Geographic Breakdown
|
|
|
|
Dec. 31, 2012
|
|
Dec. 31, 2013
|
|
US
|
|
|
57.7
|
|
|
|
57.2
|
|
|
Canada
|
|
|
8.5
|
|
|
|
10.0
|
|
|
UK
|
|
|
11.6
|
|
|
|
9.4
|
|
|
Latin America
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe
|
|
|
16.8
|
|
|
|
16.9
|
|
|
Hong Kong
|
|
|
3.6
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
|
Russia
|
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
|
|
4. Market Background
Analysis of the oil price has been complicated by the dislocation between Brent and WTI that started at the beginning of 2010. Below we discuss both benchmarks.
Having averaged $112 in 2012, Brent oil averaged slightly lower in 2013 at $109. Bar a short-lived dip below $100 in April, Brent traded in a relatively tight band over the year between $100 and $120, a range which most Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members seem comfortable with. WTI averaged $98 in 2012, $10 lower than Brent. The spread between WTI and Brent, driven principally by an oversupply of US domestically produced oil and a shortage of suitable refining capacity, narrowed from $18 in 2012 but looks to persist for some time to come.
On the supply side, US onshore oil production grew strongly again, up 1m b/day, whilst other non-OPEC oil production rose by just 0.3m b/day. The growth in non-OPEC supply was somewhat offset by lower OPEC production, with sanctions causing Iranian production to drift lower, Libyan production dropping as much as 1m b/day in the second half of the year as tensions rose and Iraqi supply stalled.
The weakening of several emerging market currencies against the dollar likely had a dampening effect on oil demand, with the oil price in some of those countries reaching record highs, but non-OECD demand growth was still healthy at 1.2m b/day. Perhaps more surprising was the strength of OECD demand, flat overall and the first year since 2010 that it has not declined. Total world oil demand grew to a new high of 91.2m b/day, 4m b/day higher than the pre-recession peak in 2007.
The combination of strong demand and moderate supply growth resulted in a tightening of OECD oil inventories in the middle of the year. Similar to 2012, this was addressed by higher production from Saudi, which co-ordinated an effort to keep the price high but affordable.
2013 saw a second year of good recovery for US natural gas, averaging $3.73/mcf versus $2.75 last year. The price generally traded between $3 and $4, but broke out twice above $4, pushed higher by colder than average weather at the end the 2012/13 winter and at the start of the 2013/14 winter. Onshore gas production growth, the main cause of the depressed price over the last three years, moderated, but associated gas from oil production accelerated, as did production from the prolific Marcellus field in the northeast of the country.
Outside the US, gas prices continued to remain very firm, with European and Asian prices at around $10-11/mcf and $15-17/mcf. Global natural gas demand grown by around 3% in 2013, supporting the development of new offshore gas fields which are being commercialised via LNG technology.
5. Outlook
The future of energy equities will continue to be determined by expectations of the likely medium to long term level of the oil and gas price.
We expect oil to remain relatively strong in 2014 and forecast a trading range of $90-$110, with Brent likely averaging towards the higher end of this range. Saudi could remain in over-production mode for as long as supply remains fairly tight, whilst their ability to put a floor under the price should Brent fall much below $100 remains strong.
The energy markets are still cautious; the Brent oil forward curve implies a price of around $80 in real terms in 2018 while our portfolio of energy equities trades on a 2014 consensus P/E ratio of just 11.2x, well below the broad market's P/E ratio of 15.9x (valuations at December 31, 2013). We believe that oil prices are more likely to be around $120 in real terms, and even higher in nominal terms, at the end of the decade. If we are right, and oil prices are nearly 50% higher than the forward curve implies, then we expect energy equities to rerate versus the broad market. We have positioned the Fund to potentially take advantage of the commodity price environment outlined above.
Tim Guinness
|
|
January 2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
Will Riley
|
|
Jonathan Waghorn
|
|
Fund investment team
The Fund invests in foreign securities, which involves political, economic and currency risks, greater volatility, and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater for emerging markets. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning that its assets may be concentrated in fewer individual holdings than diversified funds. Therefore, the Fund is more exposed to individual stock volatility than diversified funds. The Fund invests in smaller companies, which involves additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility. The Fund's focus on the energy sector to the exclusion of other sectors exposes the Fund to greater market risk and potential monetary losses than if the Fund's assets were diversified among various sectors.
The MSCI World Energy Index is an unmanaged index composed of more than 1,400 stocks listed on exchanges in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index composed of 500 widely held common stocks of U.S. companies. These indices are unmanaged and not available for investment, and do not incur expenses.
Price to earnings (P/E) ratio (PER) reflects the multiple of earnings at which a stock sells and is calculated by dividing current price of the stock by the company's trailing 12 months' earnings per share. Free cash flow is a measure of financial performance calculated as operating cash flow minus capital expenditures.
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for details on Fund holdings.
Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
The information provided herein represents the opinion of Guinness Atkinson Asset Management, Inc. for the period stated and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, or investment advice. Opinions, Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.
GUINNESS ATKINSON GLOBAL ENERGY FUND
Growth of $10,000
Average Annual Total Return
Periods Ended December 31, 2013
One Year
|
|
Five Years
|
|
Since Inception
(06/30/04)
|
|
|
24.48
|
%
|
|
|
16.34
|
%
|
|
|
13.41
|
%
|
|
*Inception date 06/30/04.
Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by visiting www.gafunds.com.
Total returns for certain periods reflect a fee waiver in effect and in the absence of this waiver, the total returns would be lower. Returns reflect the reinvestment of distributions made by the Fund, if any. The graph and the performance table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distribution or the redemption of Fund shares. The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares held less than 30 days.
The MSCI World Energy Index is an unmanaged index composed of more than 1,400 stocks listed on exchanges in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East.
The S&P 500 Index is a broad based unmanaged index of 500 stocks, which is widely recognized as representative of the equity market in general. These indices are unmanaged, not available for investment and do not incur expenses.
38
FUND HIGHLIGHTS at December 31, 2013
GUINNESS ATKINSON GLOBAL ENERGY FUND
# of Holdings in Portfolio:
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
Portfolio Turnover:
|
|
|
8.2
|
%
|
|
% of Stocks in Top 10:
|
|
|
34.4
|
%
|
|
Fund Managers:
Timothy W. N. Guinness
|
|
Will Riley
|
|
Jonathan Waghorn
|
|
Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canadian Natural Resource Ltd.
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
Valero Energy Corp.
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
Total SA
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
Statoil ASA
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
Unit Corp
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
Patterson - UTI Energy, Inc.
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
Royal Dutch Shell PLC - Class A
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
Chesapeake Energy Corp.
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
Hess Corp.
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
Devon Energy Corp.
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
Sector Breakdown (% of net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil & Gas - Integrated
|
|
|
42.8
|
%
|
|
Oil Refining & Marketing
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
Oil & Gas - Exploration & Production
|
|
|
36.7
|
%
|
|
Energy - Alternate Sources
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
Oil & Gas - Field Services
|
|
|
9.8
|
%
|
|
Machinery - General Industries
|
|
|
0.1
|
%
|
|
Oil & Gas - Drilling
|
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
39
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2013
GUINNESS ATKINSON GLOBAL ENERGY FUND
Shares
|
|
COMMON STOCKS
: 99.3%
|
|
Value
|
|
Energy Alternate Sources: 2.8%
|
|
|
|
|
111,420
|
|
|
JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. - ADR*
|
|
$
|
1,021,721
|
|
|
|
75,900
|
|
|
Trina Solar Ltd. - ADR*
|
|
|
1,037,553
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,059,274
|
|
|
Machinery General Industries: 0.1%
|
|
|
|
|
182,956
|
|
|
Shandong Molong Petroleum Machinery Co., Ltd. - H Shares
|
|
|
70,311
|
|
|
Oil & Gas Drilling: 3.7%
|
|
|
|
|
3,124,988
|
|
|
Cluff Natural Resources PLC*
|
|
|
226,400
|
|
|
|
96,670
|
|
|
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.
|
|
|
2,447,684
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,674,084
|
|
|
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production: 36.7%
|
|
|
|
|
26,609
|
|
|
Apache Corp.
|
|
|
2,286,777
|
|
|
|
31,500
|
|
|
Bill Barrett Corp.*
|
|
|
843,570
|
|
|
|
74,800
|
|
|
Canadian Natural Resource Ltd.
|
|
|
2,530,771
|
|
|
|
27,470
|
|
|
Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc.*
|
|
|
1,229,832
|
|
|
|
89,900
|
|
|
Chesapeake Energy Corp.
|
|
|
2,439,886
|
|
|
|
39,200
|
|
|
Devon Energy Corp.
|
|
|
2,425,304
|
|
|
|
120,550
|
|
|
Dragon Oil PLC
|
|
|
1,132,876
|
|
|
|
575,230
|
|
|
JKX Oil & Gas PLC*
|
|
|
681,078
|
|
|
|
79,486
|
|
|
Newfield Exploration Co.*
|
|
|
1,957,740
|
|
|
|
32,170
|
|
|
Noble Energy Inc.
|
|
|
2,191,099
|
|
|
|
46,199
|
|
|
Ophir Energy PLC*
|
|
|
250,779
|
|
|
|
113,900
|
|
|
Penn Virginia Corp.*
|
|
|
1,074,077
|
|
|
|
28,500
|
|
|
QEP Resources Inc.
|
|
|
873,525
|
|
|
|
477,472
|
|
|
Sino Gas & Energy Holdings Ltd.*
|
|
|
85,267
|
|
|
|
222,528
|
|
|
Sino Gas & Energy Holdings Ltd. (new)*
|
|
|
39,739
|
|
|
|
169,800
|
|
|
SOCO International PLC
|
|
|
1,111,230
|
|
|
|
37,100
|
|
|
Stone Energy Corp.*
|
|
|
1,283,289
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
Triangle Petroleum Corp.*
|
|
|
208,000
|
|
|
|
119,408
|
|
|
Trinity Exploration & Production PLC*
|
|
|
275,345
|
|
|
|
39,400
|
|
|
Ultra Petroleum Corp*
|
|
|
853,010
|
|
|
|
48,397
|
|
|
Unit Corp*
|
|
|
2,498,253
|
|
|
|
254,740
|
|
|
WesternZagros Resources Ltd.*
|
|
|
232,617
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,504,064
|
|
|
Oil & Gas Field Services: 9.8%
|
|
|
|
|
43,300
|
|
|
Halliburton Co.
|
|
|
2,197,475
|
|
|
|
90,680
|
|
|
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.*
|
|
|
2,101,962
|
|
|
|
64,900
|
|
|
Kentz Corp Ltd.
|
|
|
679,221
|
|
|
|
53,000
|
|
|
ShawCor Ltd. DL
|
|
|
2,119,501
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,098,159
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
40
Shares
|
|
COMMON STOCKS
: 99.3% (Continued)
|
|
Value
|
|
Oil & Gas Integrated: 42.8%
|
|
|
|
|
292,000
|
|
|
BP
PLC
|
|
$
|
2,359,916
|
|
|
|
18,800
|
|
|
Chevron Corp.
|
|
|
2,348,308
|
|
|
|
33,328
|
|
|
ConocoPhillips
|
|
|
2,354,623
|
|
|
|
98,600
|
|
|
ENI SpA
|
|
|
2,372,423
|
|
|
|
23,800
|
|
|
Exxon Mobil Corp.
|
|
|
2,408,560
|
|
|
|
268,000
|
|
|
Gazprom OAO - ADR
|
|
|
2,291,400
|
|
|
|
29,943
|
|
|
Hess Corp.
|
|
|
2,485,269
|
|
|
|
48,638
|
|
|
OMV AG
|
|
|
2,327,853
|
|
|
|
2,013,000
|
|
|
PetroChina Co., Ltd. - H Shares
|
|
|
2,206,582
|
|
|
|
70,020
|
|
|
Royal Dutch Shell PLC - Class A
|
|
|
2,495,348
|
|
|
|
101,650
|
|
|
Statoil ASA
|
|
|
2,463,613
|
|
|
|
65,776
|
|
|
Suncor Energy, Inc.
|
|
|
2,305,953
|
|
|
|
40,900
|
|
|
Total SA
|
|
|
2,505,540
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,925,388
|
|
|
Oil Refining & Marketing: 3.4%
|
|
|
|
|
48,999
|
|
|
Valero Energy Corp.
|
|
|
2,469,550
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Common Stocks
(costs $61,669,279)
|
|
|
71,800,830
|
|
|
Warrants: 0.0%
|
|
|
|
|
829,161
|
|
|
Cluff Natural Resources, Expiration 5/22/15, Excerise price £0.10*†^
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Warrants
(costs $0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investments in Securities
(costs $61,669,279): 99.3%
|
|
|
71,800,830
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Assets less Liabilities: 0.7%
|
|
|
518,064
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets: 100.0%
|
|
$
|
72,318,894
|
|
|
* Non-income producing security.
† Illiquid. Illiquid securities represent 0.0% of net assets.
^ Fair value under direction of the Board of Trustees. Fair valued securities represent 0.0% of net assets.
ADR - American Depository Receipt
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
41
GLOBAL INNOVATORS FUND
for the period ended December 31, 2013
1. Performance
AVERAGE ANNUALIZED TOTAL RETURNS
|
|
1 Year
(actual)
|
|
3 Years
|
|
5 Years
|
|
10 Years
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
45.29
|
%
|
|
|
17.66
|
%
|
|
|
22.57
|
%
|
|
|
10.42
|
%
|
|
Benchmark Index:
|
|
MSCI WORLD INDEX
|
|
|
27.49
|
%
|
|
|
12.25
|
%
|
|
|
15.81
|
%
|
|
|
7.71
|
%
|
|
S&P 500 INDEX
|
|
|
32.38
|
%
|
|
|
16.16
|
%
|
|
|
17.92
|
%
|
|
|
7.40
|
%
|
|
NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX
|
|
|
40.17
|
%
|
|
|
17.85
|
%
|
|
|
22.95
|
%
|
|
|
8.83
|
%
|
|
The Fund's gross expense ratio is 1.51% per the Summary Prospectus dated May 1, 2013. The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fees and/or reimburse other Fund expenses so that the Fund's ratio of expenses to average daily net assets will not exceed 1.55% (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest, taxes, dividends on short positions and extraordinary expenses) through at least June 30, 2014. To the extent that the Advisor waives fees and/or reimburses expenses, it may seek repayment of a portion or all of such amounts at any time within the three fiscal years after the fiscal year in which such amounts were waived and/or reimbursed, subject to the applicable cap.
Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by visiting
www.gafunds.com
, or calling (800) 915-6565.
The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on the sale of shares held less than 30 days. Performance data quoted does not reflect this redemption fee. Total returns for certain periods reflect expense limitations in effect and, in the absence of these limitations, total returns would have been lower.
The Global Innovators Fund in 2013 produced a total return of 45.29%. The Fund outperformed the MSCI World Index by 17.80%; outperformed the S&P 500 Index by 12.91%; and outperformed the NASDAQ Index by 5.12% over the period.
Equity markets were very strong in 2013, and the Fund recorded a positive performance in all four individual quarters. The Fund was up 11.95%, 4.56%, 10.61%, and 12.23% in each of Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively. The Fund only underperformed one of the indices in one quarter (the NASDAQ in Q3, and then only by 0.59%). The Fund outperformed all three indices in every other period.
Fund performance over the year was very strong. Our large overweight to the information technology sector aided performance, with good individual performances from our holdings in Applied Materials, Blucora, and PTC. However, the significant outperformance of the Fund versus its benchmarks was driven largely by stock selection in the consumer discretionary and financials sectors, neither of which was significantly overweight versus the MSCI World Index. The good recovery by BestBuy throughout the year and continued good stock price performance by H&R Block were the two companies that most added to performance in the consumer discretionary sector. All four financial companies held in the Fund throughout the year added positively to overall Fund performance; Capital One Financial, IntercontinentalExchange Group, State Street, and TD Ameritrade.
Our zero weighting to the utilities, materials, and consumer staples sectors helped performance relatively, as all three sectors underperformed in the year.
2. Activity
In the first three quarters of the year we did not make any changes to the portfolio. In the fourth quarter we made a number of sales and purchases in the portfolio; in October we sold our positions in Best Buy, Blucora, Honda Motor, Toyota Motor, Blackberry and Nokia. We replaced these companies with new holdings in Gannett, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Schneider Electric, Shire, Ubisoft, and Ultra Electronics.
The sales we made can be classified into three broad categories;
(i) taking profits in companies whose share prices had performed strongly and were no longer trading at attractive multiples compared to our expectations of future earnings growth (Best Buy, Blucora)
42
(ii) selling companies which had benefitted from a recent recovery in the economic outlook (Honda, Toyota)
(iii) selling distressed companies which had seen a recent boost in share price based on actual, or expected, M&A activity (Nokia, Blackberry)
The companies we bought all share the characteristics we look for when selecting stocks for the portfolio; good value, improving earnings expectations, innovation, low leverage and high returns on capital. A brief outline of each company is set out below.
• Ganett - US media company and publisher
• Lenovo - Hong Kong-listed computer manufacturer
• Qualcomm - US integrated circuit and system developer
• Schneider Electric - French-listed electrical component manufacturer
• Shire - UK-listed biopharmaceutical company
• Ubisoft - French-listed computer game designer
• Ultra Electronics - UK-listed electronic sensing and communications equipment manufacturer
3. Portfolio Position
The portfolio on December 31, 2013 by our calculations, had a PER of 18.2X (2013) and 17.6X (2014) versus the S&P 500 index at 17.4X (2013) and 15.4X (2014).
Due to the purchases and sales made in the fourth quarter the exposure of the Fund decreased to the consumer discretionary and IT sectors, and increased exposure to healthcare and industrials. The largest allocation in the Fund remains to the IT sector at 38%. All other sector allocations remained largely unchanged.
Sector Allocation at 12/31/13
|
|
Consumer Discretionary
|
|
|
10.7
|
%
|
|
Information Technology
|
|
|
38.0
|
%
|
|
Consumer Staples
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
Materials
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
|
Telecommunication Services
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
|
Financials
|
|
|
14.4
|
%
|
|
Utilities
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
Health Care
|
|
|
7.5
|
%
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
1.8
|
%
|
|
Industrials
|
|
|
17.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
4. Outlook
In the 2012 annual report last year we summarised US equities performance as:
"...providing investors with a 16% total return (including dividends). However, this belies the fact that markets did not move steadily upwards over the year, but instead swung between strongly positive months and strongly negative months as investors reacted to various economic situations...including the continuing European debt crisis; a polarizing US election; a slowdown in growth in China, combined with a once in a decade leadership change; continued unrest in the Middle East; and the looming 'fiscal cliff' debates in the US."
