As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 22, 2013

1933 Act File No. 333-189183

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-14

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE

SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

o Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 x Post-Effective Amendment No. 1

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

 

Touchstone Strategic Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

513-878-4066

(Area Code and Telephone Number)

 

303 Broadway, Suite 1100

Cincinnati, OH 45202

(Address of Principal Executive Offices: Number, Street, City, State, Zip Code)

 

Jill T. McGruder

303 Broadway, Suite 900

Cincinnati, OH 45202

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Copies to:

 

John Ford, Esq.

Pepper Hamilton LLP

Two Logan Square

Eighteenth and Arch Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103

215-981-4009

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Title of Securities Being Registered: Class A, Class C and Class Y shares of beneficial interest, par value of $0.01 per share, of the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund, a series of the Registrant. No filing fee is due because Registrant is relying on Section 24(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective immediately pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

 


 

Touchstone Strategic Trust

303 Broadway, Suite 1100

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(800) 543-0407

 

 July 19, 2013

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

We wish to provide you with some important information concerning your investment. As a shareholder of the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), a series of Touchstone Strategic Trust (“TST”), we wish to inform you that the Board of Trustees of TST, after careful consideration, has approved the reorganization of the Acquired Fund into the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquiring Fund” and together with the “Acquired Fund,” the “Funds”), another series of TST (the “Reorganization”).  The Funds have the same investment goal and substantially similar investment strategies and policies.

 

The Reorganization is designed to eliminate the offering of overlapping funds with the same investment goals and substantially similar investment strategies. The Reorganization may lead to potential efficiencies and economies of scale for shareholders.  Shareholder approval is NOT required to effect the Reorganization.  You do not need to take any action regarding your account.

 

Pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization, the Acquired Fund will transfer all of its assets and liabilities to the Acquiring Fund.  As a result of the Reorganization, you will receive shares of the Acquiring Fund, which will have an aggregate net asset value (“NAV”) equal to the aggregate NAV of your shares in the Acquired Fund.  The Acquired Fund will then cease operations and dissolve as a separate series of the Trust.  The Reorganization is expected to occur on or about August 26, 2013.

 

The following table shows the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, as well as the share class of the Acquiring Fund that will be issued to each corresponding share class of the Acquired Fund.

 

Acquired Fund and Share Classes

 

Acquiring Fund and Share Classes

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund,

a series of TST

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund,

a series of TST

Class A

Class C

Class Y

 

Class A

Class C

Class Y

 

We have enclosed a Prospectus/Information Statement that describes the Reorganization in greater detail and contains important information about the Acquiring Fund.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

Jill T. McGruder

 

President

 

Touchstone Strategic Trust

 

TSF-1903-1306

 


 

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

 

We recommend that you read the Prospectus/Information Statement. The following questions and answers provide an overview of key features of the Reorganization and of the information contained in this Prospectus/Information Statement.

 

Q.                                    Why are we sending you this Prospectus/Information Statement?

 

A.                                     This Prospectus/Information Statement provides you with information about the Reorganization between Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquired Fund”) and Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), each a series of TST.

 

On May 23, 2013, the Board of Trustees of the Trust approved the reorganization of the Acquired Fund into the Acquiring Fund.  The Reorganization does not require approval by shareholders.

 

Q.                                    What will happen to my existing shares?

 

A.                                     Immediately after the Reorganization, you will own shares of the Acquiring Fund that are equal in value to the shares of the Acquired Fund that you held immediately prior to the closing of the Reorganization (although the number of shares and the net asset value per share may be different).

 

Q.                                    How do the fees and expenses compare?

 

A.                                     The Acquiring Fund has a lower investment advisory fee.  Class A shares of each Fund are subject to the same 12b-1 fees and front-end sales charges.  Class C shares of each Fund are subject to the same 12b-1 fees and contingent deferred sales charges.  Class Y shares of each Fund are not subject to any 12b-1 fees or sales charges.

 

In addition, each Fund has entered into an expense limitation agreement with Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (“Touchstone Advisors”).  Touchstone Advisors has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse certain Fund expenses in order to limit annual fund operating expenses for each Fund. The expense limitations for the Acquired Fund are limited to 1.40%, 2.15% and 1.15% for Class A shares, Class C shares, and Class Y shares, respectively.  The expense limitation agreement for the Acquired Fund is effective through July 29, 2013.  The expense limitations for the Acquiring Fund are limited to 1.44%, 2.19% and 1.19% for Class A shares, Class C shares, and Class Y shares, respectively.  The expense limitation agreement for the Acquiring Fund is effective through August 31, 2014.  The section entitled “How do the Funds’ fees and expenses compare?” of the Prospectus/Information Statement compares the fees and expenses of the Funds in detail and the section entitled “Comparison of Investment Advisory Fees” provides additional information regarding the expense limitation agreements.

 

Q.                                    How do the investment goals and principal investment strategies of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund compare?

 

A.                                     Each Fund has the same investment goal and substantially similar principal investment strategies.  The section of the Prospectus/Information Statement entitled “How do the Funds’ investment goals and principal investment strategies compare?” describes the investment goal and principal investment strategies of each Fund.

 

Q.                                    Will I have to pay federal income taxes as a result of the Reorganization?

 

A.                                     Shareholders are not expected to recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes on the exchange of their shares of the Acquired Fund for shares of the Acquiring Fund.  The Reorganization is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes.  The section entitled “Federal Income Tax Consequences” of the Prospectus/Information Statement provides additional information regarding the federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization.

 


 

Q.                                    Who will manage the Acquiring Fund after the Reorganization?

 

A.                                     Touchstone Advisors will continue to serve as the investment advisor to the Acquiring Fund.  Currently, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., an affiliate of Touchstone Advisors, serves as the investment sub-advisor to the Acquired Fund, and Apex Capital Management (“Apex”) serves as the investment sub-advisor to the Acquiring Fund.  Following the Reorganization, Apex will continue to serve as the investment sub-advisor to the Acquiring Fund.  For more information on Touchstone Advisors and Apex, please see the sections of the Prospectus/Information Statement entitled “Who will be the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, and Portfolio Manager of my Fund after the Reorganization?” and “Management of the Funds.”

 

Q.                                    Will I have to pay any sales load, commission or other similar fee in connection with the Reorganization?

 

A.                                     No, you will not pay any sales load, commission, or other similar fee in connection with the Reorganization.

 

Q.                                    Who will pay for the Reorganization?

 

A.                                     Touchstone Advisors will pay the costs of the Reorganization.

 

Q.                                    What if I redeem my shares before the Reorganization takes place?

 

A.                                     If you choose to redeem your shares before the Reorganization takes place, then the redemption will be treated as a normal sale of shares and, generally, will be a taxable transaction and may be subject to any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”).

 

Q.                                    Why is no shareholder action necessary?

 

A.                                     The Trust’s Declaration of Trust provides that any series may be merged into another series by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust without the approval of shareholders.  In addition, the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund into the Acquiring Fund satisfies the requisite conditions of Rule 17a-8 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) such that shareholder approval is not required by the 1940 Act.

 

Q.                                    When will the Reorganization occur?

 

A.                                     The Reorganization is expected to occur on or about August 26, 2013.

 

Q.                                    Who should I contact for more information?

 

A.                                     You can contact shareholder services at 1.800.543.0407.


 

PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION STATEMENT

 

July 19, 2013

 

Touchstone Strategic Trust

303 Broadway, Suite 1100

Cincinnati, OH 45202

(800) 543-0407

 

We Are Not Asking You for a Proxy and You are Requested Not To Send Us a Proxy

 

This Prospectus/Information Statement is being furnished to shareholders of the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), a series of Touchstone Strategic Trust (“TST”), in connection with an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Reorganization Agreement”) that has been approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). The Reorganization Agreement provides for the following:

 

·                                           the transfer of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund to the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), a series of TST, in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund (the “Reorganization”);

 

·                                           the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund;

 

·                                           the termination of the Acquired Fund subsequent to the distribution of shares of the Acquiring Fund to the Acquired Fund’s shareholders in complete liquidation of the Acquired Fund; and

 

·                                           the structuring of the Reorganization as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes.

 

The Reorganization is expected to be completed on or about August 26, 2013 (“Closing Date”).  The following table shows the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, as well as the share class of the Acquiring Fund that will be issued to each corresponding share class of the Acquired Fund.

 

Acquired Fund and Share Classes

 

Acquiring Fund and Share Classes

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund,

a series of TST

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund,

a series of TST

Class A

Class C

Class Y

 

Class A

Class C

Class Y

 

The Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund (the “Funds”) are series of TST, a registered open-end management investment company ( i.e. , a mutual fund).

 

This Prospectus/Information Statement, which you should read carefully and retain for future reference, sets forth concisely the information that you should know about the Funds and the Reorganization.  A Statement of Additional Information dated July 19, 2013 relating to this Prospectus/Information Statement and the Reorganization has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus/Information Statement.

 

1


 

Additional information concerning the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund is contained in the documents described below, all of which have been filed with the SEC and all of the documents described below are incorporated herein by reference (meaning that they are legally considered to be part of this Prospectus/Information Statement):

 

Information about the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring 
Fund:

 

How to Obtain this Information:

Prospectus relating to the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund dated July 20, 2012, as amended.

 

Prospectus relating to the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund dated April 26, 2013, as amended, which accompanies this Prospectus/Information Statement.

 

Statement of Additional Information relating to the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund dated July 20, 2012, as amended.

 

Statement of Additional Information relating to the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund dated April 26, 2013, as amended.

 

Annual Report relating to the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund dated March 31, 2013. *

 

Annual Report relating to the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund dated March 31, 2013. *

 


* No other parts of these documents are incorporated by reference herein.

 

A copy of the Prospectus is being mailed with the Prospectus/Information Statement.  You may obtain copies of the SAI, Annual Reports or Semi-Annual Reports, without charge, upon request by:

 

·                   Writing to Touchstone Strategic Trust at
P.O. Box 9878, Providence, RI 02940; or

 

·                   Calling (800) 543-0407 toll-free; or

 

·                   Downloading a copy from https://www.touchstoneinvestments.com/home/formslit/.

 

You can also obtain copies of any of the above-referenced documents without charge on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.  Copies are available for a fee by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or from the Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.

 

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT DETERMINED THAT THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS/INFORMATION STATEMENT IS ACCURATE OR ADEQUATE, NOR HAS IT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES.  ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU OTHERWISE IS COMMITTING A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

An investment in the Funds:

 

·                   is not a deposit of, or guaranteed by, any bank

·                   is not insured by the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency

·                   is not endorsed by any bank or government agency

·                   involves investment risk, including possible loss of your original investment

 

2


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3

 

 

SUMMARY

4

What are the Reasons for the Reorganization?

4

What are the key features of the Reorganization?

4

After the Reorganization, what shares of the Acquiring Fund will I own?

4

How do the Funds’ investment goals and principal investment strategies compare?

5

How do the Funds’ fees and expenses compare?

7

How do the Funds’ performance records compare?

12

Will I be able to purchase, redeem and exchange shares the same way?

14

Will I be able to receive distributions the same way?

14

Who will be the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, and Portfolio Manager of my Fund after the Reorganization?

14

Will the Acquiring Fund have the same service providers as the Acquired Fund?

15

What will be the primary federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization?

15

 

 

COMPARISON OF PRINCIPAL RISKS

15

 

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE REORGANIZATION

17

Reasons for the Reorganization

17

Agreement and Plan of Reorganization

18

Description of the Securities to be Issued

18

Federal Income Tax Consequences

19

Pro Forma Capitalization

21

Management of the Funds

23

Comparison of Investment Advisory Fees

24

Description of Share Classes of the Funds

25

Information regarding the Distributor and Rule 12b-1 Plans

26

Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges of Shares and Dividend Policy

26

Purchase Policies and Redemption Policies

26

Exchange Privileges of the Funds

26

Dividend Policy

27

 

 

INFORMATION ON SHAREHOLDERS’ RIGHTS

28

Shareholder Information

29

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXPERTS

29

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

29

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

29

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

30

 

 

EXHIBIT A: AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

A-1

 

 

EXHIBIT B: COMPARISON OF THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

B-1

 

 

EXHIBIT C: CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

C-1

 

3


 

SUMMARY

 

This section summarizes the primary features and consequences of the Reorganization.  It may not contain all of the information that is important to you.  To understand the Reorganization, you should read this entire Prospectus/Information Statement and the exhibits.  This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the additional information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus/Information Statement, SAI, and the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Reorganization Agreement”), which is attached to this Prospectus/Information Statement as Exhibit A.

 

What are the Reasons for the Reorganization?

 

The Reorganization is designed to eliminate the offering of overlapping funds with the same investment goal and substantially similar investment strategies.  The Reorganization may lead to potential efficiencies and economies of scale for shareholders.  At a meeting held on May 23, 2013, the Board of the Trust, including those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) (the “Disinterested Trustees”), considered and approved the Reorganization, determined that the Reorganization was in the best interests of shareholders of the Funds, and that the interests of existing shareholders of the Funds will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization.  For more information, please see the section entitled “Reasons for the Reorganization.”

 

What are the key features of the Reorganization?

 

The Reorganization Agreement sets forth the key features of the Reorganization.  The Reorganization Agreement provides for the following:

 

·                                           the transfer of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund;

 

·                                           the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund;

 

·                                           the termination of the Acquired Fund subsequent to the distribution of shares of the corresponding Acquiring Fund to the Acquired Fund’s shareholders in complete liquidation of the Acquired Fund; and

 

·                                           the structuring of the Reorganization as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes.

 

The Reorganization is expected to be completed on or about August 26, 2013.

 

After the Reorganization, what shares of the Acquiring Fund will I own?

 

The following table shows the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, as well as the share class of the Acquiring Fund that will be issued to each corresponding share class of the Acquired Fund.

 

Acquired Fund and Share Classes

 

Acquiring Fund and Share Classes

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund,

a series of TST

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund,

a series of TST

Class A

Class C

Class Y

 

Class A

Class C

Class Y

 

The new Acquiring Fund shares you receive will have the same total value as your shares of the Acquired Fund as of the close of business on the day immediately prior to the Reorganization.

 

4


 

How do the Funds’ investment goals and principal investment strategies compare?

 

The Funds have the same investment goal and substantially similar principal investment strategies.  Each Fund’s investment goal is to seek long-term capital growth.  Each Fund invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of small cap companies.  This is a non-fundamental investment policy that can be changed by each Fund upon 60 days prior notice to shareholders. The only substantive differences between the Funds are (i) the Acquiring Fund may invest up to 15% of its assets in common stocks of foreign small- and mid-companies through the purchase of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or foreign domiciled companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges;  (ii) the Acquiring Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and other similar instruments; and (iii) the Acquired Fund may engage in frequent and active trading as part of its principal investment strategy.  Any other differences between the manner in which the Funds implement their investment strategies are attributable to the investment approach of the Funds’ respective sub-advisors, which are discussed and compared in the table below.  Each Fund also has identical fundamental investment limitations, which are set forth in Exhibit B.

 

The following table describes the investment goal and principal investment strategies of the Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund and the Small Cap Growth Fund.

 

 

 

Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Small Cap Growth Fund

Investment Goal

 

Long-term growth of capital

 

Long-term capital growth.

 

 

 

 

 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the common stocks of small cap companies. This is a non-fundamental investment policy that can be changed by the Fund upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. A small cap company has a market capitalization of less than $2.5 billion or a market capitalization represented within the range of the Russell 2000 Index (between $101 million and $2.6 billion as of May 31, 2012). The size of the companies in the Russell 2000 Index will change with market conditions. The Fund will generally hold approximately 80 — 120 stocks.

 

The Fund will invest in securities that Fort Washington believes will capitalize on inefficiencies that exist in the small cap growth market by focusing on:

 

·   Companies that are experiencing improving long-term or cyclical fundamental trends;

 

·   High quality, well-managed companies; and

 

·   Companies with competitive business models

 

Fort Washington employs a four-step

 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of small-cap companies. This is a non-fundamental policy that the Fund can change upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. In implementing this policy, the Fund primarily invests in common stock of small-cap companies. Apex defines small-cap companies as companies with market capitalizations between $150 million and $3.5 billion at the time of purchase. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its assets in common stocks of foreign small- and mid-companies through the purchase of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) or foreign domiciled companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges. The Fund may also invest in shares of exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) and other similar instruments.

 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of small-cap growth-oriented companies that are selected for their long-term capital appreciation potential and which are expected to grow faster than the U.S. economy. In selecting investments for the Fund, Apex uses an approach that combines “top-down” secular/macro-economic trend

 

5


 

 

 

investment process:

 

1.  Proprietary Quantitative Selection Criteria — The small cap growth stock universe is analyzed through a quantitative model and stocks are given rankings along four dimensions: fundamental, risk, valuation and technical. This reduces the universe to a bullpen of approximately 300 stocks.

 

2.  Fundamental Research — Bottom-up fundamental research is conducted on the resulting bullpen of stocks along several dimensions, such as earnings drivers (those factors that ultimately determine a company’s ability to grow its earnings), business model (the strategy used in managing the business), and operating margins (the earnings a company produces before allocating interest expenses, taxes, depreciation, etc.).

 

3.  Team Review — A portfolio manager recommends stocks after performing the fundamental research. Each portfolio manager specializes in one or more economic sectors, and is responsible for making recommendations within that sector. The entire investment team reviews this recommendation, determining whether to add it to the Fund along with the corresponding position weight, if applicable.

 

4.  Portfolio Construction — The portfolio is constructed subject to guidelines and constraints. A risk overlay is added to ensure optimal positioning with respect to macroeconomic trends. Positions are consistently monitored and an annual intensive review is conducted to determine if drivers of growth are still present in each security.

 

analysis with “bottom-up” security selection. The “top-down” approach takes into consideration factors such as interest rates, inflation, fiscal and monetary policy, global demographic trends, the regulatory environment, and global investment opportunities. Through this “top-down” view, Apex seeks to provide a framework for “bottom up” research by identifying sectors, industries and companies that may benefit from the sustainability of the observed trends.

 

Apex applies fundamental “bottom-up” research to identify individual companies which exhibit earnings growth potential and may benefit from the observed secular/macro trends. The core investments of the Fund typically include more established companies that Apex recognizes as “stable growth” companies. Stable growth companies typically provide more stability and consistency in volatile markets and are identified as exhibiting potential earnings acceleration, consistency of earnings, solid fundamentals (e.g., a strong balance sheet or the ability to generate free cash flow), franchise durability, and reasonable valuations in the context of projected growth rates. The Fund may also invest in companies that are in the earlier stages of their growth cycle that Apex recognizes as “emerging growth” companies. Emerging growth companies typically exhibit more aggressive growth characteristics and may be experiencing a significant positive transformation or a favorable catalyst impacting their long-term earnings potential. Characteristics Apex considers in identifying emerging growth companies for the Fund include accelerating revenue growth, relative strength, company specific market advantage, or an introduction of a new product line with a large addressable marketplace.

 

Apex may sell a security when it achieves full valuation; Apex identifies a more attractive investment; the Fund needs to

 

6


 

 

 

 

 

maintain portfolio diversification; or an individual security experiences declining fundamentals, negative earnings surprise, or similar adverse events. In general, once a security reaches $5 billion in market capitalization Apex gradually liquidates the position.

 

How do the Funds’ fees and expenses compare?

 

Comparative Fee Tables

 

The following tables allow you to compare the various fees and expenses that you may pay for buying and holding shares of each of the Funds.  The tables also show the various costs and expenses that investors in the Acquired Fund will bear as shareholders of the Acquiring Fund.  Pro forma expense levels shown should not be considered an actual representation of future expenses or performance.  Such pro forma expense levels project anticipated levels but actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown.  The shareholder transaction expenses presented below show the maximum sales charge (load) on purchases of Fund shares as a percentage of offering price. However, you will not have to pay any front-end sales charge on any shares of the Acquiring Fund received as part of the Reorganization. Information regarding sales charge discounts for which you may qualify with respect to future purchases of Class A shares of the Acquiring Fund is included in the section entitled “Description of Share Classes of the Funds” below.  Expense ratios reflect annual fund operating expenses for the most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 for the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund. Pro forma numbers are estimated as if the Reorganization had been completed as of March 31, 2013 and do not include the estimated costs of the Reorganization. The Funds will not bear any Reorganization costs.

 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified
Small Cap Growth Fund
(Acquired 
Fund)

Class A

 

Touchstone Small
Cap Growth Fund
(Acquiring 
Fund)

Class A

 

Touchstone Small
Cap Growth Fund
(Acquiring Fund after 
Transaction)

(pro forma combined)
Class A

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a % of offering price)

 

5.75

%

5.75

%

5.75

%

Maximum Deferred Sales (Load) (as a % of original purchase price or the amount redeemed, whichever is less)(1)

 

1.00

%

1.00

%

1.00

%

Wire Redemption Fee

 

Up to $15

 

Up to $15

 

Up to $15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management Fees

 

1.05

%

1.00

%

1.00

%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

 

0.25

%

0.25

%

0.25

%

Other Expenses

 

0.82

%

1.00

%

0.65

%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

2.12

%

2.25

%

1.90

%

Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursement(2)

 

0.00

%

(0.81

)%

(0.46

)%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement

 

2.12

%

1.44

%

1.44

%

 


(1)  A CDSC of up to 1.00% may apply for investments of $1 million or more of Class A shares (and therefore no initial sales charge was paid by the shareholder) and shares are redeemed within 12 months after initial purchase. The CDSC shall not apply to those purchases of Class A shares of $1 million or more where the selling broker-dealer was not paid a commission. You should contact your financial intermediary to determine whether you are subject to the CDSC.

(2)  Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (“Touchstone Advisors”) and the Trust have entered into an expense limitation agreement whereby Touchstone Advisors has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse certain Fund expenses in order to limit annual fund operating expenses to 1.40% for Class A shares for the Acquired Fund and 1.44% for Class A shares for the Acquiring Fund. The expense limitation agreement for the Acquired Fund is effective through July 29, 2013.  The expenses limitation agreement for the Acquiring Fund is effective through August 31, 2014.   Both agreements can be terminated by a vote  

 

7


 

of the Board of Trustees of the Funds if they deem the termination to be beneficial to the Fund shareholders. The terms of Touchstone Advisors’ contractual waiver agreement provide that Touchstone Advisors is entitled to recoup, subject to approval by the Funds’ Board of Trustees, such amounts waived or reimbursed for a period of up to three (3) years from the year in which Touchstone Advisors reduced its compensation and/or assumed expenses for a Fund. No recoupment will occur unless a Fund’s operating expenses are below the expense limitation amount. See the discussion entitled “Expense Limitation Agreements with respect to the Funds” in this Prospectus/Information Statement for more information.

 

8


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified
Small Cap Growth Fund
(Acquired 
Fund)

Class C

 

Touchstone
Small Cap Growth
Fund
(Acquiring 
Fund)

Class C

 

Touchstone
Small Cap Growth
Fund
(Acquiring Fund after 
Transaction)

(pro forma combined)
Class C

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maximum Deferred Sales (Load) (as a % of original purchase price or the amount redeemed, whichever is less)

 

1.00

%

1.00

%

1.00

%

Wire Redemption Fee

 

Up to $15

 

Up to $15

 

Up to $15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management Fees

 

1.05

%

1.00

%

1.00

%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

 

1.00

%

1.00

%

1.00

%

Other Expenses

 

1.57

%

0.82

%

0.75

%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

3.62

%

2.82

%

2.75

%

Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursement (1)

 

0.00

%

(0.63

)%

(0.56

)%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement

 

3.62

%

2.19

%

2.19

%

 


(1)  Touchstone Advisors and the Trust have entered into an expense limitation agreement whereby Touchstone Advisors has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse certain Fund expenses in order to limit annual fund operating expenses to 2.15% for Class C shares for the Acquired Fund and 2.19% for the Acquiring Fund. The expense limitation agreement for the Acquired Fund is effective through July 29, 2013.  The expenses limitation agreement for the Acquiring Fund is effective through August 31, 2014.   Both agreements can be terminated by a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Funds if they deem the termination to be beneficial to the Fund shareholders. The terms of Touchstone Advisors’ contractual waiver agreement provide that Touchstone Advisors is entitled to recoup, subject to approval by the Funds’ Board of Trustees, such amounts waived or reimbursed for a period of up to three (3) years from the year in which Touchstone Advisors reduced its compensation and/or assumed expenses for a Fund. No recoupment will occur unless a Fund’s operating expenses are below the expense limitation amount. See the discussion entitled “Expense Limitation Agreements with respect to the Funds” in this Prospectus/Information Statement for more information.

 

9


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified
Small Cap Growth
Fund
(Acquired 
Fund)

Class Y

 

Touchstone Small
Cap Growth
Fund
(Acquiring 
Fund)

Class Y

 

Touchstone Small
Cap Growth
Fund
(Acquiring Fund after 
Transaction)

(pro forma combined)
Class Y

 

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wire Redemption Fee

 

Up to $15

 

Up to $15

 

Up to $15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a % of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management Fees

 

1.05

%

1.00

%

1.00

%

Other Expenses

 

0.50

%

0.76

%

0.41

%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

1.55

%

1.76

%

1.41

%

Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursement(1)

 

0.00

%

(0.57

)%

(0.22

)%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement

 

1.55

%

1.19

%

1.19

%

 


(1)  Touchstone Advisors and the Trust have entered into an expense limitation agreement whereby Touchstone Advisors has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its fees and/or reimburse certain Fund expenses in order to limit annual fund operating expenses for each Fund to 1.15% for Class Y shares for the Acquired Fund and 1.19% for Class Y shares of the Acquiring Fund. The expense limitation agreement for the Acquired Fund is effective through July 29, 2013.  The expenses limitation agreement for the Acquiring Fund is effective through August 31, 2014.   Both agreements can be terminated by a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Funds if they deem the termination to be beneficial to the Fund shareholders. The terms of Touchstone Advisors’ contractual waiver agreement provide that Touchstone Advisors is entitled to recoup, subject to approval by the Funds’ Board of Trustees, such amounts waived or reimbursed for a period of up to three (3) years from the year in which Touchstone Advisors reduced its compensation and/or assumed expenses for a Fund. No recoupment will occur unless a Fund’s operating expenses are below the expense limitation amount. See the discussion entitled “Expense Limitation Agreements with respect to the Funds” in this Prospectus/Information Statement for more information.

