PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT RISKS
Most of the Fund’s performance depends on what happens in the equity and fixed income markets. The Fund’s use of short sales and derivative instruments will result in leverage, which amplifies the risks that are associated with these markets. The markets’ behavior can be difficult to predict, particularly in the short term. There can be no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its goal.
A subadviser may use strategies intended to protect against losses (i.e., hedged strategies), but there is no guarantee that such hedged strategies will be used or, if used, that they will protect against losses, perform better than non-hedged strategies or provide consistent returns.
The actual risk exposure taken by the Fund in its investment program will vary over time, depending on various factors including, but not limited to, the Adviser’s allocation decisions. There can be no guarantee that the Adviser or the subadvisers will be successful in their attempts to manage the risk exposure of the Fund.
The Fund is a mutual fund, not a bank deposit, and is not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The value of your investment may fall, sometimes sharply, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund.
The following factors can significantly affect the Fund’s performance:
Market Volatility.
Markets are volatile and values of individual securities and other investments can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market, economic or other developments that may cause broad changes in market value, public perceptions concerning these developments, and adverse investor sentiment. To the extent that the Fund sells a portfolio position before it reaches its market peak, it may miss out on opportunities for better performance. Market volatility may disrupt a subadviser’s investment program if it abruptly changes pricing relationships on which the subadviser was basing an arbitrage strategy. Similarly, it may disrupt event-driven strategies if abrupt changes cause the parties to alter or abandon the event on which a subadviser was basing its investment strategy.
Market Direction Risk.
Since the Fund will typically hold both long and short positions, an investment in the Fund will involve market risks associated with different types of investment decisions than those made for a typical “long only” fund. The Fund’s results could suffer both when there is a general market advance and the Fund holds significant “short” positions,
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NEUBERGER BERMAN ABSOLUTE RETURN MULTI-MANAGER FUND
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February 28, 2014, as amended April 1, 2014
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or when there is a general market decline and the Fund holds significant “long” positions. In recent years, the markets have shown considerable volatility from day to day and even in intra-day trading.
Issuer-Specific Risk.
The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole.
Market Capitalization Risk.
To the extent the Fund emphasizes small-, mid-, or large-cap stocks, it takes on the associated risks. Compared to small- and mid-cap companies, large-cap companies may be less responsive to changes and opportunities. At times, the stocks of larger companies may lag other types of stocks in performance. The stocks of small- and mid-cap companies are often more volatile and less liquid than the stocks of larger companies and may be more affected than other types of stocks by the underperformance of a sector or during market downturns. Compared to large-cap companies, small- and mid-cap companies may have a shorter history of operations, and may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources.
Sector Risk.
To the extent the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors. Individual sectors may move up and down more than the broader market. The industries that constitute a sector may all react in the same way to economic, political or regulatory events.
Short Sale Risk.
Short sales involve selling a security the Fund does not own in anticipation that the security’s price will decline. Short sales, at least theoretically, present unlimited loss on an individual security basis, since the Fund may be required to buy the security sold short at a time when the security has appreciated in value. Because the Fund may invest the proceeds of a short sale, another effect of short selling on the Fund is similar to the effect of leverage, in that it amplifies changes in the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) since it increases the exposure of the Fund to the market.
The Fund may not always be able to close out a short position at a favorable time and price. If the Fund covers its short sale at an unfavorable price, the cover transaction is likely to reduce or eliminate any gain, or cause a loss to the Fund.
When the Fund is selling a security short, it must maintain a segregated account of cash or high-grade securities equal to the margin requirement. As a result, the Fund may maintain high levels of cash or other liquid assets (such as U.S. Treasury bills, money market accounts, repurchase agreements, certificates of deposit, high quality commercial paper and long equity positions). The Fund may utilize borrowings or the collateral obtained from securities lending for this cash. The need to maintain cash or other liquid assets in segregated accounts could limit the Fund’s ability to pursue other
opportunities as they arise.
Event-Driven Strategies Risk.