We then tried to look forward into 2013 and noted:
"Many of the issues outlined above remain at the fore, however, and we cannot forget we are currently in a world where governments and central banks are intervening in financial markets to an extent never seen before. With the good performance of 2012 behind us too we must believe that the bar at the start of 2013 has been set higher. However, equity valuations are not at extreme levels, and actually provide good value in many cases suggesting there remains some healthy scepticism going forward and that we have not yet reached unsustainable levels. If the currently low levels of expected economic growth prove too cautious then we may well see continued good performance for equities going forward."
In 2013 the S&P 500 was up over 32% so even our most optimistic scenario proved overly cautious. We did see brief periods of market turmoil, in particular the sell down of emerging market equities and currencies following worries regarding liquidity deserting these regions, but overall the market moved steadily higher. This is in stark contrast to the large swings we witnessed in 2012 as the market lurched higher rather progressing smoothly upwards. What appeared to really drive equity markets was continued quantitative easing from the Federal Reserve and rates being kept at historically low levels in the US.
43
Perhaps the result of this unprecedented monetary policy was to simply raise asset prices by pushing some investors into risker positions than they would normally like to hold if the return on cash is telegraphed to be extraordinarily low and for an extraordinarily long period of time, then it may give you no choice. This might then mean that the good performance in markets has not been entirely a result of improved sentiment and confidence, but rather helped by investors taking positions through gritted teeth. If the status quo then changes, as was hinted at the end of May, some of these 'nervous' investors might then be happy to sell down their positions, regardless of where they were invested. The start of 2014 will therefore be a particularly interesting time as all eyes will be on Janet Yellen, the new Fed Chair, and whether the Fed can adroitly extract themselves from their asset purchases without spooking the market.
In our previous years commentary quoted above we noted that despite good performance in 2012 "...
equity valuations are not at extreme levels, and actually provide good value in many cases..."
At the risk of becoming a broken record, we think this statement rings as true today as it did then, with the exception that equity valuations are obviously higher now than they were at the end of last year. The areas of good value are also becoming smaller so our search for good companies at reasonable valuations has meant looking further afield.
The US performed particularly well relative to world markets over the year so we took the opportunity to sell down some of our holdings that had benefited most from this trend and bought stakes in companies in other markets such as the UK, France and Asia where valuations were more compelling. We feel these changes have left the Fund more balanced and reduced the risk of holding onto companies trading at prices that reflect an unrealistically high growth rate.
Our focus remains, as ever, on quality innovative companies that have shown the ability to consistently earn high levels of return on capital over a prolonged period. We continue to believe these innovative companies can navigate the economic cycle better than the average company and therefore should be well rewarded over the long-term.
Matthew Page Ian Mortimer
January 2014
The Fund invests in foreign securities, which involves political, economic and currency risks, greater volatility, and differences in accounting methods. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning that its assets may be concentrated in fewer individual holdings than diversified funds. Therefore, the Fund is more exposed to individual stock volatility than diversified funds. The Fund invests in smaller companies, which involves additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility.
The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index composed of 500 widely held common stocks of U.S. companies. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to represent the performance of the National Market System, which includes over 5,000 stocks traded only over-the-counter and not on an exchange. These indices are unmanaged and not available for investment, and do not incur expenses.
PER or P/E Price to Earnings ratio is calculated by dividing current price of the stock by the company's trailing months' earnings per share.
Return on Capital (ROC) is a ratio measuring the profitability of a firm expressed as a percentage of funds acquired from investors and lenders.
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for details on Fund holdings.
Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
The information provided herein represents the opinion of Guinness Atkinson Asset Management, Inc. for the period stated and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, or investment advice. Opinions, Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.
44
GUINNESS ATKINSON GLOBAL INNOVATORS FUND
Growth of $10,000
Average Annual Total Return
Periods Ended December 31, 2013
One Year
|
|
Five Years
|
|
Ten Years
|
|
|
45.29
|
%
|
|
|
22.57
|
%
|
|
|
10.42
|
%
|
|
Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by visiting www.gafunds.com.
Total returns for certain periods reflect a fee waiver in effect and in the absence of this waiver, the total returns would be lower. Returns reflect the reinvestment of distributions made by the Fund, if any. The graph and the performance table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distribution or the redemption of Fund shares.
The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares held less than 30 days.
The Standard & Poor's 500 Index is an unmanaged index which is widely regarded as the standard for measuring large cap U.S. stock market performance. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market capitalization weighted index that is designed to represent the performance of the National Market System which includes over 5,000 stocks traded only over-the-counter and not on an exchange. The indices referenced in this chart are not available for investment and do not incur expenses.
45
FUND HIGHLIGHTS at December 31, 2013
GUINNESS ATKINSON GLOBAL INNOVATORS FUND
# of Holdings in Portfolio:
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
Portfolio Turnover:
|
|
|
29.6
|
%
|
|
% of Stocks in Top 10:
|
|
|
36.1
|
%
|
|
Fund Managers:
Ian Mortimer
|
|
Matthew Page
|
|
Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PTC Inc.
|
|
|
3.8
|
%
|
|
Ubisoft Enter
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
Lenovo Group Ltd.
|
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
|
IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
Comcast Corp. - Class A
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
BP
PLC - ADR
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
Shire PLC
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
Oracle Corp.
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
Sector Breakdown (% of net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Semiconductor
|
|
|
9.6
|
%
|
|
Finance - Investment Bank/Broker
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
Electronic Components - Semiconductor
|
|
|
9.5
|
%
|
|
Publishing - Newspapers
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
Applications Software
|
|
|
7.3
|
%
|
|
Commercial Banks
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
Electronics - Military
|
|
|
6.8
|
%
|
|
Diversified Manufactured Operations
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
Cable/Satellite TV
|
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
|
Cellular Telecommunications
|
|
|
3.3
|
%
|
|
Computers
|
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
|
Fiduciary Banks
|
|
|
3.3
|
%
|
|
Entertainment Software
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
Power Conversion/Supply Equipment
|
|
|
3.3
|
%
|
|
Finance - Other Services
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
Commerical Services
|
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
|
Medical - Biomedical
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
Machinery
|
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
|
Oil Company - Integrated
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
E-Commerce/Products
|
|
|
3.1
|
%
|
|
Pharmaceuticals
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
Telephone - Integrated
|
|
|
3.0
|
%
|
|
Enterprise Software/Services
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2013
GUINNESS ATKINSON GLOBAL INNOVATORS FUND
Shares
|
|
COMMON STOCKS
: 98.3%
|
|
Value
|
|
Application Software: 7.3%
|
|
|
|
|
55,020
|
|
|
PTC Inc.*
|
|
$
|
1,947,158
|
|
|
|
27,130
|
|
|
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.*
|
|
|
1,750,428
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,697,586
|
|
|
Cable/Satellite TV: 3.7%
|
|
|
|
|
35,570
|
|
|
Comcast Corp. - Class A
|
|
|
1,848,395
|
|
|
Cellular Telecommunications: 3.3%
|
|
|
|
|
42,785
|
|
|
Vodafone Group PLC ADR
|
|
|
1,681,878
|
|
|
Commercial Banks: 3.4%
|
|
|
|
|
22,730
|
|
|
Capital One Financial Corp.
|
|
|
1,741,345
|
|
|
Commercial Services: 3.2%
|
|
|
|
|
56,380
|
|
|
H&R Block, Inc.
|
|
|
1,637,275
|
|
|
Computers: 3.7%
|
|
|
|
|
1,540,000
|
|
|
Lenovo Group Ltd.
|
|
|
1,872,793
|
|
|
Diversified Manufactured Operations: 3.4%
|
|
|
|
|
22,340
|
|
|
Danaher Corp.
|
|
|
1,724,648
|
|
|
E-Commerce/Products: 3.1%
|
|
|
|
|
28,800
|
|
|
eBay, Inc.*
|
|
|
1,580,832
|
|
|
Electronic Components Semiconductor: 9.5%
|
|
|
|
|
65,890
|
|
|
Intel Corp.
|
|
|
1,710,175
|
|
|
|
98,435
|
|
|
NVIDIA Corp.
|
|
|
1,576,929
|
|
|
|
2,360
|
|
|
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - GDR
|
|
|
1,541,080
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,828,184
|
|
|
Electronics Military: 6.8%
|
|
|
|
|
16,390
|
|
|
L-3 Communications
|
|
|
1,751,435
|
|
|
|
52,500
|
|
|
Ultra Electronics
|
|
|
1,676,161
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,427,596
|
|
|
Enterprise Software/Services: 3.5%
|
|
|
|
|
46,500
|
|
|
Oracle Corp.
|
|
|
1,779,090
|
|
|
Entertainment Software: 3.6%
|
|
|
|
|
129,400
|
|
|
Ubisoft Enter*
|
|
|
1,830,007
|
|
|
Fiduciary Banks: 3.3%
|
|
|
|
|
22,814
|
|
|
State Street Corp.
|
|
|
1,674,320
|
|
|
Finance Investment Bank/Broker: 3.5%
|
|
|
|
|
58,480
|
|
|
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.
|
|
|
1,791,827
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
47
Shares
|
|
COMMON STOCKS
: 98.3% (Continued)
|
|
Value
|
|
Finance Other Services: 3.6%
|
|
|
|
|
8,040
|
|
|
IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.
|
|
$
|
1,808,357
|
|
|
Machinery: 3.2%
|
|
|
|
|
11,770
|
|
|
Roper Industries, Inc.
|
|
|
1,632,264
|
|
|
Medical Biomedical: 3.6%
|
|
|
|
|
24,500
|
|
|
Gilead Sciences, Inc.*
|
|
|
1,841,175
|
|
|
Oil Company Integrated: 3.6%
|
|
|
|
|
37,120
|
|
|
BP
PLC - ADR
|
|
|
1,804,403
|
|
|
Pharmaceuticals: 3.6%
|
|
|
|
|
39,100
|
|
|
Shire PLC
|
|
|
1,846,612
|
|
|
Power Conversion/ Supply Equipment: 3.3%
|
|
|
|
|
19,200
|
|
|
Schneider Electric
|
|
|
1,674,618
|
|
|
Publishing Newspapers: 3.5%
|
|
|
|
|
59,500
|
|
|
Gannett Co, Inc.
|
|
|
1,760,010
|
|
|
Semiconductor: 9.6%
|
|
|
|
|
87,720
|
|
|
Applied Materials, Inc.
|
|
|
1,551,767
|
|
|
|
23,300
|
|
|
QUALCOMM Inc.
|
|
|
1,730,025
|
|
|
|
89,429
|
|
|
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd - ADR
|
|
|
1,559,642
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,841,434
|
|
|
Telephone Integrated: 3.0%
|
|
|
|
|
48,377
|
|
|
CenturyLink Inc.
|
|
|
1,540,807
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Common Stocks
(costs $39,033,233)
|
|
|
49,865,456
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investments in Securities
(costs $39,033,233): 98.3%
|
|
|
49,865,456
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Assets less Liabilities: 1.7%
|
|
|
865,692
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets: 100.0%
|
|
$
|
50,731,148
|
|
|
* Non-income producing security.
ADR - American Depository Receipt
GDR - Global Depository Receipt
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
48
INFLATION MANAGED DIVIDEND FUND
TM
for the period ended December 31, 2013
1. Performance
AVERAGE ANNUALIZED TOTAL RETURN
|
|
6-months
(actual)
|
|
1-year
(actual)
|
|
Since
Inception
(March 30, 2012)
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
14.76
|
%
|
|
|
29.77
|
%
|
|
|
19.24
|
%
|
|
Benchmark Index:
|
|
MSCI World Index
|
|
|
17.16
|
%
|
|
|
27.49
|
%
|
|
|
17.74
|
%
|
|
The Fund's gross expense ratio is 7.05% and net expense ratio is 0.68% per the Summary Prospectus dated May 1, 2013. The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fees and/or reimburse other Fund expenses so that the Fund's ratio of expenses to average daily net assets will not exceed 0.68% (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest, taxes, dividends on short positions and extraordinary expenses) through at least March 31, 2015. To the extent that the Advisor waives fees and/or reimburses expenses, it may seek repayment of a portion or all of such amounts at any time within the three fiscal years after the fiscal year in which such amounts were waived and/or reimbursed, subject to the applicable cap.
Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by visiting
www.gafunds.com
, or calling (800) 915-6565.
The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on the sale of shares held less than 30 days. Performance data quoted does not reflect this redemption fee. Total returns for certain periods reflect expense limitations in effect and, in the absence of these limitations, total returns would have been lower.
The Inflation Managed Dividend Fund in 2013 produced a total return of 29.77%. The Fund outperformed the MSCI World Index by 2.28% over the period.
Equity markets were very strong in 2013, and the Fund recorded a positive performance in all four individual quarters. The Fund was up 8.99%, 3.83%, 6.80%, and 7.45% in each of Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively. The Fund outperformed the index in both Q1 and Q2, but gave back some of those gains in the second half of the year.
Our allocation to Financials (where we were a little underweight relative to the index) and Industrials (where we had been increasing our allocation over the course of the year) were the most significant contributors to performance. The majority of the contribution from these sectors came from stock selection with our holdings in ICAP and Aberdeen Asset Management being our standout performers in the Financials sector whilst Northrop Grumman, Meggitt, L-3 communications, Illinois Tool Works, and General Dynamics all performed particularly well in the Industrial sector.
The fact we had no exposure to the Materials sector was also an important contributor.
Our allocations to Consumer Staples and Health Care which we reduced over the course of the year were the main detractors from performance relative to the index and this was largely due to our bias towards some of the large companies in the sectors.
2. Activity
In January we sold Metcash, an Australian supermarket and convenience store brand. The company had acquired a number of a competitor's stores and was struggling to integrate these additional stores into the business thereby causing a drag on cash flow. The company was also struggling due to weakening pricing power relative to some of their larger competitors. We became concerned about these structural changes in the outlook for the business and concluded there were better opportunities elsewhere.
In March we sold Wal-Mart and VF Corp. We have owned both companies in the Fund since launch and each made a significant contribution to performance. They are both very different businesses and have grown in very different ways but what they share has been a remarkable ability to generate cash and a consistent approach to distributing that cash back to shareholders. However, by March neither company looked to be the bargain it once was (VF Corp traded on 15.3X P/E ratio for 2013, and Wal-Mart on 15.4X) and the share price growth of both companies had outpaced that of the dividend meaning their dividend yields were now modest. We continue to like both companies and will follow their progress in the future, but for now we are happy to have taken profits.
49
INFLATION MANAGED DIVIDEND FUND
TM
Often the most attractively valued opportunities arise in the ugliest circumstances and one area in particular we identified in early 2013 were the defence stocks. As a group they looked cheap on our screens because of the negative sentiment towards these companies following the sequestration debates in the US. To take advantage of these cheap valuations, and to replace our sales of Wal-Mart and VF Corp, we purchased two new companies for the portfolio; Northrup Grumman and BAE Systems. Northrop Grumman is a US-focused defence contractor that was trading on a 9.9X P/E ratio for 2013, and BAE Systems is a more internationally diversified supplier of defence equipment and systems that was trading on a 9.4X P/E ratio for 2013. Both companies had underperformed the broad market around the turn of 2013 and were trading on EV/EBITDA multiples at historic lows. But with free cash flow yields of 10%+ and proven track records of generating high returns on capital even in previous periods of budgetary constraints we felt these companies offered a compelling investment opportunity. Both companies have performed well since we bought them with Northrop Grumman in particularly being one of our top performing companies this year.
In October we made further changes to the portfolio to take profits on companies that had done well, and initiate new positions in companies with cheaper valuations, offering better margins of safety, and more attractive dividend yields.
We sold five companies in October and replaced them with five new purchases. Firstly we took profits on Halma and Pfizer. Halma, the UK-listed industrial safety equipment company has been one of the best performing stocks we have held in the portfolio with a total return of almost 45% from purchase to sale. It has also provided the Fund with a steadily rising dividend stream with dividend growth of around 7% per annum. The company has barely put a foot wrong with good top and bottom-line growth and consistently high returns on capital. The market had recognised this though and by October was trading on a P/E multiple of 22 times, which is very close to the maximum multiple it has achieved over the last ten years. Having reached such a rich valuation we found it difficult to justify to continue holding in the portfolio compared to other, cheaper opportunities.
Pfizer, the US-listed global pharmaceuticals company, is another holding we have owned since we launched the Fund. Pfizer, and the global pharmaceutical companies in general, were quite unloved at that time as the market sold them down because of the expected impact of patent cliffs. When we purchased the stock it was trading on a P/E multiple of around 9 times and had a share price of $23. When we sold it the stock was trading on a multiple of 13.5 times with a share price of $29. Earnings growth for the stock was limited during the period we held the company, meaning the majority of the share price performance was due to the multiple expansion. When we think about the return we might achieve from a company we note it can be split into three main components; (a) dividends, (b) earnings growth and (c) multiple expansion. In the case of Pfizer we think we have captured the majority of the multiple expansion and this combined with the relatively low dividend yield and our cautious outlook for earnings growth meant we sold the position.
We also sold our holdings in Kraft Foods Group and Mondelez International, which represent the two companies that emerged from the re-organisation of the original Kraft Foods in October 2012. The performance of both companies has been enviable with good revenue and earnings growth combined with a good tailwind from US stock market performance generally and the US consumer staple sector specifically. With P/E multiples of 19 times for Kraft Foods Group and 21 times for Mondelez, and dividend yields of 3.7% and 1.6%, respectively, we felt it an opportune time to take profits and instead buy companies offering better upside potential and that also reduced our exposure to the US and the consumer staples sector.
The final sell we made in October was that of AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca was again a company that we have owned since we launched the Fund. When we first bought the stock it was trading on a P/E of less than 8 times. Since purchase the total return for the Fund has been just under 25% as the P/E multiple has expanded to over 10 times today, despite a headwind of decreasing earnings over the period as a whole. Today we think the outlook has turned even more negative and on many indicators we follow our investment thesis no longer stands up. Analyst earnings expectations are sharply lower , the free cash flow dividend cover stands at only 1.5 times, and on the latest earnings call Pascal Soriot, the CEO, indicated that the cost cutting and reorganisation of the business he has been spearheading since he joined in 2012 will not improve margins as much as hoped. So, despite the company offering a high dividend yield and a lowly valuation, we think this might well reflect the true outlook for the business over the next few years. Indeed the cash flow return on investment is expected to fall from 10.4% to 0.7% in 2014 which means the company is very likely to fall out of our investible universe next year. The possibility of a dividend cut also looms which could be a trigger for share price weakness. With all these thoughts in mind we decided to take our profit and sell the position.
Of the five companies we bought in October four of the purchases can be classified as quality companies that we have identified as offering good value, and one is probably better classified as 'deep value' because the market sentiment is almost universally negative.
