Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2013
(1)
ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Mutual Fund Series Trust (the
Trust
), was organized as an Ohio business trust on February 27, 2006. The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (
1940 Act
). The Trust currently consists of twenty-two series. These financial statements include the following series: Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs (the
Fund
). The Fund is registered as diversified. The Funds investment manager is Donald L. Hagan, LLC, also known as Day Hagan Asset Management (the Manager or Day Hagan).
Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs commenced operations on October 30, 2009. The Funds investment objective is to achieve long-term capital appreciation, with current income as a secondary objective.
The Fund offers two classes of shares, Class A and Class C. Each class differs as to sales and redemption charges and ongoing fees.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (
GAAP
).
a)
Investment Valuation The net asset values per share of the Fund are determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time) on each day when the NYSE is open for trading. Securities for which market quotations are available are valued as follows: (a) each listed security is valued at its closing price obtained from the respective primary exchange on which the security is listed, or in the case of securities listed on NASDAQ, at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (NOCP), if there were no sales on that day, at its last reported current bid price; (b) debt securities (other than short-term obligations) are valued each day by an independent pricing service approved by the Board of Trustees (Trustees) using methods which include current market quotations from a major market maker in securities and based on methods which include the consideration of yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type; (c) short-term money market instruments (such as certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances and commercial paper) are most often valued by bid quotations or by reference to bid quotations of available yields for similar instruments of issuers with similar credit ratings. All of these prices are obtained from services, which collect and disseminate such market prices. Bid quotations for short-term money market instruments reported by such a service are the bid quotations reported to it by the major dealers. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of sixty days or less for which market quotations and information from pricing services are not readily available are valued either at amortized cost or at original cost plus accrued interest, both of which approximate current value. When approved by the Trustees, certain securities may be valued on the basis of valuations provided by an independent pricing service when such prices the Trustees believe reflect the fair value of such securities. In the absence of an ascertainable market value, or if an event occurs after the close of trading on the domestic or foreign exchange or market on which the security is principally traded (prior to the time the NAV is calculated) that materially affects fair
value, assets are valued at their fair value as determined by the Advisor using methods and procedures reviewed and approved by the Trustees.
(d) Options are valued at their closing value on the exchange they are traded on, when no closing price is available options are valued at their mean price.
Valuation of Fund of Funds - The Fund may invest in portfolios of open-end or closed-end investment companies (the Underlying Funds). The Underlying Funds value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their market values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value to the methods established by the board of directors of the Underlying Funds.
Open-ended funds are traded at their respective net asset values as reported by such investment companies. The shares of many closed-end investment companies, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is different than the net asset value per share. The difference represents a market premium or market discount of such shares. There can be no assurances that the market discount or market premium on shares of any closed-end investment company purchased by the Fund will not change.
In accordance with the Trusts good faith pricing guidelines, the Manager is required to consider all appropriate factors relevant to the value of securities for which it has determined other pricing sources are not available or reliable. No single standard for determining fair value exists, since fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of securities being valued by the Manager would appear to be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive for them upon their current sale. Methods which are in accord with this principle may, for example, be based on (i) a multiple of earnings; (ii) a discount from market of a similar freely traded security (including a derivative security
Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
June 30, 2013
or a basket of securities traded on other markets, exchanges or among dealers); or (iii) yield to maturity with respect to debt issues, or a combination of these and other methods.
In accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosure under GAAP, the Fund discloses fair value of its investments in a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The objective of a fair value measurement is to determine the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). Accordingly, the fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under GAAP are described below:
Level 1
-
quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2
-
other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities and identical securities in inactive markets, interest rates, amortized cost, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3 -
unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Funds own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
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 valuation inputs, representing 100% of the Funds investments, used to value the Funds net assets as of June 30, 2013:
(a)
As of and during the year ended June 30, 2013, the Fund held no securities that were considered to be Level 3 securities (those valued using significant unobservable inputs). Therefore, a reconciliation of assets in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value is not applicable. There were transfers into and out of Level 1 and 2 during the current year presented. It is the Funds policy to recognize transfers into and out of Level 1 and 2 at the end of the reporting period.
(b)
All exchange-traded funds held in the Fund are Level 1 securities. For a detailed break-out of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by major index classification, please refer to the Schedule of Investments.
