UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-07883
ICON Funds
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
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5299 DTC Blvd. Suite 1200 Greenwood Village, | | CO 80111 |
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(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip code) |
Erik L. Jonson 5299 DTC Blvd. Suite 1200 Greenwood Village, CO 80111
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 303-790-1600
Date of fiscal year end: September 30, 2010
Date of reporting period: September 30, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
2010 Annual Report
ICON Diversified Funds
Investment Update
ICON Core Equity Fund
ICON Equity Income Fund
ICON Long/Short Fund
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund
1-800-764-0442 ï www.iconfunds.com
AR-DIV-10 K11884
You can now sign up for electronic delivery of ICON Fund shareholder reports, including prospectuses, annual reports, semiannual reports and proxy statements.
When these materials are available, you will receive an email from ICON with instructions on how to view the documents. Statements, transaction confirmations and other documents that are not available online will continue to be sent to you by U.S. mail.
Visit ICON’s website at www.iconfunds.com to learn more and sign up.
You may change or cancel your participation in eDelivery by visiting www.iconfunds.com, or you can request a hard copy of any of the materials free of charge by calling ICON Funds at 1-800-764-0442.
1-800-764-0442 • www.iconfunds.com
Table of Contents
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About This Report (Unaudited) | | | 2 | |
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Message from ICON Funds (Unaudited) | | | 6 | |
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Management Overview (Unaudited) and Schedules of Investments | | | | |
ICON Bond Fund | | | 9 | |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | | 19 | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 26 | |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | 34 | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | 43 | |
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Financial Statements | | | 53 | |
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Financial Highlights | | | 60 | |
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Notes to Financial Statements | | | 68 | |
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | | | 87 | |
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Six Month Hypothetical Expense Example (Unaudited) | | | 88 | |
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Board of Trustees and Fund Officers (Unaudited) | | | 91 | |
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Notice to Shareholders (Unaudited) | | | 94 | |
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Other Information (Unaudited) | | | 95 | |
About This Report (unaudited)
Historical Returns
All total returns mentioned in this Report account for the change in a Fund’s per-share price and the reinvestment of any dividends, capital gain distributions and adjustments for financial statement purposes. If your account is set up to receive Fund distributions in cash rather than to reinvest them, your actual return may differ from these figures. The Funds’ performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. The Adviser may have reimbursed certain fees or expenses of some of the Funds. If not for these reimbursements, performance would have been lower. Fund results shown, unless otherwise indicated, are at net asset value. If a sales charge (maximum 5.75%) had been deducted, results would have been lower.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance results represent past performance, and current performance may be higher or lower. Please call 1-800-764-0442 or visit www.iconfunds.com for performance results current to the most recent month-end.
Portfolio Data
This Report reflects ICON’s views, opinions and portfolio holdings as of September 30, 2010, the end of the reporting period. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any sector, industry, security or the Funds.
Opinions and forecasts regarding industries, companies and/or themes, and portfolio composition and holdings are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions, and should not be construed as a recommendation of any specific security, industry or sector. Each Fund’s holdings as of September 30, 2010 are included in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments.
While ICON’s quantitative investment methodology primarily considers company-specific factors beyond financial data, various company factors may impact a stock’s performance, and therefore, Fund performance. Investments in foreign securities may entail unique risks, including political, market, and currency risks. Financial statements of foreign companies are governed by different accounting, auditing, and financial standards than U.S. companies and may be less transparent and uniform than in the United States. Many corporate governance standards, which help ensure the integrity of public information in the United States, do not exist in foreign
countries. In general, there may be less governmental supervision of foreign stock exchanges and securities brokers and issuers. The ICON system relies on the integrity of financial statements released to the market as part of our analysis.
According to ICON, value investing is an analytical, quantitative approach to investing that employs various factors, including projecting earnings growth estimates, in an effort to determine whether securities are over- or underpriced relative to ICON’s estimates of their intrinsic value. Value investing involves risks and uncertainties and does not guarantee better performance or lower costs than other investment methodologies. ICON’s value-to-price ratio is a ratio of intrinsic value, as calculated using ICON’s proprietary valuation methodology, of a broad range of domestic and international securities within ICON’s system as compared to the current market price of those securities.
This Report contains statements regarding industry or sector themes, new market themes, investment outlook, relative strength, value-to-price ratios, and investment team expectations, beliefs, goals and the like that are based on current expectations, recent individual stock performance relative to current market prices, estimates of company values and other information supplied to the market by the companies we follow. Words such as “expects,” “suggests,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “value,” “intrinsic value,” “indicates,” “believes,” “considers,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements, which are not statements of historical fact. Forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to assess. These risks and uncertainties are based on a number of important factors, including, among others: stock price fluctuations; the integrity and accuracy of historical and projected financial and other information supplied by companies to the public; interest rates; future earnings growth rates; the risks noted in this Report and other factors beyond the control of our investment team. Therefore, actual outcome may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward looking statements.
There are risks associated with mutual fund investing, including the loss of principal. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time. There is no assurance that the investment process will consistently lead to successful results.
There are risks associated with selling short, including the risk that the ICON Long/Short Fund may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short price, resulting in a loss. The ICON Long/Short Fund’s loss on a short sale is potentially unlimited as a loss occurs when the value of a security sold short
increases. Call options involve certain risks, such as limited gains and lack of liquidity in the underlying securities, and are not suitable for all investors. An investment concentrated in sectors and industries may involve greater risk and volatility than a more diversified investment. Investments in foreign securities may entail unique risks, including political, market, and currency risks.
Investing in fixed income securities such as bonds involves interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities generally decreases. The ICON Bond Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in high-yield bonds that are below investment grade. High-yield bonds involve a greater risk of default and price volatility than U.S. Government and other higher-quality bonds.
The prospectus and statement of additional information contain this and other information about the Funds and are available by visiting www.iconfunds.com or calling 1-800-764-0442. Please read the prospectus and statement of additional information carefully.
Comparative Indexes
The comparative indexes discussed in this Report are meant to provide a basis for judging a Fund’s performance against specific securities indexes. Each index shown accounts for both change in the security price and reinvestment of dividends and distributions (except as noted), but does not reflect the costs of managing a mutual fund. The Funds’ portfolios may significantly differ in holdings and composition from the index. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index.
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• | The unmanaged Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) Composite 1500 Index (“S&P Composite 1500 Index”) is a broad-based capitalization-weighted index comprising 1,500 stocks of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap U.S. companies. |
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• | The unmanaged Barclays Capital U.S. Universal Index (formerly known as the Lehman Brothers U.S. Universal Index) represents the union of the U.S. Aggregate Index, the U.S. High-Yield Corporate Index, the 144A Index, the Eurodollar Index, the Emerging Markets Index, the non-ERISA portion of the Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (“CMBS”) Index and the CMBS High-Yield Index. All securities in this market-value weighted index have at least one year remaining to maturity and meet certain minimum issue size criteria. |
Index returns and statistical data included in this Report are provided by Bloomberg, FactSet Research Systems, and Barclays Capital.
Financial Intermediary
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may influence the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Message From ICON Funds
Dear Shareholder,
Although ICON’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, I write this letter in early November, pleased to report on the continued market rally that began in 2009. Between October 31, 2009 and October 31, 2010, the S & P 1500 Composite Index, a broad measure of the U.S. stock market, gained 17.7%. From October 31, 2008 to October 31, 2010, the S & P 1500 gained 29.8%. On the international side, the MSCI AWCI (ex-U.S.) gained 52.4% over the two years ended October 31, 2010 and 13.1% over the last 12 months. These rates of return are generally above historic averages for 12- or 24-month periods.
ICON’s valuation readings during fiscal year 2010 led us to minimize cash in our funds, allowing us to participate in the general market advance. If you are receiving this letter, you own an ICON Fund and we are pleased to report that you most likely participated in the market advance along with our other shareholders.
While stock prices continued to advance last year, mutual fund investors evidently remain skeptical about the prospects for equities. Nationwide, many investors have been redeeming their equity mutual funds and moving some of the proceeds into bond funds. This periodic but significant equity sell-off has made for a choppy, volatile upward trend in the overall market. What I said a year ago in our annual shareholder letter remains true today: we see valuation readings approaching levels not seen since late 2007, and we believe these valuations will take stock prices higher. Moreover, last year I reported that between September 30 through October 10, 2008, the S & P 1500 Index dropped 22.9% in eight trading days. Could the . . . recovery be a mirror image of the . . . collapse, with an equally dramatic upside? It’s possible, but unlikely in our opinion. Instead, a path of two steps forward and one step back is more likely. There remain a lot of jittery, skeptical investors who use advances as an opportunity to exit. To move higher, the market has to absorb or “take out” their shares. While valuations may justify price levels back to those seen at the peak in 2007, the path for stock prices may be a grind.
In retrospect, and in my opinion, this two steps forward/one step back rally is exactly what happened during fiscal year 2010. Prices moved higher and jittery investors helped create a volatile setting by selling into those market advances. As we said a year ago, the market had to absorb or “take out” anxious sellers in order to move higher. We expect more of the same over the next year as we still see domestic and international stocks to be priced far below our estimate of fair value. That value gap is the reason we anticipate prices will advance, while our expectations for future volatility
6 Message From ICON Funds
are based on our belief that the remaining jittery investors will sell into the advance. We believe the sellers will look back in a few years and regret their move out of equities.
The sell-offs and volatility of fiscal year 2010 resulted in dramatic industry theme reversals. Some industries led the market higher for six to eight weeks, only to get pummeled when the market subsequently, though temporarily, retreated. This has been a difficult setting for the ICON system, which is designed to identify and capture industry themes typically lasting one to two years. We believe the choppiness that distinguished the last 12- to 24-months is the temporary consequence of investors who are looking in their rear view mirrors and seeing the declines of 2007 - 2009. As we put that setting further behind us, the volatility and choppy nature of the recent advance will subside and we expect to return to a period characterized by the one- to two-year industry themes we’ve seen in the past.
Anecdotally, it seems investors have avoided equities and missed out on gains during the last two years for a variety of reasons, though at ICON we’ve seen timorous or would-be investors express these same anxieties time and again. Some investors worry about the unemployment rate and the fact that it hasn’t declined satisfactorily for them. Others worry about the federal government’s budget deficit, without being able to explain whether or how the deficit impacts the stock market. They just don’t like deficits. Some worry about inflation and deflation at the same time. Still others believe the excess supply of housing is of paramount concern. Many would-be investors worry about the consumer’s ability and willingness to spend in the future. Finally, some believe a weak dollar and staggering gold prices justify waiting on the sidelines.
While we understand these concerns, we contend they are not reason enough to stay out of the market. Barely four months ago, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average was roughly 1500 points lower than it was at the end of October, ICON had an overall value-to-price ratio (“V/P”) for domestic and international stocks in the 1.35 range. That is an extreme V/P by historical standards and suggests to us the worries listed above are already built into the market. That’s why stock prices were inexpensive, relatively speaking. Even after the rally through late October, our U.S. V/P is 1.17 and our international V/P is 1.27, suggesting bargains may be found both domestically and internationally. Over the last two years, our valuation readings have proven to be a much better guide for us than chasing the “worry of the week.”
Message From ICON Funds 7
In summary, it appears to me that the ’two steps forward/one step back’ recovery will continue. There is an old investment saying that “Wall Street climbs a wall of worry.” At this point, our valuation readings suggest to us stock prices will chart a path to scale that wall. Thank you for climbing it with us.
Yours truly,
Craig T. Callahan, DBA
Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President of the Adviser
8 Message From ICON Funds
Class I IOBIX
Class C IOBCX
Class Z IOBZX
Class A IOBAX
Management Overview
ICON Bond Fund
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Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmark? |
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A. | For the Fund’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the ICON Bond Fund outperformed its benchmark, the Barclays Capital US Universal Index. The Fund returned 10.20% for the Class I shares, 9.52% for the Class C shares, and 10.45% for the Class Z shares, while the Barclays Capital US Universal Index returned 8.92%. |
The fund also showed strong risk adjusted performance vis-à-vis its benchmark. The Class I shares for example, outperformed with just a .81 Beta to the benchmark generating 3.65% in annualized alpha. The Class I shares also had a 2.93 1 year Sharpe Ratio and a 4.90 1 year Sortino Ratio (with the risk free rate as the minimum acceptable return) versus a 2.36 Sharpe Ratio and a 3.88 Sortino Ratio for the benchmark Barclays Capital US Universal Index.
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Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
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A. | For the second year in a row, the Fund’s exposure to corporate bonds and underweight position in what many perceive to be “risk free” Treasury bonds was the primary factor behind the Fund’s relative outperformance. Although Treasury securities across the yield curve benefitted from both the flight to quality that began in April and the Federal Reserve’s large scale purchases of Treasury bonds, riskier corporate bonds still outperformed over the fiscal year. |
The outperformance of riskier credit over the fiscal year was evident in the Barclays Capital US High Yield Index’s 18.44% return and the Barclays Capital US Aggregate Credit Corporate Investment Grade Index’s 12.27% return versus the 7.32% return for the Barclays Capital US Aggregate Government Treasury Index over the fiscal year.
The outperformance of corporate bonds over putative “risk free” Treasuries experienced a major reversal, however, and the Fund was able to capitalize on some of the strong Treasury gains that began on April 5. To illustrate this reversal on a weekly basis, the Moody’s Aaa and Baa Index began the year on October 2, 2009 with a 5.00% and 6.14% yield respectively. This compared with the 3.28% yield on the 10-year constant maturity Treasury, representing credit spreads of 172 bps (for the Aaa Index yield) and 286 bps (the Baa yield). By April 9, 2010, the Moody’s Aaa and Baa Index yields had risen only slightly to 5.38% and 6.38% respectively, while the US 10-year constant maturity Treasury yield
increased to 3.94%, thus causing the Aaa and Baa spread to tighten to 144 bps and 244 bps respectively.
Shortly after April 9, however, persistent fears of a Treasury bond bubble and inflation were replaced by fears of deflation and a double dip recession. During this flight to safety, the 10 year constant maturity Treasury yield fell 142 bps to 2.52% while the Aaa and Baa Moody’s Index failed to keep pace, falling only 86 and 80 bps respectively to close at 4.52% and 5.58% on October 1. Credit spreads as measured by the Aaa and Baa Index versus the 10-year constant to maturity US Treasury widened to near fiscal year highs of 200 and 306 bps respectively.
Despite the Fund’s reliance on six-month relative strength (reliance which perhaps inhibited the Fund’s ability to quickly capture the major reversal from riskier credit to Treasuries), the Fund began trimming low duration floating rate corporate notes and purchasing fixed coupon Treasuries by mid June. By the end of the fiscal year the Fund purchased fixed coupon Treasuries and either sold or held these securities for a final gain of approximately 4.5%, excluding coupons.
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Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
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A. | As stated above, over the entire fiscal year the Fund’s overweight position in corporate bonds affected performance and relative performance positively. Although the Fund’s significant underweight position in perceived “risk free” Treasuries benefitted the Fund’s relative performance at the outset of the fiscal year, the Fund’s Treasury position led to some relative underperformance from April 9 through September 30, (despite the Fund’s having added fixed coupon Treasuries beginning in mid-June). Although the Fund’s floating rate note exposure aided relative performance in the face of rising yields at the outset of the fiscal year, this overweight exposure negatively impacted relative performance by fiscal year-end, notwithstanding the Fund’s decision to cut floating rate exposure significantly beginning in June. To illustrate, the Barclays Capital US Floating Rate Notes Corporate Index gained just 2.44% for the fiscal year versus the other fixed rate Indices described earlier. |
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Q. | What is your investment outlook for the bond market? |
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A. | ICON’s valuation system, which is quantitatively based on comparing historical relationships across the credit curve to current relationships and incorporating a relative strength measure, continues to see both value and strength in intermediate to long-ended Treasury and corporate bonds. On the Treasury side, the yield curve remains steep despite some |
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| recent flattening. From March 1977 through October 1, 2010, for example, the month-end average spread between the US 10-year Treasury and the US 2-year Treasury is just 81 basis points. As of October 1, 2010, the spread stood at 208 basis points. This spread, accompanied by reduced inflation expectations and further Federal Reserve purchases of Treasuries, should continue to support the long-end of the yield curve in the near term. |
On the corporate side, credit spreads have widened slightly over the fiscal year, yet remain historically attractive. The Moody’s Aaa Index’s year-end 200 basis point spread over the 10-year constant maturity Treasury compares favorably to its 91 basis point weekly average spread since January 5, 1962. Similarly, the Moody’s Baa year-end spread of 306 basis points stands well above its historical weekly average of 194 basis points from the same date. We believe that further spread tightening is supported by these attractive historical spreads, continued strong demand for taxable bonds from mutual fund investors ($188 billion in new net flows year-to-date through August 2010), and limited supply as corporations continue to repair leveraged balance sheets.
ICON Bond Fund
Credit Diversification
September 30, 2010
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A1 | | | 2.8% | |
A2 | | | 6.8% | |
A3 | | | 11.1% | |
Aa2 | | | 2.3% | |
Aa3 | | | 5.0% | |
B1 | | | 2.6% | |
B3 | | | 4.4% | |
Ba1 | | | 5.4% | |
Ba2 | | | 2.2% | |
Ba3 | | | 3.6% | |
Baa1 | | | 8.6% | |
Baa2 | | | 8.6% | |
Baa3 | | | 24.3% | |
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| | | 87.7% | |
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Percentages are based upon corporate and foreign corporate bond investments as a percentage of net assets.
Ratings based on Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
ICON Bond Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gross
| | | | Net
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| | | Inception
| | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | Date | | | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | Inception | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Bond Fund - Class I | | | | 9/30/02 | | | | | | 10.20 | % | | | | | 5.81 | % | | | | | 5.45 | % | | | | | 1.09 | % | | | | | 1.00 | % | |
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Barclays Capital U.S. Universal Index | | | | | | | | | | 8.92 | % | | | | | 6.26 | % | | | | | 5.77 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
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ICON Bond Fund - Class C | | | | 10/21/02 | | | | | | 9.52 | % | | | | | 5.17 | % | | | | | 5.15 | % | | | | | 2.40 | % | | | | | 1.60 | % | |
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Barclays Capital U.S. Universal Index | | | | | | | | | | 8.92 | % | | | | | 6.26 | % | | | | | 6.07 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
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ICON Bond Fund - Class Z | | | | 5/6/04 | | | | | | 10.45 | % | | | | | 6.04 | % | | | | | 5.59 | % | | | | | 1.91 | % | | | | | 0.75 | % | |
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Barclays Capital U.S. Universal Index | | | | | | | | | | 8.92 | % | | | | | 6.26 | % | | | | | 6.09 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
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Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section. The Adviser has agreed to limit certain Fund expenses; without these limitations, returns would have been lower. The limitation provisions may be terminated in the future. Class Z shares are available only to institutional investors.