50
INFLATION MANAGED DIVIDEND FUND
TM
The four companies in the 'quality at a good price' group were;
• French-listed electrical component manufacturer Schneider Electric
• Australian-listed medical diagnostics company Sonic Healthcare
• South African-listed telecoms company Vodacom
• Hong Kong-listed Chinese state oil company CNOOC
What immediately jumped out about this group was that none were listed in the UK or US (regions that had performed well) and they were in the more cyclical sectors of the market. This was not necessarily reflective of a 'top-down' view we had but reflects our 'bottom-up' analysis which focuses purely on valuations of individual stocks regardless of which sectors or regions they are in. They all traded on valuation multiples well below their historic highs and, importantly, offer good prospects for earnings growth. The latter is something we were increasingly focussing on in the portfolio as we have seen the market multiple expand so much since the lows after the financial crisis.
The final company we purchased was Teva Pharmaceutical, the US-listed generic drug manufacturer that is based in Israel. The company has been a consolidator of generic drug manufacturers and also generates a large proportion of its revenues from a multiple sclerosis drug for which it owns the patent. Ironically it is the threat of generic competition to this drug next year, when it comes off patent, that has been a drag on the company. At just over 7 times 2014 expected earnings, however, it ranked in the bottom decile of its industry peers and almost 2 standard deviations away from its median multiple over the past 10 years. Earnings expectations have fallen over the past year but we felt this may have bottomed and the market has oversold the stock based on overly pessimistic view. Again, we cannot pinpoint when sentiment and/or the share price may start to recover but at such lowly valuations and with the sentiment at extreme levels already we feel there is good upside potential over the longer term and a lot of bad news already priced in.
3. Portfolio Position
The portfolio on December 31, 2013 by our calculations, had a PER of 14.3X (2013) and 13.6X (2014) versus the MSCI World Index at 19.0X (2013), and 14.9X (2014), a 24.8% and 8.6% discount, respectively.
The table below shows the sector allocation of the Fund at the end of the period. Over the year we have reduced our exposure to the consumer staples sector significantly moving from a 31.9% weight at the end of 2012 to a weighting of 19.2% at the end of 2013. In its place we have upped the exposure of the Fund to the more cyclical areas of the market, specifically industrials and financials. The Fund has maintained its zero exposure to both the materials and utilities sectors.
Sector allocation at 12/31/2013
|
|
Consumer Discretionary
|
|
|
5.6
|
%
|
|
Information Technology
|
|
|
2.9
|
%
|
|
Consumer Staples
|
|
|
19.2
|
%
|
|
Materials
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
10.7
|
%
|
|
Telecommunication Services
|
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
|
Financials
|
|
|
17.8
|
%
|
|
Utilities
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
Health Care
|
|
|
13.3
|
%
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
3.0
|
%
|
|
Industrials
|
|
|
19.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
4. Dividend
The trailing twelve months dividend distributed by the Fund was $0.45 per share.
5. Outlook
Clearly valuations in aggregate are higher today than they have been for some time, but we are cautious about drawing too many conclusions for our investment process from looking at aggregate data like this. An average can obscure huge amounts of useful and interesting data about the spread within this average and the bias that market capitalisation can have on these weighted averages. Indeed our investment process is designed to focus on identifying companies whose valuations are at the far left of the distribution not the average, i.e. are cheap relative to their peers. We select a concentrated portfolio of 35 companies on a case by
51
INFLATION MANAGED DIVIDEND FUND
TM
case basis and will go to whichever companies look attractive irrespective of what sector or geographies they may be in. It is more important to us to find a set of companies with a proven history of high return on capital, attractive valuation, good capital budgeting discipline and scope for dividend growth, etc., than to identify companies in a sector or industry that in aggregate looks cheap relative to others. We continue to try to identify good businesses that are unloved and attractively valued, but which require an investment horizon beyond the short-term.
We believe this approach to identifying stocks is well suited to current economic conditions. The characteristics of these companies should provide a reasonable degree of downside price protection during periods of market weakness. At the same time we believe these companies have the ability to continue to generate superior economic profits if the economic environment continues to improve.
Matthew Page Ian Mortimer
January 2014
The Fund invests in foreign securities, which involves political, economic and currency risks, greater volatility, and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater for emerging markets. The Fund invests in small- or mid-cap companies, which involves additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility.
The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets.
PER or P/E Price to Earnings ratio is calculated by dividing current price of the stock by the company's trailing months' earnings per share.
Cash flow measures the cash generating capability of a company by adding non-cash charges (e.g. depreciation) and interest expense to pretax income.
Return on Capital (ROC) is a ratio measuring the profitability of a firm expressed as a percentage of funds acquired from investors and lenders.
Free cash flow is a measure of financial performance calculated as operating cash flow minus capital expenditures.
Standard deviation is a measure of the dispersion of a set of data from its mean.
EV/EBITDA is the enterprise value of a company divided by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for details on Fund holdings.
Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
The information provided herein represents the opinion of Guinness Atkinson Asset Management, Inc. for the period stated and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, or investment advice. Opinions, Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.
52
GUINNESS ATKINSON INFLATION MANAGED DIVIDEND FUND
TM
Growth of $10,000
Average Annual Total Return
Periods Ended December 31, 2013
One Year
|
|
Since Inception
(03/30/12)
|
|
|
29.77
|
%
|
|
|
19.24
|
%
|
|
*Inception date 03/30/12.
Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by visiting www.gafunds.com.
Total returns reflect a fee waiver in effect and in the absence of this waiver, the total returns would be lower. Returns reflect the reinvestment of distributions made by the Fund, if any. The graph and the performance table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distribution or the redemption of Fund shares. The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares held less than 30 days.
The MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets.
53
FUND HIGHLIGHTS at December 31, 2013
GUINNESS ATKINSON INFLATION MANAGED DIVIDEND FUND
TM
# of Holdings in Portfolio:
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
Portfolio Turnover:
|
|
|
24.9
|
%
|
|
% of Stocks in Top 10:
|
|
|
25.5
|
%
|
|
Fund Managers:
Ian Mortimer
|
|
Matthew Page
|
|
Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aberdeen Asset Management PLC
|
|
|
2.9
|
%
|
|
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
|
|
|
2.4
|
%
|
|
Northrop Grumman Corp.
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
Microsoft Corp.
|
|
|
2.4
|
%
|
|
ICAP PLC
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
Coca-Cola Co/The
|
|
|
2.4
|
%
|
|
L-3 Communications Holdings Inc.
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
|
Vodafone Group PLC
|
|
|
2.4
|
%
|
|
Mattel Inc.
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
|
Royal Dutch Shell PLC - Class A
|
|
|
2.4
|
%
|
|
Sector Breakdown (% of net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aerospace/Defense
|
|
|
9.3
|
%
|
|
Applications Software
|
|
|
2.4
|
%
|
|
Oil Company - Integrated
|
|
|
6.9
|
%
|
|
Beverages - Non-alcoholic
|
|
|
2.4
|
%
|
|
Pharmaceuticals
|
|
|
6.9
|
%
|
|
Diversified Manufactured Operations
|
|
|
2.4
|
%
|
|
Insurance Brokers
|
|
|
6.8
|
%
|
|
Commercial Services
|
|
|
2.3
|
%
|
|
Cellular Telecommunications
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
|
Cosmetics & Toiletries
|
|
|
2.3
|
%
|
|
Tobacco
|
|
|
4.6
|
%
|
|
Finance - Other Services
|
|
|
2.3
|
%
|
|
Food-Misc/Diversified
|
|
|
4.4
|
%
|
|
Power Conversion/Supply Equipment
|
|
|
2.3
|
%
|
|
Investment Management/Advisory Services
|
|
|
2.9
|
%
|
|
Soap & Cleaning Products
|
|
|
2.3
|
%
|
|
Finance - Investment Banker/Broker
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
Medical - Generic Drugs
|
|
|
2.1
|
%
|
|
Electronics - Military
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
|
MRI/Medical Diagnostics Imaging
|
|
|
2.1
|
%
|
|
Toys
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
|
Oil Company - Exploration & Production
|
|
|
2.0
|
%
|
|
54
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2013
GUINNESS ATKINSON INFLATION MANAGED DIVIDEND FUND
TM
Shares
|
|
COMMON STOCKS
: 81.1%
|
|
Value
|
|
Australia: 2.1%
|
|
|
|
|
4,480
|
|
|
Sonic Healthcare Ltd.
|
|
$
|
66,323
|
|
|
China: 2.0%
|
|
|
|
|
330
|
|
|
CNOOC Ltd. - ADR
|
|
|
61,928
|
|
|
France: 6.7%
|
|
|
|
|
900
|
|
|
Danone SA
|
|
|
64,779
|
|
|
|
810
|
|
|
Schneider Electric SA
|
|
|
70,648
|
|
|
|
1,170
|
|
|
Total SA
|
|
|
71,674
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
207,101
|
|
|
Germany: 2.3%
|
|
|
|
|
880
|
|
|
Deutsche Boerse AG
|
|
|
72,879
|
|
|
Hong Kong: 2.0%
|
|
|
|
|
1,200
|
|
|
China Mobile Ltd. - ADR
|
|
|
62,748
|
|
|
Israel: 2.1%
|
|
|
|
|
1,600
|
|
|
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. - ADR
|
|
|
64,128
|
|
|
Italy: 2.2%
|
|
|
|
|
2,900
|
|
|
ENI SpA
|
|
|
69,777
|
|
|
Netherlands: 2.4%
|
|
|
|
|
2,070
|
|
|
Royal Dutch Shell PLC - Class A
|
|
|
73,770
|
|
|
South Africa: 2.2%
|
|
|
|
|
5,330
|
|
|
Vodacom Group Ltd.
|
|
|
67,578
|
|
|
United Kingdom: 21.5%
|
|
|
|
|
10,910
|
|
|
Aberdeen Asset Management PLC
|
|
|
90,333
|
|
|
|
9,080
|
|
|
BAE Systems PLC
|
|
|
65,407
|
|
|
|
11,426
|
|
|
ICAP PLC
|
|
|
85,447
|
|
|
|
1,870
|
|
|
Imperial Tobacco Group PLC
|
|
|
72,400
|
|
|
|
7,760
|
|
|
Meggitt PLC
|
|
|
67,785
|
|
|
|
890
|
|
|
Reckitt Benckiser
|
|
|
70,639
|
|
|
|
1,780
|
|
|
Unilever PLC
|
|
|
73,160
|
|
|
|
18,890
|
|
|
Vodafone Group PLC
|
|
|
74,136
|
|
|
|
1,540
|
|
|
Willis Group Holding PLC
|
|
|
69,007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
668,314
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
55
Shares
|
|
COMMON STOCKS
: 81.1% (Continued)
|
|
Value
|
|
United States: 35.6%
|
|
|
|
|
1,370
|
|
|
AbbVie Inc.
|
|
$
|
72,350
|
|
|
|
1,070
|
|
|
Aflac Inc.
|
|
|
71,476
|
|
|
|
1,530
|
|
|
Arthur J Gallagher
|
|
|
71,803
|
|
|
|
1,810
|
|
|
Coca-Cola Co/The
|
|
|
74,771
|
|
|
|
720
|
|
|
General Dynamics Corp.
|
|
|
68,796
|
|
|
|
2,430
|
|
|
H&R Block, Inc.
|
|
|
70,567
|
|
|
|
900
|
|
|
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
|
|
|
75,672
|
|
|
|
780
|
|
|
Johnson & Johnson
|
|
|
71,440
|
|
|
|
720
|
|
|
L-3 Communications Holdings Inc.
|
|
|
76,939
|
|
|
|
1,600
|
|
|
Mattel Inc.
|
|
|
76,128
|
|
|
|
1,400
|
|
|
Merck & Co., Inc.
|
|
|
70,070
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
Microsoft Corp.
|
|
|
74,860
|
|
|
|
770
|
|
|
Northrop Grumman Corp.
|
|
|
88,250
|
|
|
|
890
|
|
|
Procter & Gamble Co/The
|
|
|
72,455
|
|
|
|
1,380
|
|
|
Reynolds American Inc.
|
|
|
68,986
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,104,563
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Common Stocks
(costs $2,061,269)
|
|
|
2,519,109
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investments in Securities
(costs $2,061,269): 81.1%
|
|
|
2,519,109
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Assets less Liabilities: 18.9%
|
|
|
587,212
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets: 100.0%
|
|
$
|
3,106,321
|
|
|
ADR - American Depository Receipt
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
56
RENMINBI YUAN & BOND FUND
for the period ended December 31, 2013
1. Performance
AVERAGE ANNUALIZED TOTAL RETURNS
|
|
1 Year
(actual)
|
|
Since
Launch
(June 30, 2011)
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
5.26
|
%
|
|
|
3.70
|
%
|
|
Comparisons:
|
|
RMB Cash Offshore (CNH)*
|
|
|
2.76
|
%
|
|
|
2.65
|
%
|
|
HSBC Offshore RMB Bond Index
|
|
|
6.80
|
%
|
|
|
5.06
|
%
|
|
*Net change in exchange rate versus U.S. dollar.
The Fund's gross expense ratio is 0.90% per the Summary Prospectus dated May 1, 2013. The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fees and/or reimburse other Fund expenses so that the Fund's ratio of expenses to average daily net assets will not exceed 0.90% (excluding Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest, taxes, dividends on short positions and extraordinary expenses) through at least June 30, 2014. To the extent that the Advisor waives fees and/or reimburses expenses, it may seek repayment of a portion or all of such amounts at any time within the three fiscal years after the fiscal year in which such amounts were waived and/or reimbursed, subject to the applicable cap.
Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by visiting www.gafunds.com, or calling (800) 915-6565.
The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on the sales of shares held less than 30 days. Performance data quoted does not reflect this redemption fee. Total returns for certain periods reflect expense limitations in effect and, in the absence of these limitations, total returns would have been lower.
The Fund is designed to give dollar-based investors exposure to the Chinese renminbi by purchasing the currency in the offshore market, generally in Hong Kong (known as the CNH market). The Fund also seeks to generate an additional return by investing in renminbi-denominated bonds, often referred to as Dim Sum bonds (so named after a lunchtime favourite in Hong Kong), and certificates of deposit issued by banks. The intention is to give investors the benefit of hoped-for renminbi appreciation while adding to the return through interest and possibly some capital gain. However, the aim also is to keep credit risk and volatility low.
In 2013 the Fund returned 5.26% compared to an appreciation of the offshore renminbi (CNH) against the dollar of 2.76%.
Money markets in Mainland China were shaken in June by a liquidity squeeze in the interbank market, engineered by the central bank. For some time the central bank has been frustrated in its efforts to slow credit growth in China with commercial banks using multiple channels, but especially the interbank market, to fund loan growth. Commercial banks' increasing usage of interbank funding because they have become used the central bank stepping in with additional liquidity any time market conditions became tight. In June that changed when the normal liquidity injection did not happen and the commercial banks were given the unequivocal message that management of their liquidity is a key obligation.
The result was a rise in short term money market rates by some 2% with periodic spikes higher than that as well as a shift higher in government bond yields by some 1%. As mainland commercial banks have adjusted to these new conditions short term interest rates have drifted lower and become less volatile.
In the offshore renminbi currency and bond markets the impact of this change in the mainland money markets was both briefer and more muted. The currency moved stronger against the dollar during the final quarter of the year and bond issuance, after a quiet third quarter, registered the highest level so far of $8.5 billion. At the same time usage of the currency outside mainland China continues to grow. Renminbi deposits in Hong Kong have now passed $142 billion. In addition a greater share (13%) of Chinese trade, which hit $4.16 trillion in 2013, was settled in renminbi. In October it was reported that China's currency overtook the Euro as the second most used currency in world merchandize trade.
57
RENMINBI YUAN & BOND FUND
2. Portfolio Position
The portfolio is 95% invested in renminbi-denominated bonds and certificates of deposit issued by both Chinese and overseas corporations. Approximately 8% is invested in bonds issued by the Chinese government or by supranational issuers. At the end of the year the duration portfolio was 1.79 years and its yield to maturity was 2.93%.
3. Outlook and Strategy
We believe that the renminbi will continue to see upward pressure against the dollar driven fundamentally by improving Chinese productivity driving income growth and a rising standard of living. Trade growth and the gradual opening of China's capital account will support greater international usage and this provides another source of demand for the currency.
China's financial markets are in the process of change and reform that will be critical to achieve China's goal of developing a consumer-led economy. In this regard we continue to focus on China's overall debt levels and the exposure of government and banks to bad debt. It is noticeable that the rate of debt expansion has slowed significantly in 2013 and 2014 has begun unchanged from last year. Investors appear to be looking for decisive (for which read dramatic headline-grabbing) action. This is not the Chinese way. What we believe we are seeing is a relentless and measured drive to deleveraging which retains the goal of maintaining stability.
For the Fund we believe the outlook is for continued growth in the offshore renminbi market and for further currency appreciation against the dollar.
Edmund Harriss
The Fund invests in foreign securities, which involves political, economic and currency risks, greater volatility, and differences in accounting methods. These risks are greater for emerging markets. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning that its assets may be concentrated in fewer individual holdings than diversified funds. Therefore, the Fund is more exposed to individual stock volatility than diversified funds. The Fund invests in smaller companies, which involves additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility. Investments in debt securities typically decrease in value when interest rates rise, which can be greater for longer-term debt securities. The Fund may invest in derivatives, which involves risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than the risks presented by traditional investments.
Investments focused in a single geographic region may be exposed to greater risk than investments diversified among various geographic regions.
The HSBC Offshore Renminbi Bond Index tracks total return performance of renminbi-denominated and renminbi-settled bonds and certificates of deposit issued outside the People's Republic of China. This index is unmanaged and not available for investment, and does not incur expenses.
The RMB Cash Offshore (CNH) is the currency code for renminbi traded outside China in the offshore market.
Duration is a commonly used measure of the potential volatility of the price of a debt security, or the aggregate market value of a portfolio of debt securities, prior to maturity. Securities with a longer duration generally have more volatile prices than securities of comparable quality with a shorter duration.
Dim Sum Bonds are bonds denominated in Chinese yuan and issued in Hong Kong. Dim sum bonds are attractive to foreign investors who desire exposure to yuan-denominated assets, but are restricted by China's capital controls from investing in domestic Chinese debt. The issuers of dim sum bonds are largely entities based in China or Hong Kong, and occasionally foreign companies. The term is derived from the Chinese cuisine that involves serving a variety of small delicacies and is especially popular in Hong Kong.
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for details on Fund holdings.
Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.
The information provided herein represents the opinion of Guinness Atkinson Asset Management, Inc. for the period stated and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, or investment advice. Opinions, Fund holdings and sector allocations are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security.
58
GUINNESS ATKINSON RENMINBI YUAN & BOND FUND
Growth of $10,000
Average Annual Total Return
Periods Ended December 31, 2013
One Year
|
|
Since Inception
(06/30/11)
|
|
|
5.26
|
%
|
|
|
3.70
|
%
|
|
*Inception date 6/30/11.
Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by visiting www.gafunds.com.
Total returns for certain periods reflect a fee waiver in effect and in the absence of this waiver, the total returns would be lower. Returns reflect the reinvestment of distributions made by the Fund, if any. The graph and the performance table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distribution or the redemption of Fund shares.