 

10


 

Expense Examples

 

The examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Acquired Fund versus the Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Fund (Pro Forma ), assuming the Reorganization takes place.  The examples assume that you invest $10,000 for the time periods indicated and then, except as indicated, redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The examples also assume that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the operating expenses remain the same.  The examples also assume that the expense limitations remain in effect for the length of the contractual fee waiver for the Acquired Fund and remain in effect for a period of one year for the Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Fund ( Pro Forma ).  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

 

 

Assuming Redemption

 

Assuming No Redemption

 

 

 

1 Year

 

3
Years

 

5
 Years

 

10
 Years

 

1 Year

 

3
Years

 

5
 Years

 

10
 Years

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

Class A

 

$

778

 

$

1,202

 

$

1,649

 

$

2,884

 

$

778

 

$

1,202

 

$

1,649

 

$

2,884

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund

Class A

 

$

713

 

$

1,165

 

$

1,642

 

$

2,953

 

$

713

 

$

1,165

 

$

1,642

 

$

2,953

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (Pro Forma)

Class A

 

$

714

 

$

1,098

 

$

1,506

 

$

2,641

 

$

714

 

$

1,098

 

$

1,506

 

$

2,641

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

Class C

 

$

465

 

$

1,110

 

$

1,876

 

$

3,886

 

$

365

 

$

1,110

 

$

1,876

 

$

3,886

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund

Class C

 

$

322

 

$

814

 

$

1,432

 

$

3,098

 

$

222

 

$

814

 

$

1,432

 

$

3,098

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (Pro Forma)

Class C

 

$

322

 

$

800

 

$

1,404

 

$

3,036

 

$

222

 

$

800

 

$

1,404

 

$

3,036

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

Class Y

 

$

157

 

$

489

 

$

843

 

$

1,845

 

$

157

 

$

489

 

$

843

 

$

1,845

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund

Class Y

 

$

121

 

$

499

 

$

901

 

$

2,026

 

$

121

 

$

499

 

$

901

 

$

2,026

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (Pro Forma)

Class Y

 

$

121

 

$

424

 

$

750

 

$

1,673

 

$

121

 

$

424

 

$

750

 

$

1,673

 

 

11


 

Portfolio Turnover

 

Each Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Funds’ performance. The table below indicates the Acquired Fund’s and Acquiring Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for its most recent fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.

 

Acquired Fund

 

Portfolio Turnover
Rate

 

Acquiring Fund

 

Portfolio Turnover
Rate

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

 

70

%

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund

 

45

%*

 


*Portfolio turnover rate excludes securities delivered from processing a redemption-in-kind.

 

How do the Funds’ performance records compare?

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund (Acquired Fund) and Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (Acquiring Fund)

 

The bar chart and performance table below illustrate some indication of the risks of investing in a Fund by showing changes in the Funds’ performance from year to year and by showing how the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund’s average annual total returns for 1 year, 5 years, and since inception and the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund’s average annual total returns for 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years compare with the Russell 2000 Growth Index.  The bar chart does not reflect any sales charges, which would reduce your return.   A Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance is available at no cost by visiting www.TouchstoneInvestments.com or by calling 1.800.543.0407.

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund Class A Shares Total Return as of December 31

 

 

Best Quarter:  2nd Quarter 2009 +17.07%        Worst Quarter:  4th Quarter 2008 -28.14%

 

The year-to-date return for the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund’s Class A shares as of March 31, 2013 is 11.07%.

 

12


 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund – Class A Shares Total Return as of December 31

 

 

Best Quarter:  2nd Quarter 2009 +32.54%       Worst Quarter:  4th Quarter 2008 -27.89%

 

The year to date return for the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund’s Class A Shares as of March 31, 2013 is 10.50%.

 

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.  Your actual after-tax returns may differ from those shown and depend on your tax situation.  The after-tax returns do not apply to shares held in an IRA, 401(k), or other tax-deferred account. The after-tax returns shown in the table are for Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund Class A shares and Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund Class A shares, and after-tax returns for other Classes will vary.

 

For the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund, Class A shares and Class Y shares began operations on September 6, 2006 and Class C shares began operations on August 1, 2007.  The Class C shares performance was calculated using the historical performance of the Class A shares for the period from September 6, 2006 through July 31, 2007.  Performance for this period has been restated to reflect the impact of Class C shares fees and expenses.

 

Average Annual Total Returns

 

For the period ended December 31, 2012

 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap 
Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth 
Fund

 

 

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

Since 
Inception

(09-06-06)

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Class A Return Before Taxes

 

2.92

%

(1.83

)%

2.54

%

8.17

%

4.38

%

10.02

%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions

 

2.92

%

(1.83

)%

2.08

%

7.22

%

4.15

%

7.96

%

Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

 

1.90

%

(1.54

)%

1.94

%

6.51

%

3.72

%

8.39

%

Class C Return Before Taxes

 

7.29

%

(1.40

)%

2.74

%

13.24

%

4.88

%

9.95

%

Class Y Return Before Taxes

 

9.46

%

(0.45

)%

3.75

%

15.21

%

5.90

%

10.94

%

Russell 2000 Growth Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)

 

14.59

%

3.49

%

5.19

%

14.59

%

3.49

%

9.80

%

 

13


 

Will I be able to purchase, redeem and exchange shares the same way?

 

After the Reorganization, you will be able to purchase, redeem and exchange shares the same way.   For more information, see the section entitled “Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges of Shares and Dividend Policy,” below.

 

Will I be able to receive distributions the same way?

 

After the Reorganization, you will be able to receive distributions the same way.  Each Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders substantially all of its income and capital gains.  The table below outlines when dividends, if any, are declared and paid by each Fund:

 

Acquired Fund

 

Dividends Declared/ 
Dividends Paid

 

Acquiring Fund

 

Dividends Declared/ 
Dividends Paid

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Annually/Annually

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Annually/Annually

 

Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed annually by both of the Funds.  After the Reorganization, any dividends and distributions will be reinvested in the class of shares of the Acquiring Fund you receive in the Reorganization or, if you have so elected, distributed in cash.  For more information, see the section entitled “Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges of Shares and Dividend Policy.”

 

Who will be the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, and Portfolio Manager of my Fund after the Reorganization?

 

Touchstone Advisors currently serves as the investment advisor to each Fund.  Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., an affiliate of Touchstone Advisors, currently serves as the investment sub-advisor to the Acquired Fund, and Apex serves as the investment sub-advisor to the Acquiring Fund.  After the Reorganization, Touchstone Advisors will continue to serve as the investment advisor to the Acquiring Fund and Apex will continue to serve as the sub-advisor to the Acquiring Fund.  In addition, Nitin N. Kumbhani will continue to serve as the portfolio manager to the Acquiring Fund.  For additional information regarding Touchstone Advisors, Apex, and Nitin N. Kumbhani, please see the section entitled “Management of the Funds” below.

 

14


 

Will the Acquiring Fund have the same service providers as the Acquired Fund?

 

Except for the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, the Funds currently have the same service providers.  Upon completion of the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund will continue to engage its existing service providers, as set forth in the chart below.

 

DIVERSIFIED SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

 

Service Providers

Principal Underwriter

 

Touchstone Securities, Inc.

Administrator

 

Touchstone Advisors, Inc.

Sub-Administrator

 

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Transfer Agent

 

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Custodian

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Ernst & Young LLP

 

SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

 

Service Providers

Principal Underwriter

 

Touchstone Securities, Inc.

Administrator

 

Touchstone Advisors, Inc.

Sub-Administrator

 

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Transfer Agent

 

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Custodian

 

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP*

 


*PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.  Ernst & Young LLP will serve as the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014

 

For additional information regarding the service providers to the Funds, please see each Fund’s SAI.

 

What will be the primary federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization?

 

The transaction has been structured to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes and is expected to so qualify.  If the Reorganization so qualifies, in general, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund or their respective shareholders as a result of the Reorganization.  As a condition to the closing of the Reorganization, the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will each receive an opinion from the law firm of Pepper Hamilton LLP that the Reorganization qualifies as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of section 368(a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  The opinion, however, is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or any court and thus does not preclude the IRS from asserting, or a court from rendering, a contrary position.  See “Federal Income Tax Consequences” for more information on the federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization.

 

Will there be any repositioning costs?

 

Although the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund have similar investment goals and investment strategies, it is expected that a portion of the securities held by the Acquired Fund may be sold after the Reorganization takes place as the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio managers align or reposition the portfolio with the Acquiring Fund’s investment strategy. The estimated transaction costs anticipated to be incurred in connection with the sale of such portfolio securities following the Reorganization is $93,000, or approximately a 30 basis point impact on the Acquiring Fund’s asset base.

 

COMPARISON OF PRINCIPAL RISKS

 

The Funds have similar principal investment risks The following section sets forth the principal risks of each Fund.  For more information on the risks associated with Funds, see each Fund’s SAI.

 

Principal Risks of Both Funds

 

Each Fund’s share price will fluctuate. You could lose money on your investment in each Fund, and each Fund could also return less than other investments.  As with any mutual fund, there is no guarantee that either Fund will achieve its investment goal.  Each Fund is subject to the principal risks listed below.

 

15


 

·                   Depositary Receipts Risk (Acquiring Fund only): Foreign receipts, which include American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), are securities that evidence ownership interests in a security or a pool of securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs may be available through “sponsored” or “unsponsored” facilities. The risks of depositary receipts include many risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, such as individual country risk and liquidity risk.

 

·                   Equity Securities Risk: Each Fund is subject to the risk that stock prices will fall over short or extended periods of time. Individual companies may report poor results or be negatively affected by industry and/or economic trends and developments. The prices of securities issued by these companies may decline in response to such developments, which could result in a decline in the value of each Fund’s shares.

 

·                   Mid Cap Risk (Acquiring Fund only): The Fund is subject to the risk that medium capitalization stocks may underperform other types of stocks or the equity markets as a whole. Stocks of mid-sized companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than stocks of larger, more established companies. Mid-sized companies may have limited product lines or financial resources, and may be dependent upon a particular niche of the market.

 

·                   Small Cap Risk: Each Fund is subject to the risk that small capitalization stocks may underperform other types of stocks or the equity markets as a whole. Small cap stock risk is the risk that stocks of smaller companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than stocks of larger, more established companies. Small companies may have limited product lines or financial resources, or may be dependent upon a small or inexperienced management group. In addition, small cap stocks typically are traded in lower volume, and their issuers typically are subject to greater degrees of changes in their earnings and prospects.

 

·                   Exchange-Traded Funds (Acquiring Fund only): When investing in ETFs, shareholders bear their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses and their proportionate share of ETF expenses which are similar to the Fund’s expenses. Also, although ETFs seek to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of a particular market index, the price movement of an ETF may not track the underlying index.

 

·                   Foreign Securities Risk (Acquiring Fund only): Investing in foreign securities poses additional risks since political and economic events unique in a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. These events will not necessarily affect the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in foreign securities are generally denominated in foreign currency. As a result, changes in the value of those currencies compared to the U.S. dollar may affect (positively or negatively) the value of the Fund’s investments. There are also risks associated with foreign accounting standards, government regulation, market information, and clearance and settlement procedures. Foreign markets may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. markets and offer less protection to investors.

 

·                   Growth Investing Risk: Each Fund may lose money because growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company’s growth of earnings potential. Also, since growth companies usually invest a high portion of earnings in their business, growth stocks may lack the dividends of some value stocks that can cushion stock prices in a falling market. Growth oriented funds may underperform when value investing is in favor.

 

·                   Management Risk: The Advisor engages one or more sub-advisors to make investment decisions on its behalf for a portion or all of the Fund. There is a risk that the advisor may be unable to identify and retain sub-advisors who achieve superior investment returns

 

16


 

relative to other similar sub-advisors. The value of your investment may decrease if the Sub-Advisor’s judgment about the attractiveness, value or market trends affecting a particular security, issuer, industry or sector or about market movements is incorrect.

 

·                   Portfolio Turnover Risk (Acquired Fund only): Frequent and active trading may result in greater expenses to the Fund, which may lower the Fund’s performance.

 

·                   Sector Focus Risks (Acquired Fund only): The Fund may focus its investments in certain industries with certain sectors.  A fund that focuses its investments in the securities of a particular market sector is subject to the risk that adverse circumstances will have a greater impact on the fund than a fund that does not focus its investments in a particular sector.  It is possible that economic, business, or political developments or other changes affecting one security in the area of focus will affect other securities in that area of focus in the same manner, thereby increasing the risk of such investments.

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE REORGANIZATION

 

Reasons for the Reorganization

 

The Reorganization is designed to eliminate the offering of overlapping funds with the same investment goal and substantially similar investment strategies.  The Reorganization may lead to potential efficiencies and economies of scale for shareholders.  At a meeting held on May 23, 2013, the Board of the Trust, including the Disinterested Trustees, considered and approved the Reorganization, determined that the Reorganization was in the best interests of shareholders of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, and that the interests of existing shareholders of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization.

 

In evaluating the Reorganization, the Board requested and reviewed, with assistance of independent legal counsel, materials furnished by Touchstone Advisors, the investment advisor to the Funds.  These materials included written information regarding operations and financial conditions of the Funds, principal terms and conditions of the Reorganization, including the intention that the Reorganization be consummated on a tax-free basis.  The Trustees were also advised that as of March 31, 2013, the Acquired Fund had net assets of approximately $29.8 million, while the Acquiring Fund had assets of approximately $35.9 million. Accordingly, by merging the Funds, shareholders would enjoy a greater asset base over which fund expenses may be spread. In addition, the Trustees considered, among other things:

 

·                   the terms and conditions of the Reorganization;

 

·                   the investment advisory and other fees paid by the Funds and the expense ratios of the Funds;

 

·                   the advice and recommendation of Touchstone Advisors, including its opinion that in light of the foregoing, the Reorganization would be in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders;

 

·                   the expenses of the Reorganization would not be borne by the Funds’ shareholders;

 

·                   the historical investment performance record of the Funds and expected continuity of day-to-day Fund management of the Acquiring Fund through Apex;

 

·                   the same investment goal and substantially similar investment strategies of the Funds;

 

·                   the fact that the Acquiring Fund will assume all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund;

 

·                   the anticipated benefits to shareholders, including operating efficiencies, which may be achieved from the Reorganization;

 

·                   the anticipated tax-free nature of the Reorganization; and

 

17


 

·                   alternatives available to shareholders of the Acquired Fund, including the ability to redeem their shares.

 

During their consideration of the Reorganization, the Board met with independent legal counsel regarding the legal issues involved.  After consideration of the factors noted above, together with other factors and information considered to be relevant, and recognizing that there can be no assurance that any operating efficiencies or other benefits will in fact be realized, the Board concluded that the Reorganization would be in the best interests of the Funds and that the interests of the Funds’ shareholders would not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization.

 

Agreement and Plan of Reorganization

 

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Reorganization Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit A to this Prospectus/Information Statement.

 

The Reorganization Agreement provides that all of the assets of the Acquired Fund will be acquired by the Acquiring Fund in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund, and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund on or about August 26, 2013 or such other date as may be agreed upon by the parties (the “Closing Date”).  The class or classes of the Acquiring Fund shares that you will receive in connection with the Reorganization will depend on the class or classes of the Acquired Fund shares that you hold.

 

Prior to the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will endeavor to discharge all of its known liabilities and obligations. The Acquired Fund will prepare an unaudited statement of its assets and liabilities as of 4:00 PM Eastern Time on the Business Day preceding the Closing Date (the “Valuation Date”).  At or prior to the Valuation Date, for tax reasons, the Acquired Fund will declare a dividend or dividends and distribution or distributions which, together with all previous dividends and distributions, shall have the effect of distributing to the Acquired Fund’s shareholders all of the Acquired Fund’s investment company taxable income for all taxable periods ending on the Closing Date (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid), all of the Acquired Fund’s net tax exempt income and all of its net capital gains realized in all taxable periods ending on the Closing Date (after reductions for any capital loss carryforward).

 

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., the sub-administrator for the Funds, will compute the value of the Acquired Fund’s portfolio of securities. The method of valuation employed will be consistent with the valuation procedures described in the then-current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Funds or such other valuation procedures as shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties.

 

As soon after the Closing Date as conveniently practicable, the Acquired Fund will liquidate and distribute pro rata to shareholders of record as of the close of business on the Valuation Date the full and fractional shares of the Acquiring Fund received by the Acquired Fund. The liquidation and distribution will be accomplished by the establishment of accounts in the names of the Acquired Fund’s shareholders on the Acquiring Fund’s share records of its transfer agent. Each account will represent the respective pro rata number of full and fractional shares of the Acquiring Fund due to the Acquired Fund’s shareholders. All issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund will be canceled. Shares of the Acquiring Fund to be issued will have no preemptive or conversion rights and no share certificates will be issued. After the liquidation and distribution and the winding up of its affairs, the Acquired Fund will be dissolved.

 

The consummation of the Reorganization is subject to the conditions set forth in the Reorganization Agreement. The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated (a) by the mutual agreement of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund; or (b) at or prior to the Closing Date by either party (1) because of a breach by the other of any representation, warranty, or agreement contained in the Reorganization Agreement to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date, if not cured within 30 days, or (2) because a condition in the Reorganization Agreement expressed to be precedent to the obligations of the terminating party has not been met and it reasonably appears that it will not or cannot be met.  Whether or not the Reorganization is consummated, Touchstone Advisors will pay the expenses incurred by the Funds in connection with the Reorganization.

 

Description of the Securities to be Issued

 

Shareholders of the Acquired Fund as of the closing date will receive full and/or fractional shares of the Acquiring Fund in accordance with the procedures provided for in the Reorganization Agreement, as described above.  The shares of the Acquiring Fund to be issued in connection with the Reorganization will be fully

 

18


 

paid and non-assessable when issued.  The rights of shareholders of the Funds are the same.  For more information see the section entitled “Information on Shareholders’ Rights” below.

 

Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

The following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization that are applicable to you as an Acquired Fund shareholder.  It is based on the Code, applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, judicial authority and administrative rulings and practice, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, including changes with retroactive effect.  The discussion below does not address any state, local or foreign tax consequences of the Reorganization.  Your tax treatment may vary depending upon your particular situation.  You also may be subject to special rules not discussed below if you are a certain kind of Acquired Fund shareholder, including, but not limited to: an insurance company; a tax-exempt organization; a financial institution or broker-dealer; a person who is neither a citizen nor resident of the United States or an entity that is not organized under the laws of the United States or a political subdivision thereof; a holder of Acquired Fund shares as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion transaction; a person that does not hold Acquired Fund shares as a capital asset at the time of the Reorganization; or an entity taxable as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

The Reorganization is intended to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code.  As a condition to the closing of the Reorganization, the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund will receive an opinion from the law firm of Pepper Hamilton LLP substantially to the effect that, on the basis of the existing provisions of the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations issued thereunder, current administrative rules, pronouncements and court decisions, and certain representations, qualifications and assumptions with respect to the Reorganization, for federal income tax purposes, upon consummation of the Reorganization:

 

(i)                                The acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund’s assumption of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund and issuance of the Acquiring Fund shares, followed by the distribution of such Acquiring Fund shares by the Acquired Fund in complete liquidation to the Acquired Fund shareholders in exchange for their Acquired Fund shares, all as provided in the Reorganization Agreement, will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund each will be “a party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;

 

(ii)                             Under Code Section 361, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund (i) upon the transfer of all of its assets to the Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund or (ii) upon the distribution of the Acquiring Fund shares by the Acquired Fund to the Acquired Fund shareholders in complete liquidation, as contemplated in the Reorganization Agreement;

 

(iii)                          Under Code Section 1032, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon the receipt of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund solely in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund and issuance of the Acquiring Fund Shares as contemplated in the Reorganization Agreement;

 

(iv)                         Under Code Section 362(b), the tax basis of the assets of the Acquired Fund received by the Acquiring Fund will be the same as the tax basis of such assets in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization;

 

(v)                            Under Code Section 1223(2), the holding periods of the assets of the Acquired Fund in the hands of the Acquiring Fund will include the periods during which such assets were held by the Acquired Fund;

 

(vi)                         Under Code Section 354, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund shareholders upon the exchange of all of their Acquired Fund shares solely for the Acquiring Fund shares in the Reorganization;

 

19


 

(vii)                      Under Code Section 358, the aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund shares to be received by each Acquired Fund shareholder pursuant to the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the Acquired Fund shares exchanged therefor;

 

(viii)                   Under Code Section 1223(1), an Acquired Fund shareholder’s holding period for the Acquiring Fund shares to be received will include the period during which the Acquired Fund shares exchanged therefor were held by such shareholder, provided that the Acquired Fund shareholder held the Acquired Fund shares as a capital asset at the time of the Reorganization.

 

Pepper Hamilton LLP will express no opinion as to (1) the effect of the Reorganization on (A) the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund with respect to any asset as to which any unrealized gain or loss is required to be recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the end of a taxable year (or on the termination or transfer thereof) under a mark-to-market system of accounting, (B) any Acquired Fund shareholder or Acquiring Fund shareholder that is required to recognize unrealized gains and losses for U.S. federal income tax purposes under a mark-to-market system of accounting, or (C) the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund with respect to any stock held in a passive foreign investment company as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code or (2) any other federal tax issues (except those set forth above) and all state, local or foreign tax issues of any kind.

 

No private ruling will be sought from the IRS with respect to the federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization.  Opinions of counsel are not binding upon the IRS or the courts, are not guarantees of the tax results, and do not preclude the IRS from adopting or taking a contrary position, which may be sustained by a court.  If the Reorganization is consummated but the IRS or the courts determine that the Reorganization does not qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the Code and, thus, is taxable, the Acquired Fund would recognize gain or loss on the transfer of its assets to the Acquiring Fund and each shareholder of the Acquired Fund would recognize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between its tax basis in its Acquired Fund shares and the fair market value of the shares of the Acquiring Fund it receives.

 

Prior to the Reorganization, the Acquired Fund will declare a distribution to its shareholders, which together with all previous distributions, will have the effect of distributing to its shareholders substantially all of the Acquired Fund’s investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and realized net capital gain, if any, through the Reorganization.  Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders for federal income tax purposes and may include net capital gain from the sale of portfolio assets (discussed below).  Even if reinvested in additional shares of the Acquired Fund, which would be exchanged for shares of the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization, such distributions will be taxable for federal income tax purposes.

 

If portfolio assets of the Acquired Fund are sold prior to the Reorganization, the tax impact of such sales will depend on the difference between the price at which such portfolio assets are sold and the Acquired Fund’s basis in such assets.  Any capital gains recognized in these sales on a net basis will be distributed to the Acquired Fund’s shareholders as capital gains (to the extent of net realized long-term capital gain) and/or ordinary dividends (to the extent of net realized short-term capital gain) during or with respect to the year of sale, and such distributions will be taxable to shareholders.

 

U.S. federal income tax law permits a regulated investment company to carry forward net capital losses realized during taxable years beginning on or before December 22, 2010, for a period of up to eight taxable years, and, for net capital losses realized during taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010, for an unlimited number of taxable years.  A regulated investment company must use capital loss carryforwards generated in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 to offset gains arising in taxable years beginning after this date before capital losses carried forward from years beginning prior to this date are used.  The Reorganization will cause the tax year of the Acquired Fund to close, resulting in an earlier expiration of the capital loss carryforwards of the Acquired Fund than would otherwise occur and could also result in a capital loss for the taxable year ending on the Closing Date.  In addition, the Reorganization is expected to result in a limitation on the ability of the Acquiring Fund to use the capital loss carryforwards of the Acquired Fund and, potentially, to use unrealized capital losses inherent in the tax basis of the assets acquired, once realized.  These limitations are imposed on an annual basis.  Capital loss carryforwards in excess of the annual limitation may be carried forward, subject to the overall eight-year limitation for capital loss carryforwards attributable to net capital losses realized in taxable years beginning on or before December 22, 2010.  The annual Section 382 limitation for periods following the Reorganization generally will equal the product of the net assets of the Acquired Fund subject to the limitation immediately prior to the Reorganization and the “long-term tax-exempt rate,” published by the IRS, in effect at the time of the

 

20


 

Reorganization.  As of June 2013, the long-term tax-exempt rate is 2.70%.  However, no assurance can be given as to what long-term tax-exempt rate will be in effect at the time of the Reorganization.  In certain instances, under Section 384 of the Code, the Acquiring Fund will be prohibited from using the Acquired Fund’s loss carryforwards and unrealized losses against the unrealized gains of the Acquiring Fund at the time of the Reorganization, to the extent such gains are realized within five years following the Reorganization.  The ability of the Acquiring Fund to absorb the Acquired Fund’s losses in the future depends upon a variety of factors that cannot be known in advance, such as future realization of capital gains or losses. In general, the limitation under Section 382 will apply to capital loss carryforwards and unrealized losses of the Acquired Fund when its shareholders will hold less than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Acquiring Fund immediately following the Reorganization.  Accordingly, it is expected that the limitation will apply to any losses of the Acquired Fund.  As of March 31, 2013, for U.S. federal income tax purposes the Acquired Fund had capital loss carryforwards as indicated below.