The following amounts were transfers in/(out) of Level 2 assets:
Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
June 30, 2013
Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs
There were no transfers from Level 1 to Level 2. Transfers that were made out of Level 2 represent securities no longer being fair valued using observable inputs and are now being valued using quoted prices in active markets.
b)
Federal Income Tax - The Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and to comply with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no Federal income or excise tax provisions are required.
As of and during the year ended June 30, 2013, the Fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax expense. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax expense as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. As of June 30, 2013, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties. As required, management has analyzed the Funds tax positions taken or to be taken on Federal income tax returns for all open tax years (years ended June 30, 2010, June 30, 2011, June 30, 2012 and June 30, 2013) and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in these financial statements. The tax filings are open for examination by applicable taxing authorities. No examination of the Funds tax returns are presently in progress.
c)
Distribution to Shareholders - Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations and may differ from GAAP, are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
d)
Multiple Class Allocations - Income, non-class specific expenses and realized/unrealized gains or losses are allocated to each class based on relative net assets. Distribution fees are charged to each respective share class in accordance with the distribution plan.
e)
Other - Investment and shareholder transactions are recorded on trade date. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized on securities purchased over the lives of the respective securities. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains or losses from sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.
f)
Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
g)
Commitments and Contingencies - In the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and provide general indemnifications. The Funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, management considers the risk of loss from such claims to be remote.
h)
Redemption Fees and Sales Charges (loads) - A $15 fee may be charged for redemptions made by wire. A maximum sales charge of 5.75% is imposed on Class A shares of the Fund. Investments in Class A shares made at or above the $1 million breakpoint are not subject to an initial sales charge and may be subject to a 1.00% contingent deferred sales charge (
CDSC
) on shares redeemed within 18 months of purchase (excluding shares purchased with reinvested dividends and/or distributions). The respective shareholders pay such CDSC charges, which are not an expense of the Fund. For the year ended June 30, 2013, there were no redemption fees paid to the Fund and there were no CDSC fees paid to the Manager.
i)
Security Loans - The Fund has entered into securities lending agreements with Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. and MS Securities Services, Inc. The Fund receives compensation in the form of income earned on invested collateral. The Fund also
Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
June 30, 2013
continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The loans are secured by collateral at least equal, at all times, to 102% of the market value of loaned securities. Gain or loss in the fair value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan will be for the account of the Fund. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. If the market value of the collateral falls below 102% plus accrued interest of the loaned securities, the lender's agent shall request additional collateral from the borrowers to bring the collateralization back to 102%. At June 30, 2013 there were no securities on loan.
(2)
INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
For the year ended June 30, 2013, aggregate purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the Fund were as follows:
(3)
OPTIONS WRITTEN
A summary of option contracts written by the Fund during the year ended June 30, 2013 were as follows:
(4)
OPTIONS RISK
There are risks associated with the sale and purchase of call and put options. The seller (writer) of a call option which is covered (e.g., the writer holds the underlying security) assumes the risk of a decline in the market price of an underlying security below the purchase price of an underlying security less the premium received, and gives up the opportunity for gain on the underlying security above the exercise price of the option. The seller of an uncovered call option assumes the risk of a theoretical unlimited increase in the market price of an underlying security above the exercise price of the option. The securities necessary to satisfy the exercise of the call option may be unavailable for purchase except at much higher prices. Purchasing securities to satisfy the exercise of the call option can itself cause the price of securities to rise further, sometimes by a significant amount, thereby exacerbating the loss. The buyer of a call option assumes the risk of losing its entire premium invested in the call option.
The seller (writer) of a put option which is covered (e.g., the writer has a short position in the underlying security) assumes the risk of an increase in the market price of the underlying security above the sales price (in establishing the short position) of the underlying security plus the premium received, and gives up the opportunity for gain on the underlying security below the exercise price of the option. The seller of an uncovered put option assumes the risk of a decline in the market price of the underlying security below the exercise price of the option. The buyer of a put option assumes the risk of losing his entire premium invested in the put option.