The Fund imposes a 2% redemption fee on shares held less than 30 days.
The HSBC Offshore Renminbi Bond Index tracks total return performance of renminbi-denominated and renminbi-settled bonds and certificates of deposit issued outside the Pople's Republic of China. The Fund changed its benchmark from the BOCHK Offshore RMB Bond Index to the HSBC Offshore Renminbi Bond Index. The BOCHK Offshore RMB Bond Index was discontinued on October 21, 2013. The index referenced in this chart is not available for investment and does not incur expenses.
59
FUND HIGHLIGHTS at December 31, 2013
GUINNESS ATKINSON RENMINBI YUAN & BOND FUND
# of Holdings in Portfolio:
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
Portfolio Turnover:
|
|
|
12.3
|
%
|
|
% of Investments in Top 10:
|
|
|
45.6
|
%
|
|
Fund Manager:
Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Air Liquide Finance SA, 3.000%, 09/19/16
|
|
|
10.5
|
%
|
|
ICICI Bank Ltd., 4.900%, 09/21/15
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
New World China Land Ltd., 5.500%, 02/06/18
|
|
|
5.4
|
%
|
|
BOC Aviation Pte. Ltd., 4.500%, 11/20/18
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
BP Capital Markets PLC, 1.700%, 09/15/14
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
HSBC Bank PLC, 2.875%, 04/30/15
|
|
|
3.5
|
%
|
|
China Guangdong, 3.750%, 11/01/15
|
|
|
3.9
|
%
|
|
Global Logistic Properties Ltd., 3.375%, 05/11/16 3.375%
|
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
|
Renault S.A.,5.625%, 10/10/14
|
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
|
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., 3.250%, 06/26/15
|
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
|
Sector Breakdown (% of net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commerical Banks
|
|
|
22.4
|
%
|
|
Machinery
|
|
|
4.1
|
%
|
|
Real Estate Operations/Development
|
|
|
13.9
|
%
|
|
Special Purpose Banks
|
|
|
3.0
|
%
|
|
Industrial Gases
|
|
|
10.5
|
%
|
|
Finance - Investment Bank/Broker
|
|
|
2.6
|
%
|
|
Auto-Cars/Light Trucks
|
|
|
9.1
|
%
|
|
Life/Health Insurance
|
|
|
2.1
|
%
|
|
Finance - Leasing Company
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
Supranational Bank
|
|
|
2.1
|
%
|
|
Oil Company - Integrated
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
Food - Retail
|
|
|
1.8
|
%
|
|
Electric - Integrated
|
|
|
4.8
|
%
|
|
Manufactures
|
|
|
1.1
|
%
|
|
Sovereign
|
|
|
4.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
60
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
December 31, 2013
GUINNESS ATKINSON RENMINBI YUAN & BOND FUND
Principal Amount (CNH)
|
|
CORPORATE BONDS:
91.9%
|
|
Value
|
|
Auto-Cars/Light Trucks: 9.1%
|
|
|
|
|
21,000,000
|
|
|
Renault S.A.,5.625%, 10/10/14
|
|
$
|
3,522,393
|
|
|
|
18,000,000
|
|
|
Volkswagen International Finance NV, 2.150%, 05/23/16
|
|
|
2,921,761
|
|
|
|
4,000,000
|
|
|
Volkswagen International Finance NV, 3.750%, 11/30/17
|
|
|
671,938
|
|
|
|
9,000,000
|
|
|
Volvo Treasury AB, 3.800%, 11/22/15
|
|
|
1,491,571
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,607,663
|
|
|
Commercial Banks: 22.4%
|
|
|
|
|
8,000,000
|
|
|
Agricultural Bank Of China Ltd., 3.200%, 11/28/15
|
|
|
1,318,859
|
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
CCBL Funding PLC, 3.200%, 11/29/15
|
|
|
1,653,099
|
|
|
|
20,000,000
|
|
|
HSBC Bank PLC, 2.875%, 04/30/15
|
|
|
3,312,587
|
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
ICICI Bank Ltd., 4.000%, 06/25/16
|
|
|
1,651,131
|
|
|
|
20,000,000
|
|
|
ICICI Bank Ltd., 4.900%, 09/21/15
|
|
|
3,354,925
|
|
|
|
12,000,000
|
|
|
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., 3.350%, 11/19/16
|
|
|
1,991,270
|
|
|
|
12,000,000
|
|
|
National Australia Bank Ltd., 2.400%, 06/18/15
|
|
|
1,965,928
|
|
|
|
15,000,000
|
|
|
Rabobank Nederland, 3.250%, 09/20/15
|
|
|
2,507,387
|
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
Societe Generale, 4.150%, 09/06/14
|
|
|
1,667,320
|
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
VTB Bank OJSC via VTB Capital SA, 4.500%, 10/30/15
|
|
|
1,676,933
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,099,439
|
|
|
Electric Integrated: 4.8%
|
|
|
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
China Datang Corp., 3.600%, 4/25/16
|
|
|
823,404
|
|
|
|
22,000,000
|
|
|
China Guangdong, 3.750%, 11/01/15
|
|
|
3,663,242
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,486,646
|
|
|
Finance-Investment Bank/Broker: 2.6%
|
|
|
|
|
15,000,000
|
|
|
Banco BTG Pactual SA, 4.100%, 03/26/16
|
|
|
2,441,956
|
|
|
Finance Leasing Company: 5.0%
|
|
|
|
|
20,000,000
|
|
|
BOC Aviation Pte. Ltd., 4.500%, 11/20/18
|
|
|
3,348,071
|
|
|
|
8,000,000
|
|
|
Far East Horizon Ltd., 5.450%, 12/11/16
|
|
|
1,318,809
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,666,880
|
|
|
Food-Retail: 1.8%
|
|
|
|
|
10,500,000
|
|
|
Tesco PLC, 1.750%, 09/01/14
|
|
|
1,718,567
|
|
|
Industrial Gases: 10.5%
|
|
|
|
|
60,000,000
|
|
|
Air Liquide Finance SA, 3.000%, 09/19/16
|
|
|
9,930,616
|
|
|
Life/Health Insurance: 2.1%
|
|
|
|
|
12,000,000
|
|
|
Value Success International, 4.000%, 11/21/16
|
|
|
1,993,358
|
|
|
Machinery: 4.1%
|
|
|
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., 2.900%, 03/16/14
|
|
|
826,284
|
|
|
|
18,000,000
|
|
|
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., 3.250%, 06/26/15
|
|
|
2,992,206
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,818,490
|
|
|
Manufacturer: 1.1%
|
|
|
|
|
6,500,000
|
|
|
Singamas Container Holdings Ltd, 4.750%, 04/14/14
|
|
|
1,073,187
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
61
Principal Amount (CNH)
|
|
CORPORATE BONDS:
91.9% (Continued)
|
|
Value
|
|
Oil Company Integrated: 5.0%
|
|
|
|
|
29,000,000
|
|
|
BP Capital Markets PLC, 1.700%, 09/15/14
|
|
$
|
4,746,313
|
|
|
Real Estate Operations/Development: 13.9%
|
|
|
|
|
5,000,000
|
|
|
Central Plaza Development Ltd., 7.600%, 11/29/15
|
|
|
862,398
|
|
|
|
15,000,000
|
|
|
Gemdale Asia Holding Ltd., 5.625%, 03/21/18
|
|
|
2,393,176
|
|
|
|
18,500,000
|
|
|
Global Logistic Properties Ltd., 3.375%, 05/11/16 3.375%
|
|
|
3,048,462
|
|
|
|
30,000,000
|
|
|
New World China Land Ltd., 5.500%, 02/06/18
|
|
|
5,114,579
|
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
Yanlord Land HK Co. Ltd., 5.375%, 05/23/16
|
|
|
1,631,148
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,049,763
|
|
|
Sovereign: 4.4%
|
|
|
|
|
15,000,000
|
|
|
China Government Bond, 2.870%, 06/27/16
|
|
|
2,490,518
|
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
China Governmentt Bond, 3.020%, 6/27/18
|
|
|
1,646,736
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,137,254
|
|
|
Special Purpose Banks: 3.0%
|
|
|
|
|
7,000,000
|
|
|
Export Import Bank of China/The, 3.350%, 6/18/17
|
|
|
1,154,803
|
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
Korea Development Bank/The, 3.300%, 06/21/15
|
|
|
1,659,201
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,814,004
|
|
|
Supranational Bank: 2.1%
|
|
|
|
|
12,000,000
|
|
|
International Bank for Reconstruction & Development, 2.00%, 06/17/14
|
|
|
1,982,545
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Corporate Bonds
(costs $83,722,423): 91.9%
|
|
|
86,566,681
|
|
|
|
|
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:
|
|
|
|
Certificates of Deposit: 2.6%
|
|
|
|
|
15,000,000
|
|
|
Bank of China, 3.000%, 03/14/14
|
|
|
2,476,241
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Certificate of Deposit
(costs $2,454,743): 2.6%
|
|
|
2,476,241
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investments in Securities
(costs $86,177,166): 94.5%
|
|
|
89,042,922
|
|
|
|
28,736,711
|
|
|
China Yuan (Offshore): 5.0%
|
|
|
4,744,224
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Assets less Liabilities: 0.5%
|
|
|
414,074
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets: 100.0%
|
|
$
|
94,201,220
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
62
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
at December 31, 2013
|
|
Alternative
Energy
Fund
|
|
Asia
Focus
Fund
|
|
Asia Pacific
Dividend
Fund
|
|
China &
Hong Kong
Fund
|
|
Assets
|
|
Investments in securities, at cost
|
|
$
|
31,714,482
|
|
|
$
|
17,403,580
|
|
|
$
|
3,688,684
|
|
|
$
|
69,867,050
|
|
|
Investments in securities, at value
|
|
$
|
24,234,800
|
|
|
$
|
21,786,249
|
|
|
$
|
4,174,772
|
|
|
$
|
110,335,029
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
238,292
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,741
|
|
|
Cash denominated in foreign currency (cost of $0, $33,596, $399,031
and $0, respectively)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,423
|
|
|
|
399,091
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables:
|
|
Fund shares sold
|
|
|
197,156
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,097
|
|
|
Dividends and interest
|
|
|
16,809
|
|
|
|
7,604
|
|
|
|
40
|
|
|
|
9,403
|
|
|
Due from Advisor, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,929
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
9,003
|
|
|
|
4,924
|
|
|
|
890
|
|
|
|
13,799
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
24,457,768
|
|
|
|
22,070,510
|
|
|
|
4,580,722
|
|
|
|
110,435,069
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
Overdraft due to custodian bank
|
|
|
564,591
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
281,729
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
|
|
|
32,608
|
|
|
|
39,421
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
261,958
|
|
|
Due to Advisor, net
|
|
|
19,664
|
|
|
|
19,486
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
95,322
|
|
|
Accrued administration fees
|
|
|
1,113
|
|
|
|
672
|
|
|
|
238
|
|
|
|
8,877
|
|
|
Accrued shareholder servicing plan fees
|
|
|
1,876
|
|
|
|
3,724
|
|
|
|
965
|
|
|
|
16,879
|
|
|
Deferred trustees' compensation
|
|
|
30,539
|
|
|
|
57,569
|
|
|
|
20,339
|
|
|
|
138,797
|
|
|
Other accrued expenses
|
|
|
31,379
|
|
|
|
46,717
|
|
|
|
23,700
|
|
|
|
59,238
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
681,770
|
|
|
|
167,589
|
|
|
|
326,971
|
|
|
|
581,071
|
|
|
Net Assets
|
|
$
|
23,775,998
|
|
|
$
|
21,902,921
|
|
|
$
|
4,253,751
|
|
|
$
|
109,853,998
|
|
|
Number of shares issued and outstanding
(unlimited shares authorized,
no par value)
|
|
|
5,961,081
|
|
|
|
1,341,055
|
|
|
|
328,422
|
|
|
|
3,560,043
|
|
|
Net asset value per share
|
|
$
|
3.99
|
|
|
$
|
16.33
|
|
|
$
|
12.95
|
|
|
$
|
30.86
|
|
|
Composition of Net Assets
|
|
Paid-in capital
|
|
$
|
117,957,716
|
|
|
$
|
19,016,069
|
|
|
$
|
7,593,327
|
|
|
$
|
67,328,645
|
|
|
Undistributed net investment income (loss)
|
|
|
(41,716
|
)
|
|
|
(56,828
|
)
|
|
|
(35,676
|
)
|
|
|
174,488
|
|
|
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency
|
|
|
(86,661,265
|
)
|
|
|
(1,433,184
|
)
|
|
|
(3,790,036
|
)
|
|
|
1,882,888
|
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
(7,479,682
|
)
|
|
|
4,382,669
|
|
|
|
486,088
|
|
|
|
40,467,979
|
|
|
Foreign currency
|
|
|
945
|
|
|
|
(5,805
|
)
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
Net Assets
|
|
$
|
23,775,998
|
|
|
$
|
21,902,921
|
|
|
$
|
4,253,751
|
|
|
$
|
109,853,998
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
63
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
at December 31, 2013
|
|
Global
Energy
Fund
|
|
Global
Innovators
Fund
|
|
Inflation
Managed
Dividend
Fund
TM
|
|
Renminbi
Yuan & Bond
Fund
|
|
Assets
|
|
Investments in securities, at cost
|
|
$
|
61,669,279
|
|
|
$
|
39,033,233
|
|
|
$
|
2,061,269
|
|
|
$
|
86,177,166
|
|
|
Investments in securities, at value
|
|
$
|
71,800,830
|
|
|
$
|
49,865,456
|
|
|
$
|
2,519,109
|
|
|
$
|
89,042,922
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
491,905
|
|
|
|
836,261
|
|
|
|
101,834
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash denominated in foreign currency (cost of $0, $0, $0 and $4,666,345 respectively)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,744,224
|
|
|
Receivables:
|
|
Fund shares sold
|
|
|
90,269
|
|
|
|
131,375
|
|
|
|
512,750
|
|
|
|
231,354
|
|
|
Dividends and interest
|
|
|
144,874
|
|
|
|
60,642
|
|
|
|
9,185
|
|
|
|
654,971
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
12,274
|
|
|
|
11,514
|
|
|
|
1,847
|
|
|
|
15,561
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
72,540,152
|
|
|
|
50,905,248
|
|
|
|
3,144,725
|
|
|
|
94,689,032
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
Overdraft due to custodian bank
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
398,524
|
|
|
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
|
|
|
39,753
|
|
|
|
23,617
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due to Advisor, net
|
|
|
44,331
|
|
|
|
30,978
|
|
|
|
14,370
|
‡
|
|
|
31,608
|
|
|
Accrued administration fees
|
|
|
2,782
|
|
|
|
1,352
|
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
|
2,983
|
|
|
Accrued shareholder servicing plan fees
|
|
|
19,485
|
|
|
|
5,205
|
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
10,885
|
|
|
Deferred trustees' compensation
|
|
|
48,213
|
|
|
|
70,874
|
|
|
|
4,002
|
|
|
|
11,201
|
|
|
Other accrued expenses
|
|
|
66,694
|
|
|
|
42,074
|
|
|
|
19,880
|
|
|
|
32,611
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
221,258
|
|
|
|
174,100
|
|
|
|
38,404
|
|
|
|
487,812
|
|
|
Net Assets
|
|
$
|
72,318,894
|
|
|
$
|
50,731,148
|
|
|
$
|
3,106,321
|
|
|
$
|
94,201,220
|
|
|
Number of shares issued and outstanding
(unlimited shares authorized,
no par value)
|
|
|
2,228,642
|
|
|
|
1,655,071
|
|
|
|
198,667
|
|
|
|
7,276,124
|
|
|
Net asset value per share
|
|
$
|
32.45
|
|
|
$
|
30.65
|
|
|
$
|
15.64
|
|
|
$
|
12.95
|
|
|
Composition of Net Assets
|
|
Paid-in capital
|
|
$
|
67,000,995
|
|
|
$
|
43,716,670
|
|
|
$
|
2,650,070
|
|
|
$
|
91,150,479
|
|
|
Undistributed net investment income (loss)
|
|
|
(143,300
|
)
|
|
|
(70,204
|
)
|
|
|
(4,002
|
)
|
|
|
151,395
|
|
|
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency
|
|
|
(4,673,819
|
)
|
|
|
(3,747,541
|
)
|
|
|
2,237
|
|
|
|
(47,320
|
)
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
10,131,551
|
|
|
|
10,832,223
|
|
|
|
457,840
|
|
|
|
2,865,756
|
|
|
Foreign currency
|
|
|
3,467
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
176
|
|
|
|
80,910
|
|
|
Net Assets
|
|
$
|
72,318,894
|
|
|
$
|
50,731,148
|
|
|
$
|
3,106,321
|
|
|
$
|
94,201,220
|
|
|
‡ Includes $23,281 of registration fees advanced by the Advisor.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
64
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended December
31, 2013
|
|
Alternative
Energy
Fund
|
|
Asia
Focus
Fund
|
|
Asia Pacific
Dividend
Fund
|
|
China &
Hong Kong
Fund
|
|
Investment Income
|
|
Dividends *
|
|
$
|
137,564
|
|
|
$
|
686,281
|
|
|
$
|
186,697
|
|
|
$
|
3,513,830
|
|
|
Total income
|
|
|
137,564
|
|
|
|
686,281
|
|
|
|
186,697
|
|
|
|
3,513,830
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
Advisory fees
|
|
|
182,655
|
|
|
|
264,461
|
|
|
|
47,234
|
|
|
|
1,255,003
|
|
|
Shareholder servicing plan fees
|
|
|
34,179
|
|
|
|
35,305
|
|
|
|
8,502
|
|
|
|
183,005
|
|
|
Transfer agent fees and expenses
|
|
|
41,001
|
|
|
|
33,680
|
|
|
|
17,498
|
|
|
|
77,000
|
|
|
Fund accounting fee and expenses
|
|
|
27,533
|
|
|
|
33,000
|
|
|
|
23,999
|
|
|
|
74,999
|
|
|
Administration fees
|
|
|
8,234
|
|
|
|
10,747
|
|
|
|
1,889
|
|
|
|
60,251
|
|
|
Custody fees and expenses
|
|
|
11,551
|
|
|
|
19,698
|
|
|
|
9,701
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
Audit fees
|
|
|
18,498
|
|
|
|
24,999
|
|
|
|
18,498
|
|
|
|
24,999
|
|
|
Legal fees
|
|
|
8,098
|
|
|
|
12,735
|
|
|
|
2,299
|
|
|
|
62,999
|
|
|
Registration fees
|
|
|
15,752
|
|
|
|
15,490
|
|
|
|
16,002
|
|
|
|
23,999
|
|
|
Printing
|
|
|
16,002
|
|
|
|
6,525
|
|
|
|
4,501
|
|
|
|
23,999
|
|
|
Trustees' fees and expenses
|
|
|
14,001
|
|
|
|
17,304
|
|
|
|
10,601
|
|
|
|
52,499
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
1,004
|
|
|
|
3,814
|
|
|
|
372
|
|
|
|
12,410
|
|
|
CCO fees and expenses
|
|
|
7,138
|
|
|
|
9,865
|
|
|
|
6,563
|
|
|
|
20,918
|
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
597
|
|
|
|
1,799
|
|
|
|
599
|
|
|
|
4,501
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
2,803
|
|
|
|
4,267
|
|
|
|
217
|
|
|
|
14,113
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
389,046
|
|
|
|
493,689
|
|
|
|
168,475
|
|
|
|
1,920,695
|
|
|
Less: fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
(24,186
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(74,741
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net expenses
|
|
|
364,860
|
|
|
|
493,689
|
|
|
|
93,734
|
|
|
|
1,920,695
|
|
|
Net investment income (loss)
|
|
|
(227,296
|
)
|
|
|
192,592
|
|
|
|
92,963
|
|
|
|
1,593,135
|
|
|
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) on:
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
(3,043,284
|
)
|
|
|
4,653,729
|
|
|
|
415,710
|
|
|
|
12,156,492
|
|
|
Foreign currency
|
|
|
(16,551
|
)
|
|
|
(42,174
|
)
|
|
|
(6,932
|
)
|
|
|
(7,035
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(3,059,835
|
)
|
|
|
4,611,555
|
|
|
|
408,778
|
|
|
|
12,149,457
|
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
10,503,778
|
|
|
|
(7,840,609
|
)
|
|
|
(582,717
|
)
|
|
|
(9,244,559
|
)
|
|
Foreign currency
|
|
|
932
|
|
|
|
(1,648
|
)
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
(116