 

 

 

2014

 

2017

 

2018

 

Total

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

 

$

2,316,481

 

$

3,627,106

 

$

5,932,361

 

$

11,875,948

 

 

As of March 31, 2013, for U.S. federal income tax purposes the Acquired Fund had net unrealized gain.  These figures are likely to change by the date of the Reorganization, and do not reflect the impact of the Reorganization, including, in particular, the application of the loss limitation rules discussed herein.

 

The Acquired Fund shareholders may benefit from capital loss carryforwards of the Acquiring Fund.  The Acquiring Fund’s ability to use its own capital loss carryforwards and unrealized losses, once realized, may be subject to an annual limitation under Section 382 of the Code as well, such that losses in excess of the limitation cannot be used in the taxable year and must be carried forward.  The limitation generally equals the product of the net asset value of the Acquiring Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization and the long-term tax-exempt rate in effect at such time.  The ability of the Acquiring Fund to absorb losses in the future depends upon a variety of factors that cannot be known in advance.

 

In addition, shareholders of the Acquired Fund will receive a proportionate share of any taxable income and gains realized by the Acquiring Fund and not distributed to its shareholders prior to the Reorganization when such income and gains are eventually distributed by the Acquiring Fund.  As a result, shareholders of the Acquired Fund may receive a greater amount of taxable distributions than they would have had the Reorganization not occurred.

 

Tracking Your Basis and Holding Period; State and Local Taxes.  After the Reorganization, you will continue to be responsible for tracking the adjusted tax basis and holding period of your shares for federal income tax purposes.  However, mutual funds must report cost basis information to you and the Internal Revenue Service for shares purchased after January 1, 2012 when a shareholder sells or exchanges shares that are not in a retirement account.

 

This discussion does not address any other state or local tax issues and only limited federal tax issues.

 

You are urged and advised to consult your own tax advisors as to the federal, state, local, foreign, and other tax consequences of the Reorganization in light of your individual circumstances, including the applicability and effect of possible changes in any applicable tax laws.

 

Pro Forma Capitalization

 

The following table sets forth, for the Reorganization, the total net assets, number of shares outstanding and net asset value (“NAV”) per share.  This information is generally referred to as the “capitalization” of a Fund.  The term “pro forma capitalization” means the expected capitalization of the Acquiring Fund after it has combined with the Acquired Fund.

 

21


 

 

 

Touchstone 
Diversified Small
 Cap Growth Fund
 (Acquired Fund)*

 

Touchstone 
Small Cap 
Growth Fund

(Acquiring 
Fund)*

 

Pro Forma 
Adjustments(1)*

 

Pro Forma 
Combined 
Touchstone 
Small Cap 
Growth Fund*

 

Net Assets (all classes)

 

$

29,826,671

 

$

35,878,642

 

 

 

$

65,705,313

 

Class A net assets

 

$

7,139,939

 

$

14,243,332

 

 

 

$

21,383,271

 

Class A shares outstanding

 

569,503

 

2,943,555

 

905,691

(2)

4,418,749

 

Class A net asset value per share

 

$

12.54

 

$

4.84

 

 

 

$

4.84

 

Class C net assets

 

$

1,655,208

 

$

3,508,976

 

 

 

$

5,164,184

 

Class C shares outstanding

 

137,665

 

831,213

 

254,564

(2)

1,223,442

 

Class C net asset value per share

 

$

12.02

 

$

4.22

 

 

 

$

4.22

 

Class Y net assets

 

$

21,031,524

 

$

18,123,498

 

 

 

$

39,155,022

 

Class Y shares outstanding

 

1,651,076

 

3,438,201

 

2,339,726

(2)

7,429,003

 

Class Y net asset value per share

 

$

12.74

 

$

5.27

 

 

 

$

5.27

 

 


(1)      Touchstone will bear 100% of the Reorganization expenses.  As a result there are no pro forma adjustments to net assets.

(2)      Pro forma shares outstanding have been adjusted for the accumulated change in the number of shares of the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund’s shareholder accounts based on the relative value of the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund’s and the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund’s net asset value per share.

*              The information in the table is as of March 31, 2013 and assumes that the Reorganization has taken place. The capitalization will be different on the Closing Date as a result of daily Fund share purchase, redemption and market activity.

 

22


 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUNDS

 

Management of the Funds

 

The overall management of each Fund is the responsibility of, and is supervised by, the Board of the Trust.

 

Advisor

 

Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (“Touchstone Advisors”) , located at 303 Broadway, Suite 1100, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, is the investment advisor of the Funds and will continue to serve as the investment advisor to the Acquiring Fund upon closing of the Reorganization.  Touchstone Advisors has been a registered investment advisor since 1994. As of April 30, 2013, Touchstone Advisors had approximately $16.6 billion in assets under management.  As the Funds’ investment advisor, Touchstone Advisors continuously reviews, supervises and administers the Funds’ investment programs and also ensures compliance with the Funds’ investment policies and guidelines.  Touchstone Advisors is responsible for selecting each Fund’s sub-advisor(s), subject to approval by the Board. Touchstone Advisors selects a sub-advisor that has shown good investment performance in its areas of expertise. Touchstone Advisors considers various factors in evaluating a sub-advisor, including: level of knowledge and skill; performance as compared to its peers or benchmark; consistency of performance over 5 years or more; level of compliance with investment rules and strategies; employees; facilities and financial strength and quality of service.  Touchstone Advisors will also continually monitor each sub-advisor’s performance through various analyses and through in-person, telephone and written consultations with a sub-advisor. Touchstone Advisors discusses its expectations for performance with each sub-advisor and provides evaluations and recommendations to the Touchstone Board of Trustees, including whether or not a sub-advisor’s contract should be renewed, modified or terminated.

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has granted an exemptive order that permits TST or Touchstone Advisors, under certain conditions, to select or change unaffiliated sub-advisors, enter into new sub-advisory agreements or amend existing sub-advisory agreements without first obtaining shareholder approval. The Funds must still obtain shareholder approval of any sub-advisory agreement with a sub-advisor affiliated with TST or Touchstone Advisors other than by reason of serving as a sub-advisor to one or more Funds. Shareholders of a Fund will be notified of any changes in its sub-advisory arrangements.  After the Reorganization, Touchstone Advisors and TST will continue to rely on this exemptive order.

 

Touchstone Advisors is a wholly owned subsidiary of Western & Southern Mutual Holding Company (“Western & Southern”).  Touchstone Advisors is also responsible for running all of the operations of the Funds, except those that are subcontracted to the sub-advisors, custodian, transfer agent, sub-administrative agent, or other parties.

 

Sub-Advisors

 

Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc., a SEC-registered investment advisor and affiliate of Touchstone Advisors, is located at 303 Broadway, Suite 1200, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.  Fort Washington serves as sub-advisor to the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund.  As the sub-advisor, Fort Washington makes investment decisions for the Fund and also ensures compliance with the Fund’s investment policies and guidelines.  As of March 31, 2013, Fort Washington had approximately $42.9 billion in assets under management.

 

Apex Capital Management, Inc., a SEC-registered investment advisor, is located at 8163 Old Yankee Road, Suite E, Dayton, Ohio 45458.  Apex serves as sub-advisor to the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund.  As the sub-advisor, Apex makes investment decisions for the Fund and also ensures compliance with the Fund’s investment policies and guidelines.  As of March 31, 2013, Apex had approximately $2.5 billion in assets under management.

 

After the Reorganization, Apex will continue to serve as the sub-advisor to the Small Cap Growth Fund.

 

Portfolio Management of the Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Richard R. Jandrain III, Managing Director - Growth Equity, joined Fort Washington in 2004

 

23


 

as Managing Director, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager.  He was Chief Equity Strategist, Chief Investment Officer of Equities with Banc One Investment Advisors Corporation from 1992 to 2004.

 

Daniel J. Kapusta, Senior Portfolio Manager, joined Fort Washington in 2004 as Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager.  He was Growth Team Leader, Portfolio Manager and Senior Equity Research Analyst with Banc One Investment Advisors Corporation from 1992 to 2004.

 

David K. Robinson, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, joined Fort Washington in 2004 as Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager.  He was Portfolio Manager, Senior Equity Research Analyst with Banc One Investment Advisors Corporation from 1994 to 2004.

 

Bihag Patel, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, joined FWIA in 2004 as Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager.  He was Portfolio Manager, Senior Equity Analyst with Banc One Investment Advisors Corporation from 1998 to 2004.

 

Portfolio Management of the Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Nitin N. Kumbhani, President and Chief Investment Officer, founded Apex in 1987. Prior to launching Apex, he started Source Data Systems, a software company that pioneered ATM software.  He sold SDS and started Kumbhani and Co. (now Apex) in 1987.  Mr. Kumbhani’s background as a developer of technology working with the financial services industry has served him well as a growth stock portfolio manager.  He received his BS in Electrical Engineering and Economics and did graduate studies in Computer Sciences at West Virginia University.

 

After the Reorganization, Nitin N. Kumbhani will continue to serve as the portfolio manager to the Small Cap Growth Fund.  The Trust’s SAI provides additional information about Mr. Kumbhani’s compensation, other accounts managed, and ownership of securities in the Fund.

 

Comparison of Investment Advisory Fees

 

Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement, Touchstone Advisors is entitled to receive a fee with respect to the average daily net assets of each Fund, which is computed and paid monthly.  Touchstone Advisors pays sub-advisory fees to the sub-advisors out of its advisory fee.  The following table sets forth each Fund’s advisory fee as a percentage of average daily net assets.

 

Acquired Fund

 

Advisory Fee

 

Acquiring Fund

 

Advisory Fee

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

 

1.05% on all assets

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund

 

1.00% on the first $300 million of assets;

0.95% on assets greater than $300 million

 

Acquiring Fund’s Advisory and Sub-Advisory Agreement Approval

 

A discussion of the basis for the Touchstone Board of Trustees’ approval of the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund’s advisory and sub-advisory agreements can be found in the TST March 31, 2013 Annual Report.  A discussion of the basis of for the Touchstone Board of Trustees’ approval of the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund’s advisory and sub-advisory agreements can be found in TST’s January 31, 2013  Semi-Annual Report.

 

Expense Limitation Agreements with respect to the Funds

 

Touchstone Advisors has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to ensure the Funds’ total annual operating expenses (excluding dividend expenses relating to short sales, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the cost of “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses,” if any, and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of business) do not exceed the contractual limits set forth below.  The contractual limits set forth below have been adjusted for each class of each Fund to include the effect of Rule 12b-1 fees, shareholder servicing fees and other anticipated class specific expenses, if applicable. Fee waivers and expense reimbursements are calculated and applied monthly, based on each Fund’s average net assets during such month.   The terms of Touchstone Advisors’ contractual fee waiver agreement provide that Touchstone Advisors is entitled to

 

24


 

recoup, subject to approval by each Fund’s Board of Trustees, such amounts waived or reimbursed for a period of up to three (3) years from the year in which Touchstone Advisors reduced its compensation and/or assumed expenses for a Fund.  No recoupment will occur unless a Fund’s operating expenses are below the expense limitation amount.

 

Fund

 

Expense Limit

 

Termination Date

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund (Acquired Fund)

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

1.40

%

July 29, 2013

 

Class C

 

2.15

%

July 29, 2013

 

Class Y

 

1.15

%

July 29, 2013

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (Acquiring Fund)

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

1.44

%

August 31, 2014

 

Class C

 

2.19

%

August 31, 2014

 

Class Y

 

1.19

%

August 31, 2014

 

 

Description of Share Classes of the Funds

 

Each Fund offers Class A, Class C and Class Y shares.

 

Class A Shares: For purchases below $1 million, the offering price of Class A shares of each Fund is equal to its NAV plus a front-end sales charge that you pay when you buy your shares.  The front-end sales charge is generally deducted from the amount of your investment.  Class A shares are subject to a 12b-1 distribution fee.  In addition, there is no sales charge on reinvested dividends and distributions.

 

Class A Sales Charge.   The following table shows the amount of front-end sales charge you will pay on purchases of Class A shares. The amount of front-end sales charge is shown as a percentage of (1) offering price and (2) the net amount invested after the charge has been subtracted.  Note that the front-end sales charge gets lower as your investment amount gets larger.

 

Amount of Your Investment

 

Sales Charge as % of
Offering Price

 

Sales Charge as % of
Net Amount Invested

 

Under $50,000

 

5.75

%

6.10

%

$50,000 but less than $100,000

 

4.50

%

4.71

%

$100,000 but less than $250,000

 

3.50

%

3.63

%

$250,000 but less than $500,000

 

2.95

%

3.04

%

$500,000 but less than $1 million

 

2.25

%

2.30

%

$1 million or more

 

0.00

%

0.00

%

 

Purchases in the amount of $1 million or more Class A shares are not subject to a front-end sales charge and are sold at NAV. For these purchases, Touchstone Securities, Inc. (“Touchstone Securities”) may pay your financial intermediary a distribution-related commission associated with such sale of up to 1.00%. In the event that Touchstone Securities paid such a commission to your financial intermediary, a CDSC of up to 1.00% may be charged on redemptions made within 1 year of your purchase. With respect to Class A shares, the percentage of the CDSC is based on the commission that was paid to your financial intermediary.  For more information on the CDSC, please see the section entitled “ Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”)” in each Fund’s Prospectus.

 

Class C Shares: Class C shares of the Funds are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge so that the full amount of your purchase payment may be immediately invested in the Funds. Class C shares are subject to a 12b-1 fee.  A CDSC of 1.00% will be charged on Class C shares redeemed within 1 year after you purchased them.  Upon receipt of Class C shares in the Reorganization, Class C shareholders of the Acquired Fund will continue to be subject to the same holding period for purposes of determining whether a CDSC will be charged.  For more information on the CDSC, please see the section entitled “ Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”)” in each Fund’s Prospectus.

 

25


 

Class Y Shares: Class Y shares of the Funds are sold at NAV without an initial sales charge so that the full amount of your purchase payment may be immediately invested in the Funds.  Class Y shares are not subject to a 12b-1 fee or CDSC.

 

Information regarding the Distributor and Rule 12b-1 Plans

 

Touchstone Securities is the principal underwriter of the Funds and, as such, is the exclusive agent for distribution of the Funds’ shares.  Shares of the Funds are sold in a continuous offering directly through Touchstone Securities through financial advisors and financial intermediaries or through processing organizations.  Touchstone Securities allows concessions to dealers who sell shares of the Funds.  Touchstone Securities receives that portion of the sales charge that is not reallowed to dealers and retains the entire sales charge on all direct investments and accounts with no designated dealer of record.  Touchstone Securities is a wholly owned subsidiary of IFS Financial Services, Inc. and an affiliate of Touchstone Advisors.

 

Each Fund’s Class A shares has adopted the same distribution plan under Rule 12b-1 and each Fund’s Class C shares has adopted the same distribution plan under Rule 12b-1.  The plans allow each Fund to pay distribution and other fees for the sale and distribution of its shares and for services provided to shareholders. Under the Class A plan, the Funds pay an annual fee of up to 0.25% of average daily net assets that are attributable to Class A shares. Under the Class C plan, the Funds pay an annual fee of up to 1.00% of average daily net assets that are attributable to Class C shares (of which up to 0.75% is a distribution fee and up to 0.25% is a shareholder servicing fee).  Under each Class A plan and Class C plan, Touchstone Securities is compensated regardless of its expenses.  Because these fees are paid out of a Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment and over time may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.

 

Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges of Shares and Dividend Policy

 

Purchase Policies and Redemption Policies

 

Each Fund has the same minimum investment requirements, which are set forth in the chart below.

 

Minimum Investment Requirements

 

 

 

Class A, Class C and Class Y

 

 

 

Initial
Investment

 

Additional
Investment

 

Regular Account

 

$

2,500

 

$

50

 

Retirement Account or Custodial Account under the Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act

 

$

1,000

 

$

50

 

Investments through the Automatic Investment Plan

 

$

100

 

$

50

 

 

You may buy and sell shares in the Funds on a day when the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.  Class A shares and Class C shares may be purchased and sold directly from Touchstone Securities or through your financial advisor. Class Y shares are available only through your financial institution.  The Funds’ shares may be redeemed by telephone, Internet, mail, or wire or through accounts with certain brokers and other financial institutions.  Payments for redemptions of shares of the Funds are sent within seven days (normally within 3 business days) after receipt of a proper redemption request.  The Funds reserve the right to redeem in kind, under certain circumstances, by paying you the proceeds in liquid securities rather than in cash.  For more information about buying and selling shares see the section “Investing with Touchstone” of each Fund’s Prospectus or call 1.800.543.0407.

 

Exchange Privileges of the Funds

 

Each Fund has the same exchange privileges.  The Funds are subject to the exchange privileges listed below.

 

·                   Class A shares may be exchanged into any other Touchstone Class A Fund at NAV and may be exchanged into any Touchstone money market fund, except the Institutional Money Market Fund and the Ohio Tax-Free Money Market Fund Institutional Class.

 

26


 

·                   Class C shares may be exchanged into any other Touchstone Class C Fund and may be exchanged into any Touchstone money market fund, except the Institutional Money Market Fund and the Ohio Tax-Free Money Market Fund Institutional Class.

 

·                   Class Y shares and Institutional shares are exchangeable for Class Y shares and Institutional Class shares of other Touchstone Funds, respectively, as long as applicable investment minimums and the proper selling agreement requirements are met.

 

·                   You do not have to pay any exchange fee for your exchange, but if you exchange from a fund with a lower load schedule to a fund with a higher load schedule you may be charged the load differential.

 

·                   Shares otherwise subject to a CDSC will not be charged a CDSC in an exchange.  However, when you redeem the shares acquired through the exchange, the shares you redeem may be subject to a CDSC, depending on when you originally purchased the exchanged shares.  For purposes of computing the CDSC, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the date of original purchase and will not be affected by any exchange.

 

·                   If you exchange Class C shares for Class A shares of any Touchstone money market fund, the amount of time you hold shares of the money market fund will not be added to the holding period of your original shares for the purpose of calculating the CDSC, if you later redeem the exchanged shares.  However, if you exchange back into your original Class C shares, the prior holding period of your Class C shares will be added to your current holding period of Class C shares in calculating the CDSC.

 

·                   If you purchased Class A shares for $1 million or more at NAV and compensation was paid to an unaffiliated dealer and you exchange all or a portion of the shares into any Touchstone money market fund within 12 months of the original purchase, the amount of time you hold shares of the money market fund will not be added to the holding period of your original shares for the purpose of calculating the CDSC, if you later redeem the exchanged shares. However if you exchange back into Class A shares, the prior holding period of your Class A shares will be added to your current holding period of Class A shares in calculating the CDSC.

 

·                   You should carefully review the disclosure provided in this Prospectus/Information Statement and each Fund’s prospectus relating to the exchanged-for shares before making an exchange of your Fund shares.

 

·                   You may realize taxable gain if you exchange shares of a Fund for shares of another Fund.  See “Tax Information” in each Fund’s prospectus for more information and the tax consequences of such an exchange.

 

Dividend Policy

 

After the Reorganization, shareholders of the Acquired Fund who have elected to have their dividends and/or distributions reinvested will have dividends and/or distributions received from the Acquiring Fund reinvested in the same class of shares of the Acquiring Fund.  Shareholders of the Acquired Fund who have elected to receive dividends and/or distributions in cash will receive dividends and/or distributions from the Acquiring Fund in cash after the Reorganization, although they may, after the Reorganization, elect to have such dividends and/or distributions reinvested in additional shares of the Acquiring Fund.

 

The Funds have each qualified and intend to remain qualified to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Code.  To remain qualified as a regulated investment company, the Funds must, among other things, distribute 90% of their taxable and tax-exempt income and diversify their holdings as required by the Code.  While so qualified, so long as each Fund distributes all of its investment company taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction or dividends paid) and tax-exempt income and any net realized gains to its shareholders of record, it is expected that the Fund will not be required to pay any federal income taxes on the amounts distributed to its shareholders of record.

 

27


 

INFORMATION ON SHAREHOLDERS’ RIGHTS

 

The following is a comparison of certain important provisions of the governing instruments and governing laws of the Funds, but is not a complete description thereof.  Further information about each Fund’s governance structure is contained in each Fund’s SAI and its governing documents, which are on file with the SEC.

 

Organization and Governing Law.   Each Fund is governed by its Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”) and its By-Laws, both as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, and its business and affairs are managed under the supervision of its Board of Trustees.  Each Fund is subject to the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.  Both Funds are series of TST, a Massachusetts business trust.

 

Shares. When issued and paid for in accordance with the prospectus, shares of both Funds are fully paid and non-assessable, having no preemptive or subscription rights and are freely transferable.  Each share of both Funds represents an equal interest in such Fund.  Shares of each Fund are entitled to receive their pro rata share of distributions of income and capital gains, if any, made with respect to that Fund as are declared by the Board, although such distributions may vary in amount among the classes of a Fund to reflect class-specific expenses.  Such distributions may be in cash, in kind or in additional Fund shares.  In any liquidation of a Fund, each shareholder is entitled to receive his or her pro rata share of the net assets of the Fund, after satisfaction of all outstanding liabilities and expenses of the Fund.

 

Shareholder Meetings and Rights of Shareholders to Call a Meeting.   The Funds are not required to hold annual shareholder meetings under Massachusetts law or their governing instruments.  The governing instruments of the Funds generally provide that a meeting of shareholders may be called at any time by the Board, the Chair of the Board of Trustees, or by the President. The governing instruments of the Funds provide that a special meeting of shareholders may be called for the purpose of voting on the removal of any Trustee upon the written request of shareholders owning at least 10% or more of outstanding shares entitled to vote.

 

Submission of Shareholder Proposals.  The Funds do not have provisions in their governing instruments requiring that a shareholder provide notice to the Funds in advance of a shareholder meeting to enable the shareholder to present a proposal at such meeting, although the federal securities laws, which apply to the Funds, require that certain conditions be met to present any proposals at shareholder meetings.

 

Quorum .  The governing instruments provide that a quorum will exist if shareholders of 40 percent of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.

 

Number of Votes.      The governing instruments provide that each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each whole share that they hold and a fractional vote for each fractional share that they hold.  The governing instruments do not provide for cumulative voting.

 

Right to Vote .  The 1940 Act provides that shareholders of each Fund have the power to vote with respect to certain matters:  specifically, for the election of Trustees, the selection of auditors (under certain circumstances), approval of investment advisory agreements and plans of distribution, and amendments to policies, objectives or restrictions deemed to be fundamental.  Shareholders of each Fund also have the right to vote on certain matters affecting the Fund or a particular share class thereof under their governing instruments and applicable state law.  The following summarizes the matters on which Fund shareholders have a right to vote and the minimum shareholder vote required to approve the matter.  For matters on which shareholders of a Fund do not have a right to vote, the Trustees of the Fund may nonetheless determine to submit the matter to shareholders for approval.  Where referenced below, the phrase “vote of a majority of the outstanding shares” means the vote required by the 1940 Act, which is the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares present at the meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote are present or represented by proxy; or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.

 

Election and Removal of Directors/Trustees.   The shareholders of the Funds are entitled to vote for the election and the removal of Trustees.  The Trustees are elected by a plurality vote ( i.e. , the nominees receiving the greatest number of votes are elected).  Any trustee may be removed by a vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the Trust.

 

28


 

Amendment of Governing Instruments.   Generally, the Trustees have the right to amend, from time to time, the Declaration and By-Laws.  Shareholders have the right to vote on any amendment to the Declaration that would adversely affect their rights as shareholders.  Any such amendment requires the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.

 

Mergers and Reorganizations.   The Trust’s Declaration provides that any series may be merged into another series by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust without the approval of shareholders.

 

Liquidation of a Fund.   The Trustees may liquidate the Funds by written notice to the shareholder of such Funds.

 

Indemnification .  The Declaration generally provides for the indemnification of the Trust’s Trustees and officers against all liabilities and expenses incurred by any Trustee or officer in connection with any proceeding in which such person is made a party or otherwise or is threatened to be made a party by reason of being or having held such position with the applicable Fund, except with respect to any matter arising from his or her own disqualifying conduct. Such rights to indemnification are not exclusive and do not affect any other rights the Trustee or officer may have, including under any liability insurance policy.

 

Shareholder Information

 

A list of the name, address and percent ownership of each person who, as of [DATE]                          , to the knowledge of the Acquired Fund, owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a class of the Acquired Fund and a list of such information for each person who, as of that date, to the knowledge of the Acquiring Fund, owned 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a class of the Acquiring Fund can be found at Exhibit C to this Prospectus/Information Statement.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXPERTS

 

The Annual Reports with respect to the Funds have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm for the Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm for the Small Cap Growth Fund, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. No other parts of the Annual Reports are incorporated by reference herein.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters in connection with the issuance of the Acquiring Fund’s Shares will be passed upon by Pepper Hamilton LLP, located at 3000 Two Logan Square, 18th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

The Trust is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, and in accordance therewith files reports and other information including proxy material and charter documents with the SEC. These items can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Facilities maintained by the SEC in Washington, D.C., and at the SEC’s Regional Offices located at Northeast Regional Office, 3 World Financial Center, Room 4300, New York, New York 10281; Southeast Regional Office, 801 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1800, Miami, Florida 33131; Midwest Regional Office, 175 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900, Chicago, Illinois 60604; Central Regional Office, 1801 California Street, Suite 1500, Denver, Colorado 80202-2656; and Pacific Regional Office, 5670 Wilshire Boulevard, 11th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90036-3648. Copies of such materials can also be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.