Investing in companies in anticipation of an event carries the risk that the event may not happen or may take considerable time to unfold, it may happen in modified or conditional form, or the market may react differently than expected to the event, in which case the Fund may experience losses. Certain events, such as companies emerging from, or restructuring as a result of, bankruptcy, carry additional risks because of the issuer’s financial fragility and the likelihood that its management has little experience with bankruptcy, and the securities of such companies may be more likely to lose value than the securities of more financially stable companies. In general, event-driven strategies may fail if the subadviser is unable to obtain adequate information about the event or does not properly analyze the information available. The actions of other market participants may also disrupt the events on which the Fund’s strategy depends.
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NEUBERGER BERMAN ABSOLUTE RETURN MULTI-MANAGER FUND
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February 28, 2014, as amended April 1, 2014
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Multi-Manager Risk.
Fund performance is dependent upon the success of the Adviser and the subadvisers in implementing the Fund’s investment strategies in pursuit of its goal. To a significant extent, the Fund’s performance will depend on the success of the Adviser’s methodology in allocating the Fund’s assets to subadvisers and its selection and oversight of the
subadvisers. The subadvisers’ investment styles may not always be complementary, which could adversely affect the performance of the Fund. Some subadvisers have little experience managing mutual funds which, unlike the hedge funds these managers have been managing, are subject to daily inflows and outflows of investor cash and are subject to certain legal and tax-related restrictions on their investments and operations.
Arbitrage Strategies Risks.
Arbitrage strategies involve the risk that underlying relationships between securities in which investment positions are taken may change in an adverse manner or in a manner not anticipated by the subadviser, in which case the Fund may realize losses.
Absolute Return Risk.
The Fund’s returns may deviate from overall market returns to a greater degree than other mutual funds that do not employ an absolute return focus. Thus, the Fund might not benefit as much as funds following other strategies during periods of strong market performance. Also, the employment of hedging strategies, if any, in an attempt to mitigate risk may cause the Fund’s returns to be lower than if hedging had not been employed.
Special Situations Risk.
The Fund’s use of event-driven and arbitrage strategies will cause it to invest in actual or anticipated special situations – i.e., acquisitions, spin-offs, reorganizations and liquidations, tender offers and bankruptcies. These transactions may not be completed as the subadviser anticipates or may take an excessive amount of time to be completed. They may also be completed on different terms than the subadviser anticipates, resulting in a loss to the Fund. Some special situations are sufficiently uncertain that the Fund may lose its entire investment in the situation.
Derivatives Risk.
Derivatives involve risks different from, and in some respects greater than, those associated with more traditional investments. Derivatives can be highly complex, can create investment leverage and may be highly volatile, and the Fund could lose more than the amount it invests. Derivatives may be difficult to value and may at times be highly illiquid, and the Fund may not be able to close out or sell a derivative position at a particular time or at an anticipated price.
The Fund will likely be required to segregate assets to cover its obligations relating to its purchase of derivative instruments in a manner that satisfies contractual undertakings and regulatory requirements with respect to the derivatives. The need to maintain cash or
other liquid assets in segregated accounts could limit the Fund’s ability to pursue other opportunities as they arise.
Legislation adopted following the financial crisis requires new regulation of the derivatives markets and could limit the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategies. The extent and impact of the regulation are not yet fully known and may not be for some time. New regulation of derivatives may make them more costly, may limit their availability, or may otherwise adversely affect their value or performance.
Counterparty Risk.
The Fund’s investments in derivatives involve, in addition to the risks posed by the markets and individual issuers, the risks associated with the Fund’s exposure to its counterparties. The Fund’s investments in the OTC derivatives market introduce counterparty risk due to the possibility that the dealer providing the derivative or other product will fail to timely perform its payment and other obligations. The Fund’s investments in the futures markets also introduce the risk that its futures commission merchant (“FCM”) could default on an obligation set forth in an agreement between the Fund and the FCM, including the FCM’s obligation to return margin posted in connection with the Fund’s futures contracts.
Leverage Risk.
Leverage amplifies changes in the Fund’s NAV. Derivative instruments, short positions, securities lending and when-issued securities that the Fund may use create leverage and can result in losses to the Fund that exceed the amount originally invested. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of any leverage will be successful and there is no specified limit on the amount that the Fund's investment exposure can exceed its net assets. It is currently expected that the Fund’s investment program will have the effect of leveraging the Fund, sometimes by a significant amount.
Options Risk.