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
10,504,710
|
|
|
|
(7,842,257
|
)
|
|
|
(582,692
|
)
|
|
|
(9,244,675
|
)
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency
|
|
|
7,444,875
|
|
|
|
(3,230,702
|
)
|
|
|
(173,914
|
)
|
|
|
2,904,782
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations
|
|
$
|
7,217,579
|
|
|
$
|
(3,038,110
|
)
|
|
$
|
(80,951
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,497,917
|
|
|
* Net of foreign tax withheld of $15,378, $65,567, $17,210, and $177,510 respectively.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
65
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended December
31, 2013
|
|
Global
Energy
Fund
|
|
Global
Innovators
Fund
|
|
Inflation
Managed
Dividend
Fund
TM
|
|
Renminbi
Yuan & Bond
Fund
|
|
Investment Income
|
|
Dividends *
|
|
$
|
1,666,678
|
|
|
$
|
689,335
|
|
|
$
|
70,960
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,842,174
|
|
|
Total income
|
|
|
1,666,678
|
|
|
|
689,335
|
|
|
|
70,960
|
|
|
|
2,842,174
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
Advisory fees
|
|
|
589,522
|
|
|
|
290,196
|
|
|
|
9,391
|
|
|
|
506,685
|
|
|
Shareholder servicing plan fees
|
|
|
155,978
|
|
|
|
52,870
|
|
|
|
2,602
|
|
|
|
86,610
|
|
|
Transfer agent fees and expenses
|
|
|
46,195
|
|
|
|
56,499
|
|
|
|
17,258
|
|
|
|
16,002
|
|
|
Fund accounting fee and expenses
|
|
|
53,873
|
|
|
|
36,199
|
|
|
|
24,090
|
|
|
|
61,999
|
|
|
Administration fees
|
|
|
33,441
|
|
|
|
16,227
|
|
|
|
916
|
|
|
|
39,850
|
|
|
Custody fees and expenses
|
|
|
11,477
|
|
|
|
5,001
|
|
|
|
2,050
|
|
|
|
23,499
|
|
|
Audit fees
|
|
|
24,999
|
|
|
|
24,999
|
|
|
|
15,002
|
|
|
|
18,498
|
|
|
Legal fees
|
|
|
42,501
|
|
|
|
19,901
|
|
|
|
1,000
|
|
|
|
49,001
|
|
|
Registration fees
|
|
|
24,606
|
|
|
|
18,002
|
|
|
|
20,076
|
|
|
|
33,026
|
|
|
Printing
|
|
|
22,171
|
|
|
|
10,501
|
|
|
|
3,825
|
|
|
|
5,501
|
|
|
Trustees' fees and expenses
|
|
|
25,199
|
|
|
|
21,863
|
|
|
|
8,695
|
|
|
|
19,676
|
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
8,786
|
|
|
|
2,219
|
|
|
|
142
|
|
|
|
7,380
|
|
|
CCO fees and expenses
|
|
|
14,619
|
|
|
|
10,214
|
|
|
|
6,252
|
|
|
|
18,292
|
|
|
Offering costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,172
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
3,001
|
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
701
|
|
|
|
3,200
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
9,105
|
|
|
|
1,708
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,873
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
1,065,473
|
|
|
|
567,899
|
|
|
|
113,172
|
|
|
|
892,092
|
|
|
Less: fees waived and expenses absorbed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(99,129
|
)
|
|
|
(60,089
|
)
|
|
Net expenses
|
|
|
1,065,473
|
|
|
|
567,899
|
|
|
|
14,043
|
|
|
|
832,003
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
601,205
|
|
|
|
121,436
|
|
|
|
56,917
|
|
|
|
2,010,171
|
|
|
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) on:
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
(1,388,787
|
)
|
|
|
(45,990
|
)
|
|
|
75,166
|
|
|
|
605,289
|
|
|
Foreign currency
|
|
|
5,025
|
|
|
|
(4,320
|
)
|
|
|
492
|
|
|
|
322,413
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,383,762
|
)
|
|
|
(50,310
|
)
|
|
|
75,658
|
|
|
|
927,702
|
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
17,370,899
|
|
|
|
14,383,887
|
|
|
|
403,742
|
|
|
|
1,844,433
|
|
|
Foreign currency
|
|
|
5,225
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
146
|
|
|
|
(79,312
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
17,376,124
|
|
|
|
14,383,887
|
|
|
|
403,888
|
|
|
|
1,765,121
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency
|
|
|
15,992,362
|
|
|
|
14,333,577
|
|
|
|
479,546
|
|
|
|
2,692,823
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets from operations
|
|
$
|
16,593,567
|
|
|
$
|
14,455,013
|
|
|
$
|
536,463
|
|
|
$
|
4,702,994
|
|
|
* Net of foreign tax withheld of $137,705, $10,819, $4,533, and $0, respectively.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
66
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
|
|
Alternative Energy Fund
|
|
Asia Focus Fund
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
|
|
Increase/(decrease) in
net assets from:
|
|
Operations
|
|
Net investment income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(227,296
|
)
|
|
$
|
(121,232
|
)
|
|
$
|
192,592
|
|
|
$
|
701,250
|
|
|
$
|
92,963
|
|
|
$
|
108,127
|
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) on:
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
(3,043,284
|
)
|
|
|
(781,828
|
)
|
|
|
4,653,729
|
|
|
|
(736,729
|
)
|
|
|
415,710
|
|
|
|
120,630
|
|
|
Foreign currency
|
|
|
(16,551
|
)
|
|
|
2,144
|
|
|
|
(42,174
|
)
|
|
|
(6,733
|
)
|
|
|
(6,932
|
)
|
|
|
173
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) on:
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
10,503,778
|
|
|
|
(1,661,165
|
)
|
|
|
(7,840,609
|
)
|
|
|
6,559,009
|
|
|
|
(582,717
|
)
|
|
|
752,656
|
|
|
Foreign currency
|
|
|
932
|
|
|
|
14,803
|
|
|
|
(1,648
|
)
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
Net increase from payments
by affiliates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
853
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in net
assets resulting from
operations
|
|
|
7,217,579
|
|
|
|
(2,546,425
|
)
|
|
|
(3,038,110
|
)
|
|
|
6,516,846
|
|
|
|
(80,951
|
)
|
|
|
981,578
|
|
|
Distributions to shareholders
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(32,745
|
)
|
|
|
(400,182
|
)
|
|
|
(585,229
|
)
|
|
|
(101,646
|
)
|
|
|
(117,316
|
)
|
|
From net realized gains
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to
shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(32,745
|
)
|
|
|
(400,182
|
)
|
|
|
(585,229
|
)
|
|
|
(101,646
|
)
|
|
|
(117,316
|
)
|
|
Capital transactions
|
|
Proceeds from shares sold
|
|
|
17,203,455
|
|
|
|
2,056,290
|
|
|
|
764,866
|
|
|
|
2,119,393
|
|
|
|
823,529
|
|
|
|
559,935
|
|
|
Reinvestment of distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,264
|
|
|
|
351,504
|
|
|
|
542,486
|
|
|
|
96,502
|
|
|
|
111,467
|
|
|
Cost of shares repurchased
|
|
|
(13,751,424
|
)
|
|
|
(4,030,304
|
)
|
|
|
(20,629,442
|
)
|
|
|
(9,557,136
|
)
|
|
|
(1,309,444
|
)
|
|
|
(1,242,158
|
)
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
65,885
|
|
|
|
1,920
|
|
|
|
864
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
299
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
Net change in net assets from
capital transactions
|
|
|
3,517,916
|
|
|
|
(1,940,830
|
)
|
|
|
(19,512,208
|
)
|
|
|
(6,895,232
|
)
|
|
|
(389,114
|
)
|
|
|
(570,754
|
)
|
|
Total increase (decrease) in
net assets
|
|
|
10,735,495
|
|
|
|
(4,520,000
|
)
|
|
|
(22,950,500
|
)
|
|
|
(963,615
|
)
|
|
|
(571,711
|
)
|
|
|
293,508
|
|
|
Net assets
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
13,040,503
|
|
|
|
17,560,503
|
|
|
|
44,853,421
|
|
|
|
45,817,036
|
|
|
|
4,825,462
|
|
|
|
4,531,954
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
$
|
23,775,998
|
|
|
$
|
13,040,503
|
|
|
$
|
21,902,921
|
|
|
$
|
44,853,421
|
|
|
$
|
4,253,751
|
|
|
$
|
4,825,462
|
|
|
Accumulated net investment
income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(41,716
|
)
|
|
$
|
(29,155
|
)
|
|
$
|
(56,828
|
)
|
|
$
|
192,936
|
|
|
$
|
(35,676
|
)
|
|
$
|
(20,525
|
)
|
|
Capital share activity
|
|
Shares sold
|
|
|
4,446,514
|
|
|
|
778,024
|
|
|
|
42,567
|
|
|
|
121,708
|
|
|
|
60,475
|
|
|
|
44,401
|
|
|
Shares issued on reinvestment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,813
|
|
|
|
21,618
|
|
|
|
29,709
|
|
|
|
7,239
|
|
|
|
8,971
|
|
|
Shares redeemed
|
|
|
(3,756,334
|
)
|
|
|
(1,544,024
|
)
|
|
|
(1,139,424
|
)
|
|
|
(558,880
|
)
|
|
|
(96,247
|
)
|
|
|
(100,055
|
)
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in
shares outstanding
|
|
|
690,180
|
|
|
|
(753,187
|
)
|
|
|
(1,075,239
|
)
|
|
|
(407,463
|
)
|
|
|
(28,533
|
)
|
|
|
(46,683
|
)
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
67
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
|
|
China & Hong Kong Fund
|
|
Global Energy Fund
|
|
Global Innovators Fund
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
|
|
Increase/(decrease) in
net assets from:
|
|
Operations
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
$
|
1,593,135
|
|
|
$
|
2,130,902
|
|
|
$
|
601,205
|
|
|
$
|
791,580
|
|
|
$
|
121,436
|
|
|
$
|
163,455
|
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) on:
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
12,156,492
|
|
|
|
(3,912,231
|
)
|
|
|
(1,388,787
|
)
|
|
|
948,292
|
|
|
|
(45,990
|
)
|
|
|
2,871,543
|
|
|
Foreign currency
|
|
|
(7,035
|
)
|
|
|
(283
|
)
|
|
|
5,025
|
|
|
|
(41,881
|
)
|
|
|
(4,320
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) on:
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
(9,244,559
|
)
|
|
|
22,659,307
|
|
|
|
17,370,899
|
|
|
|
3,019,512
|
|
|
|
14,383,887
|
|
|
|
2,937,143
|
|
|
Foreign currency
|
|
|
(116
|
)
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
5,225
|
|
|
|
2,719
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in net
assets resulting from
operations
|
|
|
4,497,917
|
|
|
|
20,877,729
|
|
|
|
16,593,567
|
|
|
|
4,720,222
|
|
|
|
14,455,013
|
|
|
|
5,972,141
|
|
|
Distributions to shareholders
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(1,501,284
|
)
|
|
|
(3,000,059
|
)
|
|
|
(338,807
|
)
|
|
|
(1,500,024
|
)
|
|
|
(200,095
|
)
|
|
|
(100,107
|
)
|
|
From net realized gains
|
|
|
(1,539,106
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to
shareholders
|
|
|
(3,040,390
|
)
|
|
|
(3,000,059
|
)
|
|
|
(338,807
|
)
|
|
|
(1,500,024
|
)
|
|
|
(200,095
|
)
|
|
|
(100,107
|
)
|
|
Capital transactions
|
|
Proceeds from shares sold
|
|
|
11,539,134
|
|
|
|
20,402,275
|
|
|
|
10,278,491
|
|
|
|
21,843,906
|
|
|
|
9,765,713
|
|
|
|
959,196
|
|
|
Reinvestment of distributions
|
|
|
2,931,713
|
|
|
|
2,921,167
|
|
|
|
328,596
|
|
|
|
1,458,196
|
|
|
|
195,241
|
|
|
|
97,437
|
|
|
Cost of shares repurchased
|
|
|
(58,106,462
|
)
|
|
|
(42,164,990
|
)
|
|
|
(44,819,039
|
)
|
|
|
(79,375,997
|
)
|
|
|
(5,115,843
|
)
|
|
|
(7,688,122
|
)
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
24,920
|
|
|
|
11,531
|
|
|
|
3,568
|
|
|
|
9,488
|
|
|
|
132
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
Net change in net assets from
capital transactions
|
|
|
(43,610,695
|
)
|
|
|
(18,830,017
|
)
|
|
|
(34,208,384
|
)
|
|
|
(56,064,407
|
)
|
|
|
4,845,243
|
|
|
|
(6,631,468
|
)
|
|
Total increase (decrease) in
net assets
|
|
|
(42,153,168
|
)
|
|
|
(952,347
|
)
|
|
|
(17,953,624
|
)
|
|
|
(52,844,209
|
)
|
|
|
19,100,161
|
|
|
|
(759,434
|
)
|
|
Net assets
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
152,007,166
|
|
|
|
152,959,513
|
|
|
|
90,272,518
|
|
|
|
143,116,727
|
|
|
|
31,630,987
|
|
|
|
32,390,421
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
$
|
109,853,998
|
|
|
$
|
152,007,166
|
|
|
$
|
72,318,894
|
|
|
$
|
90,272,518
|
|
|
$
|
50,731,148
|
|
|
$
|
31,630,987
|
|
|
Accumulated net investment
income (loss)
|
|
$
|
174,488
|
|
|
$
|
89,672
|
|
|
$
|
(143,300
|
)
|
|
$
|
(589,492
|
)
|
|
$
|
(70,204
|
)
|
|
$
|
12,775
|
|
|
Capital share activity
|
|
Shares sold
|
|
|
392,079
|
|
|
|
712,765
|
|
|
|
362,946
|
|
|
|
820,901
|
|
|
|
358,498
|
|
|
|
48,744
|
|
|
Shares issued on reinvestment
|
|
|
95,403
|
|
|
|
99,495
|
|
|
|
10,133
|
|
|
|
56,041
|
|
|
|
6,418
|
|
|
|
4,638
|
|
|
Shares redeemed
|
|
|
(2,026,546
|
)
|
|
|
(1,467,538
|
)
|
|
|
(1,591,419
|
)
|
|
|
(2,995,145
|
)
|
|
|
(203,029
|
)
|
|
|
(387,704
|
)
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in
shares outstanding
|
|
|
(1,539,064
|
)
|
|
|
(655,278
|
)
|
|
|
(1,218,340
|
)
|
|
|
(2,118,203
|
)
|
|
|
161,887
|
|
|
|
(334,322
|
)
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
68
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
|
|
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
|
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
|
|
For the period
March 30, 2012+ to
December 31, 2012
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2012
|
|
Increase/(decrease) in net assets from:
|
|
Operations
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
$
|
56,917
|
|
|
$
|
37,434
|
|
|
$
|
2,010,171
|
|
|
$
|
999,108
|
|
|
Net realized gain on:
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
75,166
|
|
|
|
3,738
|
|
|
|
605,289
|
|
|
|
787,616
|
|
|
Foreign currency
|
|
|
492
|
|
|
|
906
|
|
|
|
322,413
|
|
|
|
571,822
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) on:
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
403,742
|
|
|
|
54,098
|
|
|
|
1,844,433
|
|
|
|
1,304,800
|
|
|
Foreign currency
|
|
|
146
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
(79,312
|
)
|
|
|
(243,357
|
)
|
|
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
|
|
|
536,463
|
|
|
|
96,206
|
|
|
|
4,702,994
|
|
|
|
3,419,989
|
|
|
Distributions to shareholders
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(63,759
|
)
|
|
|
(36,741
|
)
|
|
|
(3,012,616
|
)
|
|
|
(2,095,737
|
)
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(75,918
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to shareholders
|
|
|
(139,677
|
)
|
|
|
(36,741
|
)
|
|
|
(3,012,616
|
)
|
|
|
(2,095,737
|
)
|
|
Capital transactions
|
|
Proceeds from shares sold
|
|
|
2,138,276
|
|
|
|
2,583,826
|
|
|
|
15,501,499
|
|
|
|
13,773,598
|
|
|
Reinvestment of distributions
|
|
|
138,503
|
|
|
|
36,392
|
|
|
|
2,996,514
|
|
|
|
2,080,658
|
|
|
Cost of shares repurchased
|
|
|
(1,360,879
|
)
|
|
|
(886,064
|
)
|
|
|
(15,313,968
|
)
|
|
|
(20,582,714
|
)
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
503
|
|
|
|
3,167
|
|
|
Net change in net assets from capital transactions
|
|
|
915,916
|
|
|
|
1,734,154
|
|
|
|
3,184,548
|
|
|
|
(4,725,291
|
)
|
|
Total increase (decrease) in net assets
|
|
|
1,312,702
|
|
|
|
1,793,619
|
|
|
|
4,874,926
|
|
|
|
(3,401,039
|
)
|
|
Net assets
|
|
Beginning of period
|
|
|
1,793,619
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
89,326,294
|
|
|
|
92,727,333
|
|
|
End of period
|
|
$
|
3,106,321
|
|
|
$
|
1,793,619
|
|
|
$
|
94,201,220
|
|
|
$
|
89,326,294
|
|
|
Accumulated net investment income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(4,002
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,599
|
|
|
$
|
151,395
|
|
|
$
|
226,138
|
|
|
Capital share activity
|
|
Shares sold
|
|
|
142,453
|
|
|
|
209,158
|
|
|
|
1,202,698
|
|
|
|
1,090,531
|
|
|
Shares issued on reinvestment
|
|
|
9,127
|
|
|
|
2,899
|
|
|
|
234,015
|
|
|
|
164,436
|
|
|
Shares redeemed
|
|
|
(93,058
|
)
|
|
|
(71,912
|
)
|
|
|
(1,190,910
|
)
|
|
|
(1,633,857
|
)
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding
|
|
|
58,522
|
|
|
|
140,145
|
|
|
|
245,803
|
|
|
|
(378,890
|
)
|
|
+ The Inflation Managed Dividend Fund commenced operations on March 30, 2012.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
69
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a capital share outstanding throughout the year
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
Alternative Energy Fund
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
2.47
|
|
|
$
|
2.92
|
|
|
$
|
5.17
|
|
|
$
|
6.62
|
|
|
$
|
5.14
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
Net investment income (loss)
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
0.06
|
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
|
|
|
1.55
|
|
|
|
(0.42
|
)
|
|
|
(2.26
|
)
|
|
|
(1.40
|
)
|
|
|
1.77
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
1.51
|
|
|
|
(0.44
|
)
|
|
|
(2.20
|
)
|
|
|
(1.45
|
)
|
|
|
1.72
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
3.99
|
|
|
$
|
2.47
|
|
|
$
|
2.92
|
|
|
$
|
5.17
|
|
|
$
|
6.62
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
61.54
|
%
|
|
|
(15.20
|
)%
|
|
|
(42.53
|
)%
|
|
|
(21.90
|
)%
|
|
|
33.42
|
%
|
|
Ratios/supplemental data:
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
23.8
|
|
|
$
|
13.0
|
|
|
$
|
17.6
|
|
|
$
|
36.2
|
|
|
$
|
62.1
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
|
|
Before fee waived
|
|
|
2.13
|
%
|
|
|
2.32
|
%
|
|
|
1.81
|
%
|
|
|
1.76
|
%
|
|
|
1.85
|
%
|
|
After fees waived
|
|
|
2.00
|
%
|
|
|
2.02
|
%
|
|
|
1.81
|
%
|
|
|
1.76
|
%
|
|
|
1.85
|
%
|
|
After fees waived excluding interest expense
(2)
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
|
1.79
|
%
|
|
|
1.73
|
%
|
|
|
1.85
|
%
|
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived
|
|
|
(1.37
|
)%
|
|
|
(1.11
|
)%
|
|
|
1.11
|
%
|
|
|
(0.86
|
)%
|
|
|
(0.98
|
)%
|
|
After fees waived
|
|
|
(1.24
|
)%
|
|
|
(0.81
|
)%
|
|
|
1.11
|
%
|
|
|
(0.86
|
)%
|
|
|
(0.98
|
)%
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
60.20
|
%
|
|
|
7.80
|
%
|
|
|
43.10
|
%
|
|
|
24.74
|
%
|
|
|
47.10
|
%
|
|
(1)
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
(2)
The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Fund to 1.98%, excluding interest expense, expenses related to dividends on short positions, brokerage commissions, taxes and other extraordinary expenses. See Note 3.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
70
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a capital share outstanding throughout the year
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
Asia Focus Fund