 

29


 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund and Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund

 

The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand each Fund’s financial performance for the past 5 years, or if shorter, the period of each Fund’s operation. Some of this information reflects financial information for a single Fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in a Fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The financial highlights for the Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund were audited by Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”), an independent registered public accounting firm. The financial highlights for the Small Cap Growth Fund were audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PWC”), an independent registered public accounting firm. The March 31, 2013 Annual Report to shareholders is incorporated by reference in the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, dated April 26, 2013.  The report of E&Y and PwC for their respective Fund, along with each Fund’s financial statements and related notes, appears in each Fund’s 2013 Annual Report. You can obtain the Annual Reports, which contain more performance information, at no charge by calling 1.800.543.0407.

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund — Class A

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

 

 

Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

11.42

 

$

11.65

 

$

9.09

 

$

6.27

 

$

9.80

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

 

(0.08

)

(0.11

)

(0.09

)

(0.08

)

(0.02

)

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

1.20

 

(0.12

)

2.65

 

2.90

 

(3.51

)

Total from investment operations

 

1.12

 

(0.23

)

2.56

 

2.82

 

(3.53

)

Net asset value at end of period

 

$

12.54

 

$

11.42

 

$

11.65

 

$

9.09

 

$

6.27

 

Total return (A)

 

9.81

%

(1.97

)%

28.16

%

44.98

%

(36.02

)%

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s)

 

$

7,140

 

$

7,711

 

$

15,686

 

$

12,708

 

$

9,054

 

Ratio to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net expenses

 

1.40

%

1.40

%

1.40

%

1.40

%

1.40

%

Gross expenses

 

2.12

%

2.19

%

2.06

%

2.24

%

2.25

%

Net investment loss

 

(0.68

)%

(0.97

)%

(0.99

)%

(0.99

)%

(0.22

)%

Portfolio turnover rate

 

70

%

65

%

63

%

76

%

113

%

 


(A) Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.

 

30


 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund — Class C

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

 

 

Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

11.04

 

$

11.35

 

$

8.91

 

$

6.20

 

$

9.75

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

 

(0.17

)

(0.20

)

(0.19

)

(0.15

)

(0.08

)

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

1.15

 

(0.11

)

2.63

 

2.86

 

(3.47

)

Total from investment operations

 

0.98

 

(0.31

)

2.44

 

2.71

 

(3.55

)

Net asset value at end of period

 

$

12.02

 

$

11.04

 

$

11.35

 

$

8.91

 

$

6.20

 

Total return(A)

 

8.88

%

(2.73

)%

27.38

%

43.71

%

(36.41

)%

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s)

 

$

1,655

 

$

2,015

 

$

2,452

 

$

2,576

 

$

2,267

 

Ratio to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net expenses

 

2.15

%

2.15

%

2.15

%

2.15

%

2.15

%

Gross expenses

 

3.62

%

3.63

%

3.58

%

3.32

%

3.54

%

Net investment loss

 

(1.43

)%

(1.72

)%

(1.74

)%

(1.74

)%

(0.98

)%

Portfolio turnover rate

 

70

%

65

%

63

%

76

%

113

%

 


(A) Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund — Class Y

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

 

 

Year Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

11.58

 

$

11.78

 

$

9.16

 

$

6.30

 

$

9.84

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

(0.06

)

(0.08

)

(0.08

)

(0.05

)

(A)

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

1.22

 

(0.12

)

2.70

 

2.91

 

(3.54

)

Total from investment operations

 

1.16

 

(0.20

)

2.62

 

2.86

 

(3.54

)

Net asset value at end of period

 

$

12.74

 

$

11.58

 

$

11.78

 

$

9.16

 

$

6.30

 

Total return

 

10.02

%

(1.70

)%

28.60

%

45.40

%

(35.98

)%

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s)

 

$

21,032

 

$

25,677

 

$

19,334

 

$

20,856

 

$

8,808

 

Ratio to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net expenses

 

1.15

%

1.15

%

1.15

%

1.15

%

1.15

%

Gross expenses

 

1.55

%

1.59

%

1.58

%

1.66

%

1.67

%

Net investment income (loss)

 

(0.43

)%

(0.72

)%

(0.73

)%

(0.74

)%

0.02

%

Portfolio turnover rate

 

70

%

65

%

63

%

76

%

113

%

 


(A) Less than $0.005 per share.

 

31


 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund — Class A

 

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

 

 

Eight Months
Ended
March 31,

 

Year Ended July 31,

 

 

 

2013(A)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

4.25

 

$

4.24

 

$

3.63

 

$

3.01

 

$

3.49

 

$

6.73

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(B)

 

(C)

(C)

(0.01

)

(0.01

)

0.01

 

0.01

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

0.85

 

0.01

 

0.62

 

0.63

 

(0.47

)

(0.75

)

Total from investment operations

 

0.85

 

0.01

 

0.61

 

0.62

 

(0.46

)

(0.74

)

Distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(0.02

)

 

 

 

(0.01

)

 

Realized capital gains

 

(0.24

)

 

 

 

(0.01

)

(2.50

)

Total distributions

 

(0.26

)

 

 

 

(0.02

)

(2.50

)

Net asset value at end of period

 

$

4.84

 

$

4.25

 

$

4.24

 

$

3.63

 

$

3.01

 

$

3.49

 

Total return(D)

 

20.93

%(E)

0.24

%

16.80

%

20.60

%

(13.18

)%

(12.41

)%

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s)

 

$

14,243

 

$

15,010

 

$

18,117

 

$

11,649

 

$

7,497

 

$

10,552

 

Ratio to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net expenses

 

1.60

%(F)

1.60

%

1.60

%

1.60

%

1.60

%

1.60

%

Gross expenses

 

2.13

%(F)

2.01

%

1.96

%

2.07

%

2.14

%

2.06

%

Net investment income (loss)

 

0.15

%(F)

(0.07

)%

(0.33

)%

(0.41

)%

0.40

%

0.16

%

Portfolio turnover rate

 

45

%(E)(G)

48

%

59

%

56

%

46

%

49

%

 


(A) The Fund changed its fiscal year end from July 31 to March 31.

(B) The net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(C) Less than $0.005 per share.

(D) Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.

(E) Not annualized.

(F) Annualized.

(G) Portfolio turnover rate excludes securities delivered from processing a redemption-in-kind.

 

32


 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund — Class C

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

 

 

Eight Months
Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

Year Ended July 31,

 

 

 

2013(A)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

3.75

 

$

3.77

 

$

3.25

 

$

2.72

 

$

3.17

 

$

6.39

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment loss(B)

 

(0.02

)

(0.03

)

(0.04

)

(0.04

)

(0.01

)

(0.02

)

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

0.74

 

0.01

 

0.56

 

0.57

 

(0.43

)

(0.70

)

Total from investment operations

 

0.72

 

(0.02

)

0.52

 

0.53

 

(0.44

)

(0.72

)

Distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(0.01

)

 

 

 

 

 

Realized capital gains

 

(0.24

)

 

 

 

(0.01

)

(2.50

)

Total distributions

 

(0.25

)

 

 

 

(0.01

)

(2.50

)

Net asset value at end of period

 

$

4.22

 

$

3.75

 

$

3.77

 

$

3.25

 

$

2.72

 

$

3.17

 

Total return(C)

 

20.17

%(D)

(0.53

)%

16.00

%

19.49

%

(13.75

)%

(12.95

)%

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s)

 

$

3,509

 

$

3,830

 

$

5,563

 

$

2,876

 

$

1,446

 

$

1,749

 

Ratio to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net expenses

 

2.35

%(E)

2.35

%

2.35

%

2.35

%

2.35

%

2.35

%

Gross expenses

 

3.16

%(E)

2.76

%

2.71

%

2.82

%

2.88

%

2.81

%

Net investment loss

 

(0.60

)%(E)

(0.82

)%

(1.10

)%

(1.17

)%

(0.35

)%

(0.62

)%

Portfolio turnover rate

 

45

%(D)(F)

48

%

59

%

56

%

46

%

49

%

 


(A) The Fund changed its fiscal year end from July 31 to March 31.

(B) The net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(C) Total returns shown exclude the effect of applicable sales loads. If these charges were included, the returns would be lower.

(D) Not annualized.

(E) Annualized.

(F) Portfolio turnover rate excludes securities delivered from processing a redemption-in-kind.

 

33


 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund — Class Y

Selected Data for a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

 

 

 

Eight 
Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 
31,

 

Year Ended July 31,

 

 

 

2013(A)(B)

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

2008

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

 

$

4.61

 

$

4.58

 

$

3.92

 

$

3.24

 

$

3.75

 

$

7.02

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(C)

 

0.01

 

0.01

 

(D)

(0.01

)

0.02

 

0.02

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

 

0.92

 

0.02

 

0.66

 

0.69

 

(0.51

)

(0.78

)

Total from investment operations

 

0.93

 

0.03

 

0.66

 

0.68

 

(0.49

)

(0.76

)

Distributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(0.03

)

 

 

 

(0.01

)

(0.01

)

Realized capital gains

 

(0.24

)

 

 

 

(0.01

)

(2.50

)

Total distributions

 

(0.27

)

 

 

 

(0.02

)

(2.51

)

Net asset value at end of period

 

$

5.27

 

$

4.61

 

$

4.58

 

$

3.92

 

$

3.24

 

$

3.75

 

Total return

 

20.94

%(E)

0.66

%

16.84

%

20.99

%

(12.86

)%

(12.23

)%

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at end of period (000’s)

 

$

18,123

 

$

23,232

 

$

26,317

 

$

21,195

 

$

17,394

 

$

22,662

 

Ratio to average net assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net expenses

 

1.35

%(F)

1.35

%

1.35

%

1.35

%

1.35

%

1.35

%

Gross expenses

 

1.77

%(F)

1.76

%

1.71

%

1.82

%

1.89

%

1.82

%

Net investment income (loss)

 

0.40

%(F)

0.17

%

(0.08

)%

(0.16

)%

0.64

%

0.37

%

Portfolio turnover rate

 

45

%(E)(G)

48

%

59

%

56

%

46

%

49

%

 


(A) Effective September 10, 2012, Institutional Class shares were renamed Class Y shares.

(B) The Fund changed its fiscal year end from July 31 to March 31.

(C) The net investment income (loss) per share is based on average shares outstanding for the period.

(D) Less than $0.005 per share.

(E) Not annualized.

(F) Annualized.

(G) Portfolio turnover rate excludes securities delivered from processing a redemption-in-kind.

 

34


 

EXHIBIT A

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the “Agreement”) is made as of May 24, 2013, between the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”) and the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), each a series of the Touchstone Strategic Trust (the “Trust”).  The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust, with its principal place of business at 303 Broadway, Suite 1100, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

 

The reorganization (the “Reorganization”) will consist of (i) the transfer of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund in exchange solely for shares of beneficial interest, without par value, of the Acquiring Fund (the “Acquiring Fund Shares”); (ii) the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund; and (iii) the distribution, after the Closing Date defined below, of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund in liquidation of the Acquired Fund, all upon the terms and conditions in this Agreement.  The parties intend that the Reorganization shall qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code”).

 

WHEREAS, the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund are each a separate investment series of an open-end, registered investment company of the management type and the Acquired Fund owns securities that generally are assets of the type and character in which the Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest;

 

WHEREAS, the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund are authorized to issue their shares of beneficial interest;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (“Independent Trustees”), as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), have determined that the Reorganization will be in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund and its shareholders and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquiring Fund will not be diluted in value as a result of the Reorganization;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of the Trust, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, have determined that it is in the best interests of the Acquired Fund to exchange all of its assets and liabilities for Acquiring Fund Shares and that the interests of the shareholders of the Acquired Fund will not be diluted in value as a result of the Reorganization;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and agreements in this Agreement, the parties covenant and agree as follows:

 

A-1


 

ARTICLE I

 

TRANSFER OF ASSETS OF THE ACQUIRED FUND IN EXCHANGE FOR

THE ACQUIRING FUND SHARES AND ASSUMPTION OF ACQUIRED FUND

LIABILITIES AND LIQUIDATION OF THE ACQUIRED FUND

 

1.1                                THE EXCHANGE.  Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth and on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, the Acquired Fund agrees to transfer all of the Acquired Fund’s assets as set forth in paragraph 1.2 to the Acquiring Fund.  The Acquiring Fund agrees in exchange for the Acquired Fund’s assets (i) to deliver to the Acquired Fund the number of Acquiring Fund Shares, including fractional Acquiring Fund Shares, computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3; and (ii) to assume all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund, as set forth in paragraph 1.3.  Such transactions shall take place on the Closing Date provided for in paragraph 3.1.

 

1.2                                ASSETS TO BE ACQUIRED.  The assets of the Acquired Fund to be acquired by the Acquiring Fund shall consist of all property, including, without limitation, all cash, securities, commodities, interests in futures and dividends or interest receivables, that is owned by the Acquired Fund and any deferred or prepaid expenses shown as an asset on the books of the Acquired Fund on the Closing Date.

 

The Acquired Fund has provided the Acquiring Fund with its most recent audited financial statements, which contain a list of all of the Acquired Fund’s assets as of the date thereof.  The Acquired Fund represents that as of the date of the execution of this Agreement there have been no changes in its financial position as reflected in said financial statements other than those occurring in the ordinary course of its business in connection with the purchase and sale of securities and the payment of its normal operating expenses.  The Acquired Fund reserves the right to sell any securities, but will not, without the prior written approval of the Acquiring Fund, acquire any additional securities other than securities of the type in which the Acquiring Fund is permitted to invest.

 

1.3                                LIABILITIES TO BE ASSUMED.  The Acquired Fund will endeavor to discharge all of its known liabilities and obligations prior to the Closing Date.  The Acquiring Fund shall assume all of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities and obligations of any kind whatsoever, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise in existence on the Closing Date.

 

1.4                                LIQUIDATION AND DISTRIBUTION.  On or as soon after the Closing Date as is conveniently practicable (the “Liquidation Date”), (a) the Acquired Fund will liquidate and distribute pro rata to the Acquired Fund’s shareholders of record, determined as of the close of business on the Valuation Date (the “Acquired Fund Shareholders”), the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Acquired Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.1; and (b) the Acquired Fund will proceed to terminate as set forth in paragraph 1.8 below.  Such liquidation and distribution will be accomplished by the transfer of the Acquiring Fund Shares then credited to the account of the Acquired Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts on the share records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of the Acquired Fund Shareholders and representing the respective pro rata number of the Acquiring Fund Shares due such shareholders.  All issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund will simultaneously be canceled on the books of the Acquired Fund. The Acquiring Fund shall not issue certificates representing the Acquiring Fund Shares in connection with such exchange.

 

1.5                                OWNERSHIP OF SHARES. Ownership of Acquiring Fund Shares will be shown on the books of the Acquiring Fund’s transfer agent.  Shares of the Acquiring Fund will be issued in the manner described in the Prospectus/Information Statement on Form N-14 (the “Prospectus/Information Statement”), which has been distributed to shareholders of the Acquired Fund as described in paragraph 4.1(p).

 

A-2


 

1.6                                TRANSFER TAXES.  Any transfer taxes payable upon issuance of the Acquiring Fund Shares in a name other than the registered holder of the Acquired Fund shares on the books of the Acquired Fund as of that time shall, as a condition of such issuance and transfer, be paid by the person to whom such Acquiring Fund Shares are to be issued and transferred.

 

1.7                                REPORTING RESPONSIBILITY.  Any reporting responsibility of the Acquired Fund is and shall remain the responsibility of the Acquired Fund up to and including the Closing Date and such later date on which the Acquired Fund is terminated.

 

1.8                                TERMINATION.  The Trust shall take all necessary and appropriate steps under applicable law to terminate the Acquired Fund promptly following the Closing Date and the making of all distributions pursuant to paragraph 1.4.

 

ARTICLE II

 

VALUATION

 

2.1                                VALUATION OF ASSETS.  The value of the Acquired Fund’s assets to be acquired by the Acquiring Fund shall be the value of such assets computed as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange on the business day preceding the Closing Date (the “Valuation Date”), using the valuation procedures set forth in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and the Acquiring Fund’s then current prospectus and statement of additional information or such other valuation procedures as shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties.

 

2.2                                VALUATION OF SHARES.  The net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund Shares shall be the net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund computed as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange on the Valuation Date, using the valuation procedures set forth in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust and the Acquiring Fund’s then current prospectus and statement of additional information.

 

2.3                                SHARES TO BE ISSUED.  The number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in exchange for the Acquired Fund’s assets shall be determined by multiplying the outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund by the ratio computed by dividing the net asset value per share of the Acquired Fund by the net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund on the Valuation Date, determined in accordance with paragraph 2.2.  Shareholders of record of Class A Shares of the Acquired Fund at the Closing Date shall be credited with full and fractional Class A Shares of the Acquiring Fund.  Shareholders of record of Class C Shares of the Acquired Fund at the Closing Date shall be credited with full and fractional Class C Shares of the Acquiring Fund.  Shareholders of record of Class Y Shares of the Acquired Fund at the Closing Date shall be credited with full and fractional Class Y Shares of the Acquiring Fund.

 

2.4                                DETERMINATION OF VALUE.  All computations of value shall be made by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., the Acquiring Fund’s and the Acquired Fund’s accounting agent, in accordance with its regular practice in pricing the shares and assets of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund.

 

A-3


 

ARTICLE III

 

CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE

 

3.1                                CLOSING DATE. The closing of the Reorganization (the “Closing”) shall take place on or about August 26, 2013 or such other date as the parties may agree to in writing (the “Closing Date”).  All acts taking place at the Closing shall be deemed to take place simultaneously immediately prior to the opening of business on the Closing Date unless otherwise provided.  The Closing shall be held as of 8:00 a.m. EST at the offices of the Trust, or at such other time and/or place as the parties may agree.

 

3.2                                EFFECT OF SUSPENSION IN TRADING. In the event that on the Valuation Date (a) the New York Stock Exchange or another primary trading market for portfolio securities of the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund shall be closed to trading or trading thereon shall be restricted; or (b) trading or the reporting of trading on said Exchange or elsewhere shall be disrupted so that an accurate determination of the value of the net assets of the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund is impracticable, the Valuation Date (and the Closing Date) shall be postponed until the first business day after the day when trading shall have been fully resumed and reporting shall have been restored.

 

3.3       TRANSFER AGENT’S CERTIFICATE.  The Acquired Fund shall cause its transfer agent to deliver at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer stating that its records contain the names and addresses of the Acquired Fund Shareholders and the number and percentage ownership of outstanding shares owned by each such shareholder immediately prior to the Closing. The Acquiring Fund shall issue and deliver, or cause its transfer agent, to issue and deliver, to the Secretary of the Trust a confirmation evidencing the Acquiring Fund Shares to be credited on the Closing Date or provide evidence satisfactory to the Acquired Fund that such Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the Acquired Fund’s account on the books of the Acquiring Fund.  At the Closing, each party shall deliver to the other such bills of sale, checks, assignments, share certificates, if any, receipts and other documents as such other party or its counsel may reasonably request.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

4.1                                REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ACQUIRED FUND.  The Acquired Fund represents and warrants to the Acquiring Fund as follows:

 

(a)                                  The Acquired Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust, a business trust duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of Massachusetts.

 

(b)                                  The Acquired Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust, which is registered as an investment company classified as a management company of the open-end type, and its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) as an investment company under the 1940 Act, is in full force and effect.

 

(c)                                   The current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Acquired Fund conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission and do not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

A-4


 

(d)                                  The Acquired Fund is not, and the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement will not result, in violation of any provision of the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-Laws or of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, or other undertaking to which the Acquired Fund is a party or by which it is bound.

 

(e)                                   The Acquired Fund has no material contracts or other commitments (other than this Agreement) that will be terminated with liability to it prior to the Closing Date, except for liabilities, if any, to be discharged as provided in paragraph 1.3.

 

(f)                                    Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to and accepted by the Acquiring Fund, no litigation, administrative proceeding, or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending or to its knowledge threatened against the Acquired Fund or any of its properties or assets, which, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition, the conduct of its business, or the ability of the Acquired Fund to carry out the Reorganization. The Acquired Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the Reorganization.

 

(g)                                   The audited financial statements of the Acquired Fund dated March 31, 2013 are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Fund) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Acquired Fund as of such date, and there are no known contingent liabilities of the Acquired Fund as of such date not disclosed therein.

 

(h)                                  Since March 31, 2013, there has not been any material adverse change in the Acquired Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities, or business other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by the Acquired Fund of indebtedness maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as otherwise disclosed to and accepted by the Acquiring Fund. For the purposes of this subparagraph (h), a decline in the net asset value of the Acquired Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.

 

(i)                                      At the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns and reports of the Acquired Fund required by law to have been filed by such date shall have been filed, and all federal and other taxes shown due on said returns and reports shall have been paid, or provision shall have been made for their payment.  To the best of the Acquired Fund’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit, and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns.

 

(j)                                     For each fiscal year of its operation, the Acquired Fund has met the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification and treatment as a regulated investment company and has distributed in each such year all net investment income and realized capital gains.

 

(k)                                  The Acquired Fund is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a “Title 11 or similar case” (within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code);

 

(l)                                      All issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund are, and at the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable by the Acquired Fund.  All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund will, at the time of the Closing Date, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the

 

A-5


 

transfer agent as provided in paragraph 3.3. The Acquired Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants, or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any of the Acquired Fund shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any of the Acquired Fund shares.

 

(m)                              At the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will have good and marketable title to the Acquired Fund’s assets to be transferred to the Acquiring Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.2 and full right, power, and authority to sell, assign, transfer, and deliver such assets hereunder, and, upon delivery and payment for such assets, the Acquiring Fund will acquire good and marketable title, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer, including such restrictions as might arise under the 1933 Act, other than as disclosed to the Acquiring Fund and accepted by the Acquiring Fund.

 

(n)                                  The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Acquired Fund and, subject to approval by the Acquired Fund’s shareholders, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquired Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

(o)                                  The information furnished by the Acquired Fund for use in no-action letters, applications for orders, registration statements, proxy materials, and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the Reorganization is accurate and complete in all material respects and complies in all material respects with applicable federal securities and other laws and regulations.

 

(p)                                  The Acquired Fund has provided the Acquiring Fund with information reasonably necessary for the preparation of the Prospectus/Information Statement, all of which was included in a Registration Statement on Form N-14 of the Acquiring Fund (the “Registration Statement”), in compliance with the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) and the 1940 Act in connection the Reorganization.  The Prospectus/Information Statement included in the Registration Statement (other than information that relates to the Acquiring Fund and any other fund described other than the Acquired Fund) does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading.

 

4.2                                REPRESENTATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND. The Acquiring Fund represents and warrants to the Acquired Fund as follows:

 

(a)                                  The Acquiring Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust, a business trust duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of Massachusetts.

 

(b)                                  The Acquiring Fund is a separate investment series of the Trust, which is registered as an investment company classified as a management company of the open-end type, and its registration with the Commission as an investment company under the 1940 Act is in full force and effect.

 

(c)                                   The current prospectus and statement of additional information, as of the date of the Prospectus/Information Statement, of the Acquiring Fund conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission and do not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit

 

A-6


 

to state any material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(d)                                  The Acquiring Fund is not, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement will not result, in violation of the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-Laws, or of any material agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, or other undertaking to which the Acquiring Fund is a party or by which it is bound.

 

(e)                                   Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to the Acquired Fund and accepted by the Acquired Fund, no litigation, administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is presently pending or to its knowledge threatened against the Acquiring Fund or any of its properties or assets, which, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition and the conduct of its business or the ability of the Acquiring Fund to carry out the Reorganization.  The Acquiring Fund knows of no facts that might form the basis for the institution of such proceedings and is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects its business or its ability to consummate the Reorganization.

 

(f)                                    The audited financial statements of the Acquiring Fund dated March 31, 2013 are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, and such statements (copies of which have been furnished to the Acquired Fund) fairly reflect the financial condition of the Acquiring Fund as of such date, and there are no known contingent liabilities of the Acquiring Fund as of such date not disclosed therein.

 

(g)                                   Since March 31, 2013, there has not been any material adverse change in the Acquiring Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities, or business other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by the Acquiring Fund of indebtedness maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred, except as otherwise disclosed to and accepted by the Acquired Fund. For the purposes of this subparagraph (g), a decline in the net asset value of the Acquiring Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.

 

(h)                              At the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns and reports of the Acquiring Fund required by law then to be filed by such date shall have been filed, and all federal and other taxes shown due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for their payment.  To the best of the Acquiring Fund’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit, and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns.

 

(i)                                      For each fiscal year of its operation, the Acquiring Fund has met the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification and treatment as a regulated investment company and has distributed in each such year all net investment income and realized capital gains.

 

(j)                                     All issued and outstanding Acquiring Fund Shares are, and at the Closing Date will be, duly and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable.  The Acquiring Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants, or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Acquiring Fund Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any Acquiring Fund Shares.

 

A-7


 

(k)                                  The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Acquiring Fund, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquiring Fund enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

(l)                                      The Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and delivered to the Acquired Fund, for the account of the Acquired Fund Shareholders, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement will, at the Closing Date, have been duly authorized and, when so issued and delivered, will be duly and validly issued Acquiring Fund Shares, and will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(m)                              The information furnished by the Acquiring Fund for use in no-action letters, applications for orders, registration statements, proxy materials, and other documents that may be necessary in connection with the Reorganization is accurate and complete in all material respects and complies in all material respects with applicable federal securities and other laws and regulations.

 

(n)                                  The Prospectus/Information Statement included in the Registration Statement (only as it relates to the Acquiring Fund) does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or necessary to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading.

 

(o)                                  The Acquiring Fund agrees to use all reasonable efforts to obtain the approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, and such of the state Blue Sky or securities laws as it may deem appropriate in order to continue its operations after the Closing Date.