The use of options involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the subadviser applies a strategy at an inappropriate time or judges market conditions or trends incorrectly, options may lower the Fund’s return. There can be no guarantee that the use of options will increase the Fund’s return or income. Government legislation or regulation could affect the use of derivatives and could limit the Fund’s ability to pursue its investment strategies.
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NEUBERGER BERMAN ABSOLUTE RETURN MULTI-MANAGER FUND
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February 28, 2014, as amended April 1, 2014
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Writing (selling) a call option obligates the Fund to sell the underlying security to a purchaser at a specified price if the purchaser decides to exercise the option. The Fund receives a premium when it writes a call option. A call option is “covered” if the Fund simultaneously holds an equivalent position in the security underlying the option. When the Fund writes a
covered call option, it assumes the risk that it must sell the underlying security at a price that may be lower than the market price of the security, and it gives up the opportunity to profit from a price increase in the underlying security above the exercise price.
Writing (selling) a put option obligates the Fund to acquire the underlying security from a purchaser of the option at a specified price if the purchaser decides to exercise the option. The Fund receives a premium when it writes a put option. When the Fund writes a put option, it assumes the risk that it must purchase the underlying security at a price that may be higher than the market price of the security.
In addition, there may be an imperfect correlation between the movement in prices of options and the securities underlying them and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for various options.
Convertible Securities Risk.
The value of a convertible security typically increases or decreases with the price of the underlying common stock. In general, a convertible security is subject to the risks of stocks (and its price may be as volatile as that of the underlying stock) when the underlying stock’s price is high relative to the conversion price and is subject to the risks of debt securities (and is particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates) when the underlying stock’s price is low relative to the conversion price. Many convertible securities have credit ratings that are below investment grade and are subject to the same risks as an investment in lower-rated debt securities. In addition, because companies that issue convertible securities may be small- or mid-cap companies, to the extent the Fund invests in convertible securities, it will be subject to the risks of investing in such companies.
Foreign and Emerging Market Risk.
Foreign securities, including those issued by foreign governments, involve risks in addition to those associated with comparable U.S. securities. Additional risks include exposure to less developed or less efficient trading markets; social, political or economic instability; fluctuations in foreign currencies or currency redenomination; potential for default on sovereign debt; nationalization or expropriation of assets; settlement, custodial or other operational risks; and less stringent auditing and legal standards. As a result, foreign securities can fluctuate more widely in price, and may also be less liquid, than comparable U.S. securities. World markets, or those in a particular region, may all react in similar fashion to important economic or political developments. In addition, foreign markets can perform differently than the U.S. market. Following the market turmoil of 2008-2009, some national economies continue to show profound instability, which may in turn affect their international trading and financial partners.
Investing in emerging market countries involves risks in addition to and greater than those generally associated with investing in more developed foreign countries. Securities of issuers in emerging market countries may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of issuers in foreign countries with more developed economies or markets.
Japan Risk.
Because an investment strategy used by a subadviser invests primarily in companies in Japan, the Fund’s performance may be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Japan. The Japanese market can experience significant volatility due to exchange rates, social, political, regulatory, economic or environmental events and natural disasters, which may occur in Japan. The Japanese economy has in the past been negatively affected at times by government intervention and protectionism, an unstable financial services sector, a heavy reliance on international trade, and natural disasters. Some of these factors, as well as other adverse political developments, increases in government debt, and changes to fiscal, monetary, or trade policies, may adversely affect the Japanese markets. A significant portion of Japan’s trade is conducted with developing nations, almost all of which are in East and Southeast Asia, and it can be affected by conditions in these other countries and currency fluctuations.
Currency Risk.
Currency fluctuations could negatively impact investment gains or add to investment losses.
Currency Transaction Risk.
Non-U.S. currency forward contracts, futures contracts, or other derivatives contracts on non-U.S. currencies involve a risk of loss if currency exchange rates move against the Fund. Forward contracts are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse and a default by the counterparty may result in a loss to the Fund. Governmental authorities may impose credit controls to limit the level of forward trading to the detriment of the Fund. In respect of such trading, the Fund is subject to the risk of bank failure or the inability of or refusal by a bank to perform with respect to such contracts.
Interest Rate Risk.