Accounting for Options - When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current fair value of the option written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated by the Fund on the expiration date as realized gains from investments. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or, if the premium is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Fund has realized a gain or loss. If a put option is exercised, the premium reduces the cost basis of the securities purchased by the Fund. The Manager may use options strategies, such as puts and covered calls on individual securities, as well as
Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
June 30, 2013
options on securities indices, to generate income, to reduce portfolio volatility, or to reduce downside risk when the Manager believes adverse market, political or other conditions are likely. The Manager may also utilize a combination of puts and/or calls regarding the same security (sometimes referred to as straddles, collars or spreads) or utilize puts and calls on related securities. The Fund may purchase a call option on a stock (including securities of ETFs) it may purchase at some point in the future. When the Fund purchases an option, the premium paid is recorded as an asset. Each day the option contract is valued in accordance with the procedures for security valuation discussed above. When an offsetting option is written (a closing transaction) or the option contract expires, the Fund realizes a gain or loss and the asset representing such option contract is eliminated. When a put option is exercised, the Fund realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds of the sale are decreased by the premiums originally paid. When a call option is exercised, the Fund purchases the underlying security and the cost basis of such purchase is increased by the premium originally paid.
For the year ended June 30, 2013, the Fund had a net realized gain of $23,718 on options written, subject to equity price risk and these realized gains are included in the line items marked Net realized gain from options written on the Statement of Operations in this shareholder report. As of June 30, 2013, the Fund had a net unrealized gain of $0 on options written.
The amounts of realized and changes in unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments during the year as disclosed in the Statement of Operations serve as indicators of the volume of derivative activity for the Fund.
(5)
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Day Hagan acts as investment manager to the Fund pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement. Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Manager manages the investment operations of the Fund in accordance with the Funds investment policies and restrictions. The Manager provides the Fund with investment advice and supervision and furnishes an investment program for the Fund. For its investment management services, the Fund pays to the Manager, as of the last day of each month, an annualized fee equal to 1.00% of average net assets, such fee to be computed daily based upon daily average net assets of the Fund. The Manager pays expenses incurred by it in connection with acting as investment manager to the Fund other than costs (including taxes and brokerage commissions, borrowing costs, costs of investing in underlying funds and extraordinary expenses, if any) of securities purchased for the Fund and certain other expenses paid by the Fund (as detailed in the Management Agreement). The Manager pays for all employees, office space and facilities required by it to provide services under the Management Agreement, with the exception of specific items of expense (as detailed in the Management Agreement). For the year ended June 30, 2013, management fees of $164,457 were incurred by the Fund, before the waiver and reimbursement described below.
The Manager and the Fund have entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement under which the Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses but only to the extent necessary to maintain total annual operating expenses (excluding brokerage costs; borrowing costs, such as (a) interest and (b) dividends on securities sold short; taxes; costs of investing in underlying funds; 12b-1 distribution fees and extraordinary expenses) at 1.35% of the Funds average daily net assets through October 31, 2013. Each waiver or reimbursement by the Manager is subject to repayment by the Fund within the three fiscal years following the fiscal year in which that particular expense is incurred, if the Fund is able to make the repayment without exceeding the expense limitation in effect at that time and the repayment is approved by the Board of Trustees.
For the year ended June 30, 2013, the Manager waived management fees of $61,590. As of June 30, 2013, the Manager may recapture $67,901 of waived management fees no later than June 30, 2014, $67,401 no later than June 30, 2015 and $61,590 no later than June 30, 2016.
The Trust has entered into a Management Services Agreement with MFund Services, LLC (
MFund
). Pursuant to the Management Services Agreement, MFund provides sponsorship, management and supervisory services. For MFunds services to the Fund, the Fund pays MFund a base fee of $5,000 annually, an annualized asset based fee of 0.10% of average daily net assets up to $150 million, with lower fees at higher asset levels, plus reimbursement of out of pocket expenses. For the year ended June 30, 2013, the Fund incurred $21,446 for such fees.
A Trustee and Officer of the Trust is also the controlling member of MFund Services and Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC (an investment advisor to other series of the Trust), and is not paid any fees directly by the Trust for serving in such capacities.
Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
June 30, 2013
Gemini Fund Services, LLC (GFS) provides administrative, fund accounting, and transfer agency services to the Fund pursuant to agreements with the Trust, for which it receives from each Fund: (i) basis points in decreasing amounts as assets reach certain breakpoints; and (ii) any related out-of-pocket expenses.