 

ARTICLE V

 

COVENANTS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND AND THE ACQUIRED FUND

 

5.1                                OPERATION IN ORDINARY COURSE.  The Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund each will operate its business in the ordinary course between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, it being understood that such ordinary course of business will include customary dividends and distributions.5.2 INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION.  The Acquired Fund covenants that the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued are not being acquired for the purpose of making any distribution other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

5.3                                ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.  The Acquired Fund will assist the Acquiring Fund in obtaining such information as the Acquiring Fund reasonably requests concerning the beneficial ownership of the Acquired Fund shares.

 

5.4                                FURTHER ACTION.  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will each take, or cause to be taken, all action, and do or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the Reorganization, including any actions required to be taken after the Closing Date.

 

A-8


 

5.5                                TAX-FREE REORGANIZATION.  It is the intention of the parties that the transaction contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, neither the Trust, the Acquired Fund, nor the Acquiring Fund shall take any action or cause any action to be taken (including without limitation the filing of any tax return) that is inconsistent with such treatment or results in the failure of the transaction to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.  At or prior to the Closing Date, the parties to this Agreement will take such reasonable action, or cause such action to be taken, as is reasonably necessary to enable Pepper Hamilton LLP to render the tax opinion contemplated in this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRED FUND

 

The obligations of the Acquired Fund to consummate the Reorganization shall be subject, at its election, to the performance by the Acquiring Fund of all the obligations to be performed by it on or before the Closing Date, and, in addition, the following further conditions:

 

6.1                                All representations and warranties of the Acquiring Fund contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date.  The Acquiring Fund shall have delivered to the Acquired Fund a certificate executed in its name by the Trust’s President or Vice President, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Acquired Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the Acquired Fund shall reasonably request.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING FUND

 

The obligations of the Acquiring Fund to complete the Reorganization shall be subject, at its election, to the performance by the Acquired Fund of all the obligations to be performed by it on or before the Closing Date and, in addition, the following conditions:

 

7.1                                All representations and warranties of the Acquired Fund contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date.  The Acquired Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund on the Closing Date a certificate executed in its name by The Trust’s President or Vice President, in form and substance satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund and dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect and as to such other matters as the Acquiring Fund shall reasonably request.

 

7.2                                The Acquired Fund shall have delivered to the Acquiring Fund a statement of the Acquired Fund’s assets and liabilities, together with a list of the Acquired Fund’s portfolio securities showing the tax costs of such securities by lot and the holding periods of such securities, as of the Closing Date, certified by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Trust.

 

A-9


 

ARTICLE VIII

 

FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE ACQUIRING

FUND AND THE ACQUIRED FUND

 

If any of the conditions set forth below do not exist on or before the Closing Date with respect to the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund, the other party to this Agreement shall, at its option, not be required to consummate the Reorganization:8.1      On the Closing Date, the Commission shall not have issued an unfavorable report under Section 25(b) of the 1940 Act, nor instituted any proceeding seeking to enjoin the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under Section 25(c) of the 1940 Act and no action, suit, or other proceeding shall be threatened or pending before any court or governmental agency in which it is sought to restrain or prohibit, or obtain damages or other relief in connection with, this Agreement or the Reorganization.

 

8.2                                All required consents of other parties and all other consents, orders, and permits of federal, state, and local regulatory authorities (including those of the Commission and of state Blue Sky securities authorities, including any necessary “no-action” positions of and exemptive orders from such federal and state authorities) to permit consummation of the Reorganization shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such consent, order, or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect on the assets or properties of the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund, provided that either party may for itself waive any of such conditions.

 

8.3                                The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933 Act, and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and, to the best knowledge of the parties, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending, threatened, or contemplated under the 1933 Act.

 

8.4                                The Acquired Fund shall have declared a dividend or dividends which, together with all previous such dividends, shall have the effect of distributing to the Acquired Fund’s shareholders all of the Acquired Fund’s investment company taxable income for all taxable periods ending on the Closing Date (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) all of the Acquired Fund’s net tax exempt income and all of the net capital gains realized in all taxable periods ending on the Closing Date (after reduction for any capital loss carryforward).

 

8.5                                Each of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund shall have received a favorable opinion of Pepper Hamilton LLP substantially to the effect that, for federal income tax purposes:

 

(a)                                  The acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund’s assumption of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund and the issuance of the Acquiring Fund Shares, followed by the distribution of such Acquiring Fund Shares by the Acquired Fund in complete liquidation to the Acquired Fund Shareholders in exchange for their Acquired Fund Shares, all as provided in the Agreement, will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund each will be “a party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;

 

(b)                                  Under Code Section 361, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund (i) upon the transfer of all of its assets to the Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund or (ii) upon the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares by the Acquired Fund to the Acquired Fund Shareholders in complete liquidation, as contemplated in the Agreement

 

A-10


 

(c)                                   Under Code Section 1032, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon the receipt of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund solely in exchange for the assumption of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund and the issuance of the Acquiring Fund Shares as contemplated in the Agreement;

 

(d)                                  Under Code Section 362(b), the tax basis of the assets of the Acquired Fund acquired by the Acquiring Fund will be the same as the tax basis of such assets in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization;

 

(e)                                   Under Code Section 1223(2), the holding periods of the assets of the Acquired Fund in the hands of the Acquiring Fund will include the periods during which such assets were held by the Acquired Fund;

 

(f)                                    Under Code Section 354, no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund Shareholders upon the exchange of all of their Acquired Fund Shares for the Acquiring Fund Shares in the Reorganization;

 

(g)                                   Under Code Section 358, the aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be received by each Acquired Fund Shareholder pursuant to the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the Acquired Fund Shares exchanged therefore;

 

(h)                                  Under Code Section 1223(1), an Acquired Fund Shareholder’s holding period for the Acquiring Fund Shares to be received will include the period during which the Acquired Fund’s shares exchanged were held, provided that the Acquired Fund’s shareholder held the Acquired Fund Shares as a capital asset on the date of the Reorganization.

 

No opinion will be expressed as to (1) the effect of the Reorganization on (A) the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund with respect to any asset as to which any unrealized gain or loss is required to be recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes at the end of a taxable year (or on the termination or transfer thereof) under a mark-to-market system of accounting, (B) any Acquired Fund Shareholder or Acquiring Fund shareholder that is required to recognize unrealized gains and losses for U.S. federal income tax purposes under a mark-to-market system of accounting, or (C) the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund with respect to any stock held in a passive foreign investment company as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code or (2) any other federal tax issues (except those set forth above) and all state, local or foreign tax issues of any kind.

 

Such opinion shall be based on customary assumptions, limitations, and such representations as Pepper Hamilton LLP may reasonably request.  The Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund will cooperate to make and certify the accuracy of such representations.  Such opinion may contain such assumptions and limitations as shall be in the opinion of such counsel appropriate to render the opinions expressed.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Acquiring Fund nor the Acquired Fund may waive the conditions set forth in this paragraph 8.5.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

EXPENSES

 

9.1                                Except as otherwise provided, all expenses of the Reorganization incurred by the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, whether incurred before or after the date of this

 

A-11


 

Agreement, will be borne by Touchstone Advisors, Inc., the investment advisor to the Trust.  Such expenses include, without limitation, (a) expenses incurred in connection with the entering into and the carrying out of the provisions of this Agreement; (b) expenses associated with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement under the 1933 Act covering the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement; (c) registration or qualification fees and expenses of preparing and filing such forms as are necessary under applicable state securities laws to qualify the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued in each state in which the Acquired Fund Shareholders are residents as of the date of the mailing of the Prospectus/Information Statement to such shareholders; (d) postage; (e) printing; (f) accounting fees; (g) legal fees; and (h) solicitation costs of the transaction.

 

ARTICLE X

 

ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES

 

10.1                         The Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund agree that neither party has made any representation, warranty, or covenant not set forth in this Agreement and that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties.

 

10.2                         The representations, warranties, and covenants contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement shall not survive the consummation of the Reorganization.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

TERMINATION

 

11.1                         This Agreement may be terminated by the mutual agreement of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund. In addition, either the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund may at its option terminate this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date because:

 

(a)                                  of a breach by the other of any representation, warranty, or agreement contained in this Agreement to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date, if not cured within 30 days; or

 

(b)                                  a condition in this Agreement expressed to be precedent to the obligations of the terminating party has not been met and it reasonably appears that it will not or cannot be met.

 

11.2                         In the event of any such termination, in the absence of willful default, there shall be no liability for damages on the part of the Acquiring Fund, the Acquired Fund, the Trust, or its Trustees or officers, to the other party, but Touchstone Advisors, Inc. shall bear the expenses incurred by it incidental to the preparation and carrying out of this Agreement as provided in paragraph 9.1.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

AMENDMENTS

 

12.1                         This Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented in such manner as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the authorized officers of the Trust.

 

A-12


 

ARTICLE XIII

 

HEADINGS; COUNTERPARTS; GOVERNING LAW; ASSIGNMENT;

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

13.1                         The Article and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

13.2                         This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

 

13.3                         This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Massachusetts, without giving effect to the conflicts of laws provisions of that state.

 

13.4                         This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment, transfer, or any rights or obligations of this Agreement shall be made by any party without the written consent of the other party.  Nothing in hits Agreement expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm, or corporation, other than the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

13.5                         With respect to the Trust, the names used in this Agreement refer respectively to the series subject to the Reorganization and, as the case may be, the Trustees, as trustees but not individually or personally, acting under organizational documents filed in Massachusetts, which are referred to and are also on file at the principal offices of the Trust.  The obligations of Trust entered into in the name or on behalf of any of the Trustees, representatives, or agents of the Trust, are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, shareholders, or representatives of the Trust personally, but bind only the property of each series, as applicable, and all persons dealing with the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund must look solely to property belonging to the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, respectively.

 

A-13


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement, all as of the date first written above.

 

 

TOUCHSTONE STRATEGIC TRUST ON BEHALF OF THE TOUCHSTONE DIVERSIFIED SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jill T. McGruder

 

 

 

Name: Jill T. McGruder

 

 

 

Title: President

 

 

 

 

 

TOUCHSTONE STRATEGIC TRUST ON BEHALF OF THE TOUCHSTONE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jill T. McGruder

 

 

 

Name: Jill T. McGruder

 

 

 

Title: President

 

A-14


 

EXHIBIT A

 

The following chart shows (i) each Acquired Fund and its classes of shares and (ii) the corresponding Acquiring Fund and its classes of shares:

 

Acquired Fund, a series of TOUCHSTONE 
STRATEGIC TRUST, and its Classes of Shares

 

Acquiring Fund, a series of TOUCHSTONE 
STRATEGIC TRUST, and its Class of Shares

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Class A

 

Class A

 

Class C

 

Class C

 

Class Y

 

Class Y

 

 

A-15

 


 

EXHIBIT B: COMPARISON OF THE FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

 

A fundamental investment limitation cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the consent of the holders of a majority of that Fund’s outstanding shares.  The term “majority of the outstanding shares” means the vote of (i) 67% or more of a Fund’s shares present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of a Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of a Fund’s outstanding shares, whichever is less.  Each Fund has the same fundamental investment limitations, which are set forth below.  Each Fund is a diversified fund.

 

The Funds may not:

 

1.                                       Diversification .  The Funds may not purchase securities of an issuer that would cause the Funds to fail to satisfy the diversification requirement for a diversified management company under the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time.

 

2.                                       Borrowing Money .  The Funds may not engage in borrowing except as permitted by the 1940 Act, any rule, regulation or order under the 1940 Act, or any SEC staff interpretation of the Act.

 

3.                                       Underwriting . The Funds may not underwrite securities issued by other persons, except to the extent that, in connection with the sale or disposition of portfolio securities, a Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under certain federal securities laws or in connection with investments in other investment companies.

 

4.                                       Loans .  The Funds may not make loans to other persons except that a Fund may (1) engage in repurchase agreements, (2) lend portfolio securities, (3) purchase debt securities, (4) purchase commercial paper, and (5) enter into any other lending arrangement permitted by the 1940 Act, any rule, regulation or order under the Act, or any SEC staff interpretation of the Act.

 

5.                                       Real Estate .  The Funds may not purchase or sell real estate except that a Fund may (1) hold and sell real estate acquired as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities or other instruments (2) purchase or sell securities or other instruments backed by real estate or interests in real estate and (3) purchase or sell securities of entities or investment vehicles, including real estate investment trusts that invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests in real estate.

 

6.                                       Commodities .  The Funds may not purchase or sell physical commodities except that a Fund may (1) hold and sell physical commodities acquired as a result of the Fund’s ownership of securities or other instruments, (2) purchase or sell securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities, (3) purchase or sell options, and (4) purchase or sell futures contracts.

 

7.                                       Concentration of Investments .  The Funds may not purchase the securities of an issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government, its agencies or its instrumentalities) if, as a result, more than 25% of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of companies in the same industry or group of industries.

 

8.                                       Senior Securities .  The Funds may not issue senior securities except as permitted by the 1940 Act, any rule, regulation or order under the Act, or any SEC staff interpretation of the Act.

 

The following descriptions of certain provisions of the 1940 Act may assist investors in understanding the above policies and restrictions:

 

1. Diversification. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified investment management company, as to 75% of its total assets, may not purchase securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agents or instrumentalities or securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer, or more than 10% of the issuer’s outstanding voting securities would be held by the fund.

 

2. Borrowing. The 1940 Act allows a fund to borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (not including temporary borrowings not in excess of 5% of its total assets).

 

B-1


 

3. Underwriting. Under the 1940 Act, underwriting securities involves a fund purchasing securities directly from an issuer for the purpose of selling (distributing) them or participating in any such activity either directly or indirectly. Under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund may not make any commitment as underwriter, if immediately thereafter the amount of its outstanding underwriting commitments, plus the value of its investments in securities of issuers (other than investment companies) of which it owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities, exceeds 25% of the value of its total assets.

 

4. Lending. Under the 1940 Act, a fund may only make loans if expressly permitted by its investment policies. The Fund’s current investment policy on lending is as follows: the Fund may not make loans if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other parties, except that the Fund may: (i) purchase or hold debt instruments in accordance with its investment objective and policies; (ii) enter into repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully; and (iii) engage in securities lending as described in its Statement of Additional Information.

 

5. Senior Securities. Senior securities may include any obligation or instrument issued by a fund evidencing indebtedness. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although it does not treat certain transactions as senior securities, such as certain borrowings, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements, firm commitment agreements and standby commitments, with appropriate earmarking or segregation of assets to cover such obligation in a manner consistent with the 1940 Act Rules and SEC interpretations thereunder.

 

B-2


 

EXHIBIT C: CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

 

As of July 12, 2013, the total number of shares of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund outstanding were as follows:

 

Funds

 

Number of Shares

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

 

2,372,242.668

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund

 

8,382,304.214

 

 

A shareholder who owns beneficially 25% or more of the outstanding securities of a Fund is presumed to “control” the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act.  Such control may affect the voting rights of other shareholders.  As of July 12, 2013, the Officers and Trustees of the Touchstone Strategic Trust owned less than 1% of any class of the Funds.  As of July 12, 2013, the following persons owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of Class A, Class C, or Class Y shares of a Fund.

 

Fund

 

Name and Address

 

Class of Shares

 

Number of
Shares

 

Percent
of Class

 

Percent
Ownership
of
Combined
Fund After
Merger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Charles Schwab & Co Inc
Special Custody Acct FBO Customers
Attn Mutual Funds
101 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104-4122

 

Class Y Shares

 

742,790.151

 

45.19

%

20.81

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifth Third Bank TTEE
FBO Western & Southern Life Ins Co
401K Savings Plan
8515 E Orchard Rd 2T2
Centennial, CO 80111

 

Class Y Shares

 

394,516.255

 

24.00

%

6.86

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frontier Trust Company FBO the Instrumentarium Savings
PO Box 10758
Fargo, ND 58106

 

Class Y Shares

 

144,505.622*

 

8.79

%

4.48

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Clearing LLC
Special Custody Acct FBO
Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523

 

Class Y Shares

 

140,072.407

 

8.52

%

4.34

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MLPF & S The Sole Benefit of its Customers
Attn Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Dr East-2nd Flr
Jacksonville, FL 32246

 

Class C Shares

 

33,606.682

 

25.55

%

38.58

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Clearing LLC
Special Custody Acct FBO
Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523

 

Class C Shares

 

27,786.705

 

21.13

%

12.13

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raymond James
Omnibus for Mutual Funds
Attn Courtney Waller
880 Carillon Parkway
St Petersburg, FL 33716

 

Class C Shares

 

11,780.993

 

8.96

%

3.02

%

 

C-1


 

Fund

 

Name and Address

 

Class of Shares

 

Number of
Shares

 

Percent
of Class

 

Percent
Ownership
of
Combined
Fund After
Merger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Harborside Financial Center
Plaza 2 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311

 

Class C Shares

 

9,897.829

 

7.53

%

2.54

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UBS Financial Services Inc.
FBO UBS WM USA
Omni Account M/F
Attn: Department Manager
499 Washington Blvd 9
th  Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055

 

Class C Shares

 

8,055.030

 

6.12

%

2.06

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NFS LLC FEBO
US Bank National Association
Omnibus - Cash Cash
1555 N Rivercenter Drive
Ste 302
Milwaukee, WI 53212-3958

 

Class A Shares

 

149,303.168

 

24.94

%

10.36

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raymond James
Omnibus for Mutual Funds
Attn Courtney Waller
880 Carillon Parkway
St Petersburg, FL 33716

 

Class A Shares

 

40,685.516

 

6.80

%

2.82

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pershing LLC
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399

 

Class A Shares

 

35,097.054

 

5.86

%

2.44

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UBS Financial Services Inc.
FBO UBS WM USA
Omni Account M/F
Attn: Department Manager
499 Washington Blvd 9
th  Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055

 

Class A Shares

 

32,113.945

 

5.37

%

2.23

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Fifth Third Bank TTEE
Various Fascore LLC
Recordkept Plan
C/O Fascore LLC
8515 E Orchard Rd 2T2
Greenwood, Village CO 80111

 

Class Y Shares

 

1,631,338.755

 

42.42

%

20.81

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Harborside Financial Center
Plaza 2 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311

 

Class Y Shares

 

537,784.452

 

13.98

%

6.87

%

 

C-2


 

Fund

 

Name and Address

 

Class of Shares

 

Number of
Shares

 

Percent
of Class

 

Percent
Ownership
of
Combined
Fund After
Merger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Financial Services LLC For the Exclusive Benefit of Our Customers
Attn: Mutual Funds Dept
499 Washington Blvd 4
th  Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310

 

Class Y Shares

 

511,647.922

 

13.30

%

6.53

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MLPF & S The Sole Benefit of its Customers
Attn Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Dr East-2nd Flr
Jacksonville, FL 32246

 

Class Y Shares

 

232,196.111

 

6.04

%

2.96

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MLPF & S The Sole Benefit of its Customers
Attn Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Dr East-2nd Flr
Jacksonville, FL 32246

 

Class C Shares

 

334,667.826

 

45.21

%

38.58

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Harborside Financial Center
Plaza 2 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311

 

Class C Shares

 

206,415.242

 

27.88

%

21.02

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Clearing LLC
Special Custody Acct FBO
Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523

 

Class C Shares

 

55,922.113

 

7.55

%

12.13

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MLPF & S The Sole Benefit of its Customers
Attn Fund Administration
4800 Deer Lake Dr East-2nd Flr
Jacksonville, FL 32246

 

Class A Shares

 

207,246.277

 

9.46

%

6.05

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UBS Financial Services Inc.
FBO UBS WM USA
Omni Account M/F
Attn: Department Manager
499 Washington Blvd 9
th  Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055

 

Class A Shares

 

206,932.162

 

9.44

%

7.75

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pershing LLC
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399

 

Class A Shares

 

198,624.735

 

9.06

%

7.73

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Harborside Financial Center
Plaza 2 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311

 

Class A Shares

 

126,702.152

 

5.78

%

3.38

%

 


* Shares are held beneficially

 

C-3

 


 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

July 19, 2013

 

Acquisition of Assets of

 

TOUCHSTONE DIVERSIFIED SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
CLASS A TICKER:  TDSAX
CLASS C TICKER: TDSCX
CLASS Y TICKER:  TDSIX
a series of

 

TOUCHSTONE STRATEGIC TRUST

303 Broadway, Suite 1100

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(800) 543-0407

 

By and In Exchange For Shares of

 

TOUCHSTONE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

CLASS A TICKER:  MXCAX

CLASS C TICKER:  MXCSX

CLASS Y TICKER: MXAIX

 

a series of

 

TOUCHSTONE STRATEGIC TRUST

303 Broadway, Suite 1100

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(800) 543-0407

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), which is not a prospectus, supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus/Information Statement dated July 19 , 2013, relating specifically to the proposed transfer of the assets and liabilities of Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquired Fund”) to Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”, and together with the Acquired Fund, the “Funds”), each a series of Touchstone Strategic Trust (the “TST”), in exchange for shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund (to be issued to holders of shares of the Acquired Fund).  A copy of the Prospectus/Information Statement may be obtained without charge by calling or writing to the Trust at the telephone number or address set forth above.  The transfer is to occur pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization.

 

 TSF-1903-1306

 


 

Table of Contents

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

1

 

 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

1

 

 

PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2

 

i


 

General Information

 

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relates to the proposed (a) transfer of the assets and the liabilities, as set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, of the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), to the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”, and together with the Acquired Fund, the “Funds”) in exchange for shares of a corresponding class of the Acquiring Fund; (b) pro-rata distribution of such shares to the corresponding class to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund; and (c) liquidation and termination of the Acquired Fund.

 

Acquired Fund

 

Acquiring Fund

Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Each Fund is a series of Touchstone Strategic Trust (“TST”).  Further information is included in the Prospectus/Information Statement and in the documents listed below, which are incorporated by reference into this SAI.

 

Incorporation by Reference

 

This SAI incorporates by reference the following documents:

 

(1)                                  SAI of TST dated April 26, 2013, (previously filed on EDGAR, Accession No. 0001104659-13-033478 );

 

(2)                                  Annual Report of TST, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 (previously filed on EDGAR, Accession No. 0001144204-13-032838); and

 

(3)                                  Annual Report of TST, with respect to the Acquired Fund, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 (previously filed on EDGAR, Accession No. 0001144204-13-032833).

 


 

Pro Forma Financial Statements

 

Pro Forma Financial Statements
Touchstone Strategic Trust
Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund
Pro Forma Combining Statement of Assets & Liabilities

 

As of March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Touchstone 
Diversified 
Small Cap 
Growth Fund

 

Touchstone
Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments

 

Proforma
Combined
Touchstone
Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments, at cost

 

$

26,305,628

 

$

28,288,116

 

 

 

$

54,593,744

 

Affiliated securities, at market value

 

$

1,562,602

 

$

689,381

 

 

 

$

2,251,983

 

Non-affiliated securities, at market value

 

30,209,055

 

35,165,488

 

 

 

65,374,543

 

Investments, at market value

 

$

31,771,657

$

35,854,869

 

 

 

$

67,626,526

 

Cash

 

4,979

 

5,156

 

 

 

10,135

 

Dividends and interest receivable

 

4,737

 

43,821

 

 

 

48,558

 

Receivable for capital shares sold

 

8,701

 

83,575

 

 

 

92,276

 

Receivable for investments sold

 

981,342

 

 

 

 

981,342

 

Receivable from other affiliates

 

 

5,783

 

 

 

5,783

 

Receivable for securities lending income

 

8,373

 

 

 

 

8,373

 

Other assets

 

15,300

 

16,191

 

 

 

31,491

 

Total Assets

 

32,795,089

 

36,009,395

 

 

 

68,804,484

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payable to Transfer Agent

 

10,827

 

17,260

 

 

 

28,087

 

Payable for reports to shareholders

 

11,593

 

21,418

 

 

 

33,011

 

Payable for return of collateral for securities on loan

 

948,868

 

 

 

 

948,868

 

Payable for capital shares redeemed

 

1,707,469

 

53,577

 

 

 

1,761,046

 

Payable for investments purchased

 

248,870

 

 

 

 

248,870

 

 

2


 

 

 

Touchstone 
Diversified 
Small Cap 
Growth Fund

 

Touchstone
Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments

 

Proforma
Combined
Touchstone
Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Payable to Investment Advisor

 

16,970

 

5,950

 

 

 

22,920

 

Payable to other affiliates

 

375

 

 

 

 

375

 

Payable to Trustees

 

2,976

 

2,977

 

 

 

5,953

 

Payable for professional services

 

17,928

 

25,952

 

 

 

43,880

 

Other accrued expenses and liabilities

 

2,542

 

3,619

 

 

 

6,161

 

Total Liabilities

 

2,968,418

 

130,753

 

 

 

3,099,171

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets

 

$

29,826,671

 

$

35,878,642

 

 

 

$

65,705,313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

36,692,709

 

$

28,077,822

 

 

 

$

64,770,531

 

Accumulated net investment loss

 

(65,210

)

(28,681

)

 

 

(93,891

)

Accumulated net realized gains (losses) on investments

 

(12,266,857

)

262,748

 

 

 

(12,004,109

)

Net unrealized appreciation on investments

 

5,466,029

 

7,566,753

 

 

 

13,032,782

 

Net Assets

 

$

29,826,671

 

$

35,878,642

 

 

 

$

65,705,313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

† Includes market value of securities on loan of:

 

$

935,136

 

$

 

 

 

$

935,136

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pricing of Class A Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets attributable to Class A shares

 

$

7,139,939

 

$

14,243,332

 

$

 

 

$

21,383,271

 

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (A)

 

569,503

 

2,943,555

 

905,691

(B)

4,418,749

 

Net asset value and redemption price per share*

 

$

12.54

 

$

4.84

 

 

 

$

4.84

 

Maximum offering price per share***

 

$

13.31

 

$

5.14

 

 

 

$

5.14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pricing of Class C Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets attributable to Class C shares

 

$

1,655,208

 

$

3,508,976

 

 

 

$

5,164,184

 

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (A)

 

137,665

 

831,213

 

254,564

(B)

1,223,442

 

Net asset value and offering price per share**

 

$

12.02

 

$

4.22

 

 

 

$

4.22

 

 

3


 

 

 

Touchstone 
Diversified 
Small Cap 
Growth Fund

 

Touchstone
Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma
Adjustments

 

Proforma
Combined
Touchstone
Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pricing of Class Y Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets attributable to Class Y shares

 

$

21,031,524

 

$

18,123,498

 

 

 

$

39,155,022

 

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (A)

 

1,651,076

 

3,438,201

 

2,339,726

(B)

7,429,003

 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share

 

$

12.74

 

$

5.27

 

 

 

$

5.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pricing of Institutional Class Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets attributable to Institutional Class shares

 

$

 

$

2,836

 

 

 

$

2,836

 

Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (A)

 

 

538

 

 

538

 

Net asset value, offering price and redemption price per share

 

$

 

$

5.28

 

 

 

$

5.28

 

 


(A)         Unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value

(B)         Reflects the capitalization adjustments due to the issuance of shares of Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund to the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund shareholders as if the reorganization had taken place on March 31, 2013.