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
18.56
|
|
|
$
|
16.23
|
|
|
$
|
21.04
|
|
|
$
|
17.63
|
|
|
$
|
9.52
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
0.06
|
(1)
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
|
|
|
(2.14
|
)
|
|
|
2.28
|
|
|
|
(4.88
|
)
|
|
|
3.45
|
|
|
|
8.13
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
(1.93
|
)
|
|
|
2.58
|
|
|
|
(4.70
|
)
|
|
|
3.57
|
|
|
|
8.19
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.25
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.19
|
)
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.25
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.19
|
)
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
16.33
|
|
|
$
|
18.56
|
|
|
$
|
16.23
|
|
|
$
|
21.04
|
|
|
$
|
17.63
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
(10.38
|
)%
|
|
|
15.89
|
%
|
|
|
(22.35
|
)%
|
|
|
20.43
|
%
|
|
|
86.05
|
%
|
|
Ratios/supplemental data:
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
21.9
|
|
|
$
|
44.90
|
|
|
$
|
45.8
|
|
|
$
|
64.4
|
|
|
$
|
112.4
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived
|
|
|
1.87
|
%
|
|
|
1.70
|
%
|
|
|
1.59
|
%
|
|
|
1.67
|
%
|
|
|
1.68
|
%
|
|
After fees waived
|
|
|
1.87
|
%
|
|
|
1.70
|
%
|
|
|
1.59
|
%
|
|
|
1.67
|
%
|
|
|
1.68
|
%
|
|
After fees waived excluding interest expense
(3)
|
|
|
1.85
|
%
|
|
|
1.69
|
%
|
|
|
1.59
|
%
|
|
|
1.65
|
%
|
|
|
1.68
|
%
|
|
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
|
|
1.56
|
%
|
|
|
0.89
|
%
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
|
After fees waived
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
|
|
1.56
|
%
|
|
|
0.89
|
%
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
7.43
|
%
|
|
|
10.90
|
%
|
|
|
7.79
|
%
|
|
|
25.44
|
%
|
|
|
31.35
|
%
|
|
(1)
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(2)
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
(3)
The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Fund to 1.98%, excluding interest expense, expenses related to dividends on short positions, borkerage commissions, taxes and other extraordinary expenses. See Note 3.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
71
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a capital share outstanding throughout the year
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
13.52
|
|
|
$
|
11.23
|
|
|
$
|
13.41
|
|
|
$
|
11.03
|
|
|
$
|
7.00
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.27
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
0.17
|
|
|
|
0.18
|
(1)
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
|
|
|
(0.54
|
)
|
|
|
2.31
|
|
|
|
(2.18
|
)
|
|
|
2.41
|
|
|
|
4.32
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
(0.27
|
)
|
|
|
2.61
|
|
|
|
(1.88
|
)
|
|
|
2.58
|
|
|
|
4.50
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.32
|
)
|
|
|
(0.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.20
|
)
|
|
|
(0.18
|
)
|
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.29
|
)
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.32
|
)
|
|
|
(0.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.20
|
)
|
|
|
(0.47
|
)
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
12.95
|
|
|
$
|
13.52
|
|
|
$
|
11.23
|
|
|
$
|
13.41
|
|
|
$
|
11.03
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
(2.06
|
)%
|
|
|
23.48
|
%
|
|
|
(14.04
|
)%
|
|
|
23.65
|
%
|
|
|
64.84
|
%
|
|
Ratios/supplemental data:
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
4.3
|
|
|
$
|
4.8
|
|
|
$
|
4.5
|
|
|
$
|
6.7
|
|
|
$
|
11.4
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived
|
|
|
3.56
|
%
|
|
|
3.57
|
%
|
|
|
3.26
|
%
|
|
|
2.92
|
%
|
|
|
2.93
|
%
|
|
After fees waived
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
|
2.01
|
%
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
After fees waived excluding interest expense
(3)
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived
|
|
|
0.39
|
%
|
|
|
0.71
|
%
|
|
|
1.13
|
%
|
|
|
0.38
|
%
|
|
|
1.23
|
%
|
|
After fees waived
|
|
|
1.97
|
%
|
|
|
2.39
|
%
|
|
|
2.41
|
%
|
|
|
1.29
|
%
|
|
|
2.18
|
%
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
56.96
|
%
|
|
|
10.19
|
%
|
|
|
10.67
|
%
|
|
|
27.20
|
%
|
|
|
26.03
|
%
|
|
(1)
Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(2)
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
(3)
The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Fund to 1.98%, excluding interest expense, expenses related to dividends on short positions, brokerage commissions, taxes and other extraordinary expenses. See Note 3.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
72
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a capital share outstanding throughout the year
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
China & Hong Kong Fund
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
29.81
|
|
|
$
|
26.58
|
|
|
$
|
38.76
|
|
|
$
|
35.13
|
|
|
$
|
18.98
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.46
|
|
|
|
0.45
|
|
|
|
0.39
|
|
|
|
0.27
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
|
|
|
1.45
|
|
|
|
3.37
|
|
|
|
(11.06
|
)
|
|
|
5.10
|
|
|
|
17.44
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
1.91
|
|
|
|
3.82
|
|
|
|
(10.67
|
)
|
|
|
5.37
|
|
|
|
17.59
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
|
(0.59
|
)
|
|
|
(0.20
|
)
|
|
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
|
(0.34
|
)
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.44
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.31
|
)
|
|
|
(1.38
|
)
|
|
|
(1.11
|
)
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.87
|
)
|
|
|
(0.59
|
)
|
|
|
(1.51
|
)
|
|
|
(1.76
|
)
|
|
|
(1.45
|
)
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
30.86
|
|
|
$
|
29.81
|
|
|
$
|
26.58
|
|
|
$
|
38.76
|
|
|
$
|
35.13
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
6.45
|
%
|
|
|
14.42
|
%
|
|
|
(27.52
|
)%
|
|
|
15.38
|
%
|
|
|
92.76
|
%
|
|
Ratios/supplemental data:
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
109.9
|
|
|
$
|
152.0
|
|
|
$
|
153.0
|
|
|
$
|
242.8
|
|
|
$
|
241.0
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived
|
|
|
1.53
|
%
|
|
|
1.51
|
%
|
|
|
1.53
|
%
|
|
|
1.48
|
%
|
|
|
1.58
|
%
|
|
After fees waived
|
|
|
1.53
|
%
|
|
|
1.51
|
%
|
|
|
1.53
|
%
|
|
|
1.48
|
%
|
|
|
1.58
|
%
|
|
After fees waived excluding interest expense
(2)
|
|
|
1.52
|
%
|
|
|
1.51
|
%
|
|
|
1.52
|
%
|
|
|
1.47
|
%
|
|
|
1.58
|
%
|
|
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
|
|
|
1.27
|
%
|
|
|
1.34
|
%
|
|
|
1.14
|
%
|
|
|
0.62
|
%
|
|
|
0.62
|
%
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
6.90
|
%
|
|
|
3.85
|
%
|
|
|
7.81
|
%
|
|
|
32.35
|
%
|
|
|
7.87
|
%
|
|
(1)
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
(2)
The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Fund to 1.98%, excluding interest expense, expenses related to dividends on short positions, borkerage commissions, taxes and other extraordinary expenses. See Note 3.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
73
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a capital share outstanding throughout the year
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
Global Energy Fund
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
26.19
|
|
|
$
|
25.72
|
|
|
$
|
29.74
|
|
|
$
|
25.60
|
|
|
$
|
15.68
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
0.22
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments and foreign currency
|
|
|
6.23
|
|
|
|
0.69
|
|
|
|
(4.06
|
)
|
|
|
4.13
|
|
|
|
9.80
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
6.41
|
|
|
|
0.91
|
|
|
|
(3.92
|
)
|
|
|
4.25
|
|
|
|
9.91
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
(0.44
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
(0.44
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
32.45
|
|
|
$
|
26.19
|
|
|
$
|
25.72
|
|
|
$
|
29.74
|
|
|
$
|
25.60
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
24.48
|
%
|
|
|
3.53
|
%
|
|
|
(13.16
|
)%
|
|
|
16.63
|
%
|
|
|
63.27
|
%
|
|
Ratios/supplemental data:
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
72.3
|
|
|
$
|
90.30
|
|
|
$
|
143.1
|
|
|
$
|
118.0
|
|
|
$
|
75.4
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
1.27
|
%
|
|
|
1.25
|
%
|
|
|
1.42
|
%
|
|
After fees waived
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
1.35
|
%
|
|
|
1.27
|
%
|
|
|
1.25
|
%
|
|
|
1.42
|
%
|
|
After fees waived excluding interest expense
(2)
|
|
|
1.34
|
%
|
|
|
1.34
|
%
|
|
|
1.27
|
%
|
|
|
1.25
|
%
|
|
|
1.42
|
%
|
|
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.62
|
%
|
|
|
0.43
|
%
|
|
|
0.46
|
%
|
|
|
0.82
|
%
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
8.19
|
%
|
|
|
14.02
|
%
|
|
|
28.23
|
%
|
|
|
42.08
|
%
|
|
|
51.74
|
%
|
|
(1)
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
(2)
The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Fund to 1.45%, excluding interest expense, expenses related to dividends on short positions, brokerage commissions, taxes and other extraordinary expenses. See Note 3.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
74
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a capital share outstanding throughout the year
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
Global Innovators Fund
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
21.18
|
|
|
$
|
17.72
|
|
|
$
|
19.00
|
|
|
$
|
16.24
|
|
|
$
|
11.21
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
Net investment income (loss)
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on investments
|
|
|
9.52
|
|
|
|
3.42
|
|
|
|
(1.28
|
)
|
|
|
2.81
|
|
|
|
5.08
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
9.59
|
|
|
|
3.53
|
|
|
|
(1.24
|
)
|
|
|
2.76
|
|
|
|
5.07
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
30.65
|
|
|
$
|
21.18
|
|
|
$
|
17.72
|
|
|
$
|
19.00
|
|
|
$
|
16.24
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
45.29
|
%
|
|
|
19.91
|
%
|
|
|
(6.51
|
)%
|
|
|
17.00
|
%
|
|
|
45.20
|
%
|
|
Ratios/supplemental data:
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
50.7
|
|
|
$
|
31.6
|
|
|
$
|
32.4
|
|
|
$
|
38.2
|
|
|
$
|
36.7
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived/recaptured
|
|
|
1.47
|
%
|
|
|
1.51
|
%
|
|
|
1.42
|
%
|
|
|
1.47
|
%
|
|
|
1.68
|
%
|
|
After fees waived/recaptured
|
|
|
1.47
|
%
|
|
|
1.51
|
%
|
|
|
1.44
|
%
|
|
|
1.55
|
%
|
|
|
1.56
|
%
|
|
After fees waived/recapture excluding interest expense
(2)
|
|
|
1.46
|
%
|
|
|
1.50
|
%
|
|
|
1.44
|
%
|
|
|
1.55
|
%
|
|
|
1.55
|
%
|
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived/recaptured
|
|
|
0.31
|
%
|
|
|
0.49
|
%
|
|
|
0.26
|
%
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)%
|
|
|
(0.20
|
)%
|
|
After fees waived/recaptured
|
|
|
0.31
|
%
|
|
|
0.49
|
%
|
|
|
0.24
|
%
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)%
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)%
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
29.63
|
%
|
|
|
6.02
|
%
|
|
|
47.40
|
%
|
|
|
56.97
|
%
|
|
|
50.54
|
%
|
|
(1)
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
(2)
The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Fund to 1.55%, excluding interest expense, expenses related to dividends on short positions, borkerage commissions, taxes and other extraordinary expenses. See Note 3.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
75
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a capital share outstanding throughout the period
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
|
|
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
|
|
March 30, 2012
(1)
Through
December 31, 2012
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
12.80
|
|
|
$
|
12.50
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.41
|
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency
|
|
|
3.35
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
3.76
|
|
|
|
0.61
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.45
|
)
|
|
|
(0.31
|
)
|
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.47
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.92
|
)
|
|
|
(0.31
|
)
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
15.64
|
|
|
$
|
12.80
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
29.77
|
%
|
|
|
4.97
|
%
(3)
|
|
Ratios/supplemental data:
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
3.1
|
|
|
$
|
1.8
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived
|
|
|
5.47
|
%
|
|
|
7.05
|
%
(4)
|
|
After fees waived
|
|
|
0.68
|
%
|
|
|
0.68
|
%
(4)
|
|
After fees waived excluding interest expense
(5)
|
|
|
0.68
|
%
|
|
|
0.68
|
%
(4)
|
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived/recaptured
|
|
|
(2.04
|
)%
|
|
|
(3.02
|
)%
(4)
|
|
After fees waived/recaptured
|
|
|
2.75
|
%
|
|
|
3.35
|
%
(4)
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
24.88
|
%
|
|
|
13.33
|
%
(3)
|
|
(1)
Commencement of Operations.
(2)
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
(3)
Not annualized.
(4)
Annualized.
(5)
The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Fund to 0.68%, excluding interest expense, expenses related to dividends on short positions, brokerage commissions, taxes and other extraordinary expenses. See Note 3.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
76
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a capital share outstanding throughout the period
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
June 30, 2011
(1)
Through
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
December 31, 2011
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
|
$
|
12.71
|
|
|
$
|
12.52
|
|
|
$
|
12.50
|
|
|
Income from investment operations:
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency
|
|
|
0.38
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
Total from investment operations
|
|
|
0.66
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
Less distributions:
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.42
|
)
|
|
|
(0.29
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.42
|
)
|
|
|
(0.29
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redemption fee proceeds
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
|
$
|
12.95
|
|
|
$
|
12.71
|
|
|
$
|
12.52
|
|
|
Total return
|
|
|
5.26
|
%
|
|
|
3.88
|
%
|
|
|
0.16
|
%
(3)
|
|
Ratios/supplemental data:
|
|
Net assets, end of period (millions)
|
|
$
|
94.2
|
|
|
$
|
89.3
|
|
|
$
|
92.7
|
|
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived/recaptured
|
|
|
0.97
|
%
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
|
|
|
0.92
|
%
(4)
|
|
After fees waived/recaptured
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
(4)
|
|
After fees waived/recaptured excluding interest expense
(5)
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
(4)
|
|
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets:
|
|
Before fees waived/recaptured
|
|
|
2.11
|
%
|
|
|
1.05
|
%
|
|
|
0.02
|
%
(4)
|
|
After fees waived/recaptured
|
|
|
2.18
|
%
|
|
|
1.05
|
%
|
|
|
0.04
|
%
(4)
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
12.32
|
%
|
|
|
9.19
|
%
|
|
|
0.72
|
%
(3)
†
|
|
† Restated
(1)
Commencement of Operations.
(2)
Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.
(3)
Not annualized.
(4)
Annualized.
(5)
The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the operating expenses of the Fund to 0.90%, excluding interest expense, expenses related to dividends on short positions, brokerage commissions, taxes and other extraordinary expenses. See Note 3.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
77
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1
Organization
Guinness Atkinson
TM
Funds (the "Trust"), was organized on April 28, 1997 as a Delaware business trust and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company. Currently, the Trust offers eight separate series: Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund (the "Alternative Energy Fund"), Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund (the "Asia Focus Fund"), Guinness Atkinson Asia Pacific Dividend Fund (the "Asia Pacific Dividend Fund"), Guinness Atkinson China & Hong Kong Fund (the "China & Hong Kong Fund"), Guinness Atkinson Global Energy Fund (the "Global Energy Fund"), Guinness Atkinson Global Innovators Fund (the "Global Innovators Fund"), Guinness Atkinson Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
(the "Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
") and Guinness Atkinson Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund (the "Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund"), all of which (each a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds") are covered by this report. Except for the Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
, each Fund is a non-diversified Fund. The China & Hong Kong Fund began operations on June 30, 1994, the Asia Focus Fund began operations on April 29, 1996, the Global Innovators Fund began operations on December 15, 1998, the Global Energy Fund began operations on June 30, 2004, the Alternative Energy Fund and the Asia Pacific Dividend Fund began operations on March 31, 2006, the Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund began operations on June 30, 2011, and the Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
began operations on March 30, 2012.