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* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
Class C total returns exclude applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included returns would be lower.
ICON Bond Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
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| | ICON Bond
| | | Barclays
| |
| | Fund
| | | U.S. Universal
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| | Class I | | | Index | |
10/01/2002 | | | 10000.00 | | | | 9975.55 | |
09/30/2003 | | | 10819.20 | | | | 10711.90 | |
09/30/2004 | | | 11404.20 | | | | 11186.30 | |
09/30/2005 | | | 11524.30 | | | | 11563.20 | |
09/29/2006 | | | 11837.50 | | | | 12035.00 | |
09/28/2007 | | | 12405.60 | | | | 12672.60 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 12222.40 | | | | 12966.80 | |
09/30/2009 | | | 13871.90 | | | | 14381.90 | |
09/30/2010 | | | 15286.30 | | | | 15664.20 | |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund’s Class I shares on the Class’ inception date of 9/30/02 to a $10,000 investment made in an unmanaged securities index on that date. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to differences in charges and expenses. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Bond Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
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| | | | Interest
| | Maturity
| | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Rate | | Date | | Value |
|
|
Corporate Bonds (87.4%) |
$ | 1,000,000 | | | Abbott Laboratories(a) | | | 4.13 | % | | | 05/27/20 | | | $ | 1,088,332 | |
| 220,000 | | | ACE INA Holdings, Inc. | | | 8.88 | % | | | 08/15/29 | | | | 309,109 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Alcoa, Inc. | | | 6.75 | % | | | 07/15/18 | | | | 1,077,623 | |
| 950,000 | | | Alcoa, Inc. | | | 5.72 | % | | | 02/23/19 | | | | 965,735 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Allied Waste North America, Inc. | | | 6.88 | % | | | 06/01/17 | | | | 1,103,750 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Ally Financial, Inc. | | | 6.88 | % | | | 09/15/11 | | | | 2,062,500 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Ally Financial, Inc. | | | 6.00 | % | | | 12/15/11 | | | | 2,042,500 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Ally Financial, Inc. | | | 6.75 | % | | | 12/01/14 | | | | 2,063,698 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Altria Group, Inc. | | | 7.75 | % | | | 02/06/14 | | | | 1,180,505 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Ameren Energy Generating Co.(a) | | | 7.00 | % | | | 04/15/18 | | | | 1,004,776 | |
| 1,440,000 | | | American Express Bank FSB(b) | | | 0.56 | % | | | 06/12/17 | | | | 1,306,549 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | American Express Credit Co. | | | 7.00 | % | | | 03/19/18 | | | | 1,204,384 | |
| 250,000 | | | American General Finance Corp.(a) | | | 5.20 | % | | | 12/15/11 | | | | 242,500 | |
| 400,000 | | | American International Group, Inc. | | | 5.38 | % | | | 10/18/11 | | | | 413,000 | |
| 900,000 | | | American International Group, Inc.(a) | | | 4.25 | % | | | 05/15/13 | | | | 929,250 | |
| 900,000 | | | American International Group, Inc. | | | 8.25 | % | | | 08/15/18 | | | | 1,048,500 | |
| 650,000 | | | Arizona Public Service Co.(a) | | | 6.38 | % | | | 10/15/11 | | | | 684,846 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Associated Banc Corp.(a) | | | 6.75 | % | | | 08/15/11 | | | | 1,019,715 | |
| 500,000 | | | AutoZone, Inc. | | | 4.38 | % | | | 06/01/13 | | | | 526,337 | |
| 800,000 | | | Avnet, Inc. | | | 6.00 | % | | | 09/01/15 | | | | 882,200 | |
| 1,250,000 | | | Bank of America Corp. | | | 5.42 | % | | | 03/15/17 | | | | 1,280,126 | |
| 950,000 | | | Bank of America NA(b) | | | 0.59 | % | | | 06/15/17 | | | | 794,386 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | BB&T Corp. | | | 5.25 | % | | | 11/01/19 | | | | 1,076,395 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Bear Sterns Cos., LLC(b) | | | 1.21 | % | | | 10/28/14 | | | | 1,006,916 | |
| 950,000 | | | Bear Sterns Cos., LLC(b) | | | 0.73 | % | | | 11/21/16 | | | | 888,522 | |
| 401,000 | | | Bill Barrett Corp.(a) | | | 9.88 | % | | | 07/15/16 | | | | 438,093 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Boston Scientific Corp. | | | 4.50 | % | | | 01/15/15 | | | | 1,022,981 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Branch Banking Trust(b) | | | 0.64 | % | | | 05/23/17 | | | | 1,786,960 | |
| 150,000 | | | CENTEX Corp. | | | 4.55 | % | | | 11/01/10 | | | | 150,000 | |
| 950,000 | | | Citigroup, Inc. | | | 6.00 | % | | | 08/15/17 | | | | 1,026,571 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Citigroup, Inc. | | | 6.13 | % | | | 05/15/18 | | | | 1,091,012 | |
| 400,000 | | | Comcast Cable Communications Holdings(a) | | | 8.88 | % | | | 05/01/17 | | | | 517,145 | |
| 500,000 | | | Comcast Cable Holdings LLC | | | 9.80 | % | | | 02/01/12 | | | | 555,152 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Commercial Metals Co. | | | 7.35 | % | | | 08/15/18 | | | | 1,083,721 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Computer Sciences Corp.(a) | | | 6.50 | % | | | 03/15/18 | | | | 1,148,186 | |
14 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Interest
| | Maturity
| | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Rate | | Date | | Value |
|
|
$ | 500,000 | | | ConocoPhillips | | | 4.75 | % | | | 02/01/14 | | | $ | 557,007 | |
| 500,000 | | | Consolidated Edison, Inc.(a) | | | 5.55 | % | | | 04/01/14 | | | | 566,629 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Constellation Energy Group, Inc. | | | 4.55 | % | | | 06/15/15 | | | | 1,073,847 | |
| 603,011 | | | Continental Airlines 2003-ERJ1 Pass Through Trust, Series RJO3 | | | 7.88 | % | | | 01/02/20 | | | | 581,906 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Coventry Health Care, Inc. | | | 5.88 | % | | | 01/15/12 | | | | 1,037,351 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Coventry Health Care, Inc. | | | 6.13 | % | | | 01/15/15 | | | | 1,047,849 | |
| 114,000 | | | Cox Communications, Inc. | | | 7.63 | % | | | 06/15/25 | | | | 147,522 | |
| 1,100,000 | | | CSX Corp. | | | 7.38 | % | | | 02/01/19 | | | | 1,380,927 | |
| 950,000 | | | CVS Caremark Corp.(a) | | | 4.75 | % | | | 05/18/20 | | | | 1,033,292 | |
| 500,000 | | | Daimler Finance North America LLC | | | 6.50 | % | | | 11/15/13 | | | | 571,913 | |
| 950,000 | | | Delphi Financial Group, Inc. | | | 7.88 | % | | | 01/31/20 | | | | 1,064,095 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Delta Air Lines, Inc., Series 011B | | | 7.71 | % | | | 09/18/11 | | | | 1,025,000 | |
| 500,000 | | | Denbury Resources, Inc.(a) | | | 9.75 | % | | | 03/01/16 | | | | 561,250 | |
| 31,000 | | | Dillard’s, Inc. | | | 9.13 | % | | | 08/01/11 | | | | 32,395 | |
| 210,000 | | | Dillard’s, Inc. | | | 7.85 | % | | | 10/01/12 | | | | 223,125 | |
| 400,000 | | | Dow Chemical Co. | | | 6.00 | % | | | 10/01/12 | | | | 433,410 | |
| 800,000 | | | Dow Chemical Co. | | | 7.60 | % | | | 05/15/14 | | | | 934,434 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Dow Chemical Co. | | | 5.70 | % | | | 05/15/18 | | | | 1,087,243 | |
| 450,000 | | | Exelon Generation Co., LLC(a) | | | 5.35 | % | | | 01/15/14 | | | | 498,990 | |
| 750,000 | | | Exelon Generation Co., LLC | | | 6.20 | % | | | 10/01/17 | | | | 879,298 | |
| 23,000 | | | FirstEnergy Corp. | | | 6.45 | % | | | 11/15/11 | | | | 24,102 | |
| 201,000 | | | Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC(a),(b) | | | 5.54 | % | | | 06/15/11 | | | | 206,025 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC | | | 7.25 | % | | | 10/25/11 | | | | 1,049,730 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC(b) | | | 3.28 | % | | | 01/13/12 | | | | 999,000 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC | | | 7.50 | % | | | 08/01/12 | | | | 1,061,559 | |
| 750,000 | | | Fortune Brands, Inc. | | | 4.88 | % | | | 12/01/13 | | | | 806,582 | |
| 500,000 | | | Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.(a) | | | 8.25 | % | | | 04/01/15 | | | | 535,000 | |
| 600,000 | | | Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. | | | 8.38 | % | | | 04/01/17 | | | | 669,750 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Frontier Communications Corp.(a) | | | 8.13 | % | | | 10/01/18 | | | | 1,092,500 | |
| 500,000 | | | General Electric Capital Corp.(a) | | | 4.75 | % | | | 09/15/14 | | | | 546,518 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | General Electric Capital Corp.(b) | | | 0.60 | % | | | 05/11/16 | | | | 920,864 | |
| 397,000 | | | Genworth Financial, Inc.(a) | | | 5.65 | % | | | 06/15/12 | | | | 414,509 | |
| 450,000 | | | Hartford Financial Services Group | | | 5.25 | % | | | 10/15/11 | | | | 466,740 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Hartford Financial Services Group | | | 6.30 | % | | | 03/15/18 | | | | 1,079,996 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | HCP, Inc.(a) | | | 5.65 | % | | | 12/15/13 | | | | 1,074,698 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | HCP, Inc.(a) | | | 6.30 | % | | | 09/15/16 | | | | 1,629,241 | |
| 500,000 | | | HCP, Inc.(a) | | | 6.70 | % | | | 01/30/18 | | | | 550,206 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Horace Mann Educators Corp. | | | 6.85 | % | | | 04/15/16 | | | | 1,053,172 | |
| 500,000 | | | HSBC Finance Corp.(a) | | | 4.75 | % | | | 07/15/13 | | | | 532,497 | |
| 900,000 | | | HSBC Finance Corp.(b) | | | 3.44 | % | | | 11/10/13 | | | | 898,524 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | HSBC Finance Corp.(a) | | | 5.00 | % | | | 06/30/15 | | | | 1,089,051 | |
Schedule of Investments 15
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Interest
| | Maturity
| | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Rate | | Date | | Value |
|
|
$ | 1,000,000 | | | Humana, Inc. | | | 7.20 | % | | | 06/15/18 | | | $ | 1,157,661 | |
| 900,000 | | | Ingersoll-Rand Global Holding Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 9.50 | % | | | 04/15/14 | | | | 1,113,601 | |
| 900,000 | | | International Paper Co. | | | 7.95 | % | | | 06/15/18 | | | | 1,091,474 | |
| 450,000 | | | John Hancock(c) | | | 7.38 | % | | | 02/15/24 | | | | 539,130 | |
| 850,000 | | | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 6.63 | % | | | 03/15/12 | | | | 914,192 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | JPMorgan Chase Bank NA(b) | | | 0.62 | % | | | 06/13/16 | | | | 947,356 | |
| 1,100,000 | | | Kraft Foods, Inc. | | | 6.13 | % | | | 08/23/18 | | | | 1,299,901 | |
| 950,000 | | | L-3 Communications Corp. | | | 4.75 | % | | | 07/15/20 | | | | 996,387 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Lincoln National Corp. | | | 7.00 | % | | | 03/15/18 | | | | 1,155,610 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Lincoln National Corp.(a) | | | 8.75 | % | | | 07/01/19 | | | | 1,286,361 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | McDonald’s Corp. | | | 3.50 | % | | | 07/15/20 | | | | 1,027,540 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Medco Health Solutions, Inc. | | | 4.13 | % | | | 09/15/20 | | | | 1,012,603 | |
| 1,350,000 | | | Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | | | 5.45 | % | | | 02/05/13 | | | | 1,449,819 | |
| 1,100,000 | | | Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | | | 3.10 | % | | | 05/05/14 | | | | 1,076,526 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Morgan Stanley(a) | | | 4.75 | % | | | 04/01/14 | | | | 1,566,552 | |
| 900,000 | | | Morgan Stanley(b) | | | 1.01 | % | | | 10/15/15 | | | | 825,493 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | National City Bank(b) | | | 0.66 | % | | | 06/07/17 | | | | 897,680 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | National City Corp. | | | 6.88 | % | | | 05/15/19 | | | | 1,173,020 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. | | | 4.70 | % | | | 08/15/20 | | | | 1,046,968 | |
| 500,000 | | | Newfield Exploration Co. | | | 7.13 | % | | | 05/15/18 | | | | 533,750 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Newmont Mining Corp.(a) | | | 5.13 | % | | | 10/01/19 | | | | 1,118,666 | |
| 122,000 | | | NLV Financial Corp.(c) | | | 6.50 | % | | | 03/15/35 | | | | 102,616 | |
| 900,000 | | | Nordstrom, Inc. | | | 6.75 | % | | | 06/01/14 | | | | 1,055,206 | |
| 500,000 | | | NRG Energy, Inc.(a) | | | 7.38 | % | | | 02/01/16 | | | | 514,375 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | NRG Energy, Inc. | | | 7.38 | % | | | 01/15/17 | | | | 1,025,000 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | PNC Funding Corp.(b) | | | 0.68 | % | | | 01/31/14 | | | | 978,984 | |
| 750,000 | | | PPL Energy Supply LLC | | | 6.50 | % | | | 05/01/18 | | | | 867,873 | |
| 180,000 | | | Provident Cos., Inc. | | | 7.00 | % | | | 07/15/18 | | | | 197,034 | |
| 100,000 | | | Prudential Financial, Inc. | | | 4.75 | % | | | 09/17/15 | | | | 108,147 | |
| 1,050,000 | | | Prudential Financial, Inc. | | | 6.10 | % | | | 06/15/17 | | | | 1,176,365 | |
| 225,000 | | | PSEG Energy Holdings LLC | | | 8.50 | % | | | 06/15/11 | | | | 229,872 | |
| 750,000 | | | RadioShack Corp. | | | 7.38 | % | | | 05/15/11 | | | | 776,250 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Regions Financial Corp.(a) | | | 6.38 | % | | | 05/15/12 | | | | 2,049,796 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | | | 6.20 | % | | | 11/15/16 | | | | 1,061,543 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Reynolds American, Inc. | | | 7.25 | % | | | 06/01/12 | | | | 1,081,383 | |
| 900,000 | | | Reynolds American, Inc. | | | 7.25 | % | | | 06/01/13 | | | | 1,011,010 | |
| 800,000 | | | Rohm and Haas Co.(a) | | | 5.60 | % | | | 03/15/13 | | | | 861,920 | |
| 500,000 | | | Rohm and Haas Co. | | | 6.00 | % | | | 09/15/17 | | | | 558,228 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Rowan Cos., Inc.(a) | | | 7.88 | % | | | 08/01/19 | | | | 1,193,503 | |
| 500,000 | | | RR Donnelley & Sons Co. | | | 4.95 | % | | | 04/01/14 | | | | 518,760 | |
| 600,000 | | | Ryder System, Inc.(a) | | | 5.00 | % | | | 04/01/11 | | | | 610,396 | |
16 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Interest
| | Maturity
| | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Rate | | Date | | Value |
|
|
$ | 500,000 | | | Ryder System, Inc. | | | 5.85 | % | | | 03/01/14 | | | $ | 547,144 | |
| 750,000 | | | SLM Corp. | | | 5.13 | % | | | 08/27/12 | | | | 758,196 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | SLM Corp.(a) | | | 5.38 | % | | | 01/15/13 | | | | 1,008,154 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Sovereign Bank(b) | | | 2.18 | % | | | 08/01/13 | | | | 968,400 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | State Street Bank & Trust(b) | | | 0.49 | % | | | 12/08/15 | | | | 958,078 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Suntrust Banks, Inc.(b) | | | 0.83 | % | | | 04/01/15 | | | | 915,099 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Suntrust Banks, Inc.(a) | | | 6.00 | % | | | 09/11/17 | | | | 1,083,072 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Target Corp. | | | 3.88 | % | | | 07/15/20 | | | | 1,052,815 | |
| 500,000 | | | Tennessee Gas Pipeline | | | 7.00 | % | | | 10/15/28 | | | | 546,594 | |
| 500,000 | | | Tesoro Corp. | | | 6.63 | % | | | 11/01/15 | | | | 501,250 | |
| 1,100,000 | | | The AES Corp. | | | 7.75 | % | | | 10/15/15 | | | | 1,177,000 | |
| 600,000 | | | The Black & Decker Corp. | | | 8.95 | % | | | 04/15/14 | | | | 739,557 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.(b) | | | 0.74 | % | | | 03/22/16 | | | | 924,525 | |
| 95,000 | | | Time Warner Cable, Inc.(a) | | | 5.00 | % | | | 02/01/20 | | | | 101,738 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | Torchmark Corp. | | | 6.38 | % | | | 06/15/16 | | | | 2,261,568 | |
| 1,900,000 | | | UBS AG | | | 5.88 | % | | | 12/20/17 | | | | 2,149,820 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Union Planters Corp.(a) | | | 4.38 | % | | | 12/01/10 | | | | 1,004,062 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | United States Steel Corp. | | | 6.05 | % | | | 06/01/17 | | | | 991,250 | |
| 1,660,000 | | | Valero Energy Corp. | | | 6.13 | % | | | 06/15/17 | | | | 1,835,610 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Wachovia Corp.(a) | | | 5.25 | % | | | 08/01/14 | | | | 1,630,455 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.(a) | | | 3.63 | % | | | 07/08/20 | | | | 1,045,256 | |
| 900,000 | | | Wells Fargo Bank NA(b) | | | 0.59 | % | | | 05/16/16 | | | | 829,078 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Whirlpool Corp. | | | 7.75 | % | | | 07/15/16 | | | | 1,222,915 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Whiting Petroleum Corp. | | | 7.00 | % | | | 02/01/14 | | | | 1,055,000 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Williams Partners L.P.(a) | | | 5.25 | % | | | 03/15/20 | | | | 1,087,075 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Willis Group Holdings PLC | | | 6.20 | % | | | 03/28/17 | | | | 1,065,574 | |
| 100,000 | | | Xerox Corp. | | | 5.65 | % | | | 05/15/13 | | | | 109,539 | |
| 500,000 | | | Xerox Corp. | | | 7.63 | % | | | 06/15/13 | | | | 506,355 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $123,291,463) | | | 132,743,452 | |
Schedule of Investments 17
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Interest
| | Maturity
| | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Rate | | Date | | Value |
|
|
U.S. Government Bond (0.6%) |
$ | 825,000 | | | Fannie Mae | | | 5.13 | % | | | 01/02/14 | | | $ | 915,078 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total U.S. Government Bonds (Cost $812,190) | | | 915,078 | |
U.S. Treasury Obligations (9.0%) |
| 2,000,000 | | | U.S. Treasury Bond | | | 3.50 | % | | | 02/15/39 | | | | 1,935,000 | |
| 1,000,000 | | | U.S. Treasury Bond | | | 4.63 | % | | | 02/15/40 | | | | 1,168,438 | |
| 3,000,000 | | | U.S. Treasury Note | | | 2.38 | % | | | 07/31/17 | | | | 3,097,500 | |
| 2,000,000 | | | U.S. Treasury Note | | | 1.88 | % | | | 08/31/17 | | | | 1,998,282 | |
| 5,000,000 | | | U.S. Treasury Note | | | 3.63 | % | | | 02/15/20 | | | | 5,483,985 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $13,159,022) | | | 13,683,205 | |
Foreign Corporate Bonds (0.3%) |
| 500,000 | | | BP Capital Markets PLC(a) | | | 1.55 | % | | | 08/11/11 | | | $ | 501,370 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Foreign Corporate Bonds (Cost $493,373) | | | 501,370 | |
Foreign Government Bond (0.4%) |
| 500,000 | | | Republic of South Africa, YD | | | 6.50 | % | | | 06/02/14 | | | | 568,750 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Foreign Government Bonds (Cost $511,444) | | | 568,750 | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan (11.3%) |
| 17,142,522 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | | | | | | | | | | 17,142,522 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $17,142,522) | | | 17,142,522 | |
Short-Term Investments (1.1%) |
| 1,594,424 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | | | | | | | | | 1,594,424 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $1,594,424) | | | 1,594,424 | |
