N
OTES TO
F
INANCIAL
S
TATEMENTS
O
UTFITTER
F
UND
January 31, 2014
1.) ORGANIZATION:
Outfitter Fund (the "Fund") was organized as a non-diversified series of the PFS Funds (the "Trust") on December 16, 2011. The Trust was established under the laws of Massachusetts by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated January 13, 2000, which was amended and restated January 20, 2011. Prior to March 5, 2010, the Trust was named Wireless Fund. The Trust is registered as an open-end investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Trust may offer an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest in a number of separate series, each series representing a distinct fund with its own investment objectives and policies. As of January 31, 2014, there were eight series authorized by the Trust. The Fund commenced operations on February 1, 2012. The investment advisor to the Fund is Outfitter Financial Corp. (the Advisor). The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation as its primary objective, and investment income as the secondary objective.
2.) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
SECURITY VALUATION:
All investments in securities are recorded at their estimated fair value, as described in Note 3.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES:
The Funds policy is to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code that are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. It is the Funds policy to distribute annually, prior to the end of the calendar year, dividends sufficient to satisfy excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. This Internal Revenue Code requirement may cause an excess of distributions over the book year-end accumulated income. In addition, it is the Funds policy to distribute annually, after the end of the fiscal year, any remaining net investment income and net realized capital gains.
The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of certain 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 expected to be taken in the Funds 2012 and 2013 tax returns. The Fund identifies its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. Federal tax authorities; however, the Fund is 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. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties.
SHARE VALUATION:
The net asset value per share of the Fund is calculated daily by dividing the total value of the Funds assets, less liabilities, by the number of shares outstanding, rounded to the nearest cent. The offering and redemption price per share is equal to the net asset value per share, except that shares of the Fund are subject to a redemption fee of 2% if redeemed after holding them for 90 days or less. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, proceeds from redemption fees amounted to $0.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:
Distributions to shareholders, which are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
The treatment for financial reporting purposes of distributions made to shareholders during the year from net investment income or net realized capital gains may differ from their ultimate treatment for federal income tax purposes. These differences are caused primarily by differences in the timing of the recognition of certain components of income, expense, or realized capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Where such differences are permanent in nature, they are reclassified in the components of the net assets based on their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. Any such reclassifications will have no effect on net assets, results of operations, or net asset value per share of the Fund.
2014 Annual Report 11
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
USE OF ESTIMATES:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
OTHER:
The Fund records security transactions based on the trade date. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. The Fund uses the specific identification method in computing gain or loss on the sale of investment securities. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are accreted and amortized over the life of the respective securities. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the Fund to meet their obligations may be affected by economic and political developments in a specific country or region. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Funds understanding of the applicable countrys tax rules and rates.
EXPENSES:
Expenses incurred by the Trust that do not relate to a specific fund of the Trust are allocated to the individual funds based on each funds relative net assets or another appropriate basis.
3.) SECURITIES VALUATIONS:
As described in Note 2, the Fund utilizes various methods to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of inputs are:
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.
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 Funds own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.
The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in level 3.
The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Funds major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis follows.
Equity securities (including common stocks, preferred stock and real estate investment trusts)
. Equity securities are carried at fair value. The market quotation used for common stocks, including those listed on the NASDAQ National Market System, is the last sale price on the date on which the valuation is made or, in the absence of sales, at the closing bid price. Over-the-counter securities will be valued on the basis of the bid price at the close of each business day. Generally, if the security is traded in an active market and is valued at the last sale price, the security is categorized as a level 1 security. When the security position is not considered to be
2014 Annual Report 12
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
part of an active market or when the security is valued at the bid price, the position is generally categorized as level 2. When market quotations are not readily available, when the Advisor determines the last bid price does not accurately reflect the current value or when restricted securities are being valued, such securities are valued as determined in good faith by the Advisor, in conformity with guidelines adopted by and subject to review of the Board of Trustees (the Trustees) and are categorized in level 2 or level 3, when appropriate.
Money market funds.
Shares of money market funds are valued at a net asset value of $1.00 and are classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Fixed income securities (including corporate bonds and municipal bonds).
Fixed income securities generally are valued by using market quotations, but may be valued on the basis of prices furnished by a pricing service when the Advisor believes such prices accurately reflect the fair value of such securities. A pricing service utilizes electronic data processing techniques based on yield spreads relating to securities with similar characteristics to determine prices for normal institutional-size trading units of debt securities without regard to sale or bid prices. When prices are not readily available from a pricing service, or when restricted or illiquid securities are being valued, securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Advisor, in conformity with guidelines adopted by and subject to review of the Trustees. Short-term investments in fixed income securities with maturities of less than 60 days when acquired, or which subsequently are within 60 days of maturity, are valued by using the amortized cost method of valuation. Generally, fixed income securities are categorized as level 2.