The Alternative Energy Fund's and Asia Focus Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation. The Asia Pacific Dividend Fund's investment objective is to provide investors with dividend income and long-term capital growth. The China & Hong Kong Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation primarily through investments in securities of China and Hong Kong. The Global Energy Fund's and Global Innovators Fund's investment objective is long-term capital appreciation. The Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund's investment objective is to seek total return. Total return means the combination of capital appreciation and investment income, which includes changes in the value of the renminbi, the currency of China of which the yuan is the unit. The Inflation Managed Dividend Fund's investment objective is to seek a moderate level of current income and consistent dividend growth at a rate that exceeds inflation.
Note 2
Significant accounting policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").
A. Security Valuation.
Securities of the Funds that are traded on a principal exchange (U.S. or foreign) or NASDAQ are valued at the official closing price on each day that the exchanges are open for trading. Securities traded on an exchange for which there have been no sales, and other over-the-counter securities are valued at the mean between the bid and asked prices. Debt securities are valued based on available market quotations received from an independent pricing service approved by the Trust's Board of Trustees which may utilize both transaction data and market information such as yield, prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other market data. Securities for which quotations are not readily available are valued at their respective fair values as determined in good faith by the Funds' Valuation Committee in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees. In determining fair value, the Funds' Valuation Committee take into account all relevant factors and available information. Consequently, the price of the security used to calculate its Net Asset Value may differ from quoted or published prices for the same security. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and there is no single standard for determining a security's fair value. As a result, different mutual funds could reasonably arrive at different fair value for the same security. It is possible that the fair value determined for a security is materially different from the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security or from the values that other mutual funds may determine. Short-term investments are stated at cost, combined with accrued interest, which approximates market value. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are calculated using the identified cost method.
Foreign securities are recorded in the financial statements after translation to U.S. dollars based on the applicable exchange rate at the end of the period. The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in the currency exchange rate from the fluctuations resulting from changes in the market prices of investments.
Foreign exchange gain or loss resulting from holding of a foreign currency, expiration of a currency exchange contract, difference in exchange rates between the trade date and settlement date of an investment purchased or sold, and the difference between dividends actually received compared to the amount shown in a Fund's accounting records on the date of receipt are shown as net realized gains or losses on foreign currency transactions in the respective Fund's statement of operations.
78
B. Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts.
The Funds may utilize forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward contracts") to hedge against foreign exchange fluctuations on foreign-denominated investments under which they are obligated to exchange currencies at specific future dates and at specified rates. All commitments are "marked-to-market" daily and any resulting unrealized gains or losses are included as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. The Funds record realized gains or losses at the time the forward contract is settled. Risks may arise upon entering these contracts from the potential inability of a counter party to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar or other currencies. Counterparties to these contracts are major U.S. financial institutions. Please refer to Note 7 for further information on forward foreign currency contracts held in each Fund.
C. Restricted and Illiquid Securities.
A restricted security cannot be resold to the general public without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933. If the security is subsequently registered and resold, the issuers would typically bear the expense of all registrations at no cost to the Fund. Restricted securities are valued according to the guidelines and procedures adopted by the Funds' Board of Trustees. A security may be considered illiquid if it lacks a readily available market. Securities are generally considered liquid if they can be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the price at which the security is valued by a fund. Illiquid securities may be valued under methods approved by the Board of Trustees as reflecting fair value.
D. Security Transactions, Dividend Income and Distributions.
Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are calculated using the identified cost method.
E. Allocation of Expenses.
Each Fund is charged for those expenses directly attributable to it. Expenses that are not directly attributable to a Fund are allocated among the Funds in proportion to their respective assets or another appropriate method.
F. Cash overdraft.
Throughout the year, the Funds may have cash overdraft balances. A fee is incurred on these overdrafts, calculated by multiplying the overdraft by a rate plus London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). Payables, if any, are reflected as Due to Custodian in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Expenses from cash overdrafts are included in Interest Expense in the Statements of Operations.
G. Concentration of Risk.
The Alternative Energy Fund invests substantially in the alternative energy or energy technology sectors. The Asia Focus Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the Asian continent. The Asia Pacific Dividend Fund invests primarily in dividend-producing equity securities of Asia Pacific companies. The China & Hong Kong Fund invests substantially all of its assets in securities that are traded in China or Hong Kong or that are issued by companies that do a substantial part of their business in China. The Global Energy Fund invests substantially in energy companies; the changes in the prices and supplies of oil and other energy fuels may affect the Fund's investments. The Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund invests in securities issued by companies economically tied to China, which exposes the Fund to greater market risk and potential monetary losses than if the Fund's assets were diversified among other regions. The consequences of political, social, or economic changes in the countries or business sectors in which the securities are offered or the issuers conduct their operations may affect the market prices of the Funds' investments and any income generated, as well as the Funds' ability to repatriate such amounts.
H. Use of Estimates.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
I. Reclassifications.
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States require that certain components of net assets be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share and were primarily attributed to differences in the treatment of foreign currency and net investment losses. For the year ended December 31, 2013, permanent differences in book and tax accounting were reclassified as follows:
79
|
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
|
|
|
Paid in Capital
|
|
Undistributed Net
Investment
Income/(Loss)
|
|
Accumulated
Gains or
(Losses)
|
|
Alternative Energy Fund
|
|
$
|
(231,286
|
)
|
|
$
|
214,735
|
|
|
$
|
16,551
|
|
|
Asia Focus Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(42,174
|
)
|
|
|
42,174
|
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
|
(464
|
)
|
|
|
(6,468
|
)
|
|
|
6,932
|
|
|
China & Hong Kong Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,035
|
)
|
|
|
7,035
|
|
|
Global Energy Fund
|
|
|
(172,082
|
)
|
|
|
183,794
|
|
|
|
(11,712
|
)
|
|
Global Innovators Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,320
|
)
|
|
|
4,320
|
|
|
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,241
|
|
|
|
(1,241
|
)
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
927,702
|
|
|
|
(927,702
|
)
|
|
J. Indemnifications.
Under the Trust's organizational documents, its current and former officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Funds. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties that provide general indemnifications. The Funds' maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred or that would be covered by other parties.
K. Federal Income Taxes.
The Funds intend to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of their taxable income to their shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income or excise tax.
The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is "more likely than not" to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Funds' tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax years 2010 through 2012, or expected to be taken in the Funds' 2013 tax returns. The Funds identify their major tax jurisdiction as U.S. Federal, California State and foreign jurisdictions where the Funds make significant investments; however the Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.
Note 3
Investment Advisory and Other Agreements
The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Guinness Atkinson Asset Management, Inc. (the "Advisor"), under which the Advisor provides the Funds with investment management services. The Advisor furnishes all investment advice, office space, facilities, and most of the personnel needed by the Funds. As compensation for its services, the Advisor is entitled to a monthly fee at the following annual rates based upon the average daily net assets of the Funds:
Alternative Energy Fund
|
|
1.00
%
|
|
Asia Focus Fund
|
|
1.00
%
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
1.00
%
|
|
China & Hong Kong Fund
|
|
1.00
%
|
|
Global Energy Fund
|
|
0.75
%
|
|
Global Innovators Fund
|
|
0.75% on the 1st $500 million, 0.60% thereafter
|
|
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
|
|
0.45
%
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
|
|
0.55
%
|
|
80
The Funds are responsible for their own operating expenses. The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit each Fund's total operating expenses (excluding interest, dividends on short positions, taxes and extraordinary expenses) by reducing all or a portion of its fees and reimbursing the Fund for expenses so that its ratio of expenses to average daily net assets will not exceed the following levels:
Alternative Energy Fund
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
Asia Focus Fund
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
China & Hong Kong Fund
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
Global Energy Fund
|
|
|
1.45
|
%
|
|
Global Innovators Fund
|
|
|
1.55
|
%
|
|
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
|
|
|
0.68
|
%
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
|
|
The expense ratios shown in the financial highlights may exceed these levels due to expenses incurred, but not covered by the expense limitation agreement.
To the extent that the Advisor waives fees and/or absorbs expenses it may seek repayment of a portion or all of such amounts at any time within three fiscal years after the fiscal year in which such amounts were waived or absorbed, subject to the applicable cap. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Advisor waived fees and absorbed expenses of $24,186, $74,741, $99,129 and $60,089 for the Alternative Energy Fund, the Asia Pacific Dividend Fund, the Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
and the Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund, respectively.
At December 31, 2013, the Advisor may recapture a portion of the following amounts that had been paid and/or waived on behalf of the Funds no later than the dates as stated below:
Fund:
|
|
December 31, 2014
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
|
December 31, 2016
|
|
Total
|
|
Alternative Energy Fund
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
45,850
|
|
|
$
|
24,186
|
|
|
$
|
70,036
|
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
|
74,834
|
|
|
|
74,715
|
|
|
|
74,741
|
|
|
|
224,290
|
|
|
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,229
|
|
|
|
99,129
|
|
|
|
170,358
|
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
|
|
|
5,856
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,089
|
|
|
|
65,945
|
|
|
Mutual Fund Administration Corporation (the "Administrator") acts as the Funds' administrator under an administration agreement. The fees paid to the Administrator for the year ended December 31, 2013 are reported on the Statements of Operations.
Quasar Distributors, LLC (the "Distributor") acts as the Funds' principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Funds' shares.
Foreside Compliance Services, LLC provides Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") services to the Funds. The fees paid for CCO services for the year ended December 31, 2013 are reported on the Statements of Operations.
On August 14, 1998, the Trust approved a Deferred Compensation Plan for Trustees (the "Plan"). Trustees can elect to receive payment in cash or defer payments provided for in the Plan. If a trustee elects to defer payment, the Plan provides for the creation of a deferred payment account (Phantom Share Account). This account accumulates the deferred fees earned, and the value of the account is adjusted at the end of each quarter to reflect the value that would have been earned if the account had been invested in designated investments. The Funds recognize as trustee expense amounts accrued as meetings are attended plus the change in value of the Phantom Share Account.
The change in the value of the phantom share account during the year ended December 31, 2013 is shown in the table below. These amounts included any additional contributions to the deferred compensation plan and any appreciation (depreciation) on the underlying investments.
81
Alternative Energy Fund
|
|
$
|
6,348
|
|
|
Asia Focus Fund
|
|
$
|
10,034
|
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
$
|
4,500
|
|
|
China & Hong Kong Fund
|
|
$
|
42,500
|
|
|
Global Energy Fund
|
|
$
|
10,948
|
|
|
Global Innovators Fund
|
|
$
|
12,062
|
|
|
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
|
|
$
|
3,102
|
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
|
|
$
|
3,800
|
|
|
The fees paid to non-interested Trustees for the year ended December 31, 2013 are reported on the Statements of Operations.
Certain officers of the Trust are also officers and/or Directors of the Advisor and the Administrator. None of these officers are compensated directly by the Funds.
Note 4
Shareholder Servicing Plan
Each Fund has adopted a Shareholder Servicing Plan to pay a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of its daily average net assets of shares serviced by shareholder servicing agents who provide administrative and support services to their customers.
The fees paid under the Shareholder Servicing Plan for the year ended December 31, 2013 are reported on the Statements of Operations.
Note 5
Investment Transactions
The following table presents purchases and sales of securities during the year ended December 31, 2013, excluding short-term investments, to indicate the volume of transactions in each Fund.
|
|
Purchases
|
|
Sales
|
|
Alternative Energy Fund
|
|
$
|
14,653,010
|
|
|
$
|
10,935,094
|
|
|
Asia Focus Fund
|
|
|
1,989,923
|
|
|
|
21,464,774
|
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
|
2,652,385
|
|
|
|
3,117,670
|
|
|
China & Hong Kong Fund
|
|
|
8,739,927
|
|
|
|
54,625,253
|
|
|
Global Energy Fund
|
|
|
6,381,707
|
|
|
|
41,548,944
|
|
|
Global Innovators Fund
|
|
|
14,599,665
|
|
|
|
11,382,207
|
|
|
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
|
|
|
785,260
|
|
|
|
502,061
|
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
|
|
|
37,292,058
|
|
|
|
9,507,692
|
|
|
The Funds did not purchase U.S. Government securities as a part of their long-term investment strategy during the year ended December 31, 2013.
Note 6
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
The Funds utilize various inputs in determining the value of its investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that a Fund has the ability to access.
82
Level 2 Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.
Level 3 Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund's own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
In addition, the Funds have adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04 Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") which amends Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures to establish common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. Enhanced disclosure is required to detail any transfers in to and out of Level 1 and Level 2 measurements and Level 2 and Level 3 measurements and the reasons for the transfers.
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used, as of December 31, 2013, in valuing the Funds' assets carried at fair value:
Alternative Energy Fund
Assets Table
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
Investments, at Value
|
|
Common Stocks:
1
|
|
Basic Materials
|
|
$
|
1,000,627
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,000,627
|
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
11,785,404
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,785,404
|
|
|
Industrial
|
|
|
6,501,724
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
6,501,724
|
|
|
Utilities
|
|
|
4,947,045
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,947,045
|
|
|
Total Investments, at Value
|
|
|
24,234,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,234,800
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
24,234,800
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
(a)
|
|
$
|
24,234,800
|
|
|
(a)
Applied Intellectual Capital Ltd. fair valued at zero as the company has been delisted since 2009.
83
Asia Focus Fund
Assets Table
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
Investments, at Value
|
|
Common Stocks:
1
|
|
Basic Materials
|
|
$
|
1,270,921
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,270,921
|
|
|
Communications
|
|
|
1,954,928
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,954,928
|
|
|
Consumer, Cyclical
|
|
|
3,334,949
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,334,949
|
|
|
Consumer, Non-cyclical
|
|
|
435,671
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
435,671
|
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
3,324,410
|
|
|
|
1,087,330
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,411,740
|
|
|
Exchange Traded Funds ("ETFs")
|
|
|
567,851
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
567,851
|
|
|
Financial
|
|
|
1,536,983
|
|
|
|
388,679
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,925,662
|
|
|
Industrial
|
|
|
3,087,416
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,087,416
|
|
|
Technology
|
|
|
3,653,753
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,653,753
|
|
|
Utilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,143,358
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,143,358
|
|
|
Total Investments, at Value
|
|
|
21,786,249
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,786,249
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
19,166,882
|
|
|
$
|
2,619,367
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
21,786,249
|
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
Assets Table
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
Investments, at Value
|
|
Common Stocks:
1
|
|
Basic Materials
|
|
$
|
114,521
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
114,521
|
|
|
Communications
|
|
|
465,476
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
465,476
|
|
|
Consumer, Cyclical
|
|
|
820,853
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
820,853
|
|
|
Consumer, Non-cyclical
|
|
|
348,672
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
348,672
|
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
103,213
|
|
|
|
111,406
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
214,619
|
|
|
Financial
|
|
|
1,175,846
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,275,846
|
|
|
Industrial
|
|
|
235,182
|
|
|
|
120,481
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
355,663
|
|
|
Technology
|
|
|
467,132
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
467,132
|
|
|
Utilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111,990
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
111,990
|
|
|
Total Investments, at Value
|
|
|
4,174,772
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,174,772
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
3,842,301
|
|
|
$
|
443,877
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,174,772
|
|
|
84
China & Hong Kong Fund
Assets Table
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
Investments, at Value
|
|
Common Stocks:
1
|
|
Basic Materials
|
|
$
|
4,385,825
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,385,825
|
|
|
Communications
|
|
|
23,679,727
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,679,727
|
|
|
Consumer, Cyclical
|
|
|
18,289,820
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,289,820
|
|
|
Consumer, Non-cyclical
|
|
|
1,174,690
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,174,690
|
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
15,852,047
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,852,047
|
|
|
Exchange Traded Funds ("ETFs")
|
|
|
2,491,557
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,491,557
|
|
|
Financial
|
|
|
22,027,309
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,027,309
|
|
|
Industrial
|
|
|
11,903,512
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,903,512
|
|
|
Technology
|
|
|
6,157,111
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,157,111
|
|
|
Utilities
|
|
|
4,373,431
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,373,431
|
|
|
Total Investments, at Value
|
|
|
110,335,029
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
110,335,029
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
110,335,029
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
110,335,029
|
|
|
Global Energy Fund
Assets Table
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
Investments, at Value
|
|
Common Stocks:
1
|
|
Energy
|
|
$
|
71,730,519
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
(a)
|
|
$
|
71,730 519
|
|
|
Industrial
|
|
|
70,311
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,311
|
|
|
Total Investments, at Value
|
|
|
71,800,830
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,800,830
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
71,800,830
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
(a)
|
|
$
|
71,800,830
|
|
|
(a)
Cluff Natural Resources warrants fair valued at zero.
Following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
Global Energy Fund
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
Warrant
|
|
Balance as of 12/31/12
|
|
$
|
228,228
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
Realized gain (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
|
|
|
(68,862
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of purchases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers into Level 3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers out of Level 3*
|
|
|
159,366
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of 12/31/13
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized depreciation on Level 3 investments held as of 12/31/13†
|
|
$
|
(68,862
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
* The amount of transfers out is reflected at the securities' fair value on the date of transfer.
† Included in the related amounts on the Statements of Operations.
85
Global Innovators Fund
Assets Table
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
Investments, at Value
|
|
Common Stocks:
|
|
Communications
|
|
$
|
8,411,923
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
8,411,923
|
|
|
Consumer, Non-cyclical
|
|
|
5,325,062
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,325,062
|
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
1,804,403
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,804,403
|
|
|
Financial
|
|
|
7,015,849
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,015,849
|
|
|
Industrial
|
|
|
8,459,126
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,459,126
|
|
|
Technology
|
|
|
18,849,093
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,849,093
|
|
|
Total Investments, at Value
|
|
|
49,865,456
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,865,456
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
49,865,456
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
49,865,456
|
|
|
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
Assets Table
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
Investments, at Value
|
|
Common Stocks:
|
|
Communications
|
|
$
|
204,462
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
204,462
|
|
|
Consumer, Cyclical
|
|
|
76,128
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76,128
|
|
|
Consumer, Non-cyclical
|
|
|
912,068
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
912,068
|
|
|
Energy
|
|
|
277,149
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
277,149
|
|
|
Financial
|
|
|
460,945
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
460,945
|
|
|
Industrial
|
|
|
513,497
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
513,497
|
|
|
Technology
|
|
|
74,860
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,860
|
|
|
Total Investments, at Value
|
|
|
2,519,109
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,519,109
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
2,519,109
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,519,109
|
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
Assets Table
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
Investments, at Value
|
|
Corporate Bonds
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
89,042,922
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
89,042,922
|
|
|
Total Investments, at Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
89,042,922
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
89,042,922
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
89,042,922
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
89,042,922
|
|
|
1
Foreign securities traded in foreign exchanges may be adjusted due to a significant change in the value of U.S. traded securities, as measured by the S&P 500 Index. Significant movements were deemed to have occurred at December 31, 2012 and therefore such securities were classified as Level 2. As a result, securities still held by the Alternative Energy Fund, Asia Focus Fund, Asia Pacific Dividend Fund, China & Hong Kong Fund, Global Energy Fund, Global Innovators Fund, and Inflation Managed Dividend Fund were transferred from Level 2 into Level 1 with an end of period value of $13,091,614, $16,296,476, $1,031,869, $93,405,415, $22,493,490, $1,541,080, and $740,969 respectively. There were no securities transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 in the Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund.