* There is not sales load on subscriptions of $1 million or more.  Redemptions that were part of a $1 million subscription may be subject to a contingent deferred sales load.

** Redemption price per share varies by length of time shares are held.

*** Maximum offering price per share is equal to net asset value/94.25%

 

4


 

Touchstone Strategic Trust
Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund
Pro Forma Combining Statement of Operations

 

For the Twelve Months Ending March 31, 2013  (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Touchstone
Diversified Small
Cap Growth 
Fund

 

Touchstone 
Small Cap 
Growth Fund

 

Proforma 
Adjustments

 

Proforma 
Combined 
Touchstone 
Small Cap 
Growth Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from affiliated securities

 

1,154

 

1,402

 

 

 

2,556

 

Dividends from non-affiliated securities (A)

 

182,592

 

648,613

 

 

 

831,205

 

Income from Securities Loaned

 

39,171

 

 

 

 

 

39,171

 

Total Investment Income

 

222,917

 

650,015

 

 

872,932

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment advisory fees

 

323,918

 

395,805

 

(15,980

)(B)

703,743

 

Distribution expenses, Class A

 

17,304

 

37,988

 

 

55,292

 

Distribution expenses, Class C

 

16,499

 

38,684

 

 

55,183

 

Administration fees

 

55,576

 

69,226

 

 

124,802

 

Transfer Agent fees, Fund Level

 

 

19,200

 

(19,200

)(c)

 

Transfer Agent fees, Class A

 

16,010

 

14,069

 

 

30,079

 

Transfer Agent fees, Class C

 

5,819

 

2,930

 

 

8,749

 

Transfer Agent fees, Class Y

 

19,953

 

14,096

 

 

34,049

 

Transfer Agent fees, Institutional Class

 

 

8

 

 

8

 

Reports to shareholders, Fund Level

 

 

2,448

 

(2,448

)(c)

 

Reports to shareholders, Class A

 

8,342

 

39,217

 

 

47,559

 

Reports to shareholders, Class C

 

6,944

 

3,438

 

 

10,382

 

Reports to shareholders, Class Y

 

7,243

 

7,836

 

 

15,079

 

 

5


 

 

 

Touchstone
Diversified Small
Cap Growth 
Fund

 

Touchstone 
Small Cap 
Growth Fund

 

Proforma 
Adjustments

 

Proforma 
Combined 
Touchstone 
Small Cap 
Growth Fund

 

Reports to shareholders, Institutional Class

 

 

40

 

 

40

 

Registration fees, Fund Level

 

 

41,536

 

(41,536

)(c)

 

Registration fees, Class A

 

10,029

 

5,098

 

(5,098

)(c)

10,029

 

Registration fees, Class C

 

7,844

 

1,298

 

(1,298

)(c)

7,844

 

Registration fees, Class Y

 

11,727

 

6,864

 

(2,864

)(c)

15,727

 

Professional fees

 

19,456

 

50,491

 

(50,491

)(c)

19,456

 

Custodian fees

 

2,563

 

9,021

 

 

11,584

 

Trustees’ fees and expenses

 

8,832

 

6,477

 

(6,477

)(c)

8,832

 

Compliance fees and expenses

 

1,399

 

1,047

 

(1,047

)(c)

1,399

 

Transfer Agent out of pocket expenses

 

3,006

 

37,127

 

(33,307

)(c)

6,826

 

Other expenses

 

8,870

 

7,020

 

(7,020

)(c)

8,870

 

Total Expenses

 

551,334

 

810,964

 

(186,766

)

1,175,532

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fees (waived) and/or expenses reimbursed by the Advisor/Administrator and expense recoupment

 

(162,680

)

(199,316

)

134,387

(D)

(227,609

)

Net Expenses

 

388,654

 

611,648

 

(52,379

)

947,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

 

(165,737

)

38,367

 

52,379

 

(74,991

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

 

2,475,874

 

4,728,954

(E)

 

 

7,204,828

 

Net realized gains (losses) from foreign currency transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments

 

235,318

 

(6,659

)

 

 

228,659

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains on Investments

 

2,711,192

 

4,722,295

 

 

7,433,487

 

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

 

2,545,455

 

4,760,662

 

52,379

 

7,358,495

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

39

 

 

6


 


(A)

Net of foreign tax withholding of:

(B)

Based on differences in contractual expense agreements.

(C)

Decrease due to the elimination of duplicate expenses achieved by merging

(D)

Based on expense limitation agreement

(E)

On August 28, 2012, Small Cap Growth Fund had a redemption-in-kind transfer of securities in the amount of $5,101,284. The net realized loss on the transaction of $262,527 will not be realized by the Fund for tax purposes.

 

7

 


 

Touchstone Strategic Trust
Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund
Pro Forma Combining Portfolio of Investments

 

As Of March 31, 2013 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks - 98.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financials - 23.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1st United Bancorp, Inc.

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,153

 

$

20,368

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,153

 

$

20,368

 

Access National Corp.

 

 

 

1,674

 

27,454

 

 

 

 

 

1,674

 

27,454

 

ACNB Corp.

 

 

 

1,097

 

18,276

 

 

 

 

 

1,097

 

18,276

 

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. REIT

 

 

 

659

 

16,785

 

 

 

 

 

659

 

16,785

 

American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.

 

 

 

33,239

 

494,929

 

 

 

 

 

33,239

 

494,929

 

American River Bankshares*

 

 

 

2,032

 

15,260

 

 

 

 

 

2,032

 

15,260

 

Ameris Bancorp*

 

 

 

1,481

 

21,252

 

 

 

 

 

1,481

 

21,252

 

Ameriserv Financial, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,390

 

13,741

 

 

 

 

 

4,390

 

13,741

 

Ames National Corp.

 

 

 

1,000

 

20,860

 

 

 

 

 

1,000

 

20,860

 

Apollo Residential Mortgage, Inc. REIT

 

 

 

2,403

 

53,563

 

 

 

 

 

2,403

 

53,563

 

Artio Global Investors, Inc.

 

 

 

4,975

 

13,531

 

 

 

 

 

4,975

 

13,531

 

AV Homes, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,240

 

29,859

 

 

 

 

 

2,240

 

29,859

 

Bancorp, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,907

 

67,962

 

 

 

 

 

4,907

 

67,962

 

BancorpSouth, Inc.

 

18,055

 

294,296

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,055

 

294,296

 

Banner Corp.

 

 

 

1,444

 

45,963

 

 

 

 

 

1,444

 

45,963

 

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

18,955

 

484,111

 

 

 

 

 

18,955

 

484,111

 

BNC Bancorp

 

 

 

2,726

 

27,315

 

 

 

 

 

2,726

 

27,315

 

Bofi Holding, Inc.*

 

 

 

11,120

 

398,986

 

 

 

 

 

11,120

 

398,986

 

Bridge Capital Holdings*

 

 

 

1,493

 

22,753

 

 

 

 

 

1,493

 

22,753

 

C&F Financial Corp.

 

 

 

478

 

19,574

 

 

 

 

 

478

 

19,574

 

Camden National Corp.

 

 

 

1,022

 

33,808

 

 

 

 

 

1,022

 

33,808

 

Capital City Bank Group, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,753

 

21,650

 

 

 

 

 

1,753

 

21,650

 

Capital Southwest Corp.

 

 

 

228

 

26,220

 

 

 

 

 

228

 

26,220

 

CapLease, Inc. REIT

 

 

 

47,072

 

299,849

 

 

 

 

 

47,072

 

299,849

 

Cardinal Financial Corp.

 

 

 

4,311

 

78,374

 

 

 

 

 

4,311

 

78,374

 

Cedar Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

 

 

 

7,098

 

43,369

 

 

 

 

 

7,098

 

43,369

 

 

8


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Center Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

28,343

 

352,303

 

 

 

 

 

28,343

 

352,303

 

Centerstate Banks, Inc.

 

 

 

4,691

 

40,249

 

 

 

 

 

4,691

 

40,249

 

Central Valley Community Bancorp

 

 

 

1,529

 

12,951

 

 

 

 

 

1,529

 

12,951

 

CIFC Corp.*

 

 

 

1,378

 

11,341

 

 

 

 

 

1,378

 

11,341

 

Citizens, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,312

 

27,788

 

 

 

 

 

3,312

 

27,788

 

Codorus Valley Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

996

 

16,354

 

 

 

 

 

996

 

16,354

 

Community Bankers Trust Corp.*

 

 

 

4,221

 

13,803

 

 

 

 

 

4,221

 

13,803

 

Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co.

 

 

 

288

 

11,303

 

 

 

 

 

288

 

11,303

 

Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,611

 

42,285

 

 

 

 

 

3,611

 

42,285

 

Crawford & Co. - Class B

 

 

 

3,979

 

30,201

 

 

 

 

 

3,979

 

30,201

 

Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.

 

 

 

33,470

 

480,629

 

 

 

 

 

33,470

 

480,629

 

Doral Financial Corp.*

 

 

 

20,145

 

14,196

 

 

 

 

 

20,145

 

14,196

 

Eagle Bancorp, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,716

 

59,453

 

 

 

 

 

2,716

 

59,453

 

EMC Insurance Group, Inc.

 

 

 

9,971

 

262,536

 

 

 

 

 

9,971

 

262,536

 

Ezcorp, Inc. - Class A*

 

17,125

 

364,762

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,125

 

364,762

 

Farmers Capital Bank Corp.*

 

 

 

1,637

 

30,776

 

 

 

 

 

1,637

 

30,776

 

Farmers National Banc Corp.

 

 

 

4,114

 

25,959

 

 

 

 

 

4,114

 

25,959

 

FBR & Co.*

 

 

 

874

 

16,535

 

 

 

 

 

874

 

16,535

 

Fidelity Southern Corp.*

 

 

 

2,021

 

23,242

 

 

 

 

 

2,021

 

23,242

 

First Bancorp Troy

 

 

 

2,218

 

29,921

 

 

 

 

 

2,218

 

29,921

 

First Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

587

 

10,572

 

 

 

 

 

587

 

10,572

 

First Busey Corp.

 

 

 

2,193

 

10,022

 

 

 

 

 

2,193

 

10,022

 

First California Financial Group, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,404

 

20,482

 

 

 

 

 

2,404

 

20,482

 

First Cash Financial Services, Inc.*

 

6,245

 

364,333

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,245

 

364,333

 

First Financial Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

16,180

 

339,133

 

 

 

 

 

16,180

 

339,133

 

First M&F Corp.

 

 

 

1,742

 

24,649

 

 

 

 

 

1,742

 

24,649

 

First Marblehead Corp. (The)*

 

 

 

11,686

 

11,803

 

 

 

 

 

11,686

 

11,803

 

First Merchants Corp.

 

 

 

2,717

 

42,032

 

 

 

 

 

2,717

 

42,032

 

First Pactrust Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

25,400

 

289,560

 

 

 

 

 

25,400

 

289,560

 

Firstbank Corp.

 

 

 

1,788

 

24,782

 

 

 

 

 

1,788

 

24,782

 

German American Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

1,739

 

40,014

 

 

 

 

 

1,739

 

40,014

 

GFI Group, Inc.

 

 

 

12,035

 

40,197

 

 

 

 

 

12,035

 

40,197

 

Gladstone Capital Corp.

 

 

 

31,383

 

288,724

 

 

 

 

 

31,383

 

288,724

 

Gladstone Commercial Corp. REIT

 

 

 

18,800

 

366,036

 

 

 

 

 

18,800

 

366,036

 

Gramercy Capital Corp. REIT*

 

 

 

3,226

 

16,807

 

 

 

 

 

3,226

 

16,807

 

Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

384

 

9,366

 

 

 

 

 

384

 

9,366

 

 

9


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guaranty Bancorp*

 

 

 

17,243

 

36,210

 

 

 

 

 

17,243

 

36,210

 

Hanmi Financial Corp.*

 

 

 

25,048

 

400,768

 

 

 

 

 

25,048

 

400,768

 

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

 

 

 

3,161

 

79,878

 

 

 

 

 

3,161

 

79,878

 

Heritage Commerce Corp.*

 

 

 

1,580

 

10,633

 

 

 

 

 

1,580

 

10,633

 

Heritage Oaks Bancorp*

 

 

 

1,727

 

9,844

 

 

 

 

 

1,727

 

9,844

 

Home Federal Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

881

 

11,277

 

 

 

 

 

881

 

11,277

 

Home Loan Servicing Solutions Ltd.

 

 

 

2,731

 

63,714

 

 

 

 

 

2,731

 

63,714

 

Homeowners Choice, Inc.

 

 

 

968

 

26,378

 

 

 

 

 

968

 

26,378

 

HomeStreet, Inc.*

 

 

 

405

 

9,048

 

 

 

 

 

405

 

9,048

 

Horizon Bancorp

 

 

 

821

 

16,592

 

 

 

 

 

821

 

16,592

 

ICG Group, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,411

 

30,089

 

 

 

 

 

2,411

 

30,089

 

Imperial Holdings, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,797

 

19,428

 

 

 

 

 

4,797

 

19,428

 

Independent Bank Corp.

 

 

 

12,987

 

423,246

 

 

 

 

 

12,987

 

423,246

 

JMP Group, Inc.

 

 

 

33,050

 

228,376

 

 

 

 

 

33,050

 

228,376

 

KCAP Financial, Inc.

 

 

 

2,320

 

24,986

 

 

 

 

 

2,320

 

24,986

 

Lakeland Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

5,594

 

55,101

 

 

 

 

 

5,594

 

55,101

 

Lakeland Financial Corp.

 

 

 

745

 

19,884

 

 

 

 

 

745

 

19,884

 

LNB Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

1,788

 

14,858

 

 

 

 

 

1,788

 

14,858

 

MainSource Financial Group, Inc.

 

 

 

35,058

 

492,214

 

 

 

 

 

35,058

 

492,214

 

Marlin Business Services Corp.

 

 

 

1,399

 

32,443

 

 

 

 

 

1,399

 

32,443

 

MBT Financial Corp.*

 

 

 

3,705

 

14,450

 

 

 

 

 

3,705

 

14,450

 

Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc.

 

 

 

18,474

 

130,242

 

 

 

 

 

18,474

 

130,242

 

Mercantile Bank Corp.

 

 

 

582

 

9,725

 

 

 

 

 

582

 

9,725

 

MetroCorp Bancshares, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,485

 

35,164

 

 

 

 

 

3,485

 

35,164

 

Middleburg Financial Corp.

 

 

 

772

 

14,985

 

 

 

 

 

772

 

14,985

 

MidSouth Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

1,851

 

30,097

 

 

 

 

 

1,851

 

30,097

 

MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc.

 

 

 

978

 

23,286

 

 

 

 

 

978

 

23,286

 

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corp. - Class A REIT

 

 

 

45,146

 

503,378

 

 

 

 

 

45,146

 

503,378

 

MPG Office Trust, Inc. REIT*

 

 

 

11,530

 

31,708

 

 

 

 

 

11,530

 

31,708

 

MVC Capital, Inc.

 

 

 

24,422

 

313,334

 

 

 

 

 

24,422

 

313,334

 

National Bankshares, Inc.

 

 

 

1,185

 

41,392

 

 

 

 

 

1,185

 

41,392

 

NewBridge Bancorp*

 

 

 

3,201

 

18,854

 

 

 

 

 

3,201

 

18,854

 

NewStar Financial, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,590

 

21,036

 

 

 

 

 

1,590

 

21,036

 

NGP Capital Resources Co.

 

 

 

46,452

 

330,274

 

 

 

 

 

46,452

 

330,274

 

NorthRim Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

10,336

 

232,250

 

 

 

 

 

10,336

 

232,250

 

 

10


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old National BanCorp. IN

 

26,080

 

358,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,080

 

358,600

 

Oriental Financial Group, Inc.

 

 

 

6,531

 

101,296

 

 

 

 

 

6,531

 

101,296

 

Orrstown Financial Services, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,563

 

23,117

 

 

 

 

 

1,563

 

23,117

 

Pacific Mercantile Bancorp*

 

 

 

2,271

 

13,285

 

 

 

 

 

2,271

 

13,285

 

Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp.

 

 

 

1,285

 

19,159

 

 

 

 

 

1,285

 

19,159

 

Peoples Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

2,068

 

46,303

 

 

 

 

 

2,068

 

46,303

 

Phoenix Cos., Inc. (The)*

 

 

 

478

 

14,708

 

 

 

 

 

478

 

14,708

 

Preferred Bank*

 

 

 

2,597

 

40,981

 

 

 

 

 

2,597

 

40,981

 

Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

1,479

 

17,142

 

 

 

 

 

1,479

 

17,142

 

QCR Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

905

 

14,932

 

 

 

 

 

905

 

14,932

 

Radian Group, Inc.

 

 

 

27,880

 

298,595

 

 

 

 

 

27,880

 

298,595

 

RAIT Financial Trust REIT

 

 

 

4,777

 

38,073

 

 

 

 

 

4,777

 

38,073

 

Renasant Corp.

 

 

 

25,652

 

574,092

 

 

 

 

 

25,652

 

574,092

 

Republic First Bancorp, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,842

 

13,412

 

 

 

 

 

4,842

 

13,412

 

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc.*

 

 

 

20,170

 

318,686

 

 

 

 

 

20,170

 

318,686

 

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida*

 

 

 

12,030

 

25,143

 

 

 

 

 

12,030

 

25,143

 

Security National Financial Corp. - Class A*

 

 

 

1,453

 

10,433

 

 

 

 

 

1,453

 

10,433

 

Shore Bancshares, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,852

 

12,631

 

 

 

 

 

1,852

 

12,631

 

Sierra Bancorp

 

 

 

1,822

 

23,959

 

 

 

 

 

1,822

 

23,959

 

Simmons First National Corp. - Class A

 

 

 

14,188

 

359,240

 

 

 

 

 

14,188

 

359,240

 

Southwest Bancorp, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,498

 

31,375

 

 

 

 

 

2,498

 

31,375

 

STAG Industrial, Inc. REIT

 

 

 

2,528

 

53,771

 

 

 

 

 

2,528

 

53,771

 

State Bank Financial Corp.

 

 

 

3,457

 

56,591

 

 

 

 

 

3,457

 

56,591

 

Sterling Bancorp.

 

 

 

42,819

 

435,041

 

 

 

 

 

42,819

 

435,041

 

Stewart Information Services Corp.

 

 

 

2,969

 

75,620

 

 

 

 

 

2,969

 

75,620

 

Stratus Properties, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,065

 

17,072

 

 

 

 

 

1,065

 

17,072

 

Suffolk Bancorp*

 

 

 

1,013

 

14,425

 

 

 

 

 

1,013

 

14,425

 

Sun Bancorp, Inc.*

 

 

 

7,444

 

25,384

 

 

 

 

 

7,444

 

25,384

 

SWS Group, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,867

 

23,395

 

 

 

 

 

3,867

 

23,395

 

Taylor Capital Group, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,848

 

29,550

 

 

 

 

 

1,848

 

29,550

 

Triangle Capital Corp.

 

 

 

2,980

 

83,410

 

 

 

 

 

2,980

 

83,410

 

Trico Bancshares

 

 

 

971

 

16,604

 

 

 

 

 

971

 

16,604

 

Trustmark Corp.

 

 

 

484

 

12,108

 

 

 

 

 

484

 

12,108

 

United Community Banks, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,472

 

39,372

 

 

 

 

 

3,472

 

39,372

 

United Community Financial Corp.*

 

 

 

7,445

 

28,887

 

 

 

 

 

7,445

 

28,887

 

United Insurance Holdings Corp.

 

 

 

29,154

 

167,052

 

 

 

 

 

29,154

 

167,052

 

 

11


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Univest Corp. of Pennsylvania

 

 

 

1,612

 

28,081

 

 

 

 

 

1,612

 

28,081

 

ViewPoint Financial Group, Inc.

 

 

 

20,791

 

418,107

 

 

 

 

 

20,791

 

418,107

 

Virginia Commerce Bancorp, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,486

 

63,028

 

 

 

 

 

4,486

 

63,028

 

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

17,913

 

490,458

 

 

 

 

 

17,913

 

490,458

 

Waterstone Financial, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,414

 

11,694

 

 

 

 

 

1,414

 

11,694

 

West Bancorporation, Inc.

 

 

 

3,298

 

36,608

 

 

 

 

 

3,298

 

36,608

 

Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corp. REIT

 

 

 

1,576

 

36,626

 

 

 

 

 

1,576

 

36,626

 

Wilshire Bancorp, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,690

 

25,018

 

 

 

 

 

3,690

 

25,018

 

WSFS Financial Corp.

 

 

 

8,642

 

420,347

 

 

 

 

 

8,642

 

420,347

 

Yadkin Valley Financial Corp.*

 

 

 

4,242

 

17,010

 

 

 

 

 

4,242

 

17,010

 

 

 

 

 

1,381,991

 

 

 

13,728,779

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,110,770

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrials - 16.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AAR Corp.

 

 

 

10,116

 

186,033

 

 

 

 

 

10,116

 

186,033

 

Accuride Corp.*

 

 

 

6,976

 

37,601

 

 

 

 

 

6,976

 

37,601

 

Aceto Corp.

 

 

 

26,718

 

295,768

 

 

 

 

 

26,718

 

295,768

 

American Railcar Industries, Inc.

 

 

 

1,378

 

64,408

 

 

 

 

 

1,378

 

64,408

 

American Superconductor Corp.*

 

 

 

3,676

 

9,778

 

 

 

 

 

3,676

 

9,778

 

American Woodmark Corp.*

 

 

 

1,760

 

59,893

 

 

 

 

 

1,760

 

59,893

 

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

 

 

 

5,916

 

171,268

 

 

 

 

 

5,916

 

171,268

 

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

 

8,440

 

379,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,440

 

379,800

 

Arkansas Best Corp.

 

 

 

999

 

11,668

 

 

 

 

 

999

 

11,668

 

Asset Acceptance Capital Corp.*

 

 

 

3,445

 

23,219

 

 

 

 

 

3,445

 

23,219

 

Belden, Inc.

 

6,475

 

334,434

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,475

 

334,434

 

Briggs & Stratton Corp.

 

11,010

 

273,048

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,010

 

273,048

 

CAI International, Inc.*

 

 

 

431

 

12,421

 

 

 

 

 

431

 

12,421

 

CBIZ, Inc.*

 

 

 

60,611

 

386,698

 

 

 

 

 

60,611

 

386,698

 

Ceco Environmental Corp.

 

 

 

19,257

 

248,993

 

 

 

 

 

19,257

 

248,993

 

Celadon Group, Inc.

 

 

 

11,391

 

237,616

 

 

 

 

 

11,391

 

237,616

 

Cenveo, Inc.*

 

 

 

6,325

 

13,599

 

 

 

 

 

6,325

 

13,599

 

CLARCOR, Inc.

 

2,975

 

155,830

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,975

 

155,830

 

Consolidated Graphics, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,343

 

169,811

 

 

 

 

 

4,343

 

169,811

 

Dolan Co. (The)*

 

 

 

22,992

 

54,951

 

 

 

 

 

22,992

 

54,951

 

Douglas Dynamics, Inc.

 

 

 

762

 

10,531

 

 

 

 

 

762

 

10,531

 

Ducommun, Inc.*

 

 

 

15,820

 

313,078

 

 

 

 

 

15,820

 

313,078

 

 

12

 


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMCOR Group, Inc.

 

7,155

 

303,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,155

 

303,300

 

Energy Recovery, Inc.*

 

 

 

8,573

 

31,720

 

 

 

 

 

8,573

 

31,720

 

EnergySolutions, Inc.*

 

 

 

9,890

 

37,088

 

 

 

 

 

9,890

 

37,088

 

EnerNOC, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,570

 

27,271

 

 

 

 

 

1,570

 

27,271

 

EnerSys, Inc.*

 

7,450

 

339,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,450

 

339,571

 

ESCO Technologies, Inc.

 

7,062

 

288,553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,062

 

288,553

 

Federal Signal Corp.*

 

 

 

6,514

 

53,024

 

 

 

 

 

6,514

 

53,024

 

Forward Air Corp.

 

7,673

 

286,126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,673

 

286,126

 

FuelCell Energy, Inc.*

 

 

 

15,725

 

14,841

 

 

 

 

 

15,725

 

14,841

 

Furmanite Corp.*

 

 

 

3,141

 

21,013

 

 

 

 

 

3,141

 

21,013

 

Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd.

 

 

 

4,056

 

11,681

 

 

 

 

 

4,056

 

11,681

 

General Finance Corp.*

 

 

 

2,160

 

9,719

 

 

 

 

 

2,160

 

9,719

 

Gibraltar Industries, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,284

 

78,183

 

 

 

 

 

4,284

 

78,183

 

Global Power Equipment Group, Inc.