The Fund’s total return and share price will fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates. In general, the value of investments with interest rate risk, such as debt securities, will move in the direction opposite to movements in interest rates. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a debt security, the greater the effect a change in interest rates could have on the security’s price. Thus, the Fund’s sensitivity to interest rate risk will increase with any increase in the Fund’s
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NEUBERGER BERMAN ABSOLUTE RETURN MULTI-MANAGER FUND
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overall duration. An increase in interest rates can impact other markets as well. For example, because investors may buy derivatives with borrowed money, an increase in interest rates can cause a decline in those markets. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years.
Credit Risk.
A downgrade or default affecting any of the Fund’s securities could affect the Fund’s performance.
Lower-Rated Debt Securities Risk.
Lower-rated debt securities (commonly known as “junk bonds”) involve greater risks than investment grade debt securities. Lower-rated debt securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield than investment grade debt securities and may fall in price during times when the economy is weak or is expected to become weak. Lower-rated debt securities are considered by the major rating agencies to be predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments and carry a greater risk that the issuer of such securities will default in the timely payment of principal and interest. Issuers of securities that are in default may fail to resume principal or interest payments, in which case the Fund may lose its entire investment.
Prepayment and Extension Risk.
The Fund’s performance could be affected if borrowers pay back principal on certain debt securities, such as mortgage- or asset-backed securities, before or after the market anticipates such payments, shortening or lengthening their duration. An increase in market interest rates would likely extend the effective duration of certain debt securities, thereby magnifying the effect of the rate increase on the securities’ price.
Call Risk.
When interest rates are low, issuers will often repay the obligation underlying a “callable security” early, in which case the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield and may not benefit from any increase in value that might otherwise result from declining interest rates.
Loan Interests Risk.
Loans generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and the Fund may be unable to sell loans at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value. Loans may be difficult to value. There is a risk that the value of the collateral securing a loan may decline after the Fund invests and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed to the Fund. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, in the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral is sufficient to satisfy the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders and even then, the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed to the Fund. If the Fund acquires a participation interest in a loan, the Fund may not be able to control the exercise of any remedies that the lender would have under the loan and likely would not have any rights against the borrower directly. Loans made to finance highly leveraged corporate acquisitions may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.
Warrants and Rights Risk.
Warrants and rights do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they entitle their holder to purchase, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. As a result, warrants and rights may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a warrant or right does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities. The purchase of warrants or rights involves the risk that the Fund could lose the purchase value of a warrant or right if the right to subscribe to additional shares is not exercised prior to the warrants’ and rights’ expiration date since warrants and rights cease to have value if they are not exercised prior to their expiration date.The market for warrants and rights may be very limited and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for warrants and rights.
Trade Claims Risk.
Trade claims generally include claims of suppliers for goods delivered and not paid, claims for unpaid services rendered, claims for contract rejection damages and claims related to litigation. An investment in trade claims is very speculative and carries a high degree of risk. Trade claims are illiquid instruments which generally do not pay interest and are typically unsecured and there can be no guarantee that the debtor will ever be able to satisfy the obligation on the trade claim.
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NEUBERGER BERMAN ABSOLUTE RETURN MULTI-MANAGER FUND
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February 28, 2014, as amended April 1, 2014
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Additionally, there can be restrictions on the purchase, sale, and/or transferability of trade claims during all or part of a bankruptcy proceeding.
Distressed Securities Risk.
In certain periods, there may be little or no liquidity in the markets for distressed securities or other instruments. The prices of such securities may be subject to periods of abrupt and erratic market movements and above average price volatility and it may be more difficult to value such securities. The Fund may lose a substantial portion or all of its investment in distressed securities or it may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than the Fund’s original investment.
Risks of Collateralized Loan Obligations (“CLOs”).
CLOs issue classes or “tranches” of securities that vary in risk and yield, and may experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, decrease of market value due to collateral defaults and disappearance of subordinate tranches, market anticipation of defaults, and investor aversion to CLO securities as a class. The risks of investing in CLOs depend largely on the type of the underlying loans and the tranche of the CLO in which the Fund invests. In addition, CLOs carry risks including, but not limited to, interest rate risk, credit risk and default risk.
U.S. Government Securities Risk.