In accordance with the Trust's good faith pricing guidelines, the Advisor is required to consider all appropriate factors relevant to the value of securities for which it has determined other pricing sources are not available or reliable as described above. There is no standard procedure for determining fair value, since fair value depends upon the circumstances of each individual case. As a general principle, the current fair value of an issue of securities being valued by the Advisor would appear to be the amount which the owner might reasonably expect to receive for them upon their current sale. Methods which are in accordance with this principle may, for example, be based on (i) a multiple of earnings; (ii) a discount from market of a similar freely traded security (including a derivative security or a basket of securities traded on other markets, exchanges or among dealers); or (iii) yield to maturity with respect to debt issues, or a combination of these and other methods.
The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Funds assets measured at fair value as of January 31, 2014:
Valuation Inputs of Assets
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
Common Stocks
|
|
$10,015,652
|
|
$ 0
|
|
$0
|
|
$10,015,652
|
Corporate Bonds
|
|
0
|
|
5,830,599
|
|
0
|
|
5,830,599
|
Preferred Stock
|
|
24,870
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
24,870
|
Real Estate Investment Trusts
|
|
183,490
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
183,490
|
Municipal Bonds
|
|
0
|
|
464,189
|
|
0
|
|
464,189
|
Money Market Funds
|
|
945,380
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
945,380
|
Total
|
|
$11,169,392
|
|
$6,294,788
|
|
$0
|
|
$17,464,180
|
Refer to the Funds Schedule of Investments for a listing of securities by industry. The Fund did not hold any Level 3 assets during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. There were no transfers into or out of the levels during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. It is the Funds policy to consider transfers into or out of the levels as of the end of the reporting period.
The Fund did not invest in any derivative instruments during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014.
4.) INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND SERVICES AGREEMENT:
The Advisor provides management services to the Fund pursuant to the Current Management Agreement (Agreement). The Advisor manages the investment portfolio of the Fund, subject to policies adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees. Under the Agreement, the Advisor, at its own expense and without reimbursement from the Trust, furnishes office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and executive personnel necessary for managing the assets of the Fund. For its services the Advisor receives an investment management fee equal to 0.95% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. The Agreement became effective September 1, 2013. Prior to September 1, 2013, the Advisor managed the investment portfolio of the Fund under an
2014 Annual Report 13
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
Interim Management Agreement that became effective May 28, 2013; prior to which the Advisor managed the investment portfolio of the Fund under the Original Management Agreement. Under the Interim Management Agreement and the Original Management Agreement, the Advisor provided the same services at the same annual rate as it provides for under the Current Management Agreement as described above.
Additionally, the Advisor provides other services to the Fund pursuant to the Current Services Agreement (Services Agreement). Under the Services Agreement the Advisor receives an additional fee of 0.24% and is obligated to pay the operating expenses of the Fund excluding management fees, brokerage fees and commissions, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expenses on securities sold short), ADR fees, fees and expenses of acquired funds, and extraordinary or non-recurring expenses as may arise, including litigation to which the Fund may be a party and indemnification of the Trusts Trustees and officers. The Services Agreement became effective September 1, 2013. Prior to September 1, 2013, the Advisor provided these other services to the Fund under an Interim Services Agreement that became effective May 28, 2013; prior to which, the Advisor provided these other services to the Fund under the Original Services Agreement. Under the Interim Services Agreement and the Original Services Agreement, the Advisor provided the same services at the same annual rate as it provides for under the Current Services Agreement as described above.
Effective June 1, 2013, the Adviser has contractually agreed to waive Services Agreement fees and Management Agreement fees and/or reimburse the Fund for expenses it incurs to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses of the Fund (excluding brokerage fees and commissions, 12b-1 fees, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expenses on securities sold short), ADR fees, the cost of acquired funds and extraordinary expenses) at 0.94% of its average daily net assets. This wavier will extend through September 30, 2014. This arrangement may not be terminated by the Advisor prior to the end of the terms described in this footnote. Prior to June 1, 2013, the Advisor had contractually agreed to waive Services Agreement fees and Management Agreement fees and/or reimburse the Fund for expenses it incurs during that period, but only to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses of the Fund (excluding brokerage fees and commissions, 12b-1 fees, taxes, borrowing costs (such as (a) interest and (b) dividend expenses on securities sold short), ADR fees, the cost of acquired funds and extraordinary expenses) at 0.84% of its average daily net assets for that period. Such waivers have no provision for recoupment by the Advisor.