 

 

 

1,105

 

19,470

 

 

 

 

 

1,105

 

19,470

 

GP Strategies Corp.*

 

 

 

15,321

 

365,559

 

 

 

 

 

15,321

 

365,559

 

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp.

 

 

 

32,120

 

216,168

 

 

 

 

 

32,120

 

216,168

 

Greenbrier Cos., Inc.*

 

 

 

4,469

 

101,491

 

 

 

 

 

4,469

 

101,491

 

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

 

 

 

1,080

 

22,032

 

 

 

 

 

1,080

 

22,032

 

Insteel Industries, Inc.

 

 

 

2,379

 

38,825

 

 

 

 

 

2,379

 

38,825

 

Kimball International, Inc. - Class B

 

 

 

4,744

 

42,981

 

 

 

 

 

4,744

 

42,981

 

LB Foster Co.

 

 

 

228

 

10,098

 

 

 

 

 

228

 

10,098

 

Lydall, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,596

 

24,499

 

 

 

 

 

1,596

 

24,499

 

Marten Transport Ltd.

 

 

 

17,620

 

354,691

 

 

 

 

 

17,620

 

354,691

 

Michael Baker Corp.

 

 

 

402

 

9,849

 

 

 

 

 

402

 

9,849

 

Middleby Corp.*

 

2,622

 

398,937

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,622

 

398,937

 

Navigant Consulting, Inc.*

 

 

 

30,670

 

403,004

 

 

 

 

 

30,670

 

403,004

 

NCI Building Systems, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,849

 

49,487

 

 

 

 

 

2,849

 

49,487

 

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.*

 

12,103

 

462,316

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,103

 

462,316

 

Orion Marine Group, Inc.*

 

 

 

26,031

 

258,748

 

 

 

 

 

26,031

 

258,748

 

Pacer International, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,494

 

12,545

 

 

 

 

 

2,494

 

12,545

 

Patriot Transportation Holding, Inc.*

 

 

 

519

 

14,439

 

 

 

 

 

519

 

14,439

 

PGT, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,130

 

14,633

 

 

 

 

 

2,130

 

14,633

 

Pike Electric Corp.

 

 

 

19,464

 

276,973

 

 

 

 

 

19,464

 

276,973

 

PMFG, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,444

 

15,079

 

 

 

 

 

2,444

 

15,079

 

Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.*

 

2,233

 

283,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,233

 

283,412

 

Powersecure International, Inc.*

 

 

 

17,663

 

224,497

 

 

 

 

 

17,663

 

224,497

 

 

13


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rand Logistics, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,813

 

11,105

 

 

 

 

 

1,813

 

11,105

 

Raven Industries, Inc.

 

12,353

 

415,184

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,353

 

415,184

 

Republic Airways Holdings, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,284

 

37,897

 

 

 

 

 

3,284

 

37,897

 

Schawk, Inc.

 

 

 

13,929

 

153,080

 

 

 

 

 

13,929

 

153,080

 

Standex International Corp.

 

 

 

766

 

42,299

 

 

 

 

 

766

 

42,299

 

Sykes Enterprises, Inc.*

 

19,950

 

318,402

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,950

 

318,402

 

Tetra Tech, Inc.*

 

16,135

 

491,956

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,135

 

491,956

 

Trex Co., Inc.*

 

5,020

 

246,884

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,020

 

246,884

 

Triumph Group, Inc.

 

4,270

 

335,195

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,270

 

335,195

 

Vitran Corp., Inc.*

 

 

 

15,516

 

94,958

 

 

 

 

 

15,516

 

94,958

 

Wabtec Corp. DE

 

1,993

 

203,505

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,993

 

203,505

 

 

 

 

 

5,516,453

 

 

 

5,406,281

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,922,734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information Technology - 15.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Ltd.*

 

 

 

27,158

 

241,163

 

 

 

 

 

27,158

 

241,163

 

ANADIGICS, Inc.*

 

 

 

10,345

 

20,689

 

 

 

 

 

10,345

 

20,689

 

Aruba Networks, Inc.*

 

18,191

 

450,045

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,191

 

450,045

 

Aspen Technology, Inc.*

 

14,445

 

466,429

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,445

 

466,429

 

Audience, Inc.*

 

 

 

820

 

12,505

 

 

 

 

 

820

 

12,505

 

Aviat Networks, Inc.*

 

 

 

7,260

 

24,466

 

 

 

 

 

7,260

 

24,466

 

Avid Technology, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,058

 

12,904

 

 

 

 

 

2,058

 

12,904

 

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.*

 

 

 

7,353

 

9,191

 

 

 

 

 

7,353

 

9,191

 

Bankrate, Inc.*

 

16,710

 

199,517

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,710

 

199,517

 

Blackbaud, Inc.

 

13,255

 

392,746

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,255

 

392,746

 

Blucora, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,229

 

65,465

 

 

 

 

 

4,229

 

65,465

 

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*

 

27,710

 

386,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,710

 

386,000

 

Checkpoint Systems, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,947

 

25,428

 

 

 

 

 

1,947

 

25,428

 

CIBER, Inc.*

 

 

 

76,971

 

361,764

 

 

 

 

 

76,971

 

361,764

 

Computer Task Group, Inc.

 

 

 

14,036

 

300,230

 

 

 

 

 

14,036

 

300,230

 

comScore, Inc.*

 

15,292

 

256,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,292

 

256,600

 

Comtech Telecommunications Corp.

 

 

 

5,100

 

123,828

 

 

 

 

 

5,100

 

123,828

 

CTS Corp.

 

 

 

33,493

 

349,667

 

 

 

 

 

33,493

 

349,667

 

Daktronics, Inc.

 

 

 

1,921

 

20,170

 

 

 

 

 

1,921

 

20,170

 

EXFO, Inc. (Canada)*

 

 

 

16,496

 

83,965

 

 

 

 

 

16,496

 

83,965

 

FEI Co.

 

5,990

 

386,654

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,990

 

386,654

 

 

14


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Cash Access Holdings, Inc.*

 

 

 

29,169

 

205,641

 

 

 

 

 

29,169

 

205,641

 

InterXion Holding NV (Netherlands)

 

12,925

 

313,044

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,925

 

313,044

 

Intevac, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,347

 

11,078

 

 

 

 

 

2,347

 

11,078

 

Intralinks Holdings, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,924

 

31,317

 

 

 

 

 

4,924

 

31,317

 

IXYS Corp.

 

 

 

19,892

 

190,764

 

 

 

 

 

19,892

 

190,764

 

j2 Global, Inc.

 

9,885

 

387,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,885

 

387,591

 

Kemet Corp.*

 

 

 

1,965

 

12,281

 

 

 

 

 

1,965

 

12,281

 

Kopin Corp.*

 

 

 

3,475

 

12,858

 

 

 

 

 

3,475

 

12,858

 

Limelight Networks, Inc.*

 

 

 

5,007

 

10,314

 

 

 

 

 

5,007

 

10,314

 

Mattson Technology, Inc.*

 

 

 

8,130

 

11,219

 

 

 

 

 

8,130

 

11,219

 

MAXIMUS, Inc.

 

6,850

 

547,794

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,850

 

547,794

 

MeetMe, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,941

 

6,705

 

 

 

 

 

2,941

 

6,705

 

Mercury Systems, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,523

 

11,225

 

 

 

 

 

1,523

 

11,225

 

MICROS Systems, Inc.*

 

5,798

 

263,867

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,798

 

263,867

 

Microsemi Corp.*

 

16,537

 

383,162

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,537

 

383,162

 

ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,300

 

10,889

 

 

 

 

 

3,300

 

10,889

 

Oclaro, Inc.*

 

 

 

12,287

 

15,482

 

 

 

 

 

12,287

 

15,482

 

OCZ Technology Group, Inc.*

 

 

 

11,835

 

21,303

 

 

 

 

 

11,835

 

21,303

 

Perficient, Inc.*

 

 

 

27,780

 

323,915

 

 

 

 

 

27,780

 

323,915

 

Pericom Semiconductor Corp.*

 

 

 

26,644

 

181,446

 

 

 

 

 

26,644

 

181,446

 

Photronics, Inc.*

 

 

 

44,110

 

294,655

 

 

 

 

 

44,110

 

294,655

 

Power Integrations, Inc.

 

4,790

 

207,934

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,790

 

207,934

 

PTC, Inc.*

 

10,221

 

260,533

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,221

 

260,533

 

Radisys Corp.*

 

 

 

3,030

 

14,908

 

 

 

 

 

3,030

 

14,908

 

Rudolph Technologies, Inc.*

 

 

 

18,218

 

214,608

 

 

 

 

 

18,218

 

214,608

 

Seachange International, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,249

 

38,631

 

 

 

 

 

3,249

 

38,631

 

Silicon Graphics International Corp.*

 

 

 

5,111

 

70,276

 

 

 

 

 

5,111

 

70,276

 

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.*

 

11,446

 

252,155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,446

 

252,155

 

STEC, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,986

 

13,198

 

 

 

 

 

2,986

 

13,198

 

Supertex, Inc.

 

 

 

13,859

 

307,808

 

 

 

 

 

13,859

 

307,808

 

support.com, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,222

 

9,288

 

 

 

 

 

2,222

 

9,288

 

Synaptics, Inc.*

 

7,255

 

295,206

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,255

 

295,206

 

SYNNEX Corp.*

 

6,460

 

239,020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,460

 

239,020

 

TechTarget, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,458

 

12,020

 

 

 

 

 

2,458

 

12,020

 

Viasystems Group, Inc.*

 

 

 

766

 

9,989

 

 

 

 

 

766

 

9,989

 

Virtusa Corp.*

 

16,260

 

386,338

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,260

 

386,338

 

 

15


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Web.com Group, Inc.*

 

10,745

 

183,525

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,745

 

183,525

 

Websense, Inc.*

 

11,875

 

178,125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,875

 

178,125

 

Westell Technologies, Inc. - Class A*

 

 

 

112,122

 

225,365

 

 

 

 

 

112,122

 

225,365

 

Zygo Corp.*

 

 

 

620

 

9,182

 

 

 

 

 

620

 

9,182

 

 

 

 

 

6,436,285

 

 

 

3,927,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,364,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care - 13.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc.*

 

12,156

 

389,357

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,156

 

389,357

 

Albany Molecular Research, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,726

 

18,140

 

 

 

 

 

1,726

 

18,140

 

Alphatec Holdings, Inc.*

 

 

 

5,814

 

12,268

 

 

 

 

 

5,814

 

12,268

 

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

 

 

 

630

 

15,026

 

 

 

 

 

630

 

15,026

 

Amedisys, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,956

 

32,871

 

 

 

 

 

2,956

 

32,871

 

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,173

 

34,399

 

 

 

 

 

2,173

 

34,399

 

Astex Pharmaceuticals*

 

 

 

20,907

 

93,245

 

 

 

 

 

20,907

 

93,245

 

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

 

18,295

 

316,138

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,295

 

316,138

 

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*

 

9,536

 

593,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,536

 

593,711

 

Bioscrip, Inc.*

 

 

 

21,724

 

276,112

 

 

 

 

 

21,724

 

276,112

 

Cambrex Corp.*

 

 

 

17,934

 

229,376

 

 

 

 

 

17,934

 

229,376

 

Codexis, Inc.*

 

 

 

5,539

 

13,238

 

 

 

 

 

5,539

 

13,238

 

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.*

 

 

 

39,495

 

209,718

 

 

 

 

 

39,495

 

209,718

 

Curis, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,035

 

13,235

 

 

 

 

 

4,035

 

13,235

 

Cynosure, Inc. - Class A*

 

 

 

625

 

16,356

 

 

 

 

 

625

 

16,356

 

DexCom, Inc.*

 

14,100

 

235,752

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,100

 

235,752

 

Endologix, Inc.*

 

26,765

 

432,255

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,765

 

432,255

 

Enzo Biochem, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,333

 

8,399

 

 

 

 

 

3,333

 

8,399

 

Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

 

 

3,439

 

13,068

 

 

 

 

 

3,439

 

13,068

 

Fluidigm Corp.*

 

23,859

 

441,630

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,859

 

441,630

 

Genomic Health, Inc.*

 

11,992

 

339,134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,992

 

339,134

 

Gentiva Health Services, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,110

 

44,470

 

 

 

 

 

4,110

 

44,470

 

Geron Corp.*

 

 

 

29,892

 

31,984

 

 

 

 

 

29,892

 

31,984

 

Healthways, Inc.*

 

 

 

25,603

 

313,637

 

 

 

 

 

25,603

 

313,637

 

Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co., Inc.

 

 

 

473

 

15,661

 

 

 

 

 

473

 

15,661

 

HMS Holdings Corp.*

 

5,515

 

149,732

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,515

 

149,732

 

Incyte Corp. Ltd.*†

 

7,050

 

165,040

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,050

 

165,040

 

Insmed, Inc.*

 

 

 

5,797

 

43,420

 

 

 

 

 

5,797

 

43,420

 

 

16


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insulet Corp.*

 

17,091

 

441,973

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,091

 

441,973

 

Medical Action Industries, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,096

 

12,575

 

 

 

 

 

2,096

 

12,575

 

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

 

33,515

 

341,518

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,515

 

341,518

 

NxStage Medical, Inc.*

 

26,949

 

303,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,949

 

303,985

 

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

 

6,285

 

558,485

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,285

 

558,485

 

Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.*

 

 

 

5,928

 

14,761

 

 

 

 

 

5,928

 

14,761

 

Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,578

 

21,287

 

 

 

 

 

1,578

 

21,287

 

PDI, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,272

 

7,505

 

 

 

 

 

1,272

 

7,505

 

Providence Service Corp. (The)*

 

 

 

7,009

 

129,596

 

 

 

 

 

7,009

 

129,596

 

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,769

 

12,012

 

 

 

 

 

1,769

 

12,012

 

RTI Biologics, Inc.*

 

73,195

 

288,388

 

2,694

 

10,614

 

 

 

 

 

75,889

 

299,002

 

Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd.*

 

6,305

 

322,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,305

 

322,690

 

Solta Medical, Inc.*

 

 

 

6,476

 

14,247

 

 

 

 

 

6,476

 

14,247

 

Spectranetics Corp.*

 

32,235

 

597,315

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,235

 

597,315

 

SurModics, Inc.*

 

 

 

415

 

11,309

 

 

 

 

 

415

 

11,309

 

Symmetry Medical, Inc.*

 

 

 

31,801

 

364,121

 

 

 

 

 

31,801

 

364,121

 

Synergetics USA, Inc.*

 

 

 

34,400

 

119,368

 

 

 

 

 

34,400

 

119,368

 

Targacept, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,908

 

16,726

 

 

 

 

 

3,908

 

16,726

 

Thoratec Corp.*

 

7,550

 

283,125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,550

 

283,125

 

Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,626

 

7,789

 

 

 

 

 

1,626

 

7,789

 

US Physical Therapy, Inc.

 

 

 

6,430

 

172,646

 

 

 

 

 

6,430

 

172,646

 

Vocera Communications, Inc.*

 

10,580

 

243,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,580

 

243,340

 

Wright Medical Group, Inc.*

 

10,765

 

256,315

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,765

 

256,315

 

Zeltiq AESthetics, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,161

 

8,255

 

 

 

 

 

2,161

 

8,255

 

 

 

 

 

6,699,883

 

 

 

2,357,434

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,057,317

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary - 12.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1-800-Flowers.Com, Inc. - Class A*

 

 

 

2,717

 

13,503

 

 

 

 

 

2,717

 

13,503

 

Arctic Cat, Inc.*

 

5,960

 

260,452

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,960

 

260,452

 

Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.

 

 

 

1,625

 

25,935

 

 

 

 

 

1,625

 

25,935

 

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,128

 

65,388

 

 

 

 

 

4,128

 

65,388

 

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.

 

 

 

928

 

14,486

 

 

 

 

 

928

 

14,486

 

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.*

 

9,284

 

308,972

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,284

 

308,972

 

Bluegreen Corp.*

 

 

 

1,033

 

10,165

 

 

 

 

 

1,033

 

10,165

 

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.*

 

5,430

 

475,288

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,430

 

475,288

 

 

17

 


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cache, Inc.*

 

 

 

11,814

 

49,855

 

 

 

 

 

11,814

 

49,855

 

Carriage Services, Inc.

 

 

 

16,664

 

354,110

 

 

 

 

 

16,664

 

354,110

 

Chico’s FAS, Inc.

 

23,972

 

402,730

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,972

 

402,730

 

Christopher & Banks Corp.*

 

 

 

4,708

 

30,272

 

 

 

 

 

4,708

 

30,272

 

Cinemark Holdings, Inc.

 

15,320

 

451,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,320

 

451,021

 

Citi Trends, Inc.*

 

 

 

16,000

 

163,680

 

 

 

 

 

16,000

 

163,680

 

Coinstar, Inc.*†

 

7,695

 

449,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,695

 

449,542

 

Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc.

 

 

 

195

 

10,005

 

 

 

 

 

195

 

10,005

 

Corinthian Colleges, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,817

 

8,016

 

 

 

 

 

3,817

 

8,016

 

Daily Journal Corp.*

 

 

 

101

 

11,211

 

 

 

 

 

101

 

11,211

 

Destination Xl Group, Inc.*

 

 

 

43,782

 

222,850

 

 

 

 

 

43,782

 

222,850

 

Digital Generation, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,420

 

15,561

 

 

 

 

 

2,420

 

15,561

 

Entravision Communications Corp. - Class A

 

 

 

6,827

 

21,778

 

 

 

 

 

6,827

 

21,778

 

Exide Technologies*

 

 

 

10,885

 

29,390

 

 

 

 

 

10,885

 

29,390

 

Fisher Communications, Inc.

 

 

 

1,093

 

42,889

 

 

 

 

 

1,093

 

42,889

 

Flexsteel Industries, Inc.

 

 

 

442

 

10,935

 

 

 

 

 

442

 

10,935

 

Fred’s, Inc. - Class A

 

 

 

19,870

 

271,822

 

 

 

 

 

19,870

 

271,822

 

Furniture Brands International, Inc.*

 

 

 

8,696

 

8,695

 

 

 

 

 

8,696

 

8,695

 

Global Sources Ltd.

 

 

 

1,942

 

14,682

 

 

 

 

 

1,942

 

14,682

 

Gray Television, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,834

 

22,671

 

 

 

 

 

4,834

 

22,671

 

hhgregg, Inc.*

 

 

 

5,309

 

58,664

 

 

 

 

 

5,309

 

58,664

 

Hooker Furniture Corp.

 

 

 

22,990

 

366,461

 

 

 

 

 

22,990

 

366,461

 

Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. - Class A*

 

 

 

23,597

 

136,155

 

 

 

 

 

23,597

 

136,155

 

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,278

 

14,329

 

 

 

 

 

2,278

 

14,329

 

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.*

 

 

 

10,445

 

150,826

 

 

 

 

 

10,445

 

150,826

 

LIN TV Corp. - Class A*

 

 

 

6,154

 

67,632

 

 

 

 

 

6,154

 

67,632

 

M/I Homes, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,218

 

103,130

 

 

 

 

 

4,218

 

103,130

 

Mcclatchy Co. (The) - Class A*

 

 

 

5,708

 

16,553

 

 

 

 

 

5,708

 

16,553

 

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc.*

 

 

 

20,190

 

123,765

 

 

 

 

 

20,190

 

123,765

 

Papa John’s International, Inc.*

 

7,665

 

473,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,665

 

473,850

 

Perry Ellis International, Inc.

 

 

 

13,322

 

242,327

 

 

 

 

 

13,322

 

242,327

 

rue21, Inc.*

 

11,440

 

336,222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,440

 

336,222

 

Spartan Motors, Inc.

 

 

 

39,920

 

211,975

 

 

 

 

 

39,920

 

211,975

 

Standard Motor Products, Inc.

 

 

 

15,316

 

424,560

 

 

 

 

 

15,316

 

424,560

 

Stein Mart, Inc.

 

 

 

25,120

 

210,506

 

 

 

 

 

25,120

 

210,506

 

Steiner Leisure Ltd. (Bahamas)

 

6,565

 

317,483

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,565

 

317,483

 

 

18


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tenneco, Inc.*

 

9,905

 

389,366

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,905

 

389,366

 

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

 

19,665

 

397,036

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,665

 

397,036

 

Tuesday Morning Corp.*

 

 

 

4,661

 

36,169

 

 

 

 

 

4,661

 

36,169

 

Universal Electronics, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,946

 

45,244

 

 

 

 

 

1,946

 

45,244

 

Valuevision Media, Inc.*

 

 

 

6,242

 

21,597

 

 

 

 

 

6,242

 

21,597

 

Vera Bradley, Inc.*†

 

15,435

 

364,729

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,435

 

364,729

 

VOXX International Corp.*

 

 

 

13,657

 

146,266

 

 

 

 

 

13,657

 

146,266

 

Winnebago Industries, Inc.*

 

 

 

3,740

 

77,194

 

 

 

 

 

3,740

 

77,194

 

Zale Corp.*

 

 

 

2,262

 

8,890

 

 

 

 

 

2,262

 

8,890

 

 

 

 

 

4,626,691

 

 

 

3,880,142

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,506,833

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy 4.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amyris, Inc.*

 

 

 

6,115

 

18,834

 

 

 

 

 

6,115

 

18,834

 

Basic Energy Services, Inc.*

 

 

 

12,077

 

165,093

 

 

 

 

 

12,077

 

165,093

 

Cal Dive International, Inc.*

 

 

 

13,284

 

23,911

 

 

 

 

 

13,284

 

23,911

 

Callon Petroleum Co.*

 

 

 

6,090

 

22,533

 

 

 

 

 

6,090

 

22,533

 

Dril-Quip, Inc.*

 

5,350

 

466,360

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,350

 

466,360

 

Emerald Oil, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,667

 

11,736

 

 

 

 

 

1,667

 

11,736

 

Endeavour International Corp.*

 

 

 

7,674

 

22,638

 

 

 

 

 

7,674

 

22,638

 

Energy XXI Bermuda Ltd. (Bermuda)

 

15,395

 

419,052

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,395

 

419,052

 

Gastar Exploration Ltd.*

 

 

 

11,520

 

20,275

 

 

 

 

 

11,520

 

20,275

 

Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,308

 

26,404

 

 

 

 

 

2,308

 

26,404

 

Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc.

 

 

 

2,098

 

44,184

 

 

 

 

 

2,098

 

44,184

 

Gulfport Energy Corp.*

 

6,000

 

274,980

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,000

 

274,980

 

Harvest Natural Resources, Inc.*

 

 

 

1,029

 

3,612

 

 

 

 

 

1,029

 

3,612

 

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.*

 

14,750

 

337,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,750

 

337,480

 

James River Coal Co.*

 

 

 

6,923

 

12,115

 

 

 

 

 

6,923

 

12,115

 

Knightsbridge Tankers Ltd.

 

 

 

2,389

 

19,590

 

 

 

 

 

2,389

 

19,590

 

Miller Energy Resources, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,786

 

10,336

 

 

 

 

 

2,786

 

10,336

 

North American Energy Partners, Inc. (Canada)*

 

 

 

49,835

 

226,251

 

 

 

 

 

49,835

 

226,251

 

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.*

 

6,210

 

236,415

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,210

 

236,415

 

PetroQuest Energy, Inc.*

 

 

 

47,950

 

212,898

 

 

 

 

 

47,950

 

212,898

 

PHI, Inc.*

 

 

 

298

 

10,195

 

 

 

 

 

298

 

10,195

 

Rentech, Inc.

 

103,920

 

244,212

 

9,893

 

23,249

 

 

 

 

 

113,813

 

267,461

 

Scorpio Tankers, Inc.

 

 

 

8,409

 

75,008

 

 

 

 

 

8,409

 

75,008

 

 

19


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synergy Resources Corp.*

 

 

 

5,454

 

37,414

 

 

 

 

 

5,454

 

37,414

 

Teekay Tankers Ltd. - Class A

 

 

 

10,234

 

29,167

 

 

 

 

 

10,234

 

29,167

 

Triangle Petroleum Corp.*

 

 

 

6,627

 

43,738

 

 

 

 

 

6,627

 

43,738

 

Uranium Energy Corp.*

 

 

 

5,044

 

11,097

 

 

 

 

 

5,044

 

11,097

 

Vantage Drilling Co.*

 

 

 

16,814

 

29,424

 

 

 

 

 

16,814

 

29,424

 

Westmoreland Coal Co.*

 

 

 

1,741

 

19,778

 

 

 

 

 

1,741

 

19,778

 

Willbros Group, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,832

 

47,450

 

 

 

 

 

4,832

 

47,450

 

 

 

 

 

1,978,499

 

 

 

1,166,930

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,145,429

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Staples - 4.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alliance One International, Inc.*

 

 

 

4,232

 

16,462

 

 

 

 

 

4,232

 

16,462

 

Boston Beer Co., Inc. - Class A (The)*

 

1,319

 

210,565

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,319

 

210,565

 

Boulder Brands, Inc.*

 

 

 

11,344

 

101,869

 

 

 

 

 

11,344

 

101,869

 

Central European Distribution Corp.*

 

 

 

12,255

 

4,105

 

 

 

 

 

12,255

 

4,105

 

Chiquita Brands International, Inc.*

 

 

 

25,483

 

197,748

 

 

 

 

 

25,483

 

197,748

 

Darling International, Inc.*

 

18,880

 

339,085

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,880

 

339,085

 

John B Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.

 

 

 

513

 

10,250

 

 

 

 

 

513

 

10,250

 

Lancaster Colony Corp.

 

4,667

 

359,359

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,667

 

359,359

 

Nash Finch Co.