Although the Fund may hold securities that carry U.S. government guarantees, these guarantees do not extend to shares of the Fund itself and do not guarantee the market prices of the securities. Furthermore, not all securities issued by the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury.
REITs and Other Real Estate Companies Risk.
REIT and other real estate company securities are subject to, among other risks: declines in property values; defaults by mortgagors or other borrowers and tenants; increases in property taxes and other operating expenses; overbuilding; fluctuations in rental income; changes in interest rates; lack of availability of mortgage funds or financing; extended vacancies of properties; changes in tax and regulatory requirements; losses due to environmental liabilities; or casualty or condemnation losses. REITs also are dependent upon the skills of their managers and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, self-liquidation and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free “pass-through” of income under the federal tax law. REIT and other real estate company securities tend to be small- to mid-cap stocks and are subject to the risks of investing in small- to mid-cap stocks.
ETF Risk.
ETFs may trade in the secondary market at prices below the value of their underlying portfolios and may not be liquid. An actively managed ETF’s performance will reflect its adviser’s ability to make investment decisions that are suited to achieving the ETF’s investment objectives. Passively managed ETFs are subject to the risk that they may not replicate the performance of the index tracked by the ETF.
Other Investment Company Risk.
Through its investment in ETFs and other investment companies, the Fund is subject to the risks of the investment companies’ investments, as well as to the investment companies’ expenses.
Illiquid Investments Risk.
Illiquid investments may be more difficult to purchase or sell at an advantageous price or time, and there is a greater risk that the investments may not be sold for the price at which the Fund is carrying them. The Fund may receive illiquid securities as a result of its investment in certain special situations.
Restricted Securities Risk.
Restricted securities are subject to legal restrictions on their sale. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or be costly to the Fund.
High Portfolio Turnover.
Several of the strategies utilized by the Fund will likely engage in active and frequent trading and, as a result, the Fund may have a high portfolio turnover rate, which may increase the Fund’s transaction costs, may adversely affect
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NEUBERGER BERMAN ABSOLUTE RETURN MULTI-MANAGER FUND
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February 28, 2014, as amended April 1, 2014
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the Fund’s performance and/or may generate a greater amount of capital gain distributions to shareholders than if the Fund had a low portfolio turnover rate.
Risk Management.
Risk is an essential part of investing. No risk management program can eliminate the Fund’s exposure to adverse events; at best, it can only reduce the possibility that the Fund will be affected by such events, and especially those risks that are not intrinsic to the Fund’s investment program.
Redemption Risk.
The Fund may experience periods of heavy redemptions that could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value. Redemption risk is heightened during periods of declining or illiquid markets. Heavy redemptions could hurt the Fund’s performance. A general rise in interest rates, perhaps because of changing government policies, has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from mutual funds that hold large amounts of fixed income securities. Such a move, coupled with a reduction in the ability or willingness of dealers and other institutional investors to buy or hold fixed income securities, may result in decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed income markets.
Recent Market Conditions.
The financial crisis in the U.S. and many foreign economies over the past several years, including the European sovereign debt and banking crises, has resulted, and may continue to result, in an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign, and in the net asset values of many mutual funds, including to some extent the Fund. Conditions in the U.S. and many foreign economies have resulted, and may continue to result, in fixed income instruments experiencing unusual liquidity issues, increased price volatility and, in some cases, credit downgrades and increased likelihood of default. These events have reduced the willingness and ability of some lenders to extend credit, and have made it more difficult for borrowers to obtain financing on attractive terms, if at all. As a result, the values of many types of securities have been reduced. In addition, global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations. In addition, political events within the U.S. and abroad, such as the U.S. government’s recent inability to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the federal government shutdown and threats to not increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. High public debt in the U.S. and other countries creates ongoing systemic and market risks and policymaking uncertainty. Because the situation in the markets is widespread, it may be difficult to identify both risks and opportunities using past models of the interplay of market forces, or to predict the duration of these market conditions.
A decline in the Fund’s average net assets during the current fiscal year due to market volatility or other factors could cause the
Fund’s expense ratios for the current fiscal year to be higher than the expense information presented in “Fees and Expenses.”
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NEUBERGER BERMAN ABSOLUTE RETURN MULTI-MANAGER FUND
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February 28, 2014, as amended April 1, 2014
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