwan | 1.1 | % |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
34
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Equities 92.6%
|
||||||||
Canada 18.1%
|
||||||||
Air Canada* | 430,100 | $ | 3,000,133 | |||||
Avigilon Corp.* | 82,000 | 2,373,623 | ||||||
Badger Daylighting Ltd. | 43,900 | 3,522,993 | ||||||
Canadian Western Bank | 60,300 | 2,194,482 | ||||||
Constellation Software, Inc. | 13,800 | 2,922,773 | ||||||
DeeThree Exploration Ltd.* | 218,600 | 1,969,314 | ||||||
Ithaca Energy, Inc.* | 674,600 | 1,695,549 | ||||||
Linamar Corp. | 105,600 | 4,392,793 | ||||||
Mullen Group Ltd. | 91,800 | 2,453,358 | ||||||
Secure Energy Services, Inc. | 148,100 | 2,463,454 | ||||||
Stantec, Inc. | 49,600 | 3,075,079 | ||||||
30,063,551 | ||||||||
China 9.8%
|
||||||||
Biostime International Hldgs. Ltd. | 222,700 | 1,985,957 | ||||||
Bloomage Biotechnology Corp.* | 450,000 | 998,156 | ||||||
China Gas Hldgs. Ltd. | 2,350,000 | 3,454,857 | ||||||
China Modern Dairy Hldgs. Ltd.* | 4,086,000 | 2,213,120 | ||||||
HC International, Inc.* | 746,000 | 988,984 | ||||||
Sihuan Pharmaceutical Hldgs. Group Ltd. | 4,551,300 | 4,155,527 | ||||||
TCL Communication Technology Hldgs. Ltd.* | 2,463,000 | 2,515,631 | ||||||
16,312,232 | ||||||||
Denmark 4.2%
|
||||||||
GN Store Nord A/S | 79,400 | 1,951,313 | ||||||
Pandora A/S | 73,000 | 3,968,012 | ||||||
SimCorp A/S | 27,300 | 1,072,745 | ||||||
6,992,070 | ||||||||
Finland 3.3%
|
||||||||
Caverion Corp.* | 170,400 | 2,086,339 | ||||||
Cramo OYJ* | 69,200 | 1,464,500 | ||||||
Huhtamaki OYJ | 77,700 | 1,998,618 | ||||||
5,549,457 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
35
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
France 6.8%
|
||||||||
Alcatel-Lucent* | 1,136,100 | $ | 5,092,054 | |||||
Imerys SA* | 18,700 | 1,626,121 | ||||||
Plastic Omnium SA* | 76,400 | 2,133,608 | ||||||
Thales SA | 38,100 | 2,452,992 | ||||||
11,304,775 | ||||||||
Germany 3.6%
|
||||||||
Aurelius AG | 40,448 | 1,643,489 | ||||||
Duerr AG | 26,874 | 2,401,465 | ||||||
Freenet AG | 64,500 | 1,937,973 | ||||||
5,982,927 | ||||||||
Hong Kong 1.9%
|
||||||||
Hilong Hldg. Ltd.* | 1,689,000 | 1,446,289 | ||||||
Man Wah Hldgs. Ltd. | 1,112,000 | 1,740,928 | ||||||
3,187,217 | ||||||||
Ireland 2.2%
|
||||||||
ICON PLC* | 43,800 | 1,770,221 | ||||||
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC* | 73,850 | 1,814,501 | ||||||
3,584,722 | ||||||||
Italy 2.4%
|
||||||||
ERG SpA | 114,200 | 1,528,432 | ||||||
Yoox SpA* | 55,600 | 2,492,936 | ||||||
4,021,368 | ||||||||
Japan 20.0%
|
||||||||
Alpine Electronics, Inc.* | 159,300 | 2,232,361 | ||||||
CyberAgent, Inc.* | 67,500 | 2,749,489 | ||||||
Doutor Nichires Hldgs. Co. Ltd. | 70,100 | 1,169,492 | ||||||
Exedy Corp.* | 56,000 | 1,640,476 | ||||||
F@N Communications, Inc. | 82,400 | 2,451,774 | ||||||
GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.* | 71,300 | 2,836,486 | ||||||
Hitachi Capital Corp.* | 74,300 | 2,167,267 | ||||||
Kanamoto Co. Ltd. | 35,800 | 911,363 | ||||||
Minebea Co. Ltd.* | 461,000 | 3,377,470 | ||||||
Next Co. Ltd. | 88,500 | 940,208 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
36
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Seiko Epson Corp. | 194,300 | $ | 5,231,436 | |||||
Showa Corp. | 74,800 | 1,206,692 | ||||||
Takata Corp. | 66,600 | 1,910,886 | ||||||
TOTO Ltd.* | 196,000 | 3,108,782 | ||||||
ValueCommerce Co. Ltd. | 107,200 | 1,319,122 | ||||||
33,253,304 | ||||||||
Netherlands 1.3%
|
||||||||
USG People NV* | 160,100 | 2,133,786 | ||||||
Norway 2.2%
|
||||||||
DNO International ASA* | 577,400 | 2,310,904 | ||||||
Hexagon Composites ASA* | 265,200 | 1,415,805 | ||||||
3,726,709 | ||||||||
Spain 1.7%
|
||||||||
Gamesa Corp. Technologica SA* | 268,600 | 2,800,919 | ||||||
Sweden 2.6%
|
||||||||
Axis Communications AB* | 20,500 | 712,901 | ||||||
Hexpol AB | 13,800 | 1,034,608 | ||||||
Intrum Justitia AB* | 33,800 | 946,176 | ||||||
Unibet Group PLC* | 32,900 | 1,588,248 | ||||||
4,281,933 | ||||||||
Switzerland 2.5%
|
||||||||
Basilea Pharmaceutica AG* | 23,100 | 2,740,635 | ||||||
U-Blox AG* | 13,700 | 1,477,214 | ||||||
4,217,849 | ||||||||
United Kingdom 10.0%
|
||||||||
ASOS PLC* | 25,700 | 2,606,173 | ||||||
Babcock International Group PLC | 107,100 | 2,403,055 | ||||||
Blinkx PLC* | 1,060,700 | 3,605,045 | ||||||
Britvic PLC | 261,100 | 2,994,068 | ||||||
Micro Focus International PLC | 60,570 | 770,289 | ||||||
Monitise PLC* | 2,942,000 | 3,264,017 | ||||||
Telecom Plus PLC | 37,000 | 1,084,451 | ||||||
16,727,098 | ||||||||
Total Equities
|
||||||||
(Cost: $133,373,205) | $ | 154,139,917 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
37
|
|
|
||||||
Face Amount | Value | |||||||
Commercial Paper 4.6%
|
||||||||
Prudential Financial 0.25% Due 01/06/2014 | 7,700,000 | $ | 7,700,000 | |||||
Total Commercial Paper
|
||||||||
(Cost: $7,700,000) | $ | 7,700,000 | ||||||
Total Investments 97.2%
|
||||||||
(Cost: $141,073,205) | $ | 161,839,917 | ||||||
Other Assets Less Liabilities 2.8% | 4,646,870 | |||||||
Net Assets 100% | $ | 166,486,787 |
Cost of investments is $141,455,105 for federal income tax purposes and net unrealized appreciation consists of:
|
|
|||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 21,216,799 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (831,987 | ) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 20,384,812 |
* | Non-income producing security during the year ended December 31, 2013 |
ADR American depositary receipt
SECTOR ALLOCATIONS (As a percentage of Net Assets)
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
Consumer Discretionary | 19.9 | % | ||
Consumer Staples | 4.3 | % | ||
Energy | 8.3 | % | ||
Financials | 3.6 | % | ||
Health Care | 6.4 | % |
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
Industrials | 21.1 | % | ||
Information Technology | 20.6 | % | ||
Materials | 4.5 | % | ||
Telecommunications Service | 1.2 | % | ||
Utilities | 2.7 | % |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
38
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Equities 97.1%
|
||||||||
Australia 0.9%
|
||||||||
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.* | 10,000 | $ | 51,964 | |||||
China 62.2%
|
||||||||
21Vianet Group, Inc. ADR* | 2,500 | 58,800 | ||||||
500.com Ltd. ADR* | 2,000 | 70,740 | ||||||
Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd.* | 36,000 | 133,474 | ||||||
Baidu.com, Inc. ADR* | 300 | 53,364 | ||||||
Beijing Jingneng Clean Energy Co. Ltd.* | 220,000 | 115,471 | ||||||
Biostime International Hldgs. Ltd. | 6,000 | 53,506 | ||||||
Bitauto Hldgs. Ltd. ADR* | 1,300 | 41,548 | ||||||
Bloomage Biotechnology Corp. | 80,000 | 177,450 | ||||||
Canadian Solar, Inc.* | 6,000 | 178,920 | ||||||
China Everbright International Ltd.* | 50,000 | 66,931 | ||||||
China Gas Hldgs. Ltd. | 80,000 | 117,612 | ||||||
China Huishan Dairy Hldgs. Co. Ltd.* | 280,000 | 101,105 | ||||||
China Mobile Games & Entertainment Group Ltd. ADR* | 1,300 | 32,799 | ||||||
China Modern Dairy Hldgs. Ltd.* | 340,000 | 184,156 | ||||||
China Oilfield Services Ltd.* | 51,000 | 158,177 | ||||||
China Resources Cement Hldgs. Ltd.* | 100,000 | 67,188 | ||||||
China Singyes Solar Technologies Hldgs. Ltd. | 130,000 | 130,766 | ||||||
China State Construction International Hldgs. Ltd. | 100,000 | 179,255 | ||||||
CIFI Hldgs. Group Co. Ltd.* | 200,000 | 42,299 | ||||||
Dawnrays Pharmaceutical Hldgs. Ltd.* | 132,000 | 83,922 | ||||||
E-Commerce China Dangdang, Inc. ADR* | 5,000 | 47,750 | ||||||
Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd. | 25,000 | 137,988 | ||||||
Haier Electronics Group Co. Ltd.* | 38,000 | 110,261 | ||||||
Haitong Securities Co. Ltd.* | 40,000 | 69,639 | ||||||
Kingsoft Corp. Ltd. | 73,000 | 210,406 | ||||||
Noah Hldgs. Ltd. ADR* | 7,400 | 133,200 | ||||||
NQ Mobile, Inc. ADR* | 19,000 | 279,300 | ||||||
PW Medtech Group Ltd.* | 100,000 | 45,781 | ||||||
SINA Corp.* | 1,700 | 143,225 | ||||||
SouFun Hldgs. Ltd. ADR* | 1,650 | 135,976 | ||||||
Sunac China Hldgs. Ltd.* | 100,000 | 59,967 | ||||||
Trigiant Group Ltd. | 300,000 | 101,750 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
39
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Yashili International Hldgs. Ltd.* | 160,000 | $ | 98,010 | |||||
YY, Inc. ADR* | 2,500 | 125,700 | ||||||
3,746,436 | ||||||||
Hong Kong 15.4%
|
||||||||
Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.* | 25,000 | 224,230 | ||||||
Hilong Hldg. Ltd.* | 200,000 | 171,260 | ||||||
Luk Fook Hldgs. (International) Ltd. | 10,000 | 38,043 | ||||||
Man Wah Hldgs. Ltd. | 100,000 | 156,558 | ||||||
PAX Global Technology Ltd.* | 300,000 | 120,707 | ||||||
SPT Energy Group, Inc.* | 150,000 | 89,176 | ||||||
Xinyi Glass Hldg. Co. Ltd. | 120,000 | 105,851 | ||||||
Xinyi Solar Hldgs. Ltd.* | 100,000 | 20,634 | ||||||
926,459 | ||||||||
India 2.9%
|
||||||||
Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.* | 2,800 | 17,781 | ||||||
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.* | 4,500 | 38,838 | ||||||
Ipca Laboratories Ltd. | 5,000 | 58,552 | ||||||
McLeod Russel (India) Ltd. | 12,000 | 62,391 | ||||||
177,562 | ||||||||
Indonesia 0.2%
|
||||||||
PT Wijaya Karya Persero TBK | 100,000 | 13,024 | ||||||
Japan 6.9%
|
||||||||
Alps Electric Co. Ltd.* | 3,500 | 39,847 | ||||||
F@N Communications, Inc. | 1,000 | 29,755 | ||||||
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. | 3,500 | 100,586 | ||||||
GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.* | 2,000 | 79,565 | ||||||
Minebea Co. Ltd.* | 7,000 | 51,285 | ||||||