Note 7
Derivatives and Hedging Transactions
FASB Accounting Standards Codification 815, Derivatives and Hedging
requires enhanced disclosures about the Funds' derivative and hedging activities, including how such activities are accounted for and their effects on the Funds' financial position, performance and cash flows.
86
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
In order to hedge their portfolio and to protect them against possible fluctuations in foreign exchange rates pending the settlement of securities transactions, the Funds may enter into forward foreign currency contracts that obligate them to exchange currencies at specified future dates. At the maturity of a forward contract, a Fund may either make delivery of the foreign currency from currency held, if any, or from the proceeds of the portfolio securities sold. It may also terminate its obligation to deliver the foreign currency at any time by purchasing an offsetting contract. The forward values of amounts due are netted against the forward value of the currency to be delivered, and the net amount is shown as a receivable or payable in the financial statements. The Funds did not enter into forward foreign currency contracts during the year ended December 31, 2013 and did not have any outstanding forward contracts as of December 31, 2013.
Note 8
Tax Matters
As of December 31, 2013, the tax bases of investments were as follows:
|
|
Alternative
Energy Fund
|
|
Asia Focus
Fund
|
|
Asia Pacific
Dividend
Fund
|
|
China &
Hong Kong
Fund
|
|
Global
Energy
Fund
|
|
Global
Innovators
Fund
|
|
Inflation
Managed
Dividend
Fund
TM
|
|
Renminbi
Yuan & Bond
Fund
|
|
Cost of investments for
tax puroses
|
|
$
|
31,714,482
|
|
|
$
|
17,403,580
|
|
|
$
|
3,718,078
|
|
|
$
|
69,867,050
|
|
|
$
|
63,236,396
|
|
|
$
|
39,033,233
|
|
|
$
|
2,061,269
|
|
|
$
|
86,177,166
|
|
|
Gross tax unrealized
appreciation
|
|
|
2,510,413
|
|
|
|
6,230,502
|
|
|
|
553,203
|
|
|
|
43,959,652
|
|
|
|
16,684,005
|
|
|
|
11,700,477
|
|
|
|
469,352
|
|
|
|
2,886,873
|
|
|
Gross tax unrealized
(depreciation)
|
|
|
(9,990,095
|
)
|
|
|
(1,847,833
|
)
|
|
|
(96,509
|
)
|
|
|
(3,491,673
|
)
|
|
|
(8,119,571
|
)
|
|
|
(868,254
|
)
|
|
|
(11,512
|
)
|
|
|
(21,117
|
)
|
|
Net tax unrealized
appreciation (depreciation)
on investments
|
|
|
(7,479,682
|
)
|
|
|
4,382,669
|
|
|
|
456,694
|
|
|
|
40,467,979
|
|
|
|
8,564,434
|
|
|
|
10,832,223
|
|
|
|
457,840
|
|
|
|
2,865,756
|
|
|
Net tax appreciation
(depreciation) on foreign-
currency denominated
assets and liabilities
|
|
|
945
|
|
|
|
(5,805
|
)
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
3,467
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
176
|
|
|
|
80,910
|
|
|
Net tax unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)*
|
|
|
(7,478,737
|
)
|
|
|
4,376,864
|
|
|
|
456,742
|
|
|
|
40,467,977
|
|
|
|
8,567,901
|
|
|
|
10,832,223
|
|
|
|
458,016
|
|
|
|
2,946,666
|
|
|
Undistributed net ordinary
income**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,791
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
313,387
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
672
|
|
|
|
2,237
|
|
|
|
162,596
|
|
|
Undistributed Long-term
Capital Gains
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,882,888
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post October loss***
|
|
|
(93,182
|
)
|
|
|
(2,050
|
)
|
|
|
(6,611
|
)
|
|
|
(102
|
)
|
|
|
(613
|
)
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital loss carryforward
|
|
|
(86,575,210
|
)
|
|
|
(1,433,184
|
)
|
|
|
(3,765,255
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,201,119
|
)
|
|
|
(3,747,541
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(47,320
|
)
|
|
Other accumulated
gain/(loss)
|
|
|
(34,589
|
)
|
|
|
(57,569
|
)
|
|
|
(24,452
|
)
|
|
|
(138,797
|
)
|
|
|
(48,213
|
)
|
|
|
(70,874
|
)
|
|
|
(4,002
|
)
|
|
|
(11,201
|
)
|
|
Total accumulated
gain/(loss)
|
|
$
|
(94,181,718
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,886,852
|
|
|
$
|
(3,339,576
|
)
|
|
$
|
42,525,353
|
|
|
$
|
5,317,956
|
|
|
$
|
7,014,478
|
|
|
$
|
456,251
|
|
|
$
|
3,050,741
|
|
|
* The differences between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primary to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and passive foreign investment company (PFIC) mark to market adjustments.
** The differences between book-basis and tax basis undistributed net ordinary income is attributed to deferred compensation.
*** Under the current tax law, capital and currency losses realized after October 31 and prior to a Fund's fiscal year end may be deferred as occurring on the first day of the following year.
87
As of December 31, 2013, the Funds have the following capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains:
Capital losses expiring in:
|
|
Alternative
Energy Fund
|
|
Asia Focus
Fund
|
|
Asia Pacific
Dividend
Fund
|
|
China &
Hong Kong
Fund
|
|
Global
Energy
Fund
|
|
Global
Innovators
Fund
|
|
Inflation
Managed
Dividend
Fund
TM
|
|
Renminbi
Yuan & Bond
Fund
|
|
2014
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
10,370,865
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,146,390
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
40,204,652
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,115,940
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
585,199
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
9,296,377
|
|
|
|
1,433,184
|
|
|
|
1,502,925
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No Expiration Long-term
|
|
|
25,714,449
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,357,761
|
|
|
|
3,747,541
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No Expiration Short-term
|
|
|
988,867
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
258,159
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,320
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
86,575,210
|
|
|
$
|
1,433,184
|
|
|
$
|
3,765,255
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,201,119
|
|
|
$
|
3,747,541
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
47,320
|
|
|
The Asia Focus Fund, Asia Pacific Dividend Fund, and China & Hong Kong Fund utilized capital loss carryforwards of $4,653,729, $380,055, and $8,734,498, respectively.
Under the recently enacted Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the "Act"), the Funds will be permitted to carryforward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010, for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law.
The tax character of distributions paid during 2013 and 2012 fiscal years are as follows:
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
|
|
Ordinary
Income
|
|
Long-term
Capital Gain
|
|
Ordinary
Income
|
|
Long-term
Capital Gain
|
|
Alternative Energy Fund
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
32,745
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
Asia Focus Fund
|
|
|
400,182
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
585,229
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
|
101,646
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
117,316
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
China & Hong Kong Fund
|
|
|
1,501,284
|
|
|
|
1,539,106
|
|
|
|
3,000,059
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global Energy Fund
|
|
|
338,807
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500,024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global Innovators Fund
|
|
|
200,095
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,107
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
|
|
|
90,608
|
|
|
|
49,069
|
|
|
|
36,741
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
|
|
|
3,012,616
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,095,737
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 9
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-01
Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.
This update gives additional clarification to the FASB ASU No. 2011-11
Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.
The amendments in this ASU require an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The guidance requires retrospective application for all comparative periods presented. Management has evaluated the impact on the financial statement disclosures and determined that there is no effect.
88
Note 10
Events Subsequent to the Fiscal Period End
The Funds have adopted financial reporting rules regarding a subsequent event which requires an entity to recognize in the financial statements the effects of all subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet. Management has evaluated the Funds' related events and transactions and has determined that there were no events or transactions that occurred that would materially impact the amounts or disclosures in the Funds' financial statements.
89
Additional Information (Unaudited)
Proxy Voting Procedures
The Advisor votes proxies relating to portfolio securities in accordance with procedures that have been approved by the Board. You may obtain a description of these procedures, free of charge, by calling "toll-free" 1-800-915-6565. This information is also available through the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at
http://www.sec.gov
.
Proxy Voting Records
Information regarding how the Advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the latest 12-month period ended June 30 is available, without charge, by calling toll-free, 1-800-915-6565. This information is also available through the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at
http://www.sec.gov
.
Form N-Q Disclosure
The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds' Form N-Q is available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at
http://www.sec.gov
. The Funds' Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the Commission's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. This information is also available, without charge, by calling toll-free, 1-800-915-6565.
Supplemental Tax Information
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, certain dividends paid by the Funds may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%, as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. The percentage of dividends declared from ordinary income designated as qualified dividend income was as follows:
Alternative Energy Fund
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
Asia Focus Fund
|
|
|
93.54
|
%
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
|
74.63
|
%
|
|
China & Hong Kong Fund
|
|
|
91.97
|
%
|
|
Global Energy Fund
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
Global Innovators Fund
|
|
|
100.00
|
%
|
|
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
Pursuant to Section 852(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the China & Hong Kong Fund designates $1,882,888 as long-term capital gains.
Pursuant to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Funds designate the following income earned from foreign sources and foreign taxes paid for the year ended December 31, 2013:
|
|
Foreign Sourced Income
|
|
Foreign Taxes Paid
|
|
|
|
Total
Amount
|
|
Per Share
Amount
|
|
Total
Amount
|
|
Per Share
Amount
|
|
Alternative Energy Fund
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
Asia Focus Fund
|
|
$
|
751,848
|
|
|
$
|
0.56
|
|
|
$
|
65,567
|
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
|
203,907
|
|
|
|
0.62
|
|
|
|
17,210
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
China & Hong Kong Fund
|
|
|
3,691,340
|
|
|
|
1.04
|
|
|
|
177,510
|
|
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
Global Energy Fund
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
Global Innovators Fund
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
|
|
|
75,493
|
|
|
|
0.38
|
|
|
|
4,533
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
90
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees
Guinness Atkinson Funds
Woodland Hills, California
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of the Alternative Energy Fund, Asia Focus Fund, Asia Pacific Dividend Fund, China & Hong Kong Fund, Global Energy Fund, Global Innovators Fund, Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund and Inflation Managed Dividend Fund (the "Funds"), each a series of shares of the Guinness Atkinson Funds, as of December 31, 2013, the related statements of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, except for Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the two years then ended and for the period June 30, 2011 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2011, and for Inflation Managed Dividend Fund the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended and the period March 30, 2012 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2012. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds' internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2013, by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly in all material respects, the financial position of the above mentioned Funds as of December 31, 2013, the results of their operations, the changes in their net assets and the financial highlights for the periods indicated above, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 25, 2014
91
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
Unless otherwise noted, each Trustee and officer's address is 21550 Oxnard Street, Suite 850, Woodland Hills, California 91367. Trustees and officers of the Trust serve until their resignation, removal or retirement. Additional information about the Trustees is included in the Funds' Statement of Additional Information which is available, without charge, upon request by calling toll-free, 1-800-915-6565 or by visiting the Funds' website at
www.gafunds.com
.
Name and Age
|
|
Position(s)
Held with
Trust†
|
|
Year Elected
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During the
Past 5 Years
|
|
Number of
Portfolios In
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee
|
|
Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the Past 5 Years
|
|
Non-Interested Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Gunter Dufey
(73
)
|
|
Trustee
|
|
|
1994
|
|
|
Executive Director of Education Exchange Ltd., a consulting firm since 2010. Professorial Fellow, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) since 2005. Professor (Emeritus) of Ross School at The University of Michigan, where he served from 1968 to 2002.
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
Independent director, various subsidiaries of Ally Financial Inc. (formerly GMAC) in the United States and Canada.
SmartX ETF Trust, a registered investment company
|
|
James I. Fordwood
(66
)
|
|
Trustee
|
|
|
1994
|
|
|
CFO and Managing Member of Prima Marketing LLC (network of convenience stores) since 1998.
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
SmartX ETF Trust, a registered investment company
|
|
Dr. Bret A. Herscher
(55
)
|
|
Trustee
|
|
|
1994
|
|
|
Vice President of Minnow Medical, a company that develops medical devices for treating peripheral artery disease since 2009. President of Pacific Consultants, a technical and technology management consulting company serving the electronic industry and venture capital community that he co-founded, from 1996 to 2007.
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
SmartX ETF Trust, a registered investment company
|
|
J. Brooks Reece, Jr.
(66
)
|
|
Trustee and Chairman
|
|
|
1994
|
|
|
Vice President of Adcole Corp., a manufacturer of precision measuring machines and sun angle sensors for space satellites since 1984. President of Adcole Far East Ltd. since 2008. Executive Director of Adcole Measuring Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd., since 2004.
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
SmartX ETF Trust, a registered investment company
|
|
92
Name and Age
|
|
Position(s)
Held with
Trust†
|
|
Year Elected
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During the
Past 5 Years
|
|
Number of
Portfolios In
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee
|
|
Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the Past 5 Years
|
|
Interested Trustee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy W.N. Guinness*
14
Queen Anne's Gate
London,
England SW1H 9AA
U.K.
(65
)
|
|
Trustee
|
|
|
1998
|
|
|
Chairman/CIO of Guinness Atkinson
TM
Asset Management since November 2002. Chairman of Guinness Asset Management Ltd., investment advisor in London, since 2003. Director of Guinness Capital Management Ltd. since 2010. Director of SR Europe Investment Trust Plc since 2001. Director of Atlantis Japan Growth Fund Ltd., since 2002. Non-Executive Director of Quayle Munro since 2007. Non-Executive Director of Brompton Bicycle Ltd., since 2000.
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
SmartX ETF Trust, a registered investment company
|
|
Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James Atkinson
(56
)
|
|
President
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Guinness Atkinson
TM
Asset Management since November 2002. Director of Guinness Asset Management Ltd. since 2003. Principal of Orbis Marketing, a mutual fund marketing and advertising firm, since November 2001.
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
Ashley Atkinson
(30
)
|
|
Vice President
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
Compliance Manager and Operations Manager of Guinness Atkinson
TM
Asset Management since 2011. Part-time compliance assistant at Guinness Atkinson
TM
Asset Management since 2010. Earned Juris Doctor degree at Southwestern University School of Law from 2006 to 2009. Volunteer at the Los Angeles City Attorney's office in 2009 and 2010. California bar member since 2010.
|
|
N/A
|
|
N/A
|
|
* "Interested person" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds because of his affiliation with the Funds' Advisor, Guinness Atkinson Asset Management, Inc.
93
Name and Age
|
|
Position(s)
Held with
Trust†
|
|
Year Elected
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During the
Past 5 Years
|
|
Number of
Portfolios In
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee
|
|
Other Directorships
Held by Trustee
During the Past 5 Years
|
|
Ann E. Edgeworth
(52
)
|
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
Director of Foreside Compliance Services, from November 2010 to present. From 2004 to 2010, Vice President, Compliance Advisory Services, State Street/Investors Bank & Trust.
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
Rita Dam
(47
)
|
|
Treasurer
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration Corp. since 2006.
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
Joy Ausili
(47
)
|
|
Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration Corp. since 2006.
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
Sardjono Kadiman
(38
)
|
|
Assistant Treasurer
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
Assistant Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration Corp. (2008-present); Compliance Officer, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, a mutual and hedge fund service provider (2001-2008).
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
Lyna Phan
(38
)
|
|
Assistant Treasurer
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
Assistant Vice President, Mutual Fund Administration Corp. (2010-present); Compliance Officer, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, a mutual and hedge fund service provider (2005-2010).
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
94
Privacy Notice
Guinness Atkinson
TM
Funds and Guinness Atkinson Asset Management, Inc. may collect non-public information about you from the following sources:
• Information we receive about you on applications or other forms;
• Information you give us orally; and
• Information about your transactions with us.
We do not disclose any non-public personal information about our shareholders or former shareholders without the shareholder's authorization, except as required by law or in response to inquiries from governmental authorities. We restrict access to your personal and account information to those employees who need to know that information to provide products and services to you. We also may disclose that information to unaffiliated third parties (such as to brokers or custodians) only as permitted by law and only as needed for us to provide agreed services to you. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your non-public personal information.
95
This page is Intentionally Left Blank
96
This page is Intentionally Left Blank
97
This page is Intentionally Left Blank
98
Guinness Atkinson
TM
Funds Information
Board of Trustees
J. Brooks Reece, Jr., Chairman
|
|
Dr. Gunter Dufey
|
|
James I. Fordwood
|
|
Timothy W.N. Guinness
|
|
Dr. Bret A. Herscher
|
|
Contact Guinness Atkinson
TM
Funds
P.O. Box 701
|
|
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701
|
|
Shareholder Services: 800-915-6566
|
|
Literature Request: 800-915-6565
|
|
Website: www.gafunds.com
|
|
Email: mail@gafunds.com
|
|
Guinness Atkinson
TM
Funds
Fund
|
|
Cusip
|
|
Ticker
|
|
Fund#
|
|
Alternative Energy Fund
|
|
402031 50 4
|
|
GAAEX
|
|
|
1298
|
|
|
Asia Focus Fund
|
|
402031 10 8
|
|
IASMX
|
|
|
1096
|
|
|
Asia Pacific Dividend Fund
|
|
402031 60 3
|
|
GAADX
|
|
|
1299
|
|
|
China & Hong Kong Fund
|
|
402031 20 7
|
|
ICHKX
|
|
|
1094
|
|
|
Global Energy Fund
|
|
402031 40 5
|
|
GAGEX
|
|
|
1098
|
|
|
Global Innovators Fund
|
|
402031 30 6
|
|
IWIRX
|
|
|
1095
|
|
|
Inflation Managed Dividend Fund
TM
|
|
402031 80 1
|
|
GAINX
|
|
|
1092
|
|
|
Renminbi Yuan & Bond Fund
|
|
402031 70 2
|
|
GARBX
|
|
|
1099
|
|
|
Distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC, Milwaukee, WI 53202
This report is intended for shareholders of the Guinness Atkinson
TM
Funds and may not be used as literature unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.
99
Guinness Atkinson Funds
c/o U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
P.O. Box 701
Milwaukee, WI 53201-0701