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“Where Are Top Go-Anywhere Managers Going?”

January 2015
By Christine Benz

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The views expressed in the article are those of the author and participants as of January 2013 and are subject to change based on market conditions and other factors. These views should not be construed as a recommendation for any specific security. Information provided with respect to the Fund’s Portfolio Holdings, Sector Weightings, Number of Holdings, Performance and Expense Ratios are as of the dates described in the article and are subject to change at any time.

Through 12/31/2014, the Appleseed Fund (APPLX) generated a one year return of -1.86%, a three year annualized return of 9.88%, a five year annualized return of 6.28% and an annualized return of 7.19% since the Fund’s inception on 12/08/06.

Appleseed Fund has contractually agreed to limit the net expense rate to 1.20% of net assets of Investor shares and 0.95% of net assets of Institutional shares, exclusive of acquired fund fees, through January 31, 2016. The gross expense ratio of the Fund is 1.46%, and the net expense ratio after contractual fee waivers is 1.35%. The advisor has contracted with the Fund to waive fees to maintain a 0.95% expense ratio (excluding indirect expenses) through January 31, 2016.  The Fund’s ninety day redemption fee is 2.00%. 

Performance data quoted above represents past performance; past performance 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 is available by calling us toll free at 1-800-470-1029.

Investments in commodities may be affected by overall market movements, changes in interest rates, and other factors such as weather, disease, embargoes and international economic and political developments. Commodities are assets that have tangible properties, such as oil, metals, and agricultural products. These instruments may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. 

The MSCI World Index is a widely followed, unmanaged group of stocks from 23 international markets and is not available for purchase. This index provide total returns in U.S. dollars with net dividends reinvested. The index returns do not reflect the deduction of expenses, which have been deducted from the Fund’s returns. The index returns assume reinvestment of all distributions and do not reflect the deduction of taxes and fees. Individuals cannot invest directly in the index, however, an individual can invest in exchange traded funds or other investment vehicles that attempt to track the performance of a benchmark index. 

World Allocation: World-allocation portfolios seek to provide both capital appreciation and income by investing in three major areas: stocks, bonds, and cash. While these portfolios do explore the whole world, most of them focus on the U.S., Canada, Japan, and the larger markets in Europe. It is rare for such portfolios to invest more than 10% of their assets in emerging markets. These portfolios typically have at least 10% of assets in bonds, less than 70% of assets in stocks, and at least 40% of assets in non-U.S. stocks or bonds.

Morningstar Analyst Rating

The Morningstar Analyst Rating is not a credit or risk rating. It is a subjective evaluation performed by the mutual fund analysts of Morningstar, Inc.  Morningstar evaluates funds based on five key pillars, which are process, performance, people, parent, and price. Morningstar’s analysts use this five pillar evaluation to identify funds they believe are more likely to outperform over the long term on a risk-adjusted basis. Analysts consider quantitative and qualitative factors in their research, and the weighting of each pillar may vary.  The Analyst Rating ultimately reflects the analyst’s overall assessment and is overseen by Morningstar’s Analyst Rating Committee. The approach serves not as a formula but as a framework to ensure consistency across Morningstar’s global coverage universe.

The Analyst Rating scale ranges from Gold to Negative, with Gold being the highest rating and Negative being the lowest rating. A fund with a Gold rating distinguishes itself across the five pillars and has garnered the analysts’ highest level of conviction. A fund with a Silver rating has notable advantages across several, but perhaps not all, of the five pillars-strengths that give the analysts a high level of conviction. A Bronze-rated fund has advantages that outweigh the disadvantages across the five pillars, with sufficient level of analyst conviction to warrant a positive rating. A fund with a Neutral rating isn’t seriously flawed across the five pillars, nor does it distinguish itself very positively. A Negative rated fund is flawed in at least one if not more pillars and is considered an inferior offering to its peers. Analyst Ratings are reevaluated at least every 14months.

For more detailed information about Morningstar’s Analyst Rating, including its methodology, please go to http://corporate.morningstar.com/us/documents/MethodologyDocuments/AnalystRatingforFundsMethodology.pdf.

The Morningstar Analyst Rating should not be used as the sole basis in evaluating a mutual fund. Morningstar Analyst Ratings are based on Morningstar’s current expectations about future events; therefore, in no way does Morningstar represent ratings as a guarantee nor should they be viewed by an investor as such. Morningstar Analyst Ratings involve unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause Morningstar’s expectations not to occur or to differ significantly from what we expected.

 Investments in international markets present special risks including currency fluctuation, the potential for diplomatic and political instability, regulatory and liquidity risks, foreign taxation and differences in auditing and other financial standards. Risks of foreign investing are generally intensified for investments in emerging markets.

You should carefully consider the investment objectives, potential risks, management fees, and charges and expenses of the Fund before investing.  The Fund’s prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund, and should be read carefully before investing.  You may obtain a current copy of the Fund’s prospectus by calling 1-800-470-1029.  Past performance is no guarantee of 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.

Distributed by Unified Financial Securities, Inc., 2960 North Meridian Street, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN  46208. (Member FINRA).