 

 

 

15,413

 

301,787

 

 

 

 

 

15,413

 

301,787

 

Omega Protein Corp.*

 

 

 

25,573

 

274,910

 

 

 

 

 

25,573

 

274,910

 

Overhill Farms, Inc.*

 

 

 

77,743

 

307,085

 

 

 

 

 

77,743

 

307,085

 

Pricesmart, Inc.

 

3,470

 

270,070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,470

 

270,070

 

Spartan Stores, Inc.

 

 

 

28,880

 

506,844

 

 

 

 

 

28,880

 

506,844

 

 

 

 

 

1,179,079

 

 

 

1,721,060

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,900,139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Materials - 3.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Axiall Corp.

 

2,690

 

167,210

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,690

 

167,210

 

Buckeye Technologies, Inc.

 

8,945

 

267,903

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,945

 

267,903

 

Chase Corp.

 

 

 

528

 

10,201

 

 

 

 

 

528

 

10,201

 

Chemtura Corp.*

 

17,175

 

371,152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,175

 

371,152

 

General Moly, Inc.*

 

 

 

8,947

 

19,773

 

 

 

 

 

8,947

 

19,773

 

Gold Reserve, Inc.*

 

 

 

7,696

 

21,549

 

 

 

 

 

7,696

 

21,549

 

Golden Minerals Co.*

 

 

 

2,141

 

5,096

 

 

 

 

 

2,141

 

5,096

 

Golden Star Resources Ltd. (Canada)*

 

 

 

50,899

 

81,438

 

 

 

 

 

50,899

 

81,438

 

Great Panther Silver Ltd. (Canada)*

 

 

 

77,313

 

100,507

 

 

 

 

 

77,313

 

100,507

 

 

20


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horsehead Holding Corp.*

 

 

 

26,300

 

286,144

 

 

 

 

 

26,300

 

286,144

 

Landec Corp.*

 

 

 

3,254

 

47,085

 

 

 

 

 

3,254

 

47,085

 

LSB Industries, Inc.*

 

12,041

 

418,787

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,041

 

418,787

 

PH Glatfelter Co.

 

 

 

28,142

 

657,960

 

 

 

 

 

28,142

 

657,960

 

PolyOne Corp.

 

 

 

439

 

10,715

 

 

 

 

 

439

 

10,715

 

Quaker Chemical Corp.

 

 

 

769

 

45,386

 

 

 

 

 

769

 

45,386

 

US Concrete, Inc.*

 

 

 

2,806

 

38,751

 

 

 

 

 

2,806

 

38,751

 

Vista Gold Corp.*

 

 

 

3,876

 

8,372

 

 

 

 

 

3,876

 

8,372

 

 

 

 

 

1,225,052

 

 

 

1,332,977

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,558,029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utilities - 1.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chesapeake Utilities Corp.

 

 

 

10,921

 

535,675

 

 

 

 

 

10,921

 

535,675

 

Unitil Corp.

 

 

 

20,093

 

565,216

 

 

 

 

 

20,093

 

565,216

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,100,891

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,100,891

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecommunication Services 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8x8, Inc.*

 

31,570

 

216,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,570

 

216,254

 

Neutral Tandem, Inc.

 

 

 

9,791

 

32,017

 

 

 

 

 

9,791

 

32,017

 

Premiere Global Services, Inc.*

 

 

 

21,871

 

240,362

 

 

 

 

 

21,871

 

240,362

 

Shenandoah Telecommunications Co.

 

 

 

3,691

 

56,214

 

 

 

 

 

3,691

 

56,214

 

USA Mobility, Inc.

 

 

 

16,137

 

214,138

 

 

 

 

 

16,137

 

214,138

 

 

 

 

 

216,254

 

 

 

542,731

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

758,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks Total

 

 

 

29,260,187

 

 

 

35,165,025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

64,425,212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rights - 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Community Finanacial Rights, 0.00%

 

 

 

7,445

 

463

 

 

 

 

 

7,445

 

463

 

Rights Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Funds - 4.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invesco Government & Agency Portfolio**

 

948,868

 

948,868

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

948,868

 

948,868

 

Touchstone Institutional Money Market Fund, Institutional Class^

 

1,562,602

 

1,562,602

 

689,381

 

689,381

 

 

 

 

 

2,251,983

 

2,251,983

 

Investment Funds Total

 

 

 

2,511,470

 

 

 

689,381

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,200,851

 

 

21


 

 

 

Touchstone Diversified Small
Cap Growth Fund

 

Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

Pro Forma Adjustments

 

Proforma Combined
Touchstone Small Cap
Growth Fund

 

 

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

Shares

 

Market
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Investment Securities - 102.9%
(Cost $54,593,744)

 

 

 

$

31,771,657

 

 

 

$

35,854,869

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

67,626,526

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets - (2.9%)

 

 

 

(1,944,986

)

 

 

23,773

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,921,213

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets - 100.0%

 

 

 

$

29,826,671

 

 

 

$

35,878,642

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

65,705,313

 

 


*  Non-income producing security.

 

†  All or a portion of the security is on loan. The total market value of the securities on loan as of March 31, 2013 was $935,136.

 

**  Represents collateral for securities loaned.

 

^  Affiliated Fund, sub-advised by Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc.

 

Portfolio Abbreviations:

REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust

 

22

 


 

TOUCHSTONE STRATEGIC TRUST
TOUCHSTONE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
PRO FORMA NOTES TO COMBINING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MARCH 31, 2013
(UNAUDITED)

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS

 

The Acquiring Fund and the  Acquired Fund are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end, management investment company portfolios.  The Acquiring  Fund, as of March 31, 2013 consists of Class A, C, Y, and Institutional Class shares.  The Acquired  Fund, as of March 31, 2013 consists of Class A, C and Y shares.

 

BASIS OF COMBINATION

 

The accompanying unaudited pro forma financial statements are presented to show the effect of the transfer of assets and liabilities of the Acquired Fund in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund (for purposes of maintaining the financial statements and performance).

 

Under the terms of the Plan of Reorganization, the combination of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will be accounted for by the method of accounting for tax-free mergers of investment companies. The statements of assets and liabilities and the related statements of operations of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund have been combined as of and for the twelve months ended March 31, 2013. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the historical cost of investment securities will be carried forward to the Acquiring Fund and the results of operations for pre-combination periods of the Acquiring Fund will not be restated.

 

The accompanying pro forma financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund, each a series of TST, included in their respective annual reports, each dated March 31, 2013.

 

The following notes refer to the accompanying pro forma financial statements as if the above-mentioned acquisition of the Acquired Fund by the Acquiring Fund had taken place as of April 1, 2013.

 

PORTFOLIO VALUATION

 

The Funds’ portfolio securities are valued as of the close of the regular session of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time). Portfolio securities traded on stock exchanges are valued at the last sale price and portfolio securities quoted by NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (NOCP). Securities not traded on a particular day, or for which the last sale price is not readily available, are valued at their last broker-quoted bid prices as obtained from one or more of the major market makers for such securities by an independent pricing service. Securities for which market quotations or the NOCP are not readily available are valued based on fair value as determined by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees. Money market instruments and other debt securities with a remaining maturity of less than 60 days are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Shares of open-end mutual funds in which the Funds invest are valued at their respective net asset values as reported by the underlying funds.

 

23


 

CAPITAL SHARES

 

Touchstone Strategic Trust — Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Class of Shares

 

Shares of Acquiring
Fund Pre-
Combination

 

Additional Shares
Assumed Issued in
Reorganization

 

Total Outstanding
Shares Post-
Combination

 

Class A

 

2,943,555

 

1,475,194

 

4,418,749

 

Class C

 

831,213

 

392,229

 

1,223,442

 

Class Y

 

3,438,201

 

3,990,802

 

7,429,003

 

 

ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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 income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

 

Each Fund has elected to be taxed as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code. After the acquisition, the Acquiring Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company, if such qualification is in the best interest of its shareholders, by complying with the Provisions available to certain investment companies, as defined in applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code, and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from all, or substantially all, federal income taxes.  The identified cost of investments for the Funds is substantially the same for both financial accounting and Federal income tax purposes. The tax cost of investments will remain unchanged for the combined Fund.

 

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On August 26, 2013, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, the assets and liabilities of the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund are expected to be transferred to the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund, each a series of TST.  The Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund is anticipated to be the accounting survivor.

 

24

 


 

PART C

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION

 

(a) Article VI of the Registrant’s Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification of officers and Trustees as follows:

 

Section 6.4 Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, etc.

 

The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers, including persons who serve at the Trust’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”) against all liabilities, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and expenses, including reasonable accountants’ and counsel fees, incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office (“disabling conduct”). Anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, no Covered Person shall be indemnified for any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject unless (1) a final decision on the merits is made by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought that the Covered Person to be indemnified was not liable by reason of disabling conduct or, (2) in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination is made, based upon a review of the facts, that the Covered Person was not liable by reason of disabling conduct, by (a) the vote of a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither “interested persons” of the Company as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 nor parties to the proceeding “disinterested, non-party Trustees”), or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion.

 

Section 6.5 Advances of Expenses.

 

The Trust shall advance attorneys’ fees or other expenses incurred by a Covered Person in defending a proceeding, upon the undertaking by or on behalf of the Covered Person to repay the advance unless it is ultimately determined that such Covered Person is entitled to indemnification, so long as one of the following conditions is met: (i) the Covered Person shall provide security for his undertaking, (ii) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (iii) a majority of a quorum of the disinterested non-party Trustees of the Trust, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that the Covered Person ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

 

Section 6.6 Indemnification Not Exclusive, etc.

 

The right of indemnification provided by this Article VI shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article VI, “Covered Person” shall include such person’s heirs, executors and administrators, an “interested Covered Person” is one against whom the action, suit or other proceeding in question or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending or threatened, and a “disinterested” person is a person against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending or threatened. Nothing contained in this article shall affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law, nor the power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of any such person.

 


 

(b) The Registrant maintains a mutual fund and investment advisory professional and directors and officer’s liability policy. The policy provides coverage to the Registrant, its trustees and officers and includes losses by reason of any act, error, omission, misstatement, misleading statement, neglect or breach of duty. The Registrant may not pay for insurance that protects the Trustees and officers against liabilities rising from action involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their offices.

 

The Advisory Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreements provide that Touchstone Advisors, Inc. (or a Subadvisor) shall not be liable for any act or omission in the course of rendering services, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard by Touchstone (or a Subadvisor) of its obligations under the Agreement.

 

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

 

(1) CHARTER OF THE REGISTRANT

 

(a)

 

Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated May 19, 1993 and Amendment No. 1 dated May 24, 1994, Amendment No. 2 dated February 28, 1997 and Amendment No. 3 dated August 11, 1997, are herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 002-80859), filed with the SEC on July 31, 1998.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Amendment No. 4 to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated February 12, 1998 and Amendments to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated March 16, 2000 and April 6, 2000 are herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 002-80859), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2000.

 

 

 

(c)

 

Amendments to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated September 21, 2000 and March 27, 2001 are herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2001.

 

 

 

(d)

 

Amendment to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 28, 2002 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on September 6, 2002.

 

 

 

(e)

 

Amendment to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated November 7, 2002 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 49 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2003.

 

 

 

(f)

 

Amendment to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated April 14, 2004 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on July 30, 2004.

 

 

 

(g)

 

Amendment to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 3, 2006 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on March 1, 2006.

 

 

 

(h)

 

Amendment to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated September 30, 2004 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on February 2, 2009.

 

 

 

(i)

 

Amendment to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated February 22, 2006 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on February 2, 2009.

 

 

 

(j)

 

Amendment to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 15, 2006 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on February 2, 2009.

 

 

 

(k)

 

Amendment to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated March 22, 2007 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on February 2, 2009.

 

 

 

(l)

 

Amendments to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1)(l) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No.

 


 

 

 

333-177597), filed with the SEC on November 30, 2011.

 

 

 

(m)

 

Amendment to Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28(a)(13) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on June 8, 2012.

 

(2) BY-LAWS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

(a)

 

By-Laws and Amendments to By-Laws dated July 17, 1984 and April 5, 1989 are herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on July 31, 1998.

 

(3) VOTING TRUST AGREEMENT

 

Not applicable.

 

(4) AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

 

(a)

 

Agreement and Plan of Reorganization is attached to the Prospectus/Information Statement contained in this Registration Statement.

 

(5) INSTRUMENTS DEFINING RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

(a)

 

Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders are herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on April 10, 2012.

 

(6) INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACTS

 

(a)

 

Advisory Agreement with Touchstone Advisors, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2007.

 

 

 

 

(a)(1)

 

Form of Amended and Restated Schedule I to the Advisory Agreement with Touchstone Advisors, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (6)(a)(1) to Form N-14 (File No. 333-189183) filed with the SEC on June 7, 2013.

 

 

 

 

(a)(2)

 

Amendment to the Advisory Agreement with Touchstone Advisors, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(c) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-182177), filed with the SEC on October 12, 2012.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. with respect to the Touchstone Mid Cap Growth Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 73 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on July 29, 2010.

 

 

 

(c)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Navellier & Associates, Inc. for the Touchstone Large Cap Growth Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on July 29, 2009.

 

 

 

(d)

 

Amendment to Sub-Advisory Agreement with Navellier & Associates, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(vi)(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on June 2, 2005.

 

 

 

(e)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. with respect to the Touchstone Growth Opportunities Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2008.

 

 

 

(f)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(15) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A

 


 

 

 

(File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2007.

 

 

 

(g)

 

Addendum to Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(16) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2007.

 

 

 

(h)

 

Addendum to Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(14) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2008.

 

 

 

(i)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 2012 between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Balanced Allocation Fund, Touchstone Conservative Allocation Fund, Touchstone Growth Allocation Fund and Touchstone Moderate Growth Allocation Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28(d)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on July 20, 2012.

 

 

 

(j)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 2012 between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Analytic Investors, LLC with respect to the Touchstone Dynamic Equity Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(l) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(k)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 2012 between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Analytic Investors, LLC with respect to the Touchstone U.S. Long/Short Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(m) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(l)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 2012 between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC with respect to the Touchstone Value Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(m)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 2012 between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Copper Rock Capital Partners, LLC with respect to the Touchstone International Small Cap Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(o) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(n)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 2012 between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Copper Rock Capital Partners, LLC with respect to the Touchstone Emerging Growth Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(p) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(o)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 2012 between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC with respect to the Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(q) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(p)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 2012 between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC with respect to the Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(r) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(q)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 2012 between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Fort Washington Investment Advisers, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Focused Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(s) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(r)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 2012 between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Acadian Asset Management LLC with respect to the Touchstone International Equity Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(t) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(s)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 2012 between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Ashfield Capital Partners, LLC with respect to the Touchstone Capital Growth Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(u) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File

 


 

 

 

No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(t)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Fifth Third Asset Management, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (formerly, Touchstone Micro Cap Value Fund) is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-182177), filed with the SEC on October 12, 2012.

 

 

 

(u)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Fifth Third Asset Management, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Flexible Income Fund (formerly, Touchstone Strategic Income Fund) is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(w) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-182177), filed with the SEC on October 12, 2012.

 

 

 

 

(v)

 

Form of Amendment to Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Fifth Third Asset Management, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Flexible Income Fund (formerly, Touchstone Strategic Income Fund) is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (6)(v) of Form N-14 (File No. 333-189183) filed with the SEC on June 7, 2013.

 

 

 

 

(w)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and DePrince, Race & Zollo, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Small Company Value Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(x) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-182177), filed with the SEC on October 12, 2012.

 

 

 

(x)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC with respect to the Touchstone International Value Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(y) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-182177), filed with the SEC on October 12, 2012.

 

 

 

(y)

 

Sub-Advisory Agreement dated April 26, 2013 between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and Apex Capital Management, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Value Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28(d)(17) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on April 29, 2013.

 

(7) UNDERWRITING AND DISTRIBUTION CONTRACTS

 

(a)

 

Distribution Agreement with Touchstone Securities, Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e)(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2001.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Form of Underwriter’s Dealer Agreement is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on September 10, 2004.

 

(8) BONUS OR PROFIT SHARING PLAN

 

(a)

 

Touchstone Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (f) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on July 29, 2009.

 

(9) CUSTODIAN AGREEMENTS

 

(a)

 

Custodian Agreement with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2008.

 

(10) RULE 12B-1 PLAN AND RULE 18F-3 PLAN

 

(a)

 

Registrant’s Plans of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A shares and Class C shares are herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (m)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2000.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Registrant’s Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class B shares is herein incorporated by

 


 

 

 

reference to Exhibit (m)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2001.

 

 

 

(c)

 

Registrant’s Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class A shares with respect to the Touchstone Dynamic Equity Fund, Touchstone Emerging Growth Fund, Touchstone International Equity Fund, Touchstone Conservative Allocation Fund, Touchstone Balanced Allocation Fund, Touchstone Moderate Growth Allocation Fund, Touchstone Growth Allocation Fund, Touchstone U.S. Long/Short Fund, Touchstone Value Fund, Touchstone International Small Cap Fund, Touchstone Capital Growth Fund, Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund, Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund, Touchstone Focused Fund, Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (formerly, Touchstone Micro Cap Value Fund), Touchstone Small Company Value Fund, Touchstone International Value Fund and Touchstone Strategic Income Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28(m)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on June 8, 2012.

 

 

 

(d)

 

Registrant’s Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class C shares with respect to the Touchstone Dynamic Equity Fund, Touchstone Emerging Growth Fund, Touchstone International Equity Fund, Touchstone Conservative Allocation Fund, Touchstone Balanced Allocation Fund, Touchstone Moderate Growth Allocation Fund, Touchstone Growth Allocation Fund, Touchstone U.S. Long/Short Fund, Touchstone Value Fund, Touchstone International Small Cap Fund, Touchstone Capital Growth Fund, Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund, Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund, Touchstone Focused Fund, Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (formerly, Touchstone Micro Cap Value Fund), Touchstone Small Company Value Fund, Touchstone International Value Fund and Touchstone Flexible Income Fund (formerly, Touchstone Strategic Income Fund) is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28(m)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on June 8, 2012.

 

 

 

(e)

 

Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28(n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on June 8, 2012.

 

 

 

 

(e)(1)

 

Form of Amended Schedule A dated May 23, 2013 to the Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e)(1) of Form N-14 (File No. 333-189183) filed with the SEC on June 7, 2013.

 

(11) AN OPINION AND CONSENT OF COUNSEL (AS TO LEGALITY OF THE SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED)

 

(a)

 

Opinion of Pepper Hamilton LLP, as to legality of securities being registered, is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (11)(a) of Form N-14 (File No. 333-189183) filed with the SEC on June 7, 2013.

 

(12) AN OPINION AND CONSENT OF COUNSEL (AS TO CERTAIN TAX CONSEQUENCES)

 

(a)

 

Form of Opinion of Pepper Hamilton LLP, as to certain tax consequences, is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (12)(a) of Form N-14 (File No. 333-189183) filed with the SEC on June 7, 2013.

 

(13) OTHER MATERIAL CONTRACTS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

(a)

 

Recordkeeping Agreement is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(vii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on March 5, 2004.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Amended Administration Agreement with Touchstone Advisors, Inc. dated January 1, 2007 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on August 1, 2007.

 

 

 

(c)

 

Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on April 10, 2012.

 

 

 

(c)(1)

 

Amendment to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement between Touchstone Advisors, Inc. and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(d)

 


 

 

 

of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(c)(2)

 

Amended and Restated Exhibit A dated September 6, 2012 to the Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement dated November 5, 2011 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(p) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-182177), filed with the SEC on October 12, 2012.

 

 

 

(d)

 

Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement with BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28(h)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on April 10, 2012.

 

 

 

(d)(1)

 

Amendment to the Transfer Agency Agreement and Shareholder Services Agreement with BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(f) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(d)(2)

 

Amended and Restated Schedule B dated September 6, 2012 to the Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement dated December 5, 2011 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(n) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-182177), filed with the SEC on October 12, 2012..

 

 

 

(e)

 

State Filing Services Agreement between the Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., dated December 5, 2011 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28(h)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on April 10, 2012.

 

 

 

(e)(1)

 

Amended and Restated Schedule A to the State Filing Services Agreement between the Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(h) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(e)(2)

 

Amended and Restated Schedule A dated September 6, 2012 to the State Filing Services Agreement dated December 5, 2011 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(o) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-182177), filed with the SEC on October 12, 2012.

 

 

 

(f)

 

Allocation Agreement for Allocation of Fidelity Bond Proceeds is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28(h)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on April 10, 2012.

 

 

 

(g)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement dated April 16, 2012 with Touchstone Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Touchstone Dynamic Equity Fund, Touchstone Emerging Growth Fund, Touchstone International Equity Fund, Touchstone Conservative Allocation Fund, Touchstone Balanced Allocation Fund, Touchstone Moderate Growth Allocation Fund, Touchstone Growth Allocation Fund, Touchstone U.S. Long/Short Fund, Touchstone Value Fund, Touchstone International Small Cap Fund, Touchstone Capital Growth Fund, Touchstone Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund, Touchstone Small Cap Value Opportunities Fund and Touchstone Focused Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(l) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-177597), filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012.

 

 

 

(h)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement dated September 10, 2012 with respect to Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (formerly, Touchstone Micro Cap Value Fund), Touchstone Small Company Value Fund, Touchstone International Value Fund and Touchstone Flexible Income Fund (formerly, Touchstone Strategic Income Fund) is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(k) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-182177), filed with the SEC on October 12, 2012.

 

 

 

(i)

 

Expense Limitation Agreement dated July 20, 2012 with respect to Touchstone Large Cap Growth Fund, Touchstone Growth Opportunities Fund, Touchstone Mid Cap Growth Fund and Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28(h)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651), filed with the SEC on July 20, 2012.

 

 

 

 

(j)

 

Form of Amended and Restated Schedule A dated May 17, 2013 to the Expense Limitation Agreement dated April 16, 2012 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit (13)(j) of Form N-14 (File No. 333-189183) filed with the SEC on June 7, 2013.

 


 

(k)

 

Schedule A dated September 10, 2012 to the Expense Limitation Agreement dated July 20, 2012 is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13(l)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-182177), filed with the SEC on October 12, 2012.

 

 

 

 

(l)

 

Schedule A dated July 19, 2013 to the Expense Limitation Agreement dated September 10, 2012 is filed herewith.

 

(14) CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

(a)

 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14(a) of Form N-14 (File No. 333-189183) filed with the SEC on June 7, 2013.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers is herein incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14(b) of Form N-14 (File No. 333-189183) filed with the SEC on June 7, 2013.

 

(15) OMITTED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Not Applicable.

 

(16) POWERS OF ATTORNEY

 

Not Applicable.

 

(17) ADDITIONAL EXHIBITS

 

(a)

 

Prospectus, dated April 26, 2013, for the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (formerly, Touchstone Micro Cap Value Fund)filed with the SEC on April 24, 2013 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(b)

 

Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (formerly, Touchstone Micro Cap Value Fund) filed with the SEC on April 24, 2013 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(c)

 

Prospectus, dated July 20, 2012, as amended September 10, 2012, for the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund filed with the SEC on September 10, 2012 (File No. 002-80859) pursuant to Rule 497 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(d)

 

SAI, dated July 20, 2012, for the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund filed with the SEC on July 20, 2012 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 86 (File Nos. 002-80859 and 811-03651) and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(e)

 

Supplement to SAI for the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund filed with the SEC on September 10, 2012 (File No. 002-80859) pursuant to Rule 497 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(c)

 

Unaudited financial statements included in the Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders of the Registrant with respect to the Touchstone Small Cap Growth Fund (formerly, Touchstone Micro Cap Value Fund) filed with the SEC with the Registrant’s Certified Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR on April 1, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(d)

 

Unaudited financial statements included in the Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders of the Registrant with respect to the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund filed with the SEC with the Registrant’s Certified Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR on December 4, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

(e)

 

Audited financial statements included in the Annual Report to Shareholders of the Registrant with respect to the Touchstone Diversified Small Cap Growth Fund filed with the SEC with the Registrant’s Certified Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR on June 1, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.

 


 

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

 

(1) The undersigned registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered through the use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), the reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form for the reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

 

(2) The undersigned registrant agrees that every prospectus that is filed under paragraph (1) above will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until the amendment is effective, and that, in determining any liability under the 1933 Act, each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement for the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering of them.

 

(3) The undersigned Registrant agrees that it shall file a final executed version of the legal opinion as to tax matters as an exhibit to the subsequent post-effective amendment to its registration statement on Form N-14 filed with the SEC upon the closing of the reorganizations contemplated by this Registration Statement on Form N-14.

 

 


 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form N-14 under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form N-14 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Cincinnati, and State of Ohio on the 19 th  day of July 2013.

 

 

Touchstone Strategic Trust

 

By:

/s/ Jill T. McGruder

 

 

Jill T. McGruder

 

 

President

 

As required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement on Form N-14 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

*

 

Trustee

 

July 19, 2013

Phillip R. Cox

 

 

 

 

*

 

Trustee

 

July 19, 2013

William C. Gale

 

 

 

 

*

 

Trustee

 

July 19, 2013

Donald C. Siekmann

 

 

 

 

*

 

Trustee

 

July 19, 2013

H. Jerome Lerner

 

 

 

 

*

 

Trustee

 

July 19, 2013

Susan J. Hickenlooper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jill T. McGruder

 

Trustee and President

 

July 19, 2013

Jill T. McGruder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Terrie A. Wiedenheft

 

Controller, Treasurer and Principal Financial

 

July 19, 2013

Terrie A. Wiedenheft

 

Officer

 

 

*By:

/s/ Bo James Howell

 

 

 

 

 

Bo James Howell

 

 

 

 

 

(Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to Power of Attorney)

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT NO.

 

DESCRIPTION

(13)(l)

 

Schedule A dated July 19, 2013 to the Expense Limitation Agreement dated September 10, 2012.

 

 

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