Ship Healthcare Hldgs., Inc.* | 1,300 | 50,481 | ||||||
Taiheiyo Cement Corp.* | 8,000 | 30,766 | ||||||
ZIGExN Co. Ltd.* | 2,000 | 36,160 | ||||||
418,445 | ||||||||
Philippines 0.4%
|
||||||||
Puregold Price Club, Inc. | 30,000 | 25,676 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
40
|
|
|
||||||
Shares | Value | |||||||
Singapore 4.7%
|
||||||||
Ezion Hldgs. Ltd. | 120,000 | $ | 211,094 | |||||
Yoma Strategic Hldgs. Ltd. | 120,000 | 71,315 | ||||||
282,409 | ||||||||
South Korea 3.5%
|
||||||||
Kolao Hldgs.* | 2,438 | 62,610 | ||||||
Medy-Tox, Inc. | 200 | 32,231 | ||||||
NCsoft Corp.* | 150 | 35,395 | ||||||
Paradise Co. Ltd.* | 1,800 | 45,152 | ||||||
Samchuly Bicycle Co. Ltd.* | 1,800 | 33,084 | ||||||
208,472 | ||||||||
Total Equities
|
||||||||
(Cost: $4,741,820) | $ | 5,850,447 | ||||||
Total Investments 97.1%
|
||||||||
(Cost: $4,741,820) | $ | 5,850,447 | ||||||
Other Assets Less Liabilities 2.9% | 176,092 | |||||||
Net Assets 100% | $ | 6,026,539 |
Cost of investments is $4,776,746 for federal income tax purposes and net unrealized appreciation consists of:
|
|
|||
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 1,172,843 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (99,142 | ) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 1,073,701 |
* | Non-income producing security during the year ended December 31, 2013 |
ADR American depositary receipt
SECTOR ALLOCATIONS (As a percentage of Net Assets)
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
Consumer Discretionary | 19.4 | % | ||
Consumer Staples | 8.7 | % | ||
Energy | 10.4 | % | ||
Financials | 7.3 | % | ||
Health Care | 5.4 | % | ||
Industrials | 10.2 | % | ||
Information Technology | 24.1 | % | ||
Materials | 7.7 | % | ||
Utilities | 3.9 | % |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
41
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Micro-Cap
Fund |
Emerging
Growth Fund |
Small-Cap
Opportunities Fund |
||||||||||
Assets:
|
||||||||||||
Investment securities at value (a) | $ | 35,135,360 | $ | 69,964,688 | $ | 9,369,102 | ||||||
Cash | 1,038,083 | | 31,988 | |||||||||
Receivable from fund shares sold | 309,376 | 66,327 | | |||||||||
Receivable from securities sold | | 627,491 | | |||||||||
Dividends and interest receivable | | 1,548 | 820 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses | 14,632 | 13,480 | 8,257 | |||||||||
Total Assets | 36,497,451 | 70,673,534 | 9,410,167 | |||||||||
Liabilities:
|
||||||||||||
Payable to custodian bank | | 59,875 | | |||||||||
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 3,477 | 10,170 | 3 | |||||||||
Payable for securities purchased | 508,229 | | | |||||||||
Payable to advisor (see note 2) | 31,896 | 47,616 | 5,220 | |||||||||
Payable to distributor | 6,953 | 14,216 | 1,942 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses | 21,894 | 49,012 | 11,208 | |||||||||
Total Liabilities | 572,449 | 180,889 | 18,373 | |||||||||
Net Assets | $ | 35,925,002 | $ | 70,492,645 | $ | 9,391,794 | ||||||
Shares Outstanding:
|
||||||||||||
(shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding, respectively, unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value) | 1,791,812 | 2,286,054 | 551,202 | |||||||||
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price | $ | 20.05 | $ | 30.84 | $ | 17.04 | ||||||
Analysis of net assets:
|
||||||||||||
Capital | $ | 25,203,352 | $ | 52,530,178 | $ | 6,253,254 | ||||||
Accumulated net investment loss | (311,650 | ) | (844,266 | ) | (94,308 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated net realized gains (losses) on investments | (1,498,589 | ) | (4,873,756 | ) | 652,388 | |||||||
Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments | 12,531,889 | 23,680,489 | 2,580,460 | |||||||||
Net Assets | $ | 35,925,002 | $ | 70,492,645 | $ | 9,391,794 | ||||||
(a) Investment securities at cost | $ | 22,603,471 | $ | 46,284,199 | $ | 6,788,643 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
42
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
China
Opportunities Fund |
International
Opportunities Fund |
Asia
Opportunities Fund |
||||||||||
Assets:
|
||||||||||||
Investment securities at value (a) | $ | 200,940,173 | $ | 161,839,917 | $ | 5,850,447 | ||||||
Cash | 1,182,405 | 11,294,403 | 245,175 | |||||||||
Cash denominated in foreign currency | 799,139 | 339,073 | | |||||||||
Receivable from fund shares sold | 541,804 | 4,408,972 | 20,000 | |||||||||
Receivable from securities sold | 564,287 | 243,535 | 49,107 | |||||||||
Receivable-related party (see note 2) | | | 9,950 | |||||||||
Dividends and interest receivable | 4,681 | 141,433 | 372 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses | 33,987 | 25,671 | 6,880 | |||||||||
Total Assets | 204,066,476 | 178,293,004 | 6,181,931 | |||||||||
Liabilities:
|
||||||||||||
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 169,008 | 153,983 | 31,160 | |||||||||
Payable for securities purchased | 4,309,043 | 11,475,830 | 104,934 | |||||||||
Payable to advisor (see note 2) | 202,450 | 77,022 | | |||||||||
Payable to distributor | 40,490 | 29,598 | 1,255 | |||||||||
Accrued expenses | 136,104 | 69,784 | 18,043 | |||||||||
Total Liabilities | 4,857,095 | 11,806,217 | 155,392 | |||||||||
Net Assets | $ | 199,209,381 | $ | 166,486,787 | $ | 6,026,539 | ||||||
Shares Outstanding:
|
||||||||||||
(shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding, respectively, unlimited number of shares authorized with no par value) | 11,838,885 | 8,558,617 | 607,010 | |||||||||
Net asset value, offering price and redemption price | $ | 16.83 | $ | 19.45 | $ | 9.93 | ||||||
Analysis of net assets:
|
||||||||||||
Capital | $ | 135,547,063 | $ | 146,338,857 | $ | 6,971,405 | ||||||
Accumulated net investment loss | (2,627,279 | ) | (810,052 | ) | (95,828 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated net realized gains (losses) on investments and foreign currency transactions | 8,307,687 | 193,729 | (1,957,630 | ) | ||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | 57,981,910 | 20,764,253 | 1,108,592 | |||||||||
Net Assets | $ | 199,209,381 | $ | 166,486,787 | $ | 6,026,539 | ||||||
(a) Investment securities at cost | $ | 142,952,046 | $ | 141,073,205 | $ | 4,741,820 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
43
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Micro-Cap
Fund |
Emerging
Growth Fund |
Small-Cap
Opportunities Fund |
||||||||||
Investment Income:
|
||||||||||||
Interest | $ | 46,438 | $ | 1,933 | $ | | ||||||
Dividends (a) | 97,107 | 108,219 | 65,971 | |||||||||
Total Income | 143,545 | 110,152 | 65,971 | |||||||||
Expenses:
|
||||||||||||
Investment advisory fees (see note 2) | 146,493 | 275,071 | 32,056 | |||||||||
Management fees (see note 2) | 97,662 | 250,071 | 32,056 | |||||||||
Distribution fees and shareholder services (see note 2) | 61,039 | 156,294 | 20,035 | |||||||||
Transfer agent fees and expenses | 44,881 | 97,577 | 27,286 | |||||||||
Custodian fees and expenses | 51,714 | 63,684 | 48,643 | |||||||||
Federal and state registration fees | 19,566 | 21,031 | 19,256 | |||||||||
Other | 34,149 | 91,031 | 11,838 | |||||||||
Total expenses before reimbursed expenses | 455,504 | 954,759 | 191,170 | |||||||||
Earnings credit (see note 5) | 309 | 341 | 45 | |||||||||
Expense reimbursement (see note 2) | | | 30,846 | |||||||||
Total Expenses | 455,195 | 954,418 | 160,279 | |||||||||
Net Investment Loss | (311,650 | ) | (844,266 | ) | (94,308 | ) | ||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Investments:
|
||||||||||||
Net realized gains on investment transactions | 4,441,107 | 14,591,033 | 1,535,369 | |||||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 8,207,555 | 13,838,275 | 1,772,521 | |||||||||
Net realized/unrealized gains on investments | 12,648,662 | 28,429,308 | 3,307,890 | |||||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 12,337,012 | $ | 27,585,042 | $ | 3,213,582 |
(a) | Dividends are net of foreign withholding tax of $2,242, $1,116 and $261 for the Micro-Cap Fund, Emerging Growth Fund, and Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, respectively |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
44
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
China
Opportunities Fund |
International
Opportunities Fund |
Asia
Opportunities Fund |
||||||||||
Investment Income:
|
||||||||||||
Interest | $ | 17,128 | $ | 6,111 | $ | | ||||||
Dividends (a) | 2,156,051 | 928,026 | 64,875 | |||||||||
Total Income | 2,173,179 | 934,137 | 64,875 | |||||||||
Expenses:
|
||||||||||||
Investment advisory fees (see note 2) | 1,840,994 | 765,221 | 73,432 | |||||||||
Distribution fees and shareholder services (see note 2) | 368,199 | 153,044 | 14,686 | |||||||||
Transfer agent fees and expenses | 273,199 | 110,087 | 26,845 | |||||||||
Custodian fees and expenses | 339,854 | 227,951 | 169,555 | |||||||||
Federal and state registration fees | 23,341 | 20,183 | 20,400 | |||||||||
Other | 204,276 | 71,095 | 9,330 | |||||||||
Total expenses before reimbursed expenses | 3,049,863 | 1,347,581 | 314,248 | |||||||||
Earnings credit (see note 5) | 963 | 1,596 | 142 | |||||||||
Expense reimbursement (see note 2) | | 366,503 | 167,830 | |||||||||
Total Expenses | 3,048,900 | 979,482 | 146,276 | |||||||||
Net Investment Loss | (875,721 | ) | (45,345 | ) | (81,401 | ) | ||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Investments:
|
||||||||||||
Net realized gains on investment transactions | 33,619,555 | 8,187,681 | 860,332 | |||||||||