Total Investments 110.1% (Cost $157,004,438) | | | 167,148,801 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (10.1)% | | | (15,277,990 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 151,870,811 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
(b) | | Floating Rate Security. Rate disclosed is as of September 30, 2010. |
|
(c) | | Security was acquired pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933 and may be deemed to be restricted for resale. These securities are considered to be illiquid. The aggregate value of these securities at September 30, 2010 was $641,746, which represented 0.42% of the Fund’s Net Assets. |
|
YD | | Yankee Dollar Bond |
18 Schedule of Investments
Class I ICNIX
Class C ICNCX
Class Z ICNZX
Class A ICNAX
Management Overview
ICON Core Equity Fund
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmarks? |
| |
A. | The ICON Core Equity Fund gained 1.70% for the Class I shares, 0.84% for the Class C shares, 1.10% for the Class Z shares, and 0.22% for the Class A shares (-5.51% with maximum sales charge) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010. The Fund’s benchmark, S&P Composite 1500 Index, gained 10.92% over the fiscal year. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | In spite of fiscal year 2010 beginning on the heels of an approximate 60% rally, the stock market was able to post a strong year as the combination of an economic recovery and Federal Reserve based stimulus lifted broad based indexes into positive territory. Although the end of year return was positive, the market charted a volatile path while economic uncertainty remained a persistent theme during the entire period. We believe the U.S. economy experienced two distinct phases during this fiscal year. The first part of the year saw strength in the manufacturing sector of the economy as companies continued the inventory rebuilding process that historically leads an economic recovery. This brought on two strong quarters of GDP growth and positive equity returns as the S&P 1500 rose over 12%. Historically, periods of inventory rebuilding and manufacturing growth are typically followed by the emergence of the consumer as the economic recovery takes hold. Housing declines, consumer deleveraging, and persistent levels of high unemployment stalled this recovery, however, and the second half of the year presented a significant decline in GDP growth. Fortunately, the Federal Reserve reacted aggressively to this slowdown in economic activity and we ended the fiscal year with the strongest September for equities since 1939. |
Our analysis suggests the equity markets themselves experienced five distinct phases during the fiscal year. The year began with a strong 9% rally in just over three months as economic prospects showed continued promise both domestically and overseas. This initial move was quickly reversed during the month of January as concerns over bank regulation and an economic slowdown in China resulted in an 8% sell-off in just over three weeks. Going into the early part of February 2010 we estimated a value-to-price (“V/P”) ratio of 1.18 for the overall market - the highest reading we had seen in over seven months. As economic fears subsided, investors took advantage of these inexpensive valuations and pushed the market higher as the S&P 1500 Index rose over 16% in just over two
months. However, highlighting again the lack of conviction within the market, the S&P 1500 Index tumbled over 15% from the end of April to the beginning of July 2010. This time period also included the infamous “flash crash,” as concerns about the solvency of many European countries sent an already shaky market into a computerized driven tail-spin. As mentioned above, in response to debt-driven concerns and a slowing economic recovery, many global central banks stepped in to provide an economic backstop. Specifically, the European Union established a massive $1 trillion bailout plan, while the US Federal Reserve pledged to keep rates historically low for “an extended period” of time, driving interest rates on the 10-year treasury well below 3%. These actions provided investors with the confidence they evidently needed to jump back in the equity markets and the S&P 1500 Index rallied by over 11% to finish the fiscal year on a positive note.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | The top sector contributors to the Fund’s performance during fiscal year 2010 were Industrials, Materials, and Consumer Discretionary. Overweight positions and strong stock performance in these cyclically driven areas contributed positively during the time period. The top industry contributors to performance during fiscal year 2010 were railroads, construction & farm machinery & heavy trucks, computer hardware, gold, and IT consulting & other services. |
Top sector detractors to the Fund’s performance during fiscal year 2010 were Financials, Energy, and Health Care. While all three sectors detracted from overall performance during the year, our underweight positions relative to the S&P 1500 Index dampened the overall effect to the Fund. Top industry detractors from performance included the other diversified financial services, steel, communications equipment, drug retail, and education services.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the overall market? |
| |
A. | At the close of the fiscal year, we estimated the overall market had a V/P of 1.26, which gives us confidence about the prospect for future opportunities. Questions regarding the economy linger, however, and the next 12 months present a challenging investing environment. Domestic GDP expectations have been cut to 2.7% for 2010 and 2.5% for 2011, the manufacturing segment of the economy is beginning to show signs of fatigue, and persistent levels of high unemployment are bringing into question the sustainability of the economic recovery. On the other hand, many domestic companies have used the downturn to establish strong balance sheets and to position themselves to grow in spite of the |
| |
| economic slowdown. Fortunately, we believe these qualities will contribute to an environment in which company-specific fundamentals and underlying valuations will drive future stock market activity. Going forward, we will continue to utilize our disciplined systematic approach to investing in order to better navigate these challenging times. |
ICON Core Equity Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Industrials | | | 26.3% | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 17.1% | |
Financial | | | 15.8% | |
Information Technology | | | 15.7% | |
Materials | | | 12.8% | |
Energy | | | 9.7% | |
Telecommunication & Utilities | | | 2.6% | |
| | | | |
| | | 100.0% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Core Equity Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Computer Hardware | | | 5.8% | |
Industrial Conglomerates | | | 5.6% | |
Integrated Oil & Gas | | | 5.1% | |
Life & Health Insurance | | | 5.0% | |
Diversified Metals & Mining | | | 4.5% | |
Other Diversified Financial Services | | | 4.1% | |
Industrial Machinery | | | 3.6% | |
Electrical Components & Equipment | | | 3.4% | |
Steel | | | 3.3% | |
Coal & Consumable Fuels | | | 3.1% | |
Aerospace & Defense | | | 3.1% | |
Movies & Entertainment | | | 3.1% | |
Systems Software | | | 2.9% | |
Diversified Banks | | | 2.8% | |
General Merchandise Stores | | | 2.8% | |
Cable & Satellite | | | 2.7% | |
Air Freight & Logistics | | | 2.7% | |
Airlines | | | 2.6% | |
Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks | | | 2.4% | |
Data Processing & Outsourced Services | | | 2.3% | |
Railroads | | | 2.3% | |
Advertising | | | 2.3% | |
Gold | | | 2.2% | |
Apparel Retail | | | 2.1% | |
Communications Equipment | | | 2.0% | |
Property & Casualty Insurance | | | 2.0% | |
Diversified Chemicals | | | 2.0% | |
Computer & Electronics Retail | | | 1.6% | |
Integrated Telecommunication Services | | | 1.6% | |
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing | | | 1.5% | |
Consumer Finance | | | 1.4% | |
Restaurants | | | 1.1% | |
Technology Distributors | | | 1.0% | |
Electric Utilities | | | 1.0% | |
Other Industries (each less than 1%) | | | 5.0% | |
| | | | |
| | | 100.0% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Core Equity Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | Inception
| | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | Date | | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | Inception | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Core Equity Fund - Class I | | | 10/12/00 | | | | 1.70 | % | | | | | -5.77 | % | | | | | 1.41 | % | | | | | 1.37 | % | | | | | 1.37 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 1.02 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Core Equity Fund - Class C | | | 11/28/00 | | | | 0.84 | % | | | | | -6.55 | % | | | | | 0.01 | % | | | | | 2.25 | % | | | | | 2.25 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 0.96 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Core Equity Fund - Class Z | | | 5/6/04 | | | | 1.10 | % | | | | | -5.88 | % | | | | | -1.21 | % | | | | | 1.45 | % | | | | | 1.45 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 2.88 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Core Equity Fund - Class A | | | 5/31/06 | | | | 0.22 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -9.41 | % | | | | | 2.43 | % | | | | | 2.43 | % | |
|
|
ICON Core Equity Fund - Class A (including maximum sales charge of 5.75%) | | | 5/31/06 | | | | -5.51 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -10.63 | % | | | | | 2.43 | % | | | | | 2.43 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -0.09 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section. The Since Inception performance results for Class C shares include returns for certain time periods that were restarted as of June 8, 2004. Class Z shares are available only to institutional investors.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
Class C total returns exclude applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included returns would be lower.
ICON Core Equity Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
as of September 30, 2010
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund’s Class I shares on the Class’ inception date of 10/12/00 to a $10,000 investment made in an unmanaged securities index on that date. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to differences in charges and expenses. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Core Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (100.0%) |
| 22,100 | | | Accenture PLC, Class A(a) | | $ | 939,029 | |
| 53,700 | | | Aflac, Inc.(a) | | | 2,776,827 | |
| 12,900 | | | Alliant Techsystems, Inc.†(a) | | | 972,660 | |
| 39,100 | | | Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.†(a) | | | 1,608,965 | |
| 7,900 | | | Apple, Inc.† | | | 2,241,625 | |
| 45,500 | | | Arbitron, Inc.(a) | | | 1,272,635 | |
| 55,200 | | | AT&T, Inc. | | | 1,578,720 | |
| 38,500 | | | Avnet, Inc.† | | | 1,039,885 | |
| 144,100 | | | Bank of America Corp. | | | 1,889,151 | |
| 23,100 | | | Barrick Gold Corp. | | | 1,069,299 | |
| 23,200 | | | Best Buy Co., Inc.(a) | | | 947,256 | |
| 15,800 | | | Cash America International, Inc.(a) | | | 553,000 | |
| 31,000 | | | Caterpillar, Inc.(a) | | | 2,439,080 | |
| 27,100 | | | Chevron Corp. | | | 2,196,455 | |
| 64,400 | | | Cisco Systems, Inc.† | | | 1,410,360 | |
| 28,500 | | | ConocoPhillips | | | 1,636,755 | |
| 64,100 | | | Continental Airlines, Inc., Class B†(a) | | | 1,592,244 | |
| 31,800 | | | Cooper Industries PLC | | | 1,555,974 | |
| 20,600 | | | CSX Corp. | | | 1,139,592 | |
| 83,800 | | | Delta Air Lines, Inc.†(a) | | | 975,432 | |
| 38,300 | | | DISH Network Corp., Class A(a) | | | 733,828 | |
| 42,100 | �� | | Dollar Financial Corp.†(a) | | | 878,627 | |
| 35,100 | | | Dow Chemical Co.(a) | | | 963,846 | |
| 39,000 | | | DPL, Inc.(a) | | | 1,019,070 | |
| 13,800 | | | Eaton Corp. | | | 1,138,362 | |
| 5,900 | | | Emerson Electric Co.(a) | | | 310,694 | |
| 20,600 | | | Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | 1,272,874 | |
| 18,700 | | | Family Dollar Stores, Inc.(a) | | | 825,792 | |
| 19,400 | | | FedEx Corp. | | | 1,658,700 | |
| 14,800 | | | FMC Corp.(a) | | | 1,012,468 | |
| 28,700 | | | Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.(a) | | | 2,450,693 | |
| 32,300 | | | GameStop Corp., Class A†(a) | | | 636,633 | |
| 15,400 | | | General Dynamics Corp. | | | 967,274 | |
| 164,600 | | | General Electric Co. | | | 2,674,750 | |
| 27,800 | | | Guess?, Inc.(a) | | | 1,129,514 | |
| 16,100 | | | Harsco Corp.(a) | | | 395,738 | |
| 21,000 | | | Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.(a) | | | 481,950 | |
| 44,300 | | | Hewlett-Packard Co. | | | 1,863,701 | |
| 26,400 | | | Honeywell International, Inc. | | | 1,160,016 | |
| 31,000 | | | Illinois Tool Works, Inc.(a) | | | 1,457,620 | |
| 38,100 | | | Intel Corp. | | | 732,663 | |
| 12,500 | | | International Business Machines Corp. | | | 1,676,750 | |
| 59,300 | | | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 2,257,551 | |
| 48,900 | | | Massey Energy Co.(a) | | | 1,516,878 | |
24 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 5,300 | | | Mastercard, Inc., Class A | | $ | 1,187,200 | |
| 14,300 | | | McDonald’s Corp.(a) | | | 1,065,493 | |
| 116,900 | | | Microsoft Corp. | | | 2,862,881 | |
| 99,400 | | | Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 583,478 | |
| 17,700 | | | Newmont Mining Corp. | | | 1,111,737 | |
| 5,000 | | | Nike, Inc., Class B(a) | | | 400,700 | |
| 36,900 | | | Nucor Corp.(a) | | | 1,409,580 | |
| 25,300 | | | Omnicom Group, Inc. | | | 998,844 | |
| 8,300 | | | Parker Hannifin Corp. | | | 581,498 | |
| 40,400 | | | Prudential Financial, Inc. | | | 2,188,872 | |
| 12,600 | | | Research In Motion, Ltd.†(a) | | | 613,494 | |
| 40,700 | | | RPM International, Inc.(a) | | | 810,744 | |
| 10,400 | | | Siemens AG, ADR | | | 1,096,160 | |
| 137,900 | | | Steel Dynamics, Inc.(a) | | | 1,945,769 | |
| 36,800 | | | Target Corp. | | | 1,966,592 | |
| 63,600 | | | The Allstate Corp. | | | 2,006,580 | |
| 30,100 | | | The Walt Disney Co. | | | 996,611 | |
| 38,500 | | | Thomas & Betts Corp.† | | | 1,579,270 | |
| 37,300 | | | Time Warner Cable, Inc.(a) | | | 2,013,827 | |
| 32,500 | | | Time Warner, Inc. | | | 996,125 | |
| 22,800 | | | TJX Cos., Inc.(a) | | | 1,017,564 | |
| 50,700 | | | Tyco International, Ltd. | | | 1,862,211 | |
| 46,000 | | | U.S. Bancorp(a) | | | 994,520 | |
| 14,500 | | | Union Pacific Corp. | | | 1,186,100 | |
| 15,700 | | | United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B(a) | | | 1,047,033 | |
| 7,200 | | | V.F. Corp.(a) | | | 583,344 | |
| 84,500 | | | Valero Energy Corp.(a) | | | 1,479,595 | |
| 30,200 | | | Viacom, Inc., Class B | | | 1,092,938 | |
| 15,400 | | | Visa, Inc., Class A | | | 1,143,604 | |
| 25,300 | | | Walter Energy, Inc.(a) | | | 2,056,637 | |
| 73,800 | | | Wells Fargo & Co. | | | 1,854,594 | |
| 18,500 | | | Wolverine World Wide, Inc.(a) | | | 536,685 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $95,114,772) | | | 100,321,216 | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan (28.8%) |
| 28,922,701 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | | 28,922,701 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $28,922,701) | | | 28,922,701 | |
Total Investments 128.8% (Cost $124,037,473) | | | 129,243,917 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (28.8)% | | | (28,933,038 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 100,310,879 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
Schedule of Investments 25
Class I IOEIX
Class C IOECX
Class Z IOEZX
Class A IEQAX
Management Overview
ICON Equity Income Fund
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmark? |
| |
A. | The ICON Equity Income Fund, Class I, returned 10.93% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, just slightly outperforming the Fund’s benchmark, the S&P Composite 1500 Index, which returned 10.92% during the same period. Class A shares of the Fund returned 10.84% (and 4.50% with maximum sales charge) during the same period. Class C shares of the Fund returned 9.99% for the fiscal year and the Class Z shares returned 11.04%. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | While the Equity Income Fund’s returns were almost identical to those of its benchmark, the S&P 1500 Composite Index, the Fund and the Index achieved their returns differently. As the yield from US Treasuries fell over the last half of the fiscal year, investors sought yield-generating alternatives. During fiscal year 2010, the 10-year Treasury yield fell to a low of 2.5%; it had been as high as 4% in early April. In response, investors flocked to high yield bonds, preferred stocks or high dividend yielding stocks. Over the course of the 12-month period, stocks that paid a dividend yield of 1.5% or more returned a weighted average of 13.4% in the S&P 1500 while stocks that paid under 1.5% returned 8.1%. The ICON Equity Income Fund was overweight stocks that paid a dividend yield of 1.5% and higher. In fact, these stocks had a weighted average of nearly 99% based on the equity portion in the Fund during this time period. The S&P 1500, by contrast, had a weighted average of roughly 54% in stocks that paid a dividend yield of 1.5% and higher. |
The Fund’s gains in high dividend paying stocks were offset by the Fund’s exposure to fixed income securities. While bonds in general had a strong year, they nonetheless lagged equities. The Barclay’s Capital Universal Index lagged high yielding equities, rising 8.9% compared to the 13.4% weighted average return for stocks yielding 1.5% or better. On December 21, 2009, the Fund held close to 21% in fixed income securities, including convertible bonds, preferred securities and Treasuries. By fiscal year end we trimmed this position to slightly less than 11% as equities became more attractive under our system. Still, our bond holdings ultimately proved to be a drag on the Fund’s overall performance relative to the S&P 1500.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | As previously stated, the Fund’s overweighting in stocks that yielded 1.5% or more during the period positively impacted performance. The Fund benefitted also from an overweighting in the Materials sector. Materials industries made up approximately 9.5% of the Fund’s equity component, while making up only 3.76% of the Index. The diversified chemicals industry alone made up 4% of the equity portion of the Fund. The average weighted return of the Fund’s diversified chemicals stocks was 36% while those in the Index had an average weighted return of 27%. |
Industries within the Energy sector similarly added to the Fund’s equity performance. The Fund’s coal & consumable fuels industry holdings, for example, returned 38%, outpacing the 10% return the industry generated for the S&P 1500 and contributing approximately 0.75% to the Fund’s equity outperformance. While the Fund was slightly underweight the Energy sector relative to its benchmark, the Energy industries held by the Fund, as well as the stock selected to represent those industries, added another 1% of outperformance compared to the equities held by the S&P 1500.