An Officer of the Trust is also an employee of GFS, and is not paid any fees directly by the Trust for serving in such capacity.
Officers of the Trust and Trustees who are "interested persons" of the Trust or the Manager will receive no salary or fees from the Trust. Trustees who are not "interested persons" as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, will be paid a quarterly retainer of $250 per fund in the Trust and $500 per special board meeting attended at the discretion of the Chairman. Currently, the Chairman of the Trusts Audit Committee receives an additional quarterly fee of $750. Effective April 1, 2013, the Chairman of the Trusts Audit Committee will receive a quarterly fee of $100 per fund. The fees paid to the Trustees are paid in Fund shares. The Trust reimburses each Trustee and Officer for his or her travel and other expenses relating to attendance at such meetings.
The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for each class of shares, that allows the Fund to pay distribution and shareholder servicing expenses of up to 0.50% per annum for the Class A shares and up to 1.00% for the Class C shares based on average daily net assets of each class. Class A shares are currently paying 0.25% per annum of 12b-1 fees. Class C shares are currently paying 1.00% per annum of 12b-1 fees. The fee may be used for a variety of purposes, including compensating dealers and other financial service organizations for eligible services provided by those parties to the Fund and its shareholders and to reimburse Northern Lights Distributors, LLC. (the Distributor) and Manager for distribution related expenses. Brokers may receive a 1.00% commission from the Distributor for the sale of Class C shares.
For the year ended June 30, 2013, the Distributor received $871 in underwriter commissions from the sale of shares of the Fund.
(6)
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF CAPITAL
The tax character of fund distributions paid for the following periods was as follows:
As of June 30, 2013, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
Permanent book and tax differences primarily attributable to net operating losses and grantor trust adjustments, resulted in reclassification for the Fund for the year ended June 30, 2013 as follows: a decrease in accumulated net investment loss of $42,463 and a decrease in accumulated net realized gains from security transactions of $42,463.
(7)
UNDERLYING FUND RISK
Each underlying fund, including each Exchange-Traded Fund
(ETF),
is subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the underlying fund. These risks could include liquidity risk, sector risk, foreign and related currency risk, as well as risks associated with real estate investments and commodities. Investors in the Fund will indirectly bear fees and expenses charged by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests in addition to the Funds direct fees and expenses.
Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
June 30, 2013
The performance of the Fund may be directly affected by the performance of the iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund. The financial statements of the iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund, including the portfolio of investments, can be found at iShares website
www.us.ishares.com
or the Securities and Exchange Commissions website
www.sec.gov
and should be read in conjunction with Funds financial statements. As of June 30, 2013 the percentage of net assets invested in the iShares Russell 2000 Value Index Fund was 25.3%.
(8)
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-11 related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01 which gives additional clarification to ASU 2011-11. The amendments in this ASU require an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The guidance requires retrospective application for all comparative periods presented. Management is currently evaluating the impact these amendments may have on the Funds financial statements.
(9)
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent events after the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. Management has concluded that there is no impact requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders of the Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs and
the Board of Trustees of the Mutual Fund Series Trust
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of the Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs, a series of shares of beneficial interest of Mutual Fund Series Trust (the
"Fund"
), including the schedule of investments, as of June 30, 2013, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the three-year period then ended and for the period October 30, 2009 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2010. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of June 30, 2013, by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs, as of June 30, 2013, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the years in the three-year period then ended and for the period October 30, 2009 through June 30, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
BBD, LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
August 26, 2013
Renewal of Management Agreement with Day Hagan Asset Management
At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Mutual Fund Series Trust (the Trust) on August 28, 2012, the Board considered the renewal of the Management Agreement between Day Hagan Asset Management (Day Hagan) and the Trust on behalf of the Day Hagan Tactical Allocation Fund of ETFs (for purposes of this section, the Fund). The Trustees reviewed Day Hagans responses to a series of questions regarding, among other things, the investment performance of the Fund for the 1-year and since inception periods ended June 30, 2012, Day Hagans services to the Fund, comparative fee and expense information, and Day Hagans profitability from managing the Fund (Day Hagan 15(c) Response). The Trustees noted that Day Hagan is not affiliated with the transfer agent, underwriter, or custodian, and therefore does not derive any benefits from the relationships these parties have with the Fund. The Trustees did note, however, that Day Hagan receives the benefit of 12b-1 fees that are used to promote the sale of Fund shares.