Net realized losses on foreign currency transactions | (15,578 | ) | (7,446 | ) | (24,273 | ) | ||||||
Net realized gains on investments and foreign currency transactions | 33,603,977 | 8,180,235 | 836,059 | |||||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | 36,110,854 | 18,085,438 | (75,254 | ) | ||||||||
Net realized/unrealized gains on investments and foreign currencies | 69,714,831 | 26,265,673 | 760,805 | |||||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 68,839,110 | $ | 26,220,328 | $ | 679,404 |
(a) | Dividends are net of foreign withholding tax of $18,349, $88,305, and $3,757 for the China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund and Asia Opportunities Fund, respectively. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
45
|
|
|
||||||
Micro-Cap Fund | ||||||||
Year Ended December 31, 2013 | Year Ended December 31, 2012 | |||||||
From Operations:
|
||||||||
Net investment loss | $ | (311,650 | ) | $ | (270,778 | ) | ||
Net realized gains on investment transactions | 4,441,107 | 900,558 | ||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 8,207,555 | 1,085,955 | ||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 12,337,012 | 1,715,735 | ||||||
From Capital Share Transactions:
|
||||||||
Proceeds from sale of shares | 8,737,114 | 472,083 | ||||||
Redemption of shares | (4,702,952 | ) | (3,783,040 | ) | ||||
Redemption fees | 8,411 | 216 | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions | 4,042,573 | (3,310,741 | ) | |||||
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | 16,379,585 | (1,595,006 | ) | |||||
Net Assets:
|
||||||||
Beginning of year | 19,545,417 | 21,140,423 | ||||||
End of year | $ | 35,925,002 | $ | 19,545,417 | ||||
Accumulated Net Investment Loss | $ | (311,650 | ) | $ | (270,772 | ) | ||
Transactions in Shares:
|
||||||||
Shares sold | 483,738 | 39,642 | ||||||
Less shares redeemed | (298,742 | ) | (320,093 | ) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions | 184,996 | (280,451 | ) |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
46
|
|
|
||||||
Emerging Growth Fund | ||||||||
Year Ended
December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
From Operations:
|
||||||||
Net investment loss | $ | (844,266 | ) | $ | (881,599 | ) | ||
Net realized gains on investment transactions | 14,591,033 | 1,129,380 | ||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 13,838,275 | 4,600,034 | ||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 27,585,042 | 4,847,815 | ||||||
From Capital Share Transactions:
|
||||||||
Proceeds from sale of shares | 17,771,161 | 5,067,881 | ||||||
Redemption of shares | (33,321,660 | ) | (11,612,566 | ) | ||||
Redemption fees | 13,986 | 192 | ||||||
Net decrease from capital share transactions | (15,536,513 | ) | (6,544,493 | ) | ||||
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | 12,048,529 | (1,696,678 | ) | |||||
Net Assets:
|
||||||||
Beginning of year | 58,444,116 | 60,140,794 | ||||||
End of year | $ | 70,492,645 | $ | 58,444,116 | ||||
Accumulated Net Investment Loss | $ | (844,266 | ) | $ | (881,582 | ) | ||
Transactions in Shares:
|
||||||||
Shares sold | 659,473 | 257,078 | ||||||
Less shares redeemed | (1,342,854 | ) | (590,066 | ) | ||||
Net decrease from capital share transactions | (683,381 | ) | (332,988 | ) |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
47
|
|
|
||||||
Small-Cap Opportunities Fund | ||||||||
Year Ended
December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
From Operations:
|
||||||||
Net investment loss | $ | (94,308 | ) | $ | (126,209 | ) | ||
Net realized gains on investment transactions | 1,535,369 | 599,015 | ||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 1,772,521 | 151,099 | ||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 3,213,582 | 623,905 | ||||||
From Distributions:
|
||||||||
Distributions from net realized gains on investments | (491,648 | ) | | |||||
Net decrease in net assets from distributions | (491,648 | ) | | |||||
From Capital Share Transactions:
|
||||||||
Proceeds from sale of shares | 414,027 | 309,070 | ||||||
Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions | 409,574 | | ||||||
Redemption of shares | (1,451,505 | ) | (1,214,701 | ) | ||||
Redemption fees | 55 | 31 | ||||||
Net decrease from capital share transactions | (627,849 | ) | (905,600 | ) | ||||
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | 2,094,085 | (281,695 | ) | |||||
Net Assets:
|
||||||||
Beginning of year | 7,297,709 | 7,579,404 | ||||||
End of year | $ | 9,391,794 | $ | 7,297,709 | ||||
Accumulated Net Investment Loss | $ | (94,308 | ) | $ | (126,206 | ) | ||
Transactions in Shares:
|
||||||||
Shares sold | 27,214 | 25,517 | ||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | 24,322 | | ||||||
Less shares redeemed | (104,591 | ) | (100,251 | ) | ||||
Net decrease from capital share transactions | (53,055 | ) | (74,734 | ) |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
48
|
|
|
||||||
China Opportunities Fund | ||||||||
Year Ended
December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
From Operations:
|
||||||||
Net investment loss | $ | (875,721 | ) | $ | (192,842 | ) | ||
Net realized gains (losses) on investments and foreign currency transactions | 33,603,977 | (11,791,400 | ) | |||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currencies | 36,110,854 | 41,669,555 | ||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 68,839,110 | 29,685,313 | ||||||
From Dividends and Distributions:
|
||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (1,645,577 | ) | | |||||
Distributions from net realized gains on investments | (8,453,304 | ) | | |||||
Net decrease in net assets from distributions | (10,098,881 | ) | | |||||
From Capital Share Transactions:
|
||||||||
Proceeds from sale of shares | 57,089,901 | 9,263,157 | ||||||
Proceeds from reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 9,186,273 | | ||||||
Redemption of shares | (45,853,681 | ) | (38,848,841 | ) | ||||
Redemption fees | 106,900 | 21,273 | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions | 20,529,393 | (29,564,411 | ) | |||||
Total increase in net assets | 79,269,622 | 120,902 | ||||||
Net Assets:
|
||||||||
Beginning of year | 119,939,759 | 119,818,857 | ||||||
End of year | $ | 199,209,381 | $ | 119,939,759 | ||||
Accumulated Net Investment Loss | $ | (2,627,279 | ) | $ | (779,570 | ) | ||
Transactions in Shares:
|
||||||||
Shares sold | 3,865,763 | 929,860 | ||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 556,070 | | ||||||
Less shares redeemed | (3,365,293 | ) | (3,918,462 | ) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) from capital share transactions | 1,056,540 | (2,988,602 | ) |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
49
|
|
|
||||||
International Opportunities Fund | ||||||||
Year Ended
December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
From Operations:
|
||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | $ | (45,345 | ) | $ | 150,479 | |||
Net realized gains on investments and foreign currency transactions | 8,180,235 | 2,272,408 | ||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currencies | 18,085,438 | 2,471,903 | ||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 26,220,328 | 4,894,790 | ||||||
From Dividends and Distributions:
|
||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (735,815 | ) | (332,920 | ) | ||||
Distributions from net realized gains on investments | (1,606,134 | ) | | |||||
Net decrease in net assets from dividends and distributions | (2,341,949 | ) | (332,920 | ) | ||||
From Capital Share Transactions:
|
||||||||
Proceeds from sale of shares | 131,881,051 | 3,606,079 | ||||||
Proceeds from reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 2,093,584 | 283,465 | ||||||
Redemption of shares | (12,186,328 | ) | (2,932,811 | ) | ||||
Redemption fees | 69,276 | 2,093 | ||||||
Net increase from capital share transactions | 121,857,583 | 958,826 | ||||||
Total increase in net assets | 145,735,962 | 5,520,696 | ||||||
Net Assets:
|
||||||||
Beginning of year | 20,750,825 | 15,230,129 | ||||||
End of year | $ | 166,486,787 | $ | 20,750,825 | ||||
Accumulated Net Investment Loss | $ | (810,052 | ) | $ | (303,163 | ) | ||
Transactions in Shares:
|
||||||||
Shares sold | 7,551,420 | 301,060 | ||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 108,645 | 22,533 | ||||||
Less shares redeemed | (729,896 | ) | (258,614 | ) | ||||
Net increase from capital share transactions | 6,930,169 | 64,979 |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
50
|
|
|
||||||
Asia Opportunities Fund | ||||||||
Year Ended
December 31, 2013 |
Year Ended
December 31, 2012 |
|||||||
From Operations:
|
||||||||
Net investment loss | $ | (81,401 | ) | $ | (43,037 | ) | ||
Net realized gains (losses) on investments and foreign currency transactions | 836,059 | (19,665 | ) | |||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currencies | (75,254 | ) | 1,020,593 | |||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 679,404 | 957,891 | ||||||
From Capital Share Transactions:
|
||||||||
Proceeds from sale of shares | 695,366 | 141,736 | ||||||
Redemption of shares | (1,405,100 | ) | (1,472,901 | ) | ||||
Redemption fees | 191 | 351 | ||||||
Net decrease from capital share transactions | (709,543 | ) | (1,330,814 | ) | ||||
Total decrease in net assets | (30,139 | ) | (372,923 | ) | ||||
Net Assets:
|
||||||||
Beginning of year | 6,056,678 | 6,429,601 | ||||||