Conversely, the Fund’s life & health insurance positions and the Fund’s use of call options proved to be a lag on performance. In fiscal year 2010, the Equity Income Fund took advantage of a number of different options strategies, including the purchase of defensive puts and the purchase of stock-specific calls in an effort to create synthetic convertible bonds. The Equity Income Fund also held various index and ETF puts during the fiscal year. The Fund implemented these options strategies in an attempt to offset possible losses should the market steadily decline. Instead, the market rallied 12.34% off the July 2, 2010 low and while the put options ultimately proved to be a drag on performance in this environment, the Fund was nonetheless able to capture 82% of the market’s upside, rising 10% overall.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the market? |
| |
A. | As the fiscal year ends, we measure fair value for the broad equity market to be approximately 26% higher than where prices are currently trading, suggesting many opportunities exist for investors in today’s market. We believe also that investors will seek out high dividend securities in the near term as they look to generate income. Guided by our valuation and relative strength metrics, we will continue to try to take advantage of changing market conditions so as to benefit the Fund. |
ICON Equity Income Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Financial | | | 17.0% | |
Telecommunication & Utilities | | | 13.1% | |
Industrials | | | 11.0% | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 11.0% | |
Materials | | | 9.4% | |
Energy | | | 8.9% | |
Information Technology | | | 6.3% | |
Leisure and Consumer Staples | | | 6.3% | |
Health Care | | | 4.3% | |
| | | | |
| | | 87.3% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Equity Income Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Integrated Telecommunication Services | | | 4.9% | |
Mortgage REIT’s | | | 4.7% | |
Integrated Oil & Gas | | | 4.5% | |
Diversified Chemicals | | | 4.5% | |
Pharmaceuticals | | | 3.9% | |
Multi-Utilities | | | 3.0% | |
Restaurants | | | 2.9% | |
Electric Utilities | | | 2.6% | |
Coal & Consumable Fuels | | | 2.6% | |
Semiconductors | | | 2.5% | |
Tobacco | | | 2.5% | |
Industrial Machinery | | | 2.4% | |
Diversified Banks | | | 2.3% | |
Asset Management & Custody Banks | | | 2.1% | |
Packaged Foods & Meats | | | 2.0% | |
Gas Utilities | | | 2.0% | |
Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation | | | 1.8% | |
Life & Health Insurance | | | 1.8% | |
Insurance Brokers | | | 1.7% | |
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance | | | 1.6% | |
Paper Packaging | | | 1.5% | |
Aerospace & Defense | | | 1.5% | |
Trading Companies & Distributors | | | 1.4% | |
Property & Casualty Insurance | | | 1.3% | |
Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks | | | 1.3% | |
Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods | | | 1.3% | |
Marine | | | 1.3% | |
Data Processing & Outsourced Services | | | 1.2% | |
Cable & Satellite | | | 1.1% | |
Air Freight & Logistics | | | 1.1% | |
Industrial Conglomerates | | | 1.0% | |
Electrical Components & Equipment | | | 1.0% | |
Industrial Gases | | | 1.0% | |
Diversified Metals & Mining | | | 1.0% | |
Distributors | | | 1.0% | |
Household Products | | | 1.0% | |
Computer Hardware | | | 1.0% | |
Other Industries (each less than 1%) | | | 11.0% | |
| | | | |
| | | 87.3% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Equity Income Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | Inception
| | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | Date | | | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | Inception | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Equity Income Fund - Class I | | | | 9/30/02 | | | | | | 10.93 | % | | | | | 0.21 | % | | | | | 6.86 | % | | | | | 1.40 | % | | | | | 1.40 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 6.83 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Equity Income Fund - Class C | | | | 11/8/02 | | | | | | 9.99 | % | | | | | -0.70 | % | | | | | 5.19 | % | | | | | 2.69 | % | | | | | 2.21 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 5.73 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Equity Income Fund - Class Z | | | | 5/10/04 | | | | | | 11.04 | % | | | | | 0.29 | % | | | | | 3.40 | % | | | | | 8.73 | % | | | | | 1.21 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 3.31 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Equity Income Fund - Class A | | | | 5/31/06 | | | | | | 10.84 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -0.72 | % | | | | | 5.68 | % | | | | | 1.46 | % | |
|
|
ICON Equity Income Fund - Class A (including maximum sales charge of 5.75%) | | | | 5/31/06 | | | | | | 4.50 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -2.07 | % | | | | | 5.68 | % | | | | | 1.46 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -0.09 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section. The Adviser has agreed to limit certain Fund expenses; without these limitations, returns would have been lower. The limitation provisions may be terminated in the future. Class Z shares are available only to institutional investors.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
Class C total returns exclude applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included returns would be lower.
ICON Equity Income Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
as of September 30, 2010
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund’s Class I shares on the Class’ inception date of 9/30/02 to a $10,000 investment made in an unmanaged securities index on that date. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to differences in charges and expenses. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Equity Income Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (87.3%) |
| 14,600 | | | Aflac, Inc. | | $ | 754,966 | |
| 5,300 | | | Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.(a) | | | 438,946 | |
| 13,300 | | | Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. | | | 775,922 | |
| 8,600 | | | Altria Group, Inc.(a) | | | 206,572 | |
| 22,600 | | | American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. | | | 338,096 | |
| 7,300 | | | American Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | 264,479 | |
| 58,700 | | | Annaly Capital Management, Inc., REIT(a) | | | 1,033,120 | |
| 53,600 | | | Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp., REIT | | | 382,168 | |
| 86,700 | | | Apollo Investment Corp.(a) | | | 886,941 | |
| 12,700 | | | Arch Coal, Inc.(a) | | | 339,217 | |
| 15,200 | | | Arthur J Gallagher & Co.(a) | | | 400,824 | |
| 30,900 | | | AT&T, Inc. | | | 883,740 | |
| 12,700 | | | Automatic Data Processing, Inc.(a) | | | 533,781 | |
| 1,800 | | | Banco de Chile, ADR(a) | | | 161,748 | |
| 34,200 | | | Banco Santander S.A., ADR(a) | | | 432,972 | |
| 7,000 | | | Bank of Montreal | | | 404,250 | |
| 11,800 | | | BCE, Inc. | | | 383,500 | |
| 11,200 | | | Bemis Co., Inc.(a) | | | 355,600 | |
| 49,200 | | | BGC Partners, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 293,724 | |
| 11,000 | | | Brinker International, Inc.(a) | | | 207,460 | |
| 27,600 | | | Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(a) | | | 748,236 | |
| 7,300 | | | Caterpillar, Inc.(a) | | | 574,364 | |
| 7,100 | | | Chevron Corp. | | | 575,455 | |
| 4,700 | | | Chubb Corp. | | | 267,853 | |
| 10,900 | | | ConocoPhillips | | | 625,987 | |
| 7,100 | | | Darden Restaurants, Inc. | | | 303,738 | |
| 13,300 | | | Diebold, Inc.(a) | | | 413,497 | |
| 33,500 | | | Dime Community Bancshares(a) | | | 463,975 | |
| 8,800 | | | Dominion Resources, Inc. of Virginia(a) | | | 384,208 | |
| 16,200 | | | E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.(a) | | | 722,844 | |
| 9,000 | | | Eastman Chemical Co.(a) | | | 666,000 | |
| 5,400 | | | Eaton Corp. | | | 445,446 | |
| 14,800 | | | Eli Lilly & Co.(a) | | | 540,644 | |
| 6,700 | | | Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | 413,993 | |
| 7,200 | | | Family Dollar Stores, Inc.(a) | | | 317,952 | |
| 16,800 | | | France Telecom S.A., ADR | | | 361,704 | |
| 10,700 | | | GATX Corp.(a) | | | 313,724 | |
| 27,200 | | | General Electric Co. | | | 442,000 | |
| 9,400 | | | Genuine Parts Co. | | | 419,146 | |
| 22,200 | | | Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. | | | 500,388 | |
| 3,500 | | | HJ Heinz Co.(a) | | | 165,795 | |
| 9,700 | | | Home Depot, Inc.(a) | | | 307,296 | |
| 8,700 | | | Hubbell, Inc., Class B | | | 441,525 | |
| 21,800 | | | Intel Corp. | | | 419,214 | |
| 6,400 | | | Kimberly-Clark Corp.(a) | | | 416,320 | |
| 13,800 | | | Kraft Foods, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 425,868 | |
| 15,900 | | | Leggett & Platt, Inc.(a) | | | 361,884 | |
| 10,800 | | | Linear Technology Corp.(a) | | | 331,884 | |
| 3,600 | | | Lorillard, Inc. | | | 289,116 | |
| 17,600 | | | Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.(a) | | | 325,776 | |
| 10,100 | | | McDonald’s Corp. | | | 752,551 | |
| 77,100 | | | MFA Financial, Inc., REIT(a) | | | 588,273 | |
| 92,800 | | | Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 544,736 | |
| 13,200 | | | New York Community Bancorp, Inc.(a) | | | 214,500 | |
| 6,700 | | | Northrop Grumman Corp.(a) | | | 406,221 | |
| 9,200 | | | NSTAR(a) | | | 362,020 | |
Schedule of Investments 31
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 9,100 | | | Nucor Corp.(a) | | $ | 347,620 | |
| 12,800 | | | NYSE Euronext | | | 365,696 | |
| 22,200 | | | Old Republic International Corp.(a) | | | 307,470 | |
| 27,300 | | | Olin Corp.(a) | | | 550,368 | |
| 7,500 | | | Omnicom Group, Inc.(a) | | | 296,100 | |
| 13,200 | | | ONEOK, Inc.(a) | | | 594,528 | |
| 12,900 | | | Partner Communications Co. Ltd., ADR | | | 235,554 | |
| 33,700 | | | PDL BioPharma, Inc.(a) | | | 177,262 | |
| 22,200 | | | Pfizer, Inc. | | | 381,174 | |
| 17,800 | | | Portland General Electric Co.(a) | | | 360,984 | |
| 8,100 | | | QUALCOMM, Inc. | | | 365,472 | |
| 9,500 | | | Reynolds American, Inc.(a) | | | 564,205 | |
| 5,400 | | | Royal Dutch Shell PLC, ADR | | | 325,620 | |
| 11,700 | | | RPM International, Inc. | | | 233,064 | |
| 20,500 | | | Sara Lee Corp. | | | 275,315 | |
| 6,400 | | | SCANA Corp.(a) | | | 258,048 | |
| 12,200 | | | Snap-on, Inc.(a) | | | 567,422 | |
| 9,200 | | | Sonoco Products Co. | | | 307,648 | |
| 12,400 | | | Southern Copper Corp.(a) | | | 435,488 | |
| 13,900 | | | Spectra Energy Corp.(a) | | | 313,445 | |
| 12,300 | | | Sysco Corp.(a) | | | 350,796 | |
| 15,600 | | | TECO Energy, Inc.(a) | | | 270,192 | |
| 8,800 | | | Time Warner Cable, Inc.(a) | | | 475,112 | |
| 12,500 | | | TransCanada Corp.(a) | | | 464,000 | |
| 11,300 | | | Tyco Electronics Ltd.(a) | | | 330,186 | |
| 7,000 | | | United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B | | | 466,830 | |
| 3,200 | | | United Technologies Corp. | | | 227,936 | |
| 6,900 | | | V.F. Corp.(a) | | | 559,038 | |
| 14,300 | | | Verizon Communications, Inc.(a) | | | 466,037 | |
| 5,400 | | | Watsco, Inc.(a) | | | 300,672 | |
| 6,900 | | | WGL Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 260,682 | |
| 10,400 | | | Willis Group Holdings PLC(a) | | | 320,528 | |
| 12,600 | | | Wolverine World Wide, Inc. | | | 365,526 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $33,383,943) | | | 37,452,177 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Interest
| | Maturity
| | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Rate | | Date | | Value |
|
|
Corporate Bonds (6.0%) |
$ | 240,000 | | | Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. | | | 6.63 | % | | | 05/01/29 | | | $ | 293,089 | |
| 500,000 | | | Bank of America Corp. | | | 5.42 | % | | | 03/15/17 | | | | 512,051 | |
| 350,000 | | | Commercial Metals Co.(a) | | | 7.35 | % | | | 08/15/18 | | | | 379,302 | |
| 300,000 | | | Delphi Financial Group, Inc. | | | 7.88 | % | | | 01/31/20 | | | | 336,030 | |
| 400,000 | | | Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., MTN | | | 6.00 | % | | | 01/15/19 | | | | 421,352 | |
| 250,000 | | | Massey Energy Co.(a) | | | 6.88 | % | | | 12/15/13 | | | | 256,250 | |
| 350,000 | | | Valero Energy Corp.(a) | | | 6.13 | % | | | 02/01/20 | | | | 381,467 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $2,492,554) | | | 2,579,541 | |
Convertible Corporate Bonds (2.5%) |
| 350,000 | | | Central European Distribution Corp. | | | 3.00 | % | | | 03/15/13 | | | | 316,750 | |
| 400,000 | | | Molina Healthcare, Inc., Series MOH | | | 3.75 | % | | | 10/01/14 | | | | 388,000 | |
| 350,000 | | | World Acceptance Corp. | | | 3.00 | % | | | 10/01/11 | | | | 345,625 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Convertible Corporate Bonds (Cost $1,024,626) | | | 1,050,375 | |
32 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Interest
| | Maturity
| | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Rate | | Date | | Value |
|
|
U.S. Government Bonds (2.1%) |
$ | 350,000 | | | Federal Home Loan Bank | | | 5.50 | % | | | 07/15/36 | | | $ | 428,164 | |
| 350,000 | | | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. | | | 6.75 | % | | | 03/15/31 | | | | 489,691 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total U.S. Government Bonds (Cost $877,777) | | | 917,855 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Underlying Security/
| | | | |
Expiration Date/
| | | | |
Exercise Price | | Contracts | | Value |
|
|
Call Options Purchased (0.4%) |
Apple, Inc., January 2012, $320.00 | | | 11 | | | $ | 35,557 | |
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., March 2011, $35.00 | | | 69 | | | | 8,867 | |
Bank of America Corp., January 2011, $17.50 | | | 286 | | | | 3,289 | |
Cisco Systems, Inc., January 2011, $27.50 | | | 182 | | | | 1,911 | |
Commercial Metals Co., March 2011, $16.00 | | | 219 | | | | 23,542 | |
Continental Airlines, Inc., Class B, January 2011, $20.00 | | | 115 | | | | 67,562 | |
Delphi Financial Group, Inc., October 2010, $25.00 | | | 120 | | | | 9,000 | |
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., January 2011, $30.00 | | | 133 | | | | 3,259 | |
Hewlett Packard Co., January 2011, $60.00 | | | 100 | | | | 550 | |
Massey Energy Co., April 2011, $37.00 | | | 68 | | | | 15,844 | |
Prudential Financial, Inc., January 2011, $60.00 | | | 67 | | | | 12,261 | |
Valero Energy Corp., January 2011, $20.00 | | | 175 | | | | 6,913 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Call Options Purchased (Cost $421,418) | | | 188,555 | |
Put Option Purchased (0.0%) |
S&P 500 Index, October 2010, $1,025.00 | | | 50 | | | | 6,000 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Put Options Purchased (Cost $141,600) | | | 6,000 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value | |
| |
|
Collateral for Securities on Loan (28.6%) |
| 12,265,464 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | $ | 12,265,464 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $12,265,464) | | | 12,265,464 | |
Short-Term Investments (1.3%) |
$ | 560,983 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | 560,983 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $560,983) | | | 560,983 | |
Total Investments 128.2% (Cost $51,168,365) | | | 55,020,950 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (28.2)% | | | (12,112,612 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 42,908,338 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
|
REIT | | Real Estate Investment Trust |
Schedule of Investments 33
Class I IOCIX
Class C IOCCX
Class Z IOCZX
Class A IOCAX
Management Overview
ICON Long/Short Fund
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmark? |
| |
A. | The ICON Long/Short Fund returned 2.32% for the Class I shares, 1.65% for the Class C shares, 2.63% for the Class Z shares, and 2.34% for the Class A shares (-3.53% with maximum sales charge), underperforming the 10.92% return for the Fund’s stated benchmark, the S&P 1500 Composite Index. The Fund did however outperform the 0.34% return for the Bank of America/Merrill Lynch US Dollar 3 month Constant Maturity benchmark which is more traditionally used in the Long/Short space. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | Rapid and violent theme reversals were the primary factor behind the Fund’s relative performance. At the outset of the fiscal year, a very high quality, non-cyclical, slow growth themed rally led both the benchmark and the Fund slightly higher. ICON’s quantitative methodology, based on valuations, relative strength, and a proprietary quantitative quality metric, captured this theme well. From September 30, 2009 through February 8, 2010, for example, the Class I shares rose 1.37% versus just 0.59% for the S&P 1500 Composite. The Fund also generated alpha while exhibiting low volatility over this time period, outperforming with just a .44 Beta. This translates into an annualized alpha of 4.18% during this time period. |
Beginning on February 8, 2010, however, the high quality, non-cyclical, slow growth theme described above was rapidly replaced by a low quality, high Beta, cyclical rally. Although the Fund’s Class I shares gained 2.90% from February 8, 2010 through April 23, 2010, this gain did not keep pace with the dramatic 16.62% return for the S&P 1500 Composite Index.