As to the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Day Hagan to the Fund, the Trustees reviewed the Day Hagan 15(c) Response and discussed with the Trust officers their experience dealing with Day Hagan personnel, including the time lines and quality of their reports to the officers. They also discussed Day Hagans Form ADV, Parts 1 and 2, which provided information on the corporate structure, officers, owners, and compliance record of Day Hagan. The Trustees noted that Day Hagan had adopted a compliance program to monitor and review investment decisions and to prevent and detect violations of the Funds investment policies and limitations, as well as federal securities laws, and that Day Hagan reported in its 15(c) Response that no material violation of its compliance program has been detected since the last renewal of the management agreement with Day Hagan.
The Trustees considered the investment experience of Messrs. Day and Hagan, portfolio managers to the Fund, as well as the quality of the administrative services provided by Day Hagan. The Trustees noted that there we no changes to the key professionals assigned to serve the Fund. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement.
As to the Funds performance, the Board referred to the Day Hagan15(c) Response, which contained the Funds Class A shares returns for the one-year and since inception periods ended June 30, 2012, as well as comparative data with the Funds peer group and the Morningstar World Allocation category. The Board noted that the Fund underperformed its peer group and Morningstar World Allocation category for the since inception period and outperformed the peer group and category for the one year period. The Trustees discussed the advisers analysis of the underperformance since inception and agreed that the Fund performed reasonably well despite the Funds underweight in equities as a result of the models risk assessment. After discussion, the Board concluded that the Funds performance was acceptable.
As to the costs of the services to be provided and the profits realized by Day Hagan, the Trustees reviewed Day Hagans analysis of its profitability and its financial condition. The Board noted that Day Hagans profitability from servicing the Fund since inception, as reported by the adviser, was negative. Based on this analysis, the Trustees concluded that they were satisfied that Day Hagans level of profitability from its relationship with the Fund was not excessive.
As to comparative fees and expenses, the Trustees considered the management fee paid by the Fund and compared it to average of the management fees paid by the peer funds and the average of the funds in the Morningstar World Allocation category. The Trustees noted that the Day Hagan intends to renew the expense cap arrangement currently in place. The Trustees then compared the total expense ratio of the Fund with the expense ratios of the funds in the peer group and in the World Allocation category generally. The Trustees noted that the Funds management fee and expense ratio was higher than the average for its peers and the Morningstar category but the management fee was lower than those of the advisers similar separate accounts. The Trustees then discussed the fee in light of the advisers explanation that the Fund is actively managed from both an individual security and tactical allocation perspective. The Trustees concluded that the Funds management fee was reasonable in light of the services the Fund receives from Day Hagan.
As to economies of scale, the Trustees noted that the Management Agreement does not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees noted that Day Hagan presented a specific asset level of which the adviser would be willing to consider fee breakpoints. The Trustees agreed that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for Day Hagan to share its economies of scale with the Fund and the asset level suggested by the adviser was an aggressive assessment of when economies might be realized by the adviser. However, the Trustees recognized that the Fund had not yet reached asset levels where Day Hagan could realize any economies of scale and thus a definitive commitment regarding breakpoints was premature. Consequently, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints was acceptable under the circumstances.
In response to a question from a Trustee, the Trusts President discussed the Funds small asset size, noting that the Fund has not grown in assets. He then referred the Board to the description of Day Hagans marketing efforts contained in the Day Hagan 15(c) Response and noted the advisors relationships with national distribution groups. After further discussion regarding the Funds size, the Board requested that a review of the progress of the Fund be made at the 2013 first quarter Board meeting.
The Board Members were assisted by independent legal counsel throughout the Agreement review process. The Board relied upon the advice of independent legal counsel and their own business judgment in determining the material factors to be considered in evaluating the Advisory Agreement and the weight to be given to each such factor. The conclusions reached by the Trustees were based on a comprehensive evaluation of all of the information provided and were not the result of any one factor. Moreover, each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors in reaching his conclusions with respect to the Advisory Agreement.
As a result of their considerations, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined that continuation of the Management Agreement between the Trust and Day Hagan is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
Disinterested Trustees