End of year | $ | 6,026,539 | $ | 6,056,678 | ||||
Accumulated Net Investment Loss | $ | (95,828 | ) | $ | (64,339 | ) | ||
Transactions in Shares:
|
||||||||
Shares sold | 73,024 | 17,241 | ||||||
Less shares redeemed | (148,943 | ) | (183,311 | ) | ||||
Net decrease from capital share transactions | (75,919 | ) | (166,070 | ) |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
51
Description of business. The Oberweis Funds (the Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified open-end management investment company. The Trust is authorized to operate numerous Funds under various trading strategies. The Trust consists of six Funds: the Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund, the Oberweis Emerging Growth Fund, the Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, the Oberweis China Opportunities Fund, the Oberweis International Opportunities Fund, and the Oberweis Asia Opportunities Fund (collectively, the Funds).
Investment valuation. Investments in securities are stated at value as of the close of the regular trading session on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (generally 3 p.m., Central Standard Time). Each listed and unlisted security for which last sale information is regularly reported is valued at the last reported sales price on that day. If there has been no sale on such day, then such security is valued at the current days bid price. Any unlisted security for which last sale information is not regularly reported and any listed debt security which has an inactive listed market for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available is valued at the closing bid price determined on the basis of reasonable inquiry. Options are valued at the last reported bid price on the primary exchange as of the close of the regular trading session of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE). Restricted securities and any other securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued by appraisal at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Board of Trustees. Short-term debt obligations, commercial paper and repurchase agreements are valued on the basis of quoted yields for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type or on the basis of amortized cost.
The Oberweis China Opportunities Fund, the Oberweis International Fund, and the Oberweis Asia Opportunities Fund hold foreign equity securities. Foreign securities are fair valued as described in the following circumstances. Generally, trading in foreign securities markets is completed each day at various times prior to the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE. Due to the time differences between the closings of the relevant foreign securities exchanges and the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE for the Funds, the Funds will fair value their foreign investments when it is determined that the market quotations for the foreign investments either are not readily available or are unreliable and, therefore, do not represent fair value. When the fair value prices are utilized, these prices will attempt to reflect the impact of the U.S. financial markets perceptions and trading activities on the Funds foreign investments since the last closing prices of the foreign investments were calculated on their primary foreign securities markets or exchanges. For these purposes, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has determined that movements in relevant indices, after the close of the foreign securities exchanges, may demonstrate that market quotations are unreliable, and may trigger fair value pricing for certain securities. Consequently, fair valuation of portfolio securities may occur on a daily basis. In determining fair value prices, the Trust utilizes data furnished by an independent pricing service (and that data draws upon, among other information, the market values of foreign investments). When a Fund uses fair value pricing, the values assigned to the Funds foreign investments may not be the quoted or published prices of the investments on their primary markets or exchanges.
52
Fair Value Measurements. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance, the Funds utilize the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures to define fair value, set out a framework for measuring fair value, and expand disclosures regarding fair value measurements. The Fair Value Measurement Standard applies to fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds investments. These inputs are summarized in the three levels listed below:
| Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. |
| Level 2 Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc). |
| Level 3 Significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). |
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds net assets as of December 31, 2013:
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Micro-Cap
Fund |
Emerging
Growth Fund |
Small-Cap
Opportunities Fund |
||||||||||
Level 1 Equities
|
$ | 34,745,040 | $ | 67,907,784 | $ | 9,263,486 | ||||||
REIT
|
390,320 | 456,904 | 105,616 | |||||||||
Total Level 1
|
35,135,360 | 68,364,688 | 9,369,102 | |||||||||
Level 2 Equities
|
| | | |||||||||
Commercial Paper
|
| 1,600,000 | | |||||||||
Total Level 2
|
| 1,600,000 | | |||||||||
Level 3
|
| | | |||||||||
Total Investments
|
$ | 35,135,360 | $ | 69,964,688 | $ | 9,369,102 |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
China
Opportunities Fund |
International
Opportunities Fund |
Asia
Opportunities Fund |
||||||||||
Level 1 Equities
|
||||||||||||
Total Asia
|
$ | 193,740,173 | $ | 52,752,753 | $ | 5,798,483 | ||||||
Total Europe
|
| 71,323,613 | | |||||||||
Total Other Countries
|
| 30,063,551 | 51,964 | |||||||||
Total Level 1
|
193,740,173 | 154,139,917 | 5,850,447 | |||||||||
Level 2 Equities
|
||||||||||||
Total Commercial Paper
|
7,200,000 | 7,700,000 | | |||||||||
Total Level 2
|
7,200,000 | 7,700,000 | | |||||||||
Level 3
|
| | | |||||||||
Total Investments
|
$ | 200,940,173 | $ | 161,839,917 | $ | 5,850,447 |
53
The Funds assets include certain foreign securities for which a third party statistical pricing service may be employed for purposes of fair market valuation. The pricing service provides fair market valuation on days when the movement in relevant indices exceeds a predetermined threshold. When fair market valuations are employed these techniques may result in transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.
Significant Transfers between Levels 1 and 2 included securities valued at $96,971,873, $17,684,603, and $5,437,186 at December 31, 2013 respectively for the China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and the Asia Opportunities Fund. These changes were primarily the result of certain foreign securities using a systematic fair value model at December 31, 2012 but not at December 31, 2013.
Foreign Currency Transactions. The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective date of these transactions. The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. These fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or losses from investments and foreign currencies.
Risks Associated with Foreign Securities and Currencies. Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments, which could adversely affect investments in those countries.
Certain countries also may impose substantial restrictions on investments in their capital markets by foreign entities, including restrictions on investments in issuers of industries deemed sensitive to relevant national interests. These factors may limit the investment opportunities available and result in a lack of liquidity and a high price volatility with respect to securities of issuers from developing countries.
Fund share valuation. Fund shares are sold and redeemed on a continuous basis at net asset value. On each day the NYSE is open for trading, the net asset value per share is determined as of the later of the close of the NYSE or the CBOE by dividing the total value of each Funds investments and other assets, less liabilities, by the number of each Funds shares outstanding.
Investment transactions and investment income. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund, and interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes amortization of premium and discount. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are reported on an identified cost basis. Gains and losses on premiums from expired options are recognized on the date of expiration.
54
Federal income taxes and dividends to shareholders. It is the policy of the Funds to comply with all requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of their taxable income to their shareholders. The Funds have met the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies for the year ended December 31, 2013. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Income and capital gains of the Funds are determined in accordance with both tax regulations and accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP). Such treatment may result in temporary and permanent differences between tax basis earnings and earnings reported for financial statement purposes. These reclassifications, which have no impact on the net asset value of the Funds, are primarily attributable to certain differences in computation of distributable income and capital gains under federal tax rules versus GAAP, and the use of the tax accounting practice known as equalization.
The Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the Act) was signed into law on December 22, 2010. The Act makes changes to a number of the federal income and excise tax provisions impacting regulated investment companies (RICs), including simplification provisions on asset diversification and qualifying income tests, provisions aimed at preserving the character of the distributions made by the RIC and coordination of the income and excise tax distribution requirements, and provisions for allowing unlimited years carryforward for capital losses. In general, the provisions of the Act were effective for taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010, the date of enactment.
For the year ended December 31, 2013, permanent book and tax differences resulting primarily from differing treatments for net operating losses, foreign currency transactions, wash sale adjustments and passive foreign investment company (PFIC) adjustments were identified and reclassified among the components of the Funds' net assets.
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Distributions
Paid from Ordinary Income |
Distributions
Paid from Net Long-Term Capital Gains |
Total
Distributions Paid |
||||||||||
Small-Cap Opportunities Fund | $ | | $ | 491,648 | $ | 491,648 | ||||||
China Opportunities Fund | $ | 1,645,577 | $ | 8,453,304 | $ | 10,098,881 | ||||||
International Opportunities Fund | $ | 861,175 | $ | 1,480,774 | $ | 2,341,949 |
No distributions were required for the Micro-Cap Fund, Emerging Growth Fund, or the Asia Opportunities Fund.
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 was as follows:
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|
|
|
|||||||||
Distributions
Paid from Ordinary Income |
Distributions
Paid from Net Long-Term Capital Gains |
Total
Distributions Paid |
||||||||||
International Opportunities Fund | $ | 332,920 | $ | | $ | 332,920 |
55
No distributions were required for the Micro-Cap Fund, Emerging Growth Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, or the Asia Opportunities Fund.
As of December 31, 2013, the following Funds had net capital loss carryforwards to offset future net capital gains, if any, to the extent provided by treasury regulations:
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|
|
|
|||||||||
2016 | 2017 |
Not Subject to
Expiration |
||||||||||
Micro-Cap Fund | $ | | $ | 1,470,750 | $ | | ||||||
Emerging Growth Fund | | 4,647,538 | | |||||||||
Small-Cap Opportunities Fund | | | | |||||||||
China Opportunities Fund | | | | |||||||||
International Opportunities Fund | | | | |||||||||
Asia Opportunities Fund | 225,896 | 1,710,212 | |
The Micro-Cap Fund, Emerging Growth Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund and Asia Opportunities Fund utilized $4,405,431, $14,378,480, $342,042, $16,049,598, $6,283,387 and $859,428, respectively, of its capital loss carryforwards during the year ended December 31, 2013.
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (theAct), the Funds will be permitted to carryforward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010, the date of enactment of the Act, for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital loss that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law.
Post-October capital losses and Qualified late-year losses incurred after October 31 and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Funds' next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the following Funds deferred to January 1, 2014 post-October capital losses and Qualified late-year losses:
|
|
|
||||||
Post-October
Capital Losses |
Qualified
late-year Losses |
|||||||
Micro-Cap Fund | $ | | $ | | ||||
Emerging Growth Fund | | | ||||||
Small-Cap Opportunities Fund | | | ||||||
China Opportunities Fund | | 2,329 | ||||||
International Opportunities Fund | 24,304 | 162,732 | ||||||
Asia Opportunities Fund | | 368 |
56
As of December 31, 2013 the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
Undistributed
ordinary income (deficit) |
Undistributed
long-term capital gains |
Accumulated
capital and other losses |
Unrealized
Appreciation on investments and foreign currency translations |
|||||||||||||
Micro-Cap Fund | | | (1,470,750 | ) | 12,515,998 | |||||||||||
Emerging Growth Fund | | | (4,647,538 | ) | 23,472,803 | |||||||||||
Small-Cap Opportunities Fund | | 669,012 | | 2,564,732 | ||||||||||||
China Opportunities Fund | 1,095,629 | 5,286,379 | (2,329 | ) | 57,282,639 | |||||||||||
International Opportunities Fund | | | (187,036 | ) | 20,382,353 | |||||||||||
Asia Opportunities Fund | | | (1,936,476 | ) | 1,073,666 |
Undistributed ordinary income (deficit) consists of timing differences related to Qualified late-year losses and PFICs. Accumulated capital and other losses consists of timing differences related to wash sales and post-October capital losses.
The Funds have reviewed all open tax years and major jurisdictions and concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Open tax years are those that are open for exam by taxing authorities and as of December 31, 2013, open federal tax years included the tax years ended 2010 though 2013. The Funds have no examinations in progress and is also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
Use of estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Indemnifications. Under the Trusts organizational documents, its present and former Officers and Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications to other parties. The Trusts maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. However, the Trust has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
The Funds have written agreements with Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (OAM) as the Funds investment adviser and manager. Oberweis Securities, Inc. (OSI), the Funds principal distributor, is an affiliate of OAM.
57
Investment advisory agreement. Under the Advisory Agreement, OAM provides investment advisory services to the Micro-Cap, Emerging Growth, and Small-Cap Opportunities Funds and pursuant to a separate Management Agreement, OAM provides non-investment advisory management services such as administrative, compliance and accounting services to these Funds. For investment advisory services, the Micro-Cap Fund paid monthly investment advisory fees at an annual rate equal to .60% of average daily net assets. The Emerging Growth Fund paid monthly investment advisory fees at an annual rate equal to .45% of the first $50 million of average daily net assets and .40% of average daily net assets in excess of $50 million. The Small-Cap Opportunities Fund paid monthly investment advisory fees at an annual rate equal to .40% of average daily net assets. For investment advisory and management services, the China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and Asia Opportunities Fund paid monthly investment advisory and management fees at an annual rate equal to 1.25% of average daily net assets. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Micro-Cap Fund, Emerging Growth Fund, and Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, incurred investment advisory fees totaling $146,493, $275,071, and $32,056, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and Asia Opportunities Fund incurred investment advisory and management fees totaling $1,840,994, $765,221 and $73,432, respectively.
Management agreement. For management services and facilities furnished, the Micro- Cap Fund, Emerging Growth Fund, and Small-Cap Opportunities Fund each paid a monthly fee at an annual rate equal to .40% of average daily net assets. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Micro-Cap Fund, Emerging Growth Fund, and Small-Cap Opportunities Fund incurred management fees totaling $97,662, $250,071, and $32,056, respectively.
Expense reimbursement. OAM is contractually obligated to reduce its management fees or reimburse the Emerging Growth Fund, Micro-Cap Fund, and Small-Cap Opportunities Fund to the extent that total ordinary operating expenses, as defined, exceed in any one year the following amounts expressed as a percentage of each Funds average daily net assets: 2% of the first $25 million; plus 1.8% of the next $25 million; plus 1.6% of average daily net assets in excess of $50 million. OAM is also contractually obligated to reduce its investment and management fees or reimburse the China Opportunities Fund, and the Asia Opportunities Fund to the extent that total ordinary operating expenses, as defined, exceed in any one year 2.49% expressed as a percentage of the Funds average daily net assets. OAM is also contractually obligated to reduce its investment and management fees or reimburse the International Opportunities Fund to the extent that total ordinary operating expenses, as defined, exceed in any one year 1.60% expressed as a percentage of the Funds average daily net assets. For the year ended December 31, 2013 OAM reimbursed the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, the International Opportunities Fund, and the Asia Opportunities Fund in the amount of $30,846, $366,503 and $167,830, respectively.
Officers and trustees. Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and/or directors of OAM and OSI. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Trust made no direct payments to its officers and paid $74,000 to its unaffiliated trustees.
Distribution and shareholder service agreement. The Funds have a distribution and shareholder services agreement with OSI. For services under the distribution and shareholder
58
services agreement, the Funds pay OSI a fee at the annual rate of .25% of the average daily net assets as compensation for services. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Micro-Cap Fund, Emerging Growth Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and Asia Opportunities Fund incurred distribution fees totaling $61,039, $156,294, $20,035, $368,199, $153,044, and $14,686, respectively.
Affiliated Commissions. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Micro-Cap Fund, Emerging Growth Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and Asia Opportunities Fund did not execute any security transactions through OSI and therefore did not pay commissions to OSI.
The cost of securities purchased and proceeds from securities sold during the year ended December 31, 2013, other than options written and money market investments, aggregated $19,928,526 and $16,810,999, respectively, for the Micro-Cap Fund, $43,415,161 and $62,679,802, respectively, for the Emerging Growth Fund, $10,564,534 and $11,777,078, respectively, for the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, $200,380,603 and $196,462,440, respectively, for the China Opportunities Fund, $210,070,595 and $102,476,774, respectively, for the International Opportunities Fund and $13,394,389 and $14,286,474, respectively, for the Asia Opportunities Fund. The Funds did not hold government securities during the year ended December 31, 2013.
The Funds may write covered call options. The premiums received provide a partial hedge (protection) against declining prices and enables each Fund to generate a higher return during periods when OAM does not expect the underlying security to make any major price moves in the near future but still deems the underlying security to be, over the long term, an attractive investment for each Fund. The Funds write covered call options for which premiums received are recorded as liabilities and are subsequently adjusted to the current value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options that expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options, which are either exercised or closed, are offset against the proceeds received or amount paid on the transaction to determine realized gains or losses. Amounts recovered for securities litigation are included in the realized gains of the Fund and are recorded when received. The Funds did not write covered call options for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The Oberweis Funds are designed for long-term investors. To discourage market timers redemptions of shares of the Micro-Cap Fund, the Emerging Growth Fund, and the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund within 90 days of purchase are subject to a 1% redemption fee of the total redemption amount and 2% for the China Opportunities Fund, the International Opportunities Fund, and the Asia Opportunities Fund. The redemption fee is deducted from the redemption proceeds and is retained by the Fund for the expense they incur in connection with shareholder redemptions.