On April 23, 2010, the market experienced its third major theme reversal, as hopes of a V-shape recovery were quickly replaced by fears of a double dip recession. Although ICON’s quantitative method was pulled toward some of the cyclical sectors that led the remarkable rally described above, ICON’s valuation model viewed the broader market at just a 1.01 overall value-to-price ratio on April 23, leaving the Long/Short Fund significantly hedged. So as the S&P 1500 Composite Index fell 5.46% to close out the fiscal year, the Fund experienced only 35% of this downside, losing just 1.90% for the Class I shares.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | Long position sector tilts by the Fund greatly affected performance as did the rapid theme reversals described above. In the Industrials sector, the Fund held a long overweight and outperforming position, allocating approximately 14% of its assets to Industrials versus 11% for the benchmark. The Fund’s Industrials stocks returned over 27% on average, versus just 19% for the benchmark’s Industrials holdings. Although the Fund’s long stock selections in the Materials sector slightly underperformed those in the benchmark, with an approximate 11.7% average return versus a 12.3% average benchmark return, the Fund’s long overweight allocation of approximately 7% of its average weight versus just a 3.76% average weight for the benchmark aided performance. The Fund also held an overweight and outperforming long allocation in the Health Care sector. |
The Fund’s long allocations to the Energy and Consumer Discretionary sectors dragged on overall performance. The Fund’s underweight Consumer Discretionary stocks’ approximate 0% return significantly underperformed the 22% return generated from the S&P 1500 Consumer Discretionary Index. Within the Energy sector, the Fund was also hampered by an overweight position in the oil and gas drilling industry. Largely due to this positioning, the Fund’s Energy stocks fell over 6% versus a positive 5.1% average return for Energy stocks within the S&P 1500 Composite Index.
The Fund was also negatively affected by its short positions in the total return context. To illustrate, the Fund’s long positions generated a total return of approximately 7.7% while the overall combined positions in the Fund generated the 2.32% return described at the outset of this discussion. Conversely, the Fund’s short hedges and opportunistic hedging schedule did help offset some downside volatility and losses as described earlier. In addition, from October 22 through October 30, 2009, the S&P 1500 Composite quickly dropped 5.43%. ICON’s 1.06 value-to-price ratio on October 22, suggested limited upside, however. Accordingly, the Fund was significantly hedged and the Class I shares dropped only 1.81%.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the equity market? |
| |
A. | As fiscal year 2010 came to an end, ICON’s valuation model showed a 1.26 overall value-to-price ratio for the broad equity market. Given the potential upside suggested by the model, the Fund will remain relatively un-hedged until our valuations indicate the broader market is more fairly priced. The Fund continues to see both compelling value and strength from its two largest over-weighted sectors, Industrials and Materials, but |
| |
| is also beginning to see strong value and strength metrics from the more defensive oriented Utilities and Consumer Staples sectors. Despite some moderate credit spread widening, corporate bond yields or opportunity costs as viewed by the ICON model have fallen and should support equity gains to the extent that firms continue to slowly repair corporate earnings. |
ICON Long/Short Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Industrials | | | 23.3% | |
Financial | | | 19.5% | |
Information Technology | | | 15.8% | |
Materials | | | 11.3% | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 8.5% | |
Leisure and Consumer Staples | | | 8.4% | |
Energy | | | 7.5% | |
Health Care | | | 5.6% | |
Telecommunication & Utilities | | | 4.9% | |
| | | | |
| | | 104.8% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon long positions as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Long/Short Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Computer Hardware | | | 8.9% | |
Industrial Machinery | | | 6.0% | |
Other Diversified Financial Services | | | 5.2% | |
Industrial Conglomerates | | | 4.7% | |
Life & Health Insurance | | | 4.0% | |
Property & Casualty Insurance | | | 3.8% | |
Pharmaceuticals | | | 3.5% | |
Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks | | | 3.3% | |
Integrated Oil & Gas | | | 3.1% | |
Railroads | | | 2.6% | |
Integrated Telecommunication Services | | | 2.5% | |
Specialty Chemicals | | | 2.4% | |
Diversified Banks | | | 2.4% | |
Consumer Finance | | | 2.4% | |
Diversified Metals & Mining | | | 2.3% | |
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | | | 2.3% | |
IT Consulting & Other Services | | | 2.3% | |
Diversified Chemicals | | | 2.2% | |
Aerospace & Defense | | | 2.2% | |
Electrical Components & Equipment | | | 2.0% | |
Wireless Telecommunication Services | | | 1.9% | |
Soft Drinks | | | 1.9% | |
Steel | | | 1.9% | |
Cable & Satellite | | | 1.7% | |
Tobacco | | | 1.7% | |
Computer & Electronics Retail | | | 1.7% | |
Multi-line Insurance | | | 1.6% | |
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing | | | 1.6% | |
Systems Software | | | 1.6% | |
Data Processing & Outsourced Services | | | 1.5% | |
Home Improvement Retail | | | 1.5% | |
Paper Packaging | | | 1.2% | |
ICON Long/Short Fund
Industry Composition (continued)
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Gold | | | 1.2% | |
Health Care Equipment | | | 1.1% | |
Packaged Foods & Meats | | | 1.1% | |
Household Products | | | 1.1% | |
Restaurants | | | 1.1% | |
Construction & Engineering | | | 1.0% | |
Food Distributors | | | 1.0% | |
Other Industries (each less than 1%) | | | 9.3% | |
| | | | |
| | | 104.8% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon long positions as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Long/Short Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | Inception
| | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | Date | | | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | Inception | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Long/Short Fund - Class I | | | | 9/30/02 | | | | | | 2.32 | % | | | | | -3.73 | % | | | | | 4.13 | % | | | | | 2.03 | % | | | | | 1.97 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 6.83 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Long/Short Fund - Class C | | | | 10/17/02 | | | | | | 1.65 | % | | | | | -4.50 | % | | | | | 2.58 | % | | | | | 2.95 | % | | | | | 2.81 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 5.92 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Long/Short Fund - Class Z | | | | 5/6/04 | | | | | | 2.63 | % | | | | | -3.62 | % | | | | | -0.22 | % | | | | | 4.40 | % | | | | | 1.73 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 2.88 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Long/Short Fund - Class A | | | | 5/31/06 | | | | | | 2.34 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -6.37 | % | | | | | 2.64 | % | | | | | 2.06 | % | |
|
|
ICON Long/Short Fund - Class A (including maximum sales charge of 5.75%) | | | | 5/31/06 | | | | | | -3.53 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -7.64 | % | | | | | 2.64 | % | | | | | 2.06 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -0.09 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section. The Adviser has agreed to limit certain Fund expenses; without these limitations, returns would have been lower. The limitation provisions may be terminated in the future. Class Z shares are available only to institutional investors.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
Class C total returns exclude applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included returns would be lower.
ICON Long/Short Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
as of September 30, 2010
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund’s Class I shares on the Class’ inception date of 9/30/02 to a $10,000 investment made in an unmanaged securities index on that date. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to differences in charges and expenses. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Long/Short Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (104.8%) |
| 3,900 | | | Abbott Laboratoriesx(a) | | $ | 203,736 | |
| 12,200 | | | Accenture PLC, Class Ax | | | 518,378 | |
| 6,100 | | | Aflac, Inc.x | | | 315,431 | |
| 15,800 | | | Altria Group, Inc.x | | | 379,516 | |
| 4,500 | | | America Movil S.A.B. de C.V., Series L, ADR | | | 239,985 | |
| 2,000 | | | AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., ADR(a) | | | 92,480 | |
| 1,300 | | | Apple, Inc.† | | | 368,875 | |
| 3,500 | | | Assurant, Inc.(a) | | | 142,450 | |
| 20,100 | | | AT&T, Inc.x | | | 574,860 | |
| 4,400 | | | Automatic Data Processing, Inc.x | | | 184,932 | |
| 22,700 | | | Bank of America Corp. | | | 297,597 | |
| 2,300 | | | Barrick Gold Corp. | | | 106,467 | |
| 1,200 | | | Baxter International, Inc.(a) | | | 57,252 | |
| 1,100 | | | Becton, Dickinson & Co. | | | 81,510 | |
| 5,000 | | | Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.†(a) | | | 217,050 | |
| 3,300 | | | Bemis Co., Inc.(a) | | | 104,775 | |
| 5,700 | | | Best Buy Co., Inc.(a) | | | 232,731 | |
| 3,000 | | | Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(a) | | | 81,330 | |
| 6,500 | | | Canadian National Railway Co. | | | 416,130 | |
| 11,600 | | | Capital One Financial Corp.x | | | 458,780 | |
| 2,500 | | | Cash America International, Inc.x(a) | | | 87,500 | |
| 7,000 | | | Caterpillar, Inc.x | | | 550,760 | |
| 3,200 | | | Chevron Corp.x | | | 259,360 | |
| 6,200 | | | Chubb Corp.x(a) | | | 353,338 | |
| 87,500 | | | Citigroup, Inc.† | | | 341,250 | |
| 1,100 | | | Clorox Co.(a) | | | 73,436 | |
| 11,400 | | | Comcast Corp., Class Ax | | | 206,112 | |
| 15,000 | | | Commercial Metals Co.x(a) | | | 217,350 | |
| 1,300 | | | Computer Sciences Corp. | | | 59,800 | |
| 2,200 | | | Consolidated Edison, Inc.x | | | 106,084 | |
| 3,500 | | | Cooper Industries PLC(a) | | | 171,255 | |
| 1,300 | | | Covidien PLCx | | | 52,247 | |
| 2,100 | | | CVS Caremark Corp.x | | | 66,087 | |
| 14,800 | | | Danaher Corp.x | | | 601,028 | |
| 2,800 | | | Deere & Co.(a) | | | 195,384 | |
| 12,800 | | | Delphi Financial Group, Inc., Class Ax | | | 319,872 | |
| 5,700 | | | Ecolab, Inc. | | | 289,218 | |
| 1,700 | | | Eli Lilly & Co.(a) | | | 62,101 | |
| 1,900 | | | Exxon Mobil Corp.x | | | 117,401 | |
| 3,900 | | | Family Dollar Stores, Inc.(a) | | | 172,224 | |
| 1,900 | | | Fiserv, Inc.†x | | | 102,258 | |
| 3,000 | | | FMC Corp.x | | | 205,230 | |
| 3,000 | | | Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.(a) | | | 256,170 | |
| 7,400 | | | GameStop Corp., Class A†(a) | | | 145,854 | |
| 2,500 | | | General Dynamics Corp. | | | 157,025 | |
| 66,300 | | | General Electric Co.x | | | 1,077,375 | |
| 4,800 | | | Guess?, Inc.(a) | | | 195,024 | |
| 4,000 | | | Harris Corp.(a) | | | 177,160 | |
| 4,600 | | | HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. | | | 120,014 | |
| 16,000 | | | Hewlett-Packard Co.x | | | 673,120 | |
| 5,400 | | | Home Depot, Inc.(a) | | | 171,072 | |
| 5,700 | | | Illinois Tool Works, Inc.(a) | | | 268,014 | |
| 7,400 | | | International Business Machines Corp.x | | | 992,636 | |
| 2,700 | | | Johnson & Johnson, Inc.x | | | 167,292 | |
Schedule of Investments 39
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 14,600 | | | JPMorgan Chase & Co.x | | $ | 555,822 | |
| 9,500 | | | KBR, Inc.(a) | | | 234,080 | |
| 5,100 | | | Kellogg Co.x | | | 257,601 | |
| 2,800 | | | Kimberly-Clark Corp.x | | | 182,140 | |
| 4,000 | | | Kroger Co.(a) | | | 86,640 | |
| 2,500 | | | L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.x(a) | | | 180,675 | |
| 800 | | | Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings†x | | | 62,744 | |
| 2,900 | | | Loews Corp.x | | | 109,910 | |
| 7,700 | | | Lowe’s Cos., Inc. | | | 171,633 | |
| 2,500 | | | Lubrizol Corp.(a) | | | 264,925 | |
| 10,200 | | | Marathon Oil Corp.x | | | 337,620 | |
| 3,500 | | | Massey Energy Co.(a) | | | 108,570 | |
| 600 | | | McKesson Corp.x | | | 37,068 | |
| 1,000 | | | Medtronic, Inc.x | | | 33,580 | |
| 6,100 | | | Merck & Co., Inc.x | | | 224,541 | |
| 7,500 | | | MetLife, Inc.x | | | 288,375 | |
| 15,000 | | | Microsoft Corp.x | | | 367,350 | |
| 27,700 | | | Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 162,599 | |
| 1,100 | | | Newmont Mining Corp.x | | | 69,091 | |
| 3,000 | | | Norfolk Southern Corp. | | | 178,530 | |
| 2,600 | | | Northrop Grumman Corp.(a) | | | 157,638 | |
| 14,900 | | | Olin Corp.(a) | | | 300,384 | |
| 2,800 | | | Panera Bread Co., Class A†(a) | | | 248,108 | |
| 900 | | | Patterson Cos., Inc.x | | | 25,785 | |
| 6,400 | | | PepsiCo, Inc.x | | | 425,216 | |
| 4,200 | | | Pfizer, Inc. | | | 72,114 | |
| 5,000 | | | Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.(a) | | | 207,650 | |
| 2,500 | | | Rio Tinto PLC, ADR | | | 146,825 | |
| 8,000 | | | Sealed Air Corp. | | | 179,840 | |
| 11,800 | | | SK Telecom Co. Ltd., ADR | | | 206,146 | |
| 10,600 | | | Snap-on, Inc.x | | | 493,006 | |
| 700 | | | Stryker Corp.(a) | | | 35,035 | |
| 6,000 | | | SYNNEX Corp.†(a) | | | 168,840 | |
| 7,700 | | | Sysco Corp. x | | | 219,604 | |
| 11,000 | | | The Allstate Corp.x(a) | | | 347,050 | |
| 1,900 | | | Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.†x | | | 90,972 | |
| 6,900 | | | Thomas & Betts Corp.† | | | 283,038 | |
| 11,600 | | | Tidewater, Inc.x | | | 519,796 | |
| 3,500 | | | Time Warner Cable, Inc.x | | | 188,965 | |
| 3,100 | | | Travelers Cos., Inc. x(a) | | | 161,510 | |
| 15,000 | | | U.S. Bancorp x(a) | | | 324,300 | |
| 3,000 | | | United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B | | | 200,070 | |
| 21,200 | | | Valero Energy Corp.x | | | 371,212 | |
| 4,000 | | | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.x | | | 214,080 | |
| 1,600 | | | Walter Energy, Inc.(a) | | | 130,064 | |
| 9,000 | | | Wells Fargo & Co.x | | | 226,170 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $22,990,305) | | | 23,941,228 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Interest
| | | Maturity
| | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Rate | | | Date | | | Value | |
| |
|
Corporate Bond (0.3%) |
$ | 70,000 | | | American International Group, Inc.x | | | 5.38 | % | | | 10/18/11 | | | $ | 72,275 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $66,082) | | | 72,275 | |
40 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Collateral for Securities on Loan (21.2%) |
| 4,838,596 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | $ | 4,838,596 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $4,838,596) | | | 4,838,596 | |
Short-Term Investments (0.3%) |
$ | 63,949 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | 63,949 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $63,949) | | | 63,949 | |
Total Investments 126.6% (Cost $27,958,932) | | | 28,916,048 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (26.6)% | | | (6,076,872 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 22,839,176 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
x | | All or a portion of the security is pledged as collateral for securities sold short. |
|
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
Schedule of Investments 41
ICON Long/Short Fund
Schedule of Securities Sold Short
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | Short Security | | Value |
|
|
| 1,500 | | | Blue Nile, Inc. † | | $ | 66,735 | |
| 1,000 | | | NetFlix, Inc. † | | | 162,160 | |
| 2,000 | | | SL Green Realty Corp., REIT | | | 126,660 | |
| 34,500 | | | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | | | 3,937,140 | |
| 30,000 | | | SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF | | | 474,300 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Securities Sold Short (Proceeds $4,807,954) | | $ | 4,766,995 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
REIT | | Real Estate Investment Trust |
42 Schedule of Investments
Class I IOCIX
Class C IOCCX
Class Z IOCZX
Class A ICNAX
Management Overview
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund
| |
Q. | How did the Fund Perform relative to its benchmark? |
| |
A. | The Fund underperformed its benchmark for the period. The Fund gained 3.56% for the Class I shares, 2.73% for the Class C shares, 3.90% for the Class Z shares, and 3.69% for the Class A shares (-2.24% with maximum sales charge), while the Fund’s benchmark, the S&P 1500 Composite Index, gained 10.92%. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors influenced the Fund’s relative performance during the period? |
| |
A. | The overriding factor that marked this fiscal period could be summed up in a single word: volatility. Concerns over macro economic conditions such as the ongoing high unemployment rate, worries about a double dip recession and fears of potential hyper inflation combined with anxieties over the potential for spiraling deflation, a lack of consumer confidence, and numerous other economic indicators roiled the market. Distress over Greece’s potential sovereign debt default along with growing deficits in other eurozone countries exacerbated domestic concerns, adding to the sharp swings in the market. This persistent uncertainty translated into the extreme market volatility that marked the period. |
In spite of these global concerns, the market nonetheless continued the rally that began in early 2009, but the road higher was rocky. The volatility in the market can be seen in snapshots of changes over numerous time frames during the entire period. In a roughly two week period at the beginning of the year, for example, from October 2 to October 19, the market, as measured by the S&P 500 Index, rose 7.16% - a 341% annualized return. Then, from October 19 to October 30, the market quickly reversed course, declining 5.58%. Subsequently, from October 30 to November 18, the market shot back up, gaining 7.29%.
These sharp reversals continued throughout the fiscal year as traders engaged in what became known as risk on, risk off trading. As the fiscal year continued the S&P 500 Index reached its high of 1217.28 on April 23 before sliding 15.63%, hitting the period low of 1022.58 on July 2. In the final month of the year, the market rallied 8.92% for its largest September increase since 1939.
In the midst of these dramatic swings came arguably the most explosive single moment in market history. On May 6, on what now has become known as the “Flash Crash,” the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged
about 6% in approximately five minutes - from 10,500 to its intraday low of 9869. The Dow managed to rally from that low, closing at 10,520. Over the course of the day the Average had a 1010 point trading range, from a high of 10,879 to a low of 9869, before closing down 3.2% at 10,510.
The Fund’s strategy of writing S&P 500 Index call options and using some of the proceeds to buy S&P 500 Index out-of-the-money put options helped reduce the Fund’s volatility relative to its benchmark, the S&P 1500 Composite Index. Thus, the Fund’s beta for the fiscal year was .47, translating into a more than 50% decrease in volatility compared to the S&P 1500. The Fund also held up better than its benchmark during the sharp market downturns. By design, however, the trade-off for the reduction of volatility and the better relative performance during market downturns is the Fund’s limited upside. And, as noted at the outset of this discussion, the Fund underperformed its benchmark for the fiscal year.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s Composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | In assessing the overall performance of the Fund, it is important to also consider the active sector rotation strategy that is implemented regardless of the Fund’s options hedging overlay feature. The Fund’s tilt towards the Industrials sector (a bias predicated upon our quantitative, value based investment methodology) was the top contributor to performance of the nine sectors held. On average during the fiscal year, Industrials comprised about 16% of the Fund while representing approximately 11% of the S&P 1500 for the same time period. |
The Industrials sector has a significant number of industries related to the manufacturing segment of the economy. With manufacturing leading the economy out of the worst recession since the Great Depression, this tilt paid off. Among the industries within this sector that had a positive contribution to performance were construction & farm machinery and industrial machinery as well as railroads and industrial conglomerates.
At the other end of the spectrum, industries within the Consumer Discretionary sector were a drag on performance. The computer & electronics retail industry and the home improvement retail industry, while comprising only a very small weight in the Fund over the period, had significant declines that detracted from performance. Although the Consumer Discretionary sector as a whole contributed positive performance to the Fund, these two particular industries did not move lock-step with the broader sector.
| |
Q. | What is the investment outlook for the equity market? |
| |
A. | Stocks ended the period trading at about a 26% discount to our calculation of their intrinsic value. Even after the significant run-up in September, we believe stocks have yet to catch up with value. As we head into the new fiscal year, all nine sectors we track remain undervalued under the ICON system. |
The Fund enters the year with a heavy tilt toward the Industrials sector as well as an overweight position in the Materials sector. Both sectors have numerous industries with upside potential that are displaying leadership.
The Fund is underweight the Health Care sector, which has been a laggard over the past six months. We are currently seeing strength in the economically sensitive areas of the market and Health Care does not appear to be part of that theme. That said, based on current valuations across the spectrum of sectors we track, we anticipate a broad based rally over the next fiscal year, but with the cyclically oriented sectors leading the way.
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Industrials | | | 20.9% | |
Information Technology | | | 13.8% | |
Financial | | | 13.2% | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 12.3% | |
Telecommunication & Utilities | | | 10.7% | |
Leisure and Consumer Staples | | | 9.1% | |
Energy | | | 8.0% | |
Materials | | | 6.2% | |
Health Care | | | 4.9% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.1% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Integrated Oil & Gas | | | 5.5% | |
Computer Hardware | | | 4.9% | |
Railroads | | | 4.1% | |
Aerospace & Defense | | | 3.9% | |
Industrial Conglomerates | | | 3.5% | |
Electric Utilities | | | 3.4% | |
Integrated Telecommunication Services | | | 3.3% | |
Diversified Banks | | | 3.2% | |
Industrial Machinery | | | 3.1% | |
Life & Health Insurance | | | 2.8% | |
Movies & Entertainment | | | 2.8% | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund
Industry Composition (continued)
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Semiconductors | | | 2.7% | |
Multi-line Insurance | | | 2.7% | |
Systems Software | | | 2.7% | |
Packaged Foods & Meats | | | 2.6% | |
Pharmaceuticals | | | 2.5% | |
Restaurants | | | 2.3% | |
General Merchandise Stores | | | 2.2% | |
Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks | | | 2.2% | |
Diversified Metals & Mining | | | 2.2% | |
Soft Drinks | | | 2.1% | |
Apparel Retail | | | 2.0% | |
Multi-Utilities | | | 1.9% | |
Electrical Components & Equipment | | | 1.8% | |
Cable & Satellite | | | 1.7% | |
Tobacco | | | 1.6% | |
Gas Utilities | | | 1.6% | |
IT Consulting & Other Services | | | 1.5% | |
Diversified Chemicals | | | 1.4% | |
Household Products | | | 1.3% | |
Automotive Retail | | | 1.3% | |
Specialized Finance | | | 1.2% | |
Health Care Equipment | | | 1.2% | |
Specialty Chemicals | | | 1.1% | |
Property & Casualty Insurance | | | 1.0% | |
Other Industries (each less than 1%) | | | 13.8% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.1% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | Inception
| | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | Date | | | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | Inception | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund - Class I | | | | 9/30/02 | | | | | | 3.56 | % | | | | | -0.23 | % | | | | | 5.02 | % | | | | | 1.44 | % | | | | | 1.44 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 6.83 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund - Class C | | | | 11/21/02 | | | | | | 2.73 | % | | | | | -1.03 | % | | | | | 3.32 | % | | | | | 2.72 | % | | | | | 2.24 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 5.17 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund - Class Z | | | | 5/6/04 | | | | | | 3.90 | % | | | | | 0.05 | % | | | | | 1.95 | % | | | | | 3.55 | % | | | | | 1.24 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 2.88 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund - Class A | | | | 5/31/06 | | | | | | 3.69 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -0.24 | % | | | | | 2.87 | % | | | | | 1.49 | % | |
|
|
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund - Class A (including maximum sales charge of 5.75%) | | | | 5/31/06 | | | | | | -2.24 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -1.60 | % | | | | | 2.87 | % | | | | | 1.49 | % | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | | | | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -0.09 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section. The Adviser has agreed to limit certain Fund expenses; without these limitations, returns would have been lower. The limitation provisions may be terminated in the future. Class Z shares are available only to institutional investors.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
Class C total returns exclude applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included returns would be lower.
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
as of September 30, 2010
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund’s Class I shares on the Class’ inception date of 9/30/02 to a $10,000 investment made in an unmanaged securities index on that date. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to differences in charges and expenses. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (99.1%) |
| 5,800 | | | 3M Co.x | | $ | 502,918 | |
| 4,500 | | | Accenture PLC, Class Ax | | | 191,205 | |
| 6,000 | | | AGL Resources, Inc.x | | | 230,160 | |
| 3,500 | | | Alaska Air Group, Inc.x† | | | 178,605 | |
| 2,500 | | | Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. | | | 145,850 | |
| 5,400 | | | Altera Corp.(a) | | | 162,864 | |
| 11,800 | | | Altria Group, Inc.x | | | 283,436 | |
| 2,700 | | | America Movil S.A.B. de C.V., Series L, ADR | | | 143,991 | |
| 5,000 | | | American Electric Power Co., Inc.(a) | | | 181,150 | |
| 4,400 | | | American Financial Group, Inc.(a) | | | 134,552 | |
| 1,800 | | | Ameriprise Financial, Inc.x | | | 85,194 | |
| 3,500 | | | Amerisource-Bergen Corp.x | | | 107,310 | |
| 4,800 | | | AMETEK, Inc.x | | | 229,296 | |
| 3,500 | | | Apple, Inc.x† | | | 993,125 | |
| 3,900 | | | Assurant, Inc.(a) | | | 158,730 | |
| 18,700 | | | AT&T, Inc.(a) | | | 534,820 | |
| 2,600 | | | Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | | | 109,278 | |
| 1,100 | | | AutoZone, Inc.x† | | | 251,801 | |
| 9,800 | | | Bank of America Corp.x | | | 128,478 | |
| 5,300 | | | Barnes Group, Inc.x | | | 93,227 | |
| 2,000 | | | Barrick Gold Corp.x | | | 92,580 | |
| 1,300 | | | BHP Billiton Ltd., ADR(a) | | | 99,216 | |
| 8,400 | | | Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(a) | | | 227,724 | |
| 11,900 | | | Campbell Soup Co.x | | | 425,425 | |
| 3,500 | | | Cardinal Health, Inc.x | | | 115,640 | |
| 3,300 | | | Caterpillar, Inc.x | | | 259,644 | |
| 5,800 | | | Chevron Corp.x (a) | | | 470,090 | |
| 6,500 | | | Cisco Systems, Inc.† | | | 142,350 | |
| 2,600 | | | Clorox Co.x | | | 173,576 | |
| 2,900 | | | Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A†(a) | | | 186,963 | |
| 11,100 | | | ConAgra Foods, Inc.x | | | 243,534 | |
| 8,000 | | | ConocoPhillipsx | | | 459,440 | |
| 7,800 | | | Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A†(a) | | | 137,982 | |
| 3,100 | | | Cooper Industries PLC(a) | | | 151,683 | |
| 600 | | | Credicorp, Ltd. | | | 68,340 | |
| 9,800 | | | CSX Corp.x | | | 542,136 | |
| 4,200 | | | Darden Restaurants, Inc.x | | | 179,676 | |
| 2,600 | | | Deere & Co.(a) | | | 181,428 | |
| 4,000 | | | Delphi Financial Group, Inc., Class Ax | | | 99,960 | |
| 3,400 | | | DIRECTV, Class Ax† | | | 141,542 | |
| 3,100 | | | Dollar Tree, Inc.x† | | | 151,156 | |
| 2,600 | | | Dover Corp.(a) | | | 135,746 | |
| 2,600 | | | Eaton Corp.x | | | 214,474 | |
| 7,300 | | | eBay, Inc.†(a) | | | 178,120 | |
| 7,600 | | | Eli Lilly & Co.(a) | | | 277,628 | |
| 2,000 | | | Entergy Corp.(a) | | | 153,060 | |
| 2,200 | | | Express Scripts, Inc.x† | | | 107,140 | |
| 7,400 | | | Ezcorp, Inc., Class Ax† | | | 148,296 | |
| 4,700 | | | Family Dollar Stores, Inc.x | | | 207,552 | |
| 6,000 | | | FirstEnergy Corp.(a) | | | 231,240 | |
| 1,500 | | | FMC Corp.(a) | | | 102,615 | |
| 2,800 | | | Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold, Inc.x | | | 239,092 | |
| 1,700 | | | General Dynamics Corp. | | | 106,777 | |
| 15,900 | | | General Electric Co.x | | | 258,375 | |
| 5,000 | | | Halliburton Co.(a) | | | 165,350 | |
| 5,800 | | | Hewlett-Packard Co.x | | | 244,006 | |
| 4,300 | | | Honeywell International, Inc.x | | | 188,942 | |
Schedule of Investments 49
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 15,800 | | | Horace Mann Educators Corp.x | | $ | 280,924 | |
| 19,000 | | | Intel Corp.x(a) | | | 365,370 | |
| 1,800 | | | Intuit, Inc.†(a) | | | 78,858 | |
| 3,150 | | | JOS A. Bank Clothiers, Inc.x† | | | 134,221 | |
| 7,400 | | | KBR, Inc.x | | | 182,336 | |
| 2,600 | | | Kimberly-Clark Corp.(a) | | | 169,130 | |
| 2,900 | | | Loews Corp.x | | | 109,910 | |
| 2,600 | | | Lubrizol Corp.x | | | 275,522 | |
| 5,600 | | | McDonald’s Corp.x | | | 417,256 | |
| 4,100 | | | Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp., Class A(a) | | | 121,565 | |
| 27,700 | | | Microsoft Corp.x | | | 678,373 | |
| 2,500 | | | Murphy Oil Corp. | | | 154,800 | |
| 4,200 | | | NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.x† | | | 81,606 | |
| 1,200 | | | Newmont Mining Corp.x | | | 75,372 | |
| 2,200 | | | Northrop Grumman Corp.(a) | | | 133,386 | |
| 3,400 | | | Nucor Corp.x | | | 129,880 | |
| 7,800 | | | NYSE Euronextx | | | 222,846 | |
| 1,400 | | | O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.x† | | | 74,480 | |
| 3,900 | | | Occidental Petroleum Corp.x | | | 305,370 | |
| 12,400 | | | Olin Corp.x | | | 249,984 | |
| 4,000 | | | ONEOK, Inc.x | | | 180,160 | |
| 2,700 | | | PACCAR, Inc.(a) | | | 130,005 | |
| 2,000 | | | Parker Hannifin Corp. | | | 140,120 | |
| 8,100 | | | PepsiCo, Inc.x | | | 538,164 | |
| 3,900 | | | PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.x | | | 202,449 | |
| 6,800 | | | Prudential Financial, Inc.x | | | 368,424 | |
| 2,200 | | | Reynolds American, Inc.(a) | | | 130,658 | |
| 2,400 | | | Ross Stores, Inc.(a) | | | 131,088 | |
| 1,200 | | | Siemens AG, ADRx | | | 126,480 | |
| 4,200 | | | Snap-on, Inc.x | | | 195,342 | |
| 7,900 | | | Southern Co. | | | 294,196 | |
| 4,400 | | | Southern Union Co. | | | 105,864 | |
| 5,400 | | | Steel Dynamics, Inc.x | | | 76,194 | |
| 3,300 | | | Sunoco, Inc.(a) | | | 120,450 | |
| 7,700 | | | Sysco Corp.x | | | 219,604 | |
| 4,000 | | | Target Corp.x | | | 213,760 | |
| 6,300 | | | Texas Instruments, Inc.(a) | | | 170,982 | |
| 4,000 | | | The Allstate Corp.x | | | 126,200 | |
| 10,800 | | | The Walt Disney Co.x | | | 357,588 | |
| 1,700 | | | Thomas & Betts Corp.x† | | | 69,734 | |
| 5,400 | | | Time Warner Cable, Inc.x | | | 291,546 | |
| 6,500 | | | Time Warner, Inc.x | | | 199,225 | |
| 5,500 | | | TJX Cos., Inc.x | | | 245,465 | |
| 4,800 | | | Torchmark Corp.x | | | 255,072 | |
| 2,400 | | | Travelers Cos., Inc.x | | | 125,040 | |
| 13,100 | | | U.S. Bancorpx | | | 283,222 | |
| 6,100 | | | Union Pacific Corp.x | | | 498,980 | |
| 8,000 | | | United Technologies Corp.x | | | 569,840 | |
| 3,900 | | | Vale S.A., ADR(a) | | | 121,953 | |
| 6,200 | | | Valero Energy Corp.(a) | | | 108,562 | |
| 4,900 | | | Varian Medical Systems, Inc.x† | | | 296,450 | |
| 9,200 | | | Verizon Communications, Inc.(a) | | | 299,828 | |
| 4,000 | | | Viacom, Inc., Class B(a) | | | 144,760 | |
| 1,300 | | | Walter Energy, Inc.(a) | | | 105,677 | |
| 18,600 | | | Wells Fargo & Co.x | | | 467,418 | |
| 5,200 | | | Wisconsin Energy Corp.x(a) | | | 300,560 | |
| 1,900 | | | WW Grainger, Inc.x | | | 226,309 | |
| 8,100 | | | Xcel Energy, Inc.(a) | | | 186,057 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $22,409,461) | | | 25,219,103 | |
50 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Underlying Security/
| | | | |
Expiration Date/
| | | | |
Exercise Price | | Contracts | | Value |
|
|
Put Options Purchased (0.2%) |
S&P 500 Index, November 2010, $1,010.00 | | | 30 | | | $ | 23,850 | |
S&P 500 Index, October 2010, $1,010.00 | | | 50 | | | | 5,000 | |
S&P 500 Index, October 2010, $1,080.00 | | | 60 | | | | 23,400 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Put Options Purchased (Cost $121,195) | | $ | 52,250 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Collateral for Securities on Loan (19.6%) |
| 4,998,385 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | $ | 4,998,385 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $4,998,385) | | | 4,998,385 | |
Short-Term Investments (9.6%) |
$ | 2,434,129 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | 2,434,129 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $2,434,129) | | | 2,434,129 | |
Total Investments 128.5% (Cost $29,963,170) | | | 32,703,867 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (28.5)% | | | (7,244,761 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 25,459,106 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
x | | All or a portion of the security is pledged as collateral for call options written. |
|
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
Schedule of Investments 51
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund
Schedule of Written Call Options
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Underlying Security/
| | | | |
Expiration Date/
| | | | |
Exercise Price | | Contracts | | Value |
|
|
S&P 500 Index, October 2010, $1,130.00 | | | 70 | | | $ | 166,600 | |
S&P 500 Index, October 2010, $1,145.00 | | | 60 | | | | 88,500 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Options Written (Premiums received $247,668) | | $ | 255,100 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
52 Schedule of Investments
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | ICON
| | | ICON Equity
| | | ICON
| | | ICON Risk-
| |
| | ICON
| | | Core Equity
| | | Income
| | | Long/Short
| | | Managed
| |
| | Bond Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | | | Equity Fund | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at cost | | $ | 157,004,438 | | | $ | 124,037,473 | | | $ | 51,168,365 | | | $ | 27,958,932 | | | $ | 29,963,170 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at value† | | | 167,148,801 | | | | 129,243,917 | | | | 55,020,950 | | | | 28,916,048 | | | | 32,703,867 | |
Deposits for Short Sales | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4,862,381 | | | | - | |
Receivables: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund shares sold | | | 215,578 | | | | 163,685 | | | | 293,236 | | | | 4,344 | | | | 262,742 | |
Investments sold | | | - | | �� | | 778,786 | | | | 751,733 | | | | 156,785 | | | | 79,123 | |
Interest | | | 1,832,883 | | | | - | | | | 47,085 | | | | 1,707 | | | | 1 | |
Dividends | | | - | | | | 123,842 | | | | 208,942 | | | | 46,123 | | | | 41,028 | |
Expense reimbursements by Adviser | | | 101,877 | | | | - | | | | 45,307 | | | | 54,009 | | | | 76,217 | |
Foreign tax reclaims | | | - | | | | 477 | | | | 3,912 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Other assets | | | 36,457 | | | | 37,829 | | | | 22,758 | | | | 20,007 | | | | 17,925 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | | 169,335,596 | | | | 130,348,536 | | | | 56,393,923 | | | | 34,061,404 | | | | 33,180,903 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options written, at value (premiums received $247,668) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 255,100 | |
Securities sold short, at value (proceeds of $4,807,954) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4,766,995 | | | | - | |
Payables: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Due to custodian bank | | | - | | | | 711,987 | | | | 3,654 | | | | 1,755 | | | | - | |
Due to prime broker | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,483,805 | | | | 2,285,971 | |
Investments purchased | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,100,927 | | | | - | | | | 90,479 | |
Payable for collateral received on securities loaned | | | 17,142,522 | | | | 28,922,701 | | | | 12,265,464 | | | | 4,838,596 | | | | 4,998,385 | |
Fund shares redeemed | | | 121,375 | | | | 247,945 | | | | 30,404 | | | | 32,074 | | | | 29,831 | |
Dividends on short positions | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 20,973 | | | | - | |
Distributions due to shareholders | | | 21,016 | | | | - | | | | 10,280 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Advisory fees | | | 74,557 | | | | 61,393 | | | | 25,623 | | | | 16,013 | | | | 15,272 | |
Accrued distribution fees | | | 33,083 | | | | 35,619 | | | | 10,652 | | | | 10,609 | | | | 6,596 | |
Fund accounting fees | | | 14,458 | | | | 9,089 | | | | 3,775 | | | | 2,435 | | | | 2,800 | |
Transfer agent fees | | | 12,189 | | | | 16,778 | | | | 8,123 | | | | 7,882 | | | | 7,209 | |
Administration fees | | | 6,056 | | | | 3,972 | | | | 1,580 | | | | 559 | | | | 850 | |
Trustee fees | | | 4,329 | | | | 2,615 | | | | 1,098 | | | | 800 | | | | 932 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 35,200 | | | | 25,558 | | | | 24,005 | | | | 39,732 | | | | 28,372 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 17,464,785 | | | | 30,037,657 | | | | 13,485,585 | | | | 11,222,228 | | | | 7,721,797 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - all share classes | | $ | 151,870,811 | | | $ | 100,310,879 | | | $ | 42,908,338 | | | $ | 22,839,176 | | | $ | 25,459,106 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class I | | $ | 146,277,372 | | | $ | 73,969,385 | | | $ | 37,730,749 | | | $ | 11,306,110 | | | $ | 18,768,003 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class C | | $ | 4,544,296 | | | $ | 24,572,898 | | | $ | 3,569,319 | | | $ | 9,546,529 | | | $ | 2,608,854 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class Z | | $ | 1,049,133 | | | $ | 406,416 | | | $ | 87,617 | | | $ | 132,031 | | | $ | 62,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class A | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 1,362,180 | | | $ | 1,520,653 | | | $ | 1,854,506 | | | $ | 4,020,249 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | ICON
| | | ICON Equity
| | | ICON
| | | ICON Risk-
| |
| | ICON
| | | Core Equity
| | | Income
| | | Long/Short
| | | Managed
| |
| | Bond Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | | | Equity Fund | |
Net Assets Consist of | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 139,944,107 | | | $ | 148,749,851 | | | $ | 73,176,872 | | | $ | 86,024,477 | | | $ | 45,119,747 | |
Accumulated undistributed net investment income/(loss) | | | (329,987 | ) | | | 168,474 | | | | 28,158 | | | | (6 | ) | | | 29,973 | |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain/(loss) from investments, written options, securities sold short and foreign currency transactions | | | 2,112,328 | | | | (53,813,890 | ) | | | (34,149,346 | ) | | | (64,183,392 | ) | | | (22,423,879 | ) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, written options, securities sold short and foreign currency transactions | | | 10,144,363 | | | | 5,206,444 | | | | 3,852,654 | | | | 998,097 | | | | 2,733,265 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 151,870,811 | | | $ | 100,310,879 | | | $ | 42,908,338 | | | $ | 22,839,176 | | | $ | 25,459,106 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, no par value) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 13,534,673 | | | | 8,146,729 | | | | 3,431,543 | | | | 954,056 | | | | 1,744,200 | |
Class C | | | 419,569 | | | | 2,939,825 | | | | 328,991 | | | | 845,819 | | | | 257,133 | |
Class Z | | | 97,230 | | | | 44,973 | | | | 7,992 | | | | 11,093 | | | | 5,659 | |
Class A | | | 0.925 | | | | 157,030 | | | | 139,495 | | | | 157,552 | | | | 375,124 | |
Net asset value (offering and redemption price per share) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | $ | 10.81 | | | $ | 9.08 | | | $ | 11.00 | | | $ | 11.85 | | | $ | 10.76 | |
Class C | | $ | 10.83 | | | $ | 8.36 | | | $ | 10.85 | | | $ | 11.29 | | | $ | 10.15 | |
Class Z | | $ | 10.79 | | | $ | 9.04 | | | $ | 10.96 | | | $ | 11.90 | | | $ | 10.96 | |
Class A | | $ | 10.81 | | | $ | 8.67 | | | $ | 10.90 | | | $ | 11.77 | | | $ | 10.72 | |
Class A maximum offering price (100%/(100%-maximum sales charge)) of net asset value adjusted to the nearest cent per share | | $ | 11.47 | | | $ | 9.20 | | | $ | 11.56 | | | $ | 12.49 | | | $ | 11.37 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
† Includes securities on loan of | | $ | 16,539,075 | | | $ | 28,164,658 | | | $ | 11,930,194 | | | $ | 4,740,628 | | | $ | 4,865,836 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Statements of Operations
For the year ended September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON
| | | | | | ICON
| | | ICON
| | | ICON
| |
| | Bond
| | | ICON Core
| | | Equity
| | | Long/Short
| | | Risk-Managed
| |
| | Fund | | | Equity Fund | | | Income Fund | | | Fund | | | Equity Fund | |
Investment Income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 8,860,212 | | | $ | 577 | | | $ | 306,637 | | | $ | 70,356 | | | $ | 1,444 | |
Dividends | | | - | | | | 1,807,117 | | | | 2,125,120 | | | | 662,368 | | | | 710,834 | |
Income from securities lending, net | | | 21,976 | | | | 32,608 | | | | 9,478 | | | | 4,900 | | | | 4,641 | |
Foreign taxes withheld | | | - | | | | (5,413 | ) | | | (30,077 | ) | | | (3,213 | ) | | | (2,022 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investment Income | | | 8,882,188 | | | | 1,834,889 | | | | 2,411,158 | | | | 734,411 | | | | 714,897 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Advisory fees | | | 998,333 | | | | 763,720 | | | | 319,916 | | | | 254,060 | | | | 258,230 | |
Distribution fees: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 401,975 | | | | 175,187 | | | | 96,303 | | | | 37,488 | | | | 72,099 | |
Class C | | | 38,881 | | | | 293,724 | | | | 33,418 | | | | 125,566 | | | | 28,595 | |
Class A | | | - | | | | 4,442 | | | | 1,786 | | | | 5,482 | | | | 6,686 | |
Fund accounting fees | | | 49,048 | | | | 30,014 | | | | 12,575 | | | | 8,813 | | | | 10,154 | |
Transfer agent fees | | | 104,119 | | | | 145,802 | | | | 76,034 | | | | 76,579 | | | | 70,949 | |
Administration fees | | | 82,150 | | | | 50,286 | | | | 21,063 | | | | 14,746 | | | | 16,984 | |
Custody fees | | | 10,301 | | | | 10,057 | | | | 7,540 | | | | 22,387 | | | | 31,486 | |
Registration fees: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 45,686 | | | | 23,710 | | | | 29,117 | | | | 28,424 | | | | 31,148 | |
Class C | | | 22,645 | | | | 19,357 | | | | 19,155 | | | | 21,087 | | | | 19,786 | |
Class A | | | - | | | | 18,154 | | | | 17,289 | | | | 17,815 | | | | 18,069 | |
Insurance expense | | | 30,865 | | | | 14,736 | | | | 7,318 | | | | 5,826 | | | | 6,494 | |
Trustee fees and expenses | | | 20,184 | | | | 11,303 | | | | 4,597 | | | | 3,496 | | | | 4,226 | |
Audit and Tax Service expense | | | 30,022 | | | | 28,341 | | | | 30,828 | | | | 33,989 | | | | 34,006 | |
Prime broker expense | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 79,301 | | | | - | |
Interest expense | | | 639 | | | | 579 | | | | 247 | | | | 26,846 | | | | 38,505 | |
Other expenses | | | 101,164 | | | | 76,986 | | | | 48,666 | | | | 51,925 | | | | 49,930 | |
Dividends on Short positions | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 160,713 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total expenses before expense reimbursement | | | 1,936,012 | | | | 1,666,398 | | �� | | 725,852 | | | | 974,543 | | | | 697,347 | |
Expense reimbursement by Adviser due to expense limitation agreement | | | (245,979 | ) | | | - | | | | (82,255 | ) | | | (150,441 | ) | | | (139,018 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Expenses | | | 1,690,033 | | | | 1,666,398 | | | | 643,597 | | | | 824,102 | | | | 558,329 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | | | 7,192,155 | | | | 168,491 | | | | 1,767,561 | | | | (89,691 | ) | | | 156,568 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Written Options, Securities Sold Short, and Foreign Currency Transactions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gain/(loss) from investment transactions | | | 3,917,555 | | | | 14,090,952 | | | | 8,291,156 | | | | 3,554,392 | | | | 68,172 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) from foreign currency transactions | | | - | | | | - | | | | (328 | ) | | | (6 | ) | | | 27 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) from written option transactions | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 5,334,234 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) from securities sold short | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (819,636 | ) | | | - | |
Change in unrealized net appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency translations | | | 4,715,381 | | | | (13,188,272 | ) | | | (5,642,176 | ) | | | (2,882,609 | ) | | | (4,037,305 | ) |
Change in unrealized net appreciation/(depreciation) on written options | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (64,207 | ) |
Change in unrealized net appreciation/(depreciation) on securities sold short | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 800,265 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Written Options, Securities Sold Short, and Foreign Currency Transactions | | | 8,632,936 | | | | 902,680 | | | | 2,648,652 | | | | 652,406 | | | | 1,300,921 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | | $ | 15,825,091 | | | $ | 1,071,171 | | | $ | 4,416,213 | | | $ | 562,715 | | | $ | 1,457,489 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Bond Fund | | | ICON Core Equity Fund | | | ICON Equity Income Fund | | | ICON Long/Short Fund | | | ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | |
| | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| |
| | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 7,192,155 | | | $ | 5,438,595 | | | $ | 168,491 | | | $ | 816,652 | | | $ | 1,767,561 | | | $ | 2,620,014 | | | $ | (89,691 | ) | | $ | 648,416 | | | $ | 156,568 | | | $ | 806,738 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on investment transactions, foreign currency transactions, written options, and securities sold short | | | 3,917,555 | | | | 1,554,731 | | | | 14,090,952 | | | | (53,156,403 | ) | | | 8,290,828 | | | | (32,693,378 | ) | | | 2,734,750 | | | | (35,128,986 | ) | | | 5,402,433 | | | | (19,891,160 | ) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, foreign currency transactions, written options, and securities sold short | | | 4,715,381 | | | | 11,782,343 | | | | (13,188,272 | ) | | | 23,270,077 | | | | (5,642,176 | ) | | | 9,486,473 | | | | (2,082,344 | ) | | | 9,908,366 | | | | (4,101,512 | ) | | | 9,167,171 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 15,825,091 | | | | 18,775,669 | | | | 1,071,171 | | | | (29,069,674 | ) | | | 4,416,213 | | | | (20,586,891 | ) | | | 562,715 | | | | (24,572,204 | ) | | | 1,457,489 | | | | (9,917,251 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | (7,018,728 | ) | | | (5,269,023 | ) | | | (1,206,894 | ) | | | - | | | | (1,394,021 | ) | | | (2,442,168 | ) | | | (226,189 | ) | | | (1,205,084 | ) | | | (113,070 | ) | | | (748,790 | ) |
Class C | | | (171,690 | ) | | | (146,269 | ) | | | (306,237 | ) | | | - | | | | (94,130 | ) | | | (123,710 | ) | | | (108,323 | ) | | | (359,390 | ) | | | - | | | | (37,849 | ) |
Class Z | | | (47,033 | ) | | | (19,370 | ) | | | (12,403 | ) | | | - | | | | (2,847 | ) | | | (2,966 | ) | | | (2,537 | ) | | | (4,344 | ) | | | (331 | ) | | | (2,338 | ) |
Class A | | | - | | | | - | | | | (17,821 | ) | | | - | | | | (20,940 | ) | | | (17,663 | ) | | | (33,034 | ) | | | (80,999 | ) | | | (16,623 | ) | | | (14,552 | ) |
Net realized gains | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | (558,064 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Class C | | | (15,108 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Class Z | | | (3,365 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Class A | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease from dividends and distributions | | | (7,813,988 | ) | | | (5,434,662 | ) | | | (1,543,355 | ) | | | - | | | | (1,511,938 | ) | | | (2,586,507 | ) | | | (370,083 | ) | | | (1,649,817 | ) | | | (130,024 | ) | | | (803,529 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund Share Transactions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 32,845,451 | | | | 110,025,884 | | | | 32,073,401 | | | | 34,414,296 | | | | 6,439,261 | | | | 17,031,691 | | | | 7,069,126 | | | | 3,640,010 | | | | 3,611,409 | | | | 14,905,319 | |
Class C | | | 1,213,265 | | | | 3,715,970 | | | | 1,562,483 | | | | 3,488,160 | | | | 820,363 | | | | 1,003,478 | | | | 563,229 | | | | 783,734 | | | | 901,343 | | | | 1,277,270 | |
Class Z | | | 20,785 | | | | 1,024,697 | | | | 72,404 | | | | 568,499 | | | | 20,499 | | | | 4,455 | | | | 48,904 | | | | 26,476 | | | | 18,551 | | | | 57,628 | |
Class A | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 259,338 | | | | 1,065,854 | | | | 1,691,037 | | | | 477,212 | | | | 517,157 | | | | 293,068 | | | | 3,131,899 | | | | 1,280,397 | |
Reinvested dividends and distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 7,377,916 | | | | 5,195,686 | | | | 1,185,449 | | | | - | | | | 1,365,429 | | | | 2,330,556 | | | | 207,415 | | | | 1,110,666 | | | | 110,939 | | | | 737,233 | |
Class C | | | 177,601 | | | | 141,136 | | | | 292,854 | | | | - | | | | 87,134 | | | | 113,379 | | | | 99,955 | | | | 331,307 | | | | - | | | | 33,619 | |
Class Z | | | 1,117 | | | | 593 | | | | 6,842 | | | | - | | | | 2,847 | | | | 2,966 | | | | 2,472 | | | | 4,257 | | | | 331 | | | | 2,338 | |
Class A | | | - | | | | - | | | | 15,412 | | | | - | | | | 15,489 | | | | 16,732 | | | | 28,090 | | | | 69,277 | | | | 15,056 | | | | 12,100 | |
Shares repurchased | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | (67,826,327 | ) | | | (62,932,616 | ) | | | (21,796,993 | ) | | | (32,263,347 | ) | | | (14,371,467 | ) | | | (53,677,014 | ) | | | (11,219,022 | ) | | | (62,354,601 | ) | | | (23,642,476 | ) | | | (50,438,637 | ) |
Class C | | | (1,511,408 | ) | | | (2,543,325 | ) | | | (10,352,418 | ) | | | (13,186,346 | ) | | | (901,740 | ) | | | (1,647,586 | ) | | | (6,341,689 | ) | | | (8,349,905 | ) | | | (1,591,293 | ) | | | (1,977,570 | ) |
Class Z | | | (111,600 | ) | | | (14,142 | ) | | | (561,889 | ) | | | (530,397 | ) | | | (6,334 | ) | | | (11,436 | ) | | | (47,144 | ) | | | (351,623 | ) | | | (31,188 | ) | | | (325,048 | ) |
Class A | | | - | | | | - | | | | (880,468 | ) | | | (649,988 | ) | | | (431,805 | ) | | | (521,267 | ) | | | (1,102,767 | ) | | | (1,949,938 | ) | | | (639,913 | ) | | | (687,665 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase/(decrease) from fund share transactions | | | (27,813,190 | ) | | �� | 54,613,883 | | | | 1,876,415 | | | | (7,093,269 | ) | | | (5,269,287 | ) | | | (34,876,834 | ) | | | (10,174,274 | ) | | | (66,747,272 | ) | | | (18,115,342 | ) | | | (35,123,016 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | (19,802,087 | ) | | | 67,954,890 | | | | 1,404,231 | | | | (36,162,943 | ) | | | (2,365,012 | ) | | | (58,050,232 | ) | | | (9,981,642 | ) | | | (92,969,293 | ) | | | (16,787,877 | ) | | | (45,843,796 | ) |
Net Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 171,672,898 | | | | 103,718,008 | | | | 98,906,648 | | | | 135,069,591 | | | | 45,273,350 | | | | 103,323,582 | | | | 32,820,818 | | | | 125,790,111 | | | | 42,246,983 | | | | 88,090,779 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
End of year | | $ | 151,870,811 | | | $ | 171,672,898 | | | $ | 100,310,879 | | | $ | 98,906,648 | | | $ | 42,908,338 | | | $ | 45,273,350 | | | $ | 22,839,176 | | | $ | 32,820,818 | | | $ | 25,459,106 | | | $ | 42,246,983 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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57
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Bond Fund | | | ICON Core Equity Fund | | | ICON Equity Income Fund | | | ICON Long/Short Fund | | | ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | |
| | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| |
| | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Transactions in Fund Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 3,125,554 | | | | 11,482,901 | | | | 3,491,672 | | | | 4,484,288 | | | | 600,784 | | | | 2,000,622 | | | | 586,428 | | | | 340,946 | | | | 335,464 | | | | 1,569,658 | |
Class C | | | 114,827 | | | | 394,493 | | | | 183,620 | | | | 493,140 | | | | 77,154 | | | | 129,891 | | | | 49,342 | | | | 78,797 | | | | 89,178 | | | | 145,207 | |
Class Z | | | 1,975 | | | | 106,530 | | | | 7,898 | | | | 69,039 | | | | 1,894 | | | | 480 | | | | 4,041 | | | | 2,545 | | | | 1,688 | | | | 5,713 | |
Class A | | | 0.925 | | | | - | | | | 29,488 | | | | 141,844 | | | | 156,113 | | | | 54,286 | | | | 43,946 | | | | 28,761 | | | | 288,848 | | | | 137,816 | |
Reinvested dividends and distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 700,903 | | | | 534,012 | | | | 128,576 | | | | - | | | | 129,419 | | | | 259,726 | | | | 17,015 | | | | 109,323 | | | | 10,089 | | | | 81,150 | |
Class C | | | 16,834 | | | | 14,570 | | | | 34,209 | | | | - | | | | 8,411 | | | | 12,741 | | | | 8,558 | | | | 33,955 | | | | - | | | | 4,017 | |
Class Z | | | 106 | | | | 60 | | | | 740 | | | | - | | | | 269 | | | | 331 | | | | 202 | | | | 418 | | | | 30 | | | | 243 | |
Class A | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,726 | | | | - | | | | 1,454 | | | | 1,909 | | | | 2,320 | | | | 6,852 | | | | 1,379 | | | | 1,363 | |
Shares repurchased | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | (6,448,096 | ) | | | (6,559,440 | ) | | | (2,411,026 | ) | | | (4,364,896 | ) | | | (1,345,972 | ) | | | (6,514,734 | ) | | | (946,546 | ) | | | (5,931,965 | ) | | | (2,195,558 | ) | | | (5,380,747 | ) |
Class C | | | (143,069 | ) | | | (266,193 | ) | | | (1,230,820 | ) | | | (1,833,735 | ) | | | (86,142 | ) | | | (193,327 | ) | | | (560,432 | ) | | | (831,324 | ) | | | (155,945 | ) | | | (217,823 | ) |
Class Z | | | (10,776 | ) | | | (1,498 | ) | | | (61,378 | ) | | | (79,984 | ) | | | (582 | ) | | | (1,218 | ) | | | (4,033 | ) | | | (31,165 | ) | | | (2,874 | ) | | | (35,997 | ) |
Class A | | | - | | | | - | | | | (99,609 | ) | | | (88,346 | ) | | | (41,307 | ) | | | (56,756 | ) | | | (93,559 | ) | | | (185,853 | ) | | | (59,543 | ) | | | (71,413 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) | | | (2,641,741 | ) | | | 5,705,435 | | | | 75,096 | | | | (1,178,650 | ) | | | (498,505 | ) | | | (4,306,049 | ) | | | (892,718 | ) | | | (6,378,710 | ) | | | (1,687,244 | ) | | | (3,760,813 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares outstanding, beginning of year | | | 16,693,214 | | | | 10,987,779 | | | | 11,213,461 | | | | 12,392,111 | | | | 4,406,526 | | | | 8,712,575 | | | | 2,861,238 | | | | 9,239,948 | | | | 4,069,360 | | | | 7,830,173 | |
Shares outstanding, end of year | | | 14,051,473 | | | | 16,693,214 | | | | 11,288,557 | | | | 11,213,461 | | | | 3,908,021 | | | | 4,406,526 | | | | 1,968,520 | | | | 2,861,238 | | | | 2,382,116 | | | | 4,069,360 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accumulated undistributed net investment income/(loss) | | $ | (329,987 | ) | | $ | (329,006 | ) | | $ | 168,474 | | | $ | 1,543,338 | | | $ | 28,158 | | | $ | 7,965 | | | $ | (6 | ) | | $ | 170,533 | | | $ | 29,973 | | | $ | 6,269 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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59
Financial Highlights
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ratio of net investment
| | |
| | | | Income from investment operations | | Less dividends and | | distributions | | | | | | | | Ratio of expenses
| | income/(loss)
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | to average net assets(a) | | to average net assets(a) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Before
| | After
| | Before
| | After
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | expense
| | expense
| | expense
| | expense
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | |
| | Net asset
| | Net
| | Net realized
| | | | Dividends
| | Distributions
| | | | | | | | Net assets,
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | |
| | value,
| | investment
| | and unrealized
| | Total from
| | from net
| | from net
| | Total
| | Net asset
| | | | end of
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | Portfolio
|
| | beginning
| | income/
| | gains/(losses)
| | investment
| | investment
| | realized
| | dividends and
| | value, end
| | Total
| | period (in
| | agent earnings
| | agent earnings
| | agent earnings
| | agent earnings
| | turnover
|
| | of period | | (loss)(x) | | on investments | | operations | | income | | gains | | distributions | | of period | | return* | | thousands) | | credit | | credit | | credit | | credit | | rate(b) |
|
ICON Bond Fund** | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | $ | 10.28 | | | $ | 0.46 | | | $ | 0.56 | | | $ | 1.02 | | | $ | (0.45 | ) | | $ | (0.04 | ) | | $ | (0.49 | ) | | $ | 10.81 | | | | 10.20 | % | | $ | 146,277 | | | | 1.13 | % | | | 1.00 | %(c) | | | 4.21 | % | | | 4.34 | % | | | 63.47 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 9.44 | | | | 0.40 | | �� | | 0.84 | | | | 1.24 | | | | (0.40 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.40 | ) | | | 10.28 | | | | 13.50 | % | | | 166,145 | | | | 1.09 | % | | | 1.00 | %(c) | | | 4.08 | % | | | 4.17 | % | | | 73.71 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 10.02 | | | | 0.42 | | | | (0.55 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (0.45 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.45 | ) | | | 9.44 | | | | (1.48 | )% | | | 100,985 | | | | 1.08 | % | | | 1.00 | %(c) | | | 4.06 | % | | | 4.14 | % | | | 73.47 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 10.00 | | | | 0.44 | | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.47 | | | | (0.45 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.45 | ) | | | 10.02 | | | | 4.80 | % | | | 123,102 | | | | 1.09 | % | | | 1.00 | %(c) | | | 4.34 | % | | | 4.42 | % | | | 34.40 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 10.16 | | | | 0.42 | | | | (0.15 | ) | | | 0.27 | | | | (0.42 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.43 | ) | | | 10.00 | | | | 2.72 | % | | | 90,324 | | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.01 | %(c) | | | 4.14 | % | | | 4.24 | % | | | 66.82 | % |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 10.30 | | | | 0.39 | | | | 0.57 | | | | 0.96 | | | | (0.39 | ) | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (0.43 | ) | | | 10.83 | | | | 9.52 | % | | | 4,544 | | | | 2.46 | % | | | 1.60 | %(c) | | | 2.88 | % | | | 3.74 | % | | | 63.47 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 9.46 | | | | 0.34 | | | | 0.84 | | | | 1.18 | | | | (0.34 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.34 | ) | | | 10.30 | | | | 12.80 | % | | | 4,441 | | | | 2.40 | % | | | 1.60 | %(c) | | | 2.75 | % | | | 3.55 | % | | | 73.71 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 10.05 | | | | 0.35 | | | | (0.55 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | | | (0.39 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.39 | ) | | | 9.46 | | | | (2.16 | )% | | | 2,725 | | | | 2.42 | % | | | 1.60 | %(c) | | | 2.71 | % | | | 3.53 | % | | | 73.47 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 10.02 | | | | 0.38 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.42 | | | | (0.39 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.39 | ) | | | 10.05 | | | | 4.27 | % | | | 1,491 | | | | 3.15 | % | | | 1.60 | %(c) | | | 2.28 | % | | | 3.82 | % | | | 34.40 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 10.18 | | | | 0.36 | | | | (0.15 | ) | | | 0.21 | | | | (0.36 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.37 | ) | | | 10.02 | | | | 2.09 | % | | | 968 | | | | 3.08 | % | | | 1.61 | %(c) | | | 2.17 | % | | | 3.64 | % | | | 66.82 | % |
Class Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 10.26 | | | | 0.48 | | | | 0.57 | | | | 1.05 | | | | (0.48 | ) | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (0.52 | ) | | | 10.79 | | | | 10.45 | % | | | 1,049 | | | | 1.39 | % | | | 0.75 | %(c) | | | 3.95 | % | | | 4.59 | % | | | 63.47 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 9.42 | | | | 0.45 | | | | 0.81 | | | | 1.26 | | | | (0.42 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.42 | ) | | | 10.26 | | | | 13.79 | % | | | 1,087 | | | | 1.91 | % | | | 0.75 | %(c) | | | 3.34 | % | | | 4.50 | % | | | 73.71 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 10.02 | | | | 0.44 | | | | (0.57 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (0.47 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.47 | ) | | | 9.42 | | | | (1.43 | )% | | | 8 | | | | 186.00 | % | | | 0.75 | %(c) | | | (180.79 | )% | | | 4.46 | % | | | 73.47 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 10.00 | | | | 0.46 | | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.49 | | | | (0.47 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.47 | ) | | | 10.02 | | | | 5.02 | % | | | 11 | | | | 31.60 | % | | | 0.75 | %(c) | | | (26.18 | )% | | | 4.67 | % | | | 34.40 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 10.15 | | | | 0.45 | | | | (0.15 | ) | | | 0.30 | | | | (0.44 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.45 | ) | | | 10.00 | | | | 3.06 | % | | | 4 | | | | 25.40 | % | | | 0.76 | %(c) | | | (20.18 | )% | | | 4.47 | % | | | 66.82 | % |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 9.08 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.12 | | | | 0.16 | | | | (0.16 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.16 | ) | | | 9.08 | | | | 1.70 | % | | | 73,969 | | | | 1.35 | % | | | 1.35 | % | | | 0.45 | % | | | 0.45 | % | | | 123.12 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 11.24 | | | | 0.10 | | | | (2.26 | ) | | | (2.16 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 9.08 | | | | (19.22 | )% | | | 62,963 | | | | 1.37 | % | | | 1.37 | % | | | 1.23 | % | | | 1.23 | % | | | 208.48 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 16.59 | | | | 0.09 | | | | (4.07 | ) | | | (3.98 | ) | | | - | | | | (1.37 | ) | | | (1.37 | ) | | | 11.24 | | | | (25.99 | )% | | | 76,606 | | | | 1.27 | % | | | 1.27 | % | | | 0.67 | % | | | 0.67 | % | | | 173.81 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 15.22 | | | | 0.02 | | | | 2.46 | | | | 2.48 | | | | - | | | | (1.11 | ) | | | (1.11 | ) | | | 16.59 | | | | 17.05 | % | | | 88,246 | | | | 1.24 | % | | | 1.23 | % | | | 0.12 | % | | | 0.13 | % | | | 116.81 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 15.14 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | 0.67 | | | | 0.65 | | | | - | | | | (0.57 | ) | | | (0.57 | ) | | | 15.22 | | | | 4.35 | % | | | 104,966 | | | | 1.23 | % | | | 1.23 | % | | | (0.13 | )% | | | (0.13 | )% | | | 148.67 | % |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 8.37 | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.07 | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | 8.36 | | | | 0.84 | % | | | 24,573 | | | | 2.25 | % | | | 2.25 | % | | | (0.45 | )% | | | (0.45 | )% | | | 123.12 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 10.46 | | | | 0.03 | | | | (2.12 | ) | | | (2.09 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 8.37 | | | | (19.98 | )% | | | 33,089 | | | | 2.25 | % | | | 2.25 | % | | | 0.44 | % | | | 0.44 | % | | | 208.48 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 15.66 | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (3.82 | ) | | | (3.83 | ) | | | - | | | | (1.37 | ) | | | (1.37 | ) | | | 10.46 | | | | (26.61 | )% | | | 55,364 | | | | 2.05 | % | | | 2.05 | % | | | (0.09 | )% | | | (0.09 | )% | | | 173.81 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 14.52 | | | | (0.10 | ) | | | 2.35 | | | | 2.25 | | | | - | | | | (1.11 | ) | | | (1.11 | ) | | | 15.66 | | | | 16.25 | % | | | 92,350 | | | | 2.02 | % | | | 2.02 | % | | | (0.68 | )% | | | (0.67 | )% | | | 116.81 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 14.58 | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | 0.65 | | | | 0.51 | | | | - | | | | (0.57 | ) | | | (0.57 | ) | | | 14.52 | | | | 3.54 | % | | | 95,842 | | | | 2.03 | % | | | 2.02 | % | | | (0.91 | )% | | | (0.91 | )% | | | 148.67 | % |
Class Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 9.07 | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.10 | | | | (0.13 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.13 | ) | | | 9.04 | | | | 1.10 | % | | | 406 | | | | 1.90 | % | | | 1.90 | % | | | (0.06 | )% | | | (0.06 | )% | | | 123.12 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 11.24 | | | | 0.10 | | | | (2.27 | ) | | | (2.17 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 9.07 | | | | (19.31 | )% | | | 887 | | | | 1.45 | % | | | 1.45 | % | | | 1.27 | % | | | 1.27 | % | | | 208.48 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 16.62 | | | | 0.09 | | | | (4.10 | ) | | | (4.01 | ) | | | - | | | | (1.37 | ) | | | (1.37 | ) | | | 11.24 | | | | (26.11 | )% | | | 1,222 | | | | 1.34 | % | | | 1.34 | % | | | 0.65 | % | | | 0.65 | % | | | 173.81 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 15.23 | | | | 0.03 | | | | 2.47 | | | | 2.50 | | | | - | | | | (1.11 | ) | | | (1.11 | ) | | | 16.62 | | | | 17.18 | % | | | 1,320 | | | | 1.18 | % | | | 1.18 | % | | | 0.17 | % | | | 0.17 | % | | | 116.81 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 15.12 | | | | 0.02 | | | | 0.66 | | | | 0.68 | | | | - | | | | (0.57 | ) | | | (0.57 | ) | | | 15.23 | | | | 4.57 | % | | | 1,291 | | | | 0.99 | % | | | 0.98 | % | | | 0.12 | % | | | 0.12 | % | | | 148.67 | % |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 8.73 | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.02 | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | 8.67 | | | | 0.22 | % | | | 1,362 | | | | 2.68 | % | | | 2.68 | % | | | (0.88 | )% | | | (0.88 | )% | | | 123.12 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 10.92 | | | | 0.01 | | | | (2.20 | ) | | | (2.19 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 8.73 | | | | (20.05 | )% | | | 1,969 | | | | 2.43 | % | | | 2.43 | % | | | 0.11 | % | | | 0.11 | % | | | 208.48 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 16.32 | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (4.02 | ) | | | (4.03 | ) | | | - | | | | (1.37 | ) | | | (1.37 | ) | | | 10.92 | | | | (26.76 | )% | | | 1,878 | | | | 2.09 | % | | | 2.09 | % | | | (0.08 | )% | | | (0.08 | )% | | | 173.81 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 15.09 | | | | (0.06 | ) | | | 2.40 | | | | 2.34 | | | | - | | | | (1.11 | ) | | | (1.11 | ) | | | 16.32 | | | | 16.25 | % | | | 1,390 | | | | 1.66 | % | | | 1.65 | % | | | (0.42 | )% | | | (0.41 | )% | | | 116.81 | % |
May 31, 2006 (inception) to September 30, 2006 | | | 15.80 | | | | (0.27 | ) | | | (0.44 | ) | | | (0.71 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 15.09 | | | | (4.49 | )% | | | 128 | | | | 7.44 | % | | | 7.43 | % | | | (5.45 | )% | | | (5.44 | )% | | | 148.67 | % |
Financial Highlights
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61
Financial Highlights (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ratio of net investment
| | |
| | | | Income from investment operations | | Less dividends and | | distributions | | | | | | | | Ratio of expenses
| | income/(loss)
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | to average net assets(a) | | to average net assets(a) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Before
| | After
| | Before
| | After
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | expense
| | expense
| | expense
| | expense
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | |
| | Net asset
| | Net
| | Net realized
| | | | Dividends
| | Distributions
| | | | | | | | Net assets,
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | |
| | value,
| | investment
| | and unrealized
| | Total from
| | from net
| | from net
| | Total
| | Net asset
| | | | end of
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | Portfolio
|
| | beginning
| | income/
| | gains/(losses)
| | investment
| | investment
| | realized
| | dividends and
| | value, end
| | Total
| | period (in
| | agent earnings
| | agent earnings
| | agent earnings
| | agent earnings
| | turnover
|
| | of period | | (loss)(x) | �� | on investments | | operations | | income | | gains | | distributions | | of period | | return* | | thousands) | | credit | | credit | | credit | | credit | | rate(b) |
|
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | $ | 10.28 | | | $ | 0.45 | | | $ | 0.66 | | | $ | 1.11 | | | $ | (0.39 | ) | | $ | - | | | $ | (0.39 | ) | | $ | 11.00 | | | | 10.93 | % | | $ | 37,731 | | | | 1.53 | % | | | 1.45 | %(c) | | | 4.12 | % | | | 4.20 | % | | | 123.33 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 11.87 | | | | 0.40 | | | | (1.59 | ) | | | (1.19 | ) | | | (0.40 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.40 | ) | | | 10.28 | | | | (9.48 | )% | | | 41,623 | | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.40 | %(c) | | | 4.58 | % | | | 4.58 | % | | | 148.56 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 16.48 | | | | 0.34 | | | | (3.00 | ) | | | (2.66 | ) | | | (0.31