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, the Advisor earned management fees totaling $152,149 and service fees totaling $38,438. For the same period the Advisor waived service fees and management fees totaling $44,969. As a result of the advisory fees and services fees, net of the waiver noted above, as of January 31, 2014, the Fund owed the Advisor $13,958.
5.) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Jeffrey R. Provence of Premier Fund Solutions, Inc. (the Administrator) also serves as trustee/officer of the Fund. This individual receives benefits from the Administrator resulting from administration fees paid to the Administrator of the Fund by the Advisor.
The Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund were each paid a total of $1,250 in Trustee fees for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014.
6.) CAPITAL SHARES:
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest for the Fund. Paid in capital for the Fund at January 31, 2014 was $15,906,569 representing 1,517,754 shares outstanding.
7.) PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES:
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, purchases and sales of investment securities other than U.S. Government obligations and short-term investments aggregated $5,799,245 and $3,061,525, respectively. Purchases and sales of U.S. Government obligations aggregated $0 and $0, respectively.
8.) SECURITY TRANSACTIONS:
For Federal income tax purposes, the cost of investments owned at January 31, 2014 was $15,895,028. At January 31, 2014, the composition of unrealized appreciation (the excess of value over tax cost) and depreciation (the excess of tax cost over value) was as follows:
2014 Annual Report 14
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
|
|
|
|
|
Appreciation
|
|
(Depreciation)
|
|
Net Appreciation (Depreciation)
|
|
$1,963,412
|
|
($394,260)
|
|
$1,569,152
|
9.) CONTROL OWNERSHIP:
The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates a presumption of control of a fund, under Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. As of January 31, 2014, RBC Capital Markets Corp. located at 60 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the benefit of its clients, held, in aggregate, 78.34% of the shares of the Fund. The Trust does not know whether the foregoing entities or any of the underlying beneficial holders owned or controlled 25% or more of the voting securities of the Fund.
10.) DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014, there was a distribution from ordinary income of $0.18595 per share, long term capital gains of $0.01879 per share and short term capital gains of $0.02793 per share paid on December 26, 2013 to the shareholders of record on December 24, 2013.
The tax character of distributions was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year Ended
|
|
February 1, 2012 to
|
|
|
January 31, 2014
|
|
January 31, 2013
|
Ordinary Income
.
|
|
$ 313,076
|
|
$ 87,097
|
Long-Term Capital Gain
|
|
27,504
|
|
-0-
|
|
|
$ 340,580
|
|
$ 87,097
|
As of January 31, 2014, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income/(accumulated losses)
|
|
$ 16,351
|
Undistributed long-term capital gain/(accumulated losses)
|
|
678
|
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)
|
|
1,569,152
|
|
|
$1,586,181
|
Differences between book basis and tax basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are primarily attributable to the tax deferral of wash sales and deferred post-October losses. Post-October losses totaled $55,637.
11.) CAPITAL LOSS CARRYFORWARDS
The Fund utilized $23,375 of available short-term capital loss carryforwards during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014.
12.) PRINCIPAL RISKS
The Fund may invest in a variety of securities described in its prospectus, including municipal securities. With respect to investments in municipal securities, the Fund is therefore more susceptible to political, economic, legislative, or regulatory factors adversely affecting issuers of municipal securities. Interest rate risk is the risk that bond prices will decline in value because of changes in interest rates. There is normally an inverse relationship between the fair value of securities sensitive to prevailing interest rates and actual changes in interest rates. The longer the average maturity of the Fund's portfolio, the greater its interest rate risk. A more indepth discussion of the Fund's principal investment strategies and risks is contained in the Fund's prospectus, which investors may obtain free of charge by contacting the Fund.
13.) RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
In January, 2013, the FASB issue ASU No. 2013-01 "Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities" in GAAP and International Reporting Financial Standards ("IFRS"). ASU No. 2013-01 clarifies ASU No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities to increase comparability and reduce presentation differences between financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS. This requires increased disclosure about derivative instruments that are offset in a reporting entity's Statement of Assets and Liabilities and derivative instruments that are subject to a master netting agreement ("MNA"). Specifically, the ASU requires reporting entities to present separately for assets and liabilities, a) the gross amounts of those recognized assets and recognized liabilities, b) the amount offset to determine the net amounts presented in the Statement of
2014 Annual Report 15
Notes to Financial Statements - continued
Assets and Liabilities, c) the net amount presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, d) the amount subject to an enforceable MNA not included in (b), and e) the net amount after deducting the amounts from (d) and (c). The effective date of the ASU is for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Management has evaluated and concluded that there is no impact of the ASU on the financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014.
2014 Annual Report 16
Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd.
1350 Euclid Avenue, Ste 800
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
www.cohenfund.com
|
216.649.1700
216.579.0111
fax
|