59
The Trust, as part of the agreement with the Custodian, receives credits against its custodian fees on its uninvested cash balances and is allowed to borrow for temporary purposes. Borrowings are not to exceed 5% of the value of each Funds total assets at the time of any such borrowing. Interest on amounts borrowed is calculated at the prime rate and is payable monthly. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Micro-Cap Fund, Emerging Growth Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and Asia Opportunities Fund received credits of $309, $341, $45, $963, $1,596, and $142, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Micro- Cap Fund, Emerging Growth Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund, and Asia Opportunities Fund incurred interest charges of $305, $5,060, $256, $226, $61 and $18, respectively, which is included in custodian fees and expenses in the statement of operations.
The Funds have evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the financial statements and determined that no events have occurred that require disclosure. In December 2013, The Oberweis Funds filed a registration statement for the registration of shares of the Oberweis International Opportunities Institutional Fund, which is anticipated to become effective on March 10, 2014.
60
Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:
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|
|
|
|
|
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Micro-Cap Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
Net asset value at beginning of year | $ | 12.16 | $ | 11.20 | $ | 12.18 | $ | 10.40 | $ | 6.95 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment loss (a) | (.20 | ) | (.16 | ) | (.18 | ) | (.17 | ) | (.15 | ) | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments | 8.08 | 1.12 | (.80 | ) | 1.95 | 3.60 | ||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 7.88 | .96 | (.98 | ) | 1.78 | 3.45 | ||||||||||||||
Redemption Fees (a) | .01 | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Net asset value at end of year | $ | 20.05 | $ | 12.16 | $ | 11.20 | $ | 12.18 | $ | 10.40 | ||||||||||
Total Return (%) | 64.88 | 8.57 | (8.05 | ) | 17.12 | 49.64 | ||||||||||||||
Ratio/Supplemental Data
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets at end of year (in thousands) | $ | 35,925 | $ | 19,545 | $ | 21,140 | $ | 26,619 | $ | 26,967 | ||||||||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%) | 1.87 | 2.00 | 1.91 | 1.89 | 1.99 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (%) (b) | 1.86 | 2.00 | 1.91 | 1.89 | 1.99 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%) | (1.28 | ) | (1.31 | ) | (1.53 | ) | (1.68 | ) | (1.81 | ) | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate (%) | 71 | 48 | 62 | 85 | 92 |
Notes:
(a) | The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period. |
(b) | The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements and expense reimbursement from the advisor. |
61
Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Emerging Growth Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
Net asset value at beginning of year | $ | 19.68 | $ | 18.21 | $ | 20.59 | $ | 16.24 | $ | 10.69 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment loss (a) | (.33 | ) | (.28 | ) | (.29 | ) | (.23 | ) | (.18 | ) | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments | 11.48 | 1.75 | (2.11 | ) | 4.58 | 5.73 | ||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 11.15 | 1.47 | (2.40 | ) | 4.35 | 5.55 | ||||||||||||||
Redemption Fees (a) | .01 | | .02 | | | |||||||||||||||
Net asset value at end of year | $ | 30.84 | $ | 19.68 | $ | 18.21 | $ | 20.59 | $ | 16.24 | ||||||||||
Total Return (%) | 56.71 | 8.07 | (11.56 | ) | 26.79 | 51.92 | ||||||||||||||
Ratio/Supplemental Data
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets at end of year (in thousands) | $ | 70,493 | $ | 58,444 | $ | 60,141 | $ | 99,013 | $ | 117,388 | ||||||||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%) | 1.53 | 1.57 | 1.47 | 1.39 | 1.52 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (%) (b) | 1.53 | 1.57 | 1.47 | 1.39 | 1.52 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%) | (1.35 | ) | (1.43 | ) | (1.39 | ) | (1.30 | ) | (1.43 | ) | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate (%) | 70 | 54 | 85 | 104 | 97 |
Notes:
(a) | The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period. |
(b) | The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements. |
62
Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:
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Small-Cap Opportunities Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
Net asset value at beginning of year | $ | 12.08 | $ | 11.16 | $ | 11.61 | $ | 9.09 | $ | 5.56 | ||||||||||
Income
(loss) from investment operations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment loss (a) | (.17 | ) | (.20 | ) | (.22 | ) | (.17 | ) | (.14 | ) | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments | 6.06 | 1.12 | (.23 | ) | 2.69 | 3.66 | ||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 5.89 | .92 | (.45 | ) | 2.52 | 3.52 | ||||||||||||||
Redemption Fees (a) | | | | | .01 | |||||||||||||||
Less distributions:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Distribution from net realized gains on investments | (.93 | ) | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Net asset value at end of year | $ | 17.04 | $ | 12.08 | $ | 11.16 | $ | 11.61 | $ | 9.09 | ||||||||||
Total Return (%) | 48.87 | 8.24 | (3.88 | ) | 27.72 | 63.49 | ||||||||||||||
Ratio/Supplemental Data
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets at end of year (in thousands) | $ | 9,392 | $ | 7,298 | $ | 7,579 | $ | 7,961 | $ | 6,575 | ||||||||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%) | 2.39 | 2.43 | 2.33 | 2.47 | 2.95 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (%) (b) | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%) | (1.18 | ) | (1.61 | ) | (1.87 | ) | (1.80 | ) | (1.92 | ) | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate (%) | 134 | 99 | 129 | 165 | 212 |
Notes:
(a) | The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period. |
(b) | The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements and expense reimbursement from the advisor. |
63
Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:
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China Opportunities Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
Net asset value at beginning of year | $ | 11.12 | $ | 8.70 | $ | 16.63 | $ | 17.27 | $ | 7.51 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment loss (a) | (.08 | ) | (.02 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.14 | ) | (.11 | ) | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | 6.68 | 2.44 | (6.36 | ) | 3.06 | 9.96 | ||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 6.60 | 2.42 | (6.47 | ) | 2.92 | 9.85 | ||||||||||||||
Redemption Fees (a) | .01 | | .01 | .02 | .03 | |||||||||||||||
Less dividends and distributions:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Distribution from net realized gains on investments | (.75 | ) | | (1.47 | ) | (3.47 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.15 | ) | | | (.11 | ) | (.12 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.90 | ) | | (1.47 | ) | (3.58 | ) | (.12 | ) | |||||||||||
Net asset value at end of year | $ | 16.83 | $ | 11.12 | $ | 8.70 | $ | 16.63 | $ | 17.27 | ||||||||||
Total Return (%) | 59.56 | 27.82 | (38.72 | ) | 17.43 | 131.54 | ||||||||||||||
Ratio/Supplemental Data
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets at end of year (in thousands) | $ | 199,209 | $ | 119,940 | $ | 119,819 | $ | 292,934 | $ | 371,709 | ||||||||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%) | 2.07 | 2.15 | 2.08 | 1.97 | 2.07 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (%) (b) | 2.07 | 2.15 | 2.08 | 1.97 | 2.07 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%) | (.59 | ) | (.16 | ) | (.76 | ) | (.80 | ) | (.89 | ) | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate (%) | 140 | 115 | 107 | 104 | 101 |
Notes:
(a) | The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period. |
(b) | The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements. |
64
Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:
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International Opportunities Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
Net asset value at beginning of year | $ | 12.74 | $ | 9.74 | $ | 11.61 | $ | 8.97 | $ | 5.57 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) (a) | (.01 | ) | .10 | .01 | (.08 | ) | (.07 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | 6.99 | 3.11 | (1.70 | ) | 2.80 | 3.47 | ||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 6.98 | 3.21 | (1.69 | ) | 2.72 | 3.40 | ||||||||||||||
Redemption Fees (a) | 0.02 | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Less dividends and distributions:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Distribution from net realized gains on investments | (.20 | ) | | | | | ||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income | (.09 | ) | (.21 | ) | (.18 | ) | (.08 | ) | | |||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (.29 | ) | (.21 | ) | (.18 | ) | (.08 | ) | | |||||||||||
Net asset value at end of year | $ | 19.45 | $ | 12.74 | $ | 9.74 | $ | 11.61 | $ | 8.97 | ||||||||||
Total Return (%) | 55.01 | 32.96 | (14.50 | ) | 30.37 | 61.04 | ||||||||||||||
Ratio/Supplemental Data
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets at end of year (in thousands) | $ | 166,487 | $ | 20,751 | $ | 15,230 | $ | 21,755 | $ | 18,311 | ||||||||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%) | 2.20 | 2.86 | 2.65 | 2.66 | 3.14 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (%) (b) | 1.60 | 1.60 | 1.89 | 2.49 | 2.49 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (%) | (.07 | ) | .86 | .12 | (.86 | ) | (1.01 | ) | ||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate (%) | 176 | 280 | 257 | 160 | 280 |
Notes:
(a) | The net investment income (loss) per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period. |
(b) | The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements and expense reimbursement from the advisor. |
65
Per share income and capital for a share outstanding throughout each period is as follows:
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Asia Opportunities Fund | ||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||||||||
Net asset value at beginning of year | $ | 8.87 | $ | 7.57 | $ | 9.05 | $ | 7.99 | $ | 4.30 | ||||||||||
Income (loss) from investment operations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment loss (a) | (.13 | ) | (.06 | ) | (.09 | ) | (.10 | ) | (.07 | ) | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments and translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies | 1.19 | 1.36 | (1.39 | ) | 1.16 | 3.75 | ||||||||||||||
Total from investment operations | 1.06 | 1.30 | (1.48 | ) | 1.06 | 3.68 | ||||||||||||||
Redemption Fees (a) | | | | | .01 | |||||||||||||||
Net asset value at end of year | $ | 9.93 | $ | 8.87 | $ | 7.57 | $ | 9.05 | $ | 7.99 | ||||||||||
Total Return (%) | 11.95 | 17.17 | (16.35 | ) | 13.27 | 85.81 | ||||||||||||||
Ratio/Supplemental Data
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets at end of year (in thousands) | $ | 6,027 | $ | 6,057 | $ | 6,430 | $ | 9,088 | $ | 8,605 | ||||||||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets (%) | 5.35 | 4.64 | 4.17 | 3.42 | 4.31 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets (%) (b) | 2.49 | 2.49 | 2.49 | 2.49 | 2.49 | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets (%) | (1.39 | ) | (.71 | ) | (1.03 | ) | (1.28 | ) | (1.15 | ) | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate (%) | 241 | 169 | 188 | 125 | 176 |
Notes:
(a) | The net investment loss per share data and the redemption fee data were determined using average shares outstanding during the period. |
(b) | The ratios in this row reflect the impact, if any, of expense offset arrangements and expense reimbursement from the advisor. |
66
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
The Oberweis Funds
In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Oberweis Emerging Growth Fund, Oberweis Micro-Cap Fund, Oberweis Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, Oberweis China Opportunities Fund, Oberweis International Opportunities Fund, and Oberweis Asia Opportunities Fund (six funds constituting The Oberweis Funds, hereafter referred to as the Funds) at December 31, 2013, the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as financial statements) are the responsibility of the Funds' management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2013 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
February 21, 2014
67
|
|
|
||
Name, Address and Age | Position Held with Fund |
Term of Office and
Length of Time Served |
||
Noninterested Trustees | ||||
Katherine Smith Dedrick (56)
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500 Lisle, IL 60532 |
Trustee |
Trustee since
November, 2004 (1) |
||
Gary D. McDaniel (65)
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500 Lisle, IL 60532 |
Trustee |
Trustee since
April, 2004 (1) |
||
James G. Schmidt (66)
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500 Lisle, IL 60532 |
Trustee |
Trustee since
December, 2003 (1) |
||
Interested Trustees | ||||
James D. Oberweis (67)
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500 Lisle, IL 60532 |
Trustee (2) |
Trustee and Officer
since July, 1986 (1) |
||
James W. Oberweis (39)
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500 Lisle, IL 60532 |
President |
Officer since
August, 1996 (3) |
||
Patrick B. Joyce (54)
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500 Lisle, IL 60532 |
Executive Vice
President and Treasurer |
Officer since
October, 1994 (3) |
||
David I. Covas (38)
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500 Lisle, IL 60532 |
Vice President |
Officer since
August, 2004 (3) |
||
Kenneth S. Farsalas (43)
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500 Lisle, IL 60532 |
Vice President |
Officer since
August, 2009 (3) |
||
Eric V. Hannemann (40)
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500 Lisle, IL 60532 |
Secretary |
Officer since
August, 2005 (3) |
(1) | Unless otherwise noted, each trustee shall serve as a trustee of the Fund until the next meeting of shareholders, if any, called for the purpose of considering the election or re-election of such trustee or of a successor to such trustee, and until the election and qualification of his successor, if any, elected at such meeting, or until such trustee sooner dies, resigns, retires or is removed. |
(2) | James D. Oberweis is an interested trustee of the Fund since he is a shareholder of Oberweis Asset Management, Inc., the Funds investment advisor. James D. Oberweis is the father of James W. Oberweis, President and Portfolio Manager of The Oberweis Funds and President of Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. and Oberweis Securities, Inc. |
(3) | Elected annually by board of trustees. |
The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about Fund officers and trustees and is available upon request without charge, by calling the Fund at 1-800-323-6166.
68
|
|
|
||
Principal Occupation Last Five Years |
Number of Portfolios
Overseen by Trustee |
Other
Directorships |
||
President Aggressive Publishing, Inc., 2010 to present; Partner Childress Duffy, Ltd., April 2007 to present;
Member - Risk Worldwide, 2007 to present. |
6 |
None
|
||
Chairman Star Packaging Corp., 2012 to present;
Senior Vice President/General Manager of Exopack Holding Corp. 2008 to 2010. |
6 | None | ||
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Federal Heath Sign Co., May 2003 to present. |
6 | None | ||
Illinois State Senator, January 2013 to present;
Chairman Oberweis Dairy, Inc. December, 1986 to present. Chairman Diamond Marketing Solutions November, 2009 to present. |
6 | None | ||
President Oberweis Asset Management, Inc., September, 2001 to present; Portfolio Manager from December, 1995 to present; President and Director Oberweis Securities, Inc., September, 1996 to present. | Not Applicable | None | ||
Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director
Oberweis Asset Management, Inc., September, 1994 to present; Executive Vice President and Director Oberweis Securities, Inc. September, 1996 to present. |
Not Applicable | None | ||
Vice President Oberweis Asset Management, Inc.,
September, 2003 to present. |
Not Applicable | None | ||
Vice President Oberweis Asset Management, Inc., November 2004 to present.
|
Not Applicable | None | ||
Vice President of Accounting Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. and Oberweis Securities, Inc., June, 2004 to present.
|
Not Applicable | None |
69
For the year ended December 31, 2013, 44.89% and 94.45% of the dividends paid from net investment income for the China Opportunities and International Opportunities Funds, respectively, are designated as qualified dividend income. For the year ended December 31, 2012, 71% of the dividends paid from net investment income for the International Opportunities Fund is designated as qualified dividend income.
The Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund and International Opportunities Fund designates $491,648, $8,453,304 and $1,606,134, respectively, as a long-term capital gain distribution.
The Oberweis Funds has delegated authority to vote proxies related to the Funds (Emerging Growth Fund, Micro-Cap Fund, Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund and Asia Opportunities Fund) portfolio securities to the Funds investment adviser, Oberweis Asset Management, Inc. (OAM). A description of the policies and procedures that OAM uses in fulfilling this responsibility is available, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-323-6166. It also appears on www.oberweisfunds.com and in the Funds Statement of Additional Information, which can be found on the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) website at http://www.sec.gov. Information on 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 1-800-323-6166, and (2) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio investments with the SEC for the first and third quarter of each fiscal year (March 31 and September 30) on Form NQ. The Funds Forms NQ are available, without charge, on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
The Investment Advisory Agreement between The Oberweis Funds (the Trust) and Oberweis Asset Management (OAM) with respect to the Micro-Cap, Emerging Growth and Small-Cap Opportunities Funds and the Investment Advisory and Management Agreements for each of the China Opportunities Fund, International Opportunities Fund and Asia Opportunities Fund were last approved by the Board of Trustees (the Board), including all of the trustees who are not parties to such agreements or interested persons of any such party (the independent trustees), on August 15, 2013. The Board of Trustees, including a majority of the independent trustees, determined that approval of the agreements was in the best interests of each Fund. The independent trustees were assisted by legal counsel in making their determination.
70
The Board noted that OAM has a long association with each Fund since its inception. The Board recognized that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious investment adviser is in the best interests of shareholders and that shareholders have invested in the Funds knowing that OAM manages the Funds and knowing the investment advisory fee schedule.
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. With respect to the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by OAM pursuant to the Investment Advisory and Investment Advisory and Management Agreements, as applicable, the Board considered the functions performed by OAM and the personnel providing such services, information contained in OAMs Form ADV, OAMs financial condition and the culture of compliance created by OAM, including the competency of the chief compliance officer of the Trust and the fact that the Trust and OAM have not had any material compliance issues. The Board also considered the experience, academic background, tenure and structure of the portfolio management teams, as well as the honesty and integrity of OAM and the portfolio management teams. In addition, the Board noted that OAM personnel are always open and forthright with the Board. The Board also considered that OAM is a research-oriented firm that conducts extensive research. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the nature and extent of services provided to each Fund by OAM were appropriate and that the quality was good.
The Board also reviewed the reports prepared by OAM containing information on total returns and average annual total returns of the Funds over various periods of time as compared to relevant market indices and other mutual funds pursuing broadly similar strategies. The Board noted that the peer groups had been provided by OAM at a previous meeting and include funds currently in existence similar in investment objective to each of the respective Funds. The Board considered OAMs focus on an aggressive growth strategy, as well as representations from OAM regarding how the Funds tend to perform during various market cycles. The Board noted that performance for the year-to-date and one-, three-, five-, and ten-year periods ended July 31, 2013 was mixed and that, although performance for the Micro-Cap, Emerging Growth and Small-Cap Opportunities Funds has been good, performance has still been hurt by past years performance. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that (i) as to the Micro-Cap Fund, the Fund generally outperformed the other mutual funds included in the reports and outperformed the relevant market indices for the year-to-date period, the Fund generally performed in line with the other mutual funds for the one-, three- and five-year periods and the Fund generally outperformed or performed in line with the relevant market indices for those time periods, and the Fund underperformed the other mutual funds and relevant market indices in the reports for the ten-year period, (ii) as to the Emerging Growth Fund, the Fund generally outperformed the other mutual funds included in the reports and outperformed the relevant market indices for the year-to-date period, the Fund in some instances outperformed and in other instances underperformed the other mutual funds included in the report in varying degrees for the one-year period and outperformed relevant market indices for the one-year period and that the Fund generally underperformed the other mutual funds in the report and underperformed the relevant market indices for the three-, five- and ten-year periods, (iii) as to the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, the Fund in some instances outperformed and in other instances underperformed in varying degrees the other mutual funds in the report and outperformed the relevant market indices for
71
the year-to-date and one-year periods, the Fund in some instances outperformed the other mutual funds in the report in varying degrees and underperformed the relevant market indices for the three-year period and generally underperformed the other mutual funds in the report and underperformed the relevant market indices for the five- and ten-year periods, (iv) as to the China Opportunities Fund, the Fund outperformed the other mutual funds and outperformed or performed in line with the relevant market indices for the year-to-date, one-year, three-year, five-year and inception-to-date periods, (v) as to the International Opportunities Fund, the Fund outperformed the other mutual funds in the report and the relevant market index for the year-to-date, one-year, three-year and inception-to-date periods, the Fund in some instances underperformed and in other instances outperformed the other mutual funds in varying degrees for the five-year period and outperformed the relevant market index for the five-year period, and (vi) as to the Asia Opportunities Fund, the Fund outperformed in some instances and underperformed in other instances the other mutual funds in the report and outperformed or was generally in line with the relevant market index for the year-to-date, one-year and three-year periods, and the Fund generally underperformed the other mutual funds in the report and underperformed the relevant market index for the inception-to-date period.
Fees and Expenses. For each Fund, the Board compared the amounts paid to OAM for advisory services (for advisory and management services for the China Opportunities, International Opportunities and Asia Opportunities Funds) and each Funds expense ratio with other mutual funds pursuing broadly similar strategies as included in the reports prepared by OAM.
This information showed that the advisory and management fees of the Micro-Cap Fund, the Emerging Growth Fund, the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, the China Opportunities Fund and the International Opportunities Fund were either comparable or in a mid-range compared to the other mutual funds and that the advisory and management fees of the Asia Opportunities Fund were either comparable or high compared to the other mutual funds. The information also showed that the expense ratios of the Micro-Cap Fund, the Emerging Growth Fund and the International Opportunities Fund were comparable or in the mid-range compared to the other mutual funds, while the expense ratios for the Small-Cap Opportunities Fund, the China Opportunities Fund and the Asia Opportunities Fund were high compared to similar funds. In addition, the Board considered amounts paid to OAM by other clients. With respect to OAMs other clients, the Board recognized that the mix of services provided and the level of responsibility required under the agreements with the Funds were greater than OAMs obligations for similar client accounts and that the advisory fees of such accounts are less relevant to the Boards consideration because they reflect different competitive forces than those in the mutual fund marketplace. Based on the information considered, the Board concluded that each Funds advisory and management fees were reasonable and/or appropriate in amount given the quality of services provided and taking into consideration relevant circumstances.
Profitability. With respect to the costs of services provided and profits realized by OAM, the Board considered the advisory and management fees received by OAM from each of the Funds. The Board also considered representations from OAM that, although profits related to the Funds versus other advisory accounts could not be itemized, OAM believed that the
72
overall profitability of OAM was within an acceptable range for investment advisory firms, that the advisory fees charged the Funds were consistent with other advisory clients, and OAM reimburses the Funds if expense ratios exceed certain limits. Based on this information, the Board concluded for each Fund that OAMs profitability was not unreasonable.
Economies of Scale. The Board also considered the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as each Fund grows and whether fee levels reflect economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. The Board noted that the advisory fee for the Emerging Growth Fund has a breakpoint designed to share economies of scale with shareholders. The Board also noted asset capacity constraints for the Funds which limit economies of scale. The Board concluded with respect to each Fund that each Funds advisory and management fees reflect an appropriate recognition of any economies of scale.
Other Benefits to OAM and Its Affiliates. The Board considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by OAM and its affiliates from their relationship with the Funds, including fees received by an affiliate of OAM for distribution services and benefits to OAM related to soft dollars. The Board also noted that during the past year none of the Funds brokerage transactions had been placed through the affiliated broker-dealer of OAM.
After due consideration of all of the information and factors deemed relevant by the Board and the conclusions reached, the Board determined to approve the agreements. The Board of Trustees, including the independent trustees, did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all-important or controlling, and considered all factors together.
As a shareholder of The Oberweis Funds, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including redemption fees and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution (and/or service) 12b-1 fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in The Oberweis Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period.
The first line for each Fund in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000=8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled Expenses Paid During Period to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
The second line for each Fund in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Funds actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds actual return.
73
The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees. Therefore, the second line for each Fund in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
|
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|
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||||||||||||
Beginning
Account Value 7/1/13 |
Ending Account
Value 12/31/13 |
Expense Paid
During Period* 7/1/13 12/31/13 |
Expense Ratio
During Period 7/1/13 12/31/13 |
|||||||||||||
Micro-Cap Fund
|
||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,349.30 | $ | 11.84 | 1.86 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,015.79 | $ | 10.16 | 1.86 | % | ||||||||
Emerging Growth Fund
|
||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,302.90 | $ | 9.11 | 1.53 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,017.44 | $ | 7.98 | 1.53 | % | ||||||||
Small-Cap Opportunities Fund
|
||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,300.40 | $ | 11.60 | 2.00 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,015.08 | $ | 10.16 | 2.00 | % | ||||||||
China Opportunities Fund
|
||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,354.40 | $ | 12.76 | 2.07 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,014.73 | $ | 10.92 | 2.07 | % | ||||||||
International
Opportunities Fund |
||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,282.40 | $ | 9.20 | 1.60 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,017.09 | $ | 8.13 | 1.60 | % | ||||||||
Asia Opportunities Fund
|
||||||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,109.50 | $ | 13.24 | 2.49 | % | ||||||||
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,012.62 | $ | 12.63 | 2.49 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value times the Funds annualized expense ratio multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year divided by the number of days in the fiscal year. |
74
Trustees and Officers
James D. Oberweis
Trustee
Gary D. McDaniel
Trustee
James W. Oberweis
President
David I. Covas
Vice President
Kenneth S. Farsalas
Vice President
Katherine Smith Dedrick
Trustee
James G. Schmidt
Trustee
Patrick B. Joyce
Executive Vice President
Treasurer
Eric V. Hannemann
Secretary
Manager and Investment Advisor
Oberweis Asset Management, Inc.
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500, Lisle, IL 60532
1-800-323-6166
www.oberweisfunds.com
Distributor
Oberweis Securities, Inc.
3333 Warrenville Road, Suite 500, Lisle, IL 60532
1-630-577-2300
www.oberweisfunds.com
Custodian
UMB Bank, n.a.
928 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106
Transfer Agent
UMB Fund Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 711 Milwaukee, WI 53201-0711
1-800-245-7311
Counsel
Vedder Price P.C.
222 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60601
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
One North Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606
|
|
|
|
The Oberweis Funds | |
Micro-Cap Fund
Emerging Growth Fund Small-Cap Opportunities Fund China Opportunities Fund International Opportunities Fund Asia Opportunities Fund |
1-800-245-7311
www.oberweisfunds.com
ITEM 2. | CODE OF ETHICS. |
(a) | As of December 31, 2013, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, or persons performing similar functions. |
(b) | A copy of the code of ethics may be obtained upon request, without charge, by contacting the registrant in writing at its principal executive office. |
ITEM 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT |
(a) | The registrant’s board of trustees has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on the audit committee. |
(b) | The audit committee financial expert is James G. Schmidt. Mr. Schmidt is independent as defined in Form N-CSR Item 3 (a) (2). |
ITEM 4. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. |
(a)-(d)
2012 | 2013 | |||
Audit fees | 99,468 | 100,300 | ||
Audit-Related Fees | N/A | N/A | ||
Tax Fees | 36,080 | 37,440 | ||
All Other Fees | N/A | N/A |
Audit Fees include amounts related to the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements and services normally provided by the principal accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. Tax Fees principally include tax compliance, tax advice, tax planning and preparation of tax returns.
(e)(1) The registrant’s audit committee pre-approves all audit services provided by the registrant’s principal accountant for the registrant and all non-audit services provided by the registrant’s principal accountant for the registrant, its investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser (“Adviser Affiliate”) that provides ongoing services to the registrant, if the engagement by the investment adviser or Adviser Affiliate relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.
(e)(2) No services included in (b) – (d) above were approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) Not Applicable.
(g) The aggregate fees billed for the most recent fiscal year and the preceding fiscal year by the registrant’s principal accountant for non-audit services rendered to the registrant, its investment, and Adviser Affiliate that provides ongoing services to the registrant for 2013 and 2012 were $37,440, and $36,080, respectively.
(h) Non-audit services rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser and any Adviser Affiliate that were not pre-approved pursuant to Paragraph (c) (7) (ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X were considered by the registrant’s audit committee as to whether they were compatible with maintaining the principal account’s independence.
ITEM 5. | AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS. |
Not Applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 6. | SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS. |
See Schedule I in Item 1.
ITEM 7. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not Applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 8. | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not Applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 9. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. |
Not Applicable to the registrant.
ITEM 10. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. |
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees since registrant last disclosed such procedures in its proxy statement dated April 16, 2004.
ITEM 11. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
(a) | The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3 (c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17CFR 270.30a-3(c)) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)). |
(b) | There has been no change to the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
ITEM 12. | EXHIBITS. |
(a) (1) | Code of Ethics applicable to its Principal Executive and Principal Accounting Officers pursuant to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto as Exhibit 99.406. Code of Ethics. | |
(a) (2) | Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17CFR 270.30a-2) in the exact form set forth below: EX-99.CERT attached hereto. | |
(a) (3) | Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23 c-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.23c-1) sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons. Not Applicable to the registrant. |
(b) | If the report is filed under Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provide the certifications required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)), Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-14(b) or 240.15d-14(b)), and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) as an exhibit. A certification furnished pursuant to this paragraph will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S. C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such certification will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference. EX-99.906 CERT attached hereto. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) The Oberweis Funds | ||
By (Signature and Title*) | /s/ James W. Oberweis | |
James W. Oberweis | ||
President, The Oberweis Funds |
Date 03/05/2014
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By (Signature and Title*) | /s/ James W. Oberweis | |
James W. Oberweis | ||
President, The Oberweis Funds |
Date 03/05/2014
By (Signature and Title*) | /s/ Patrick B. Joyce | |
Patrick B. Joyce | ||
Executive Vice President and Treasurer, | ||
The Oberweis Funds |
Date 03/05/2014
/*/ | Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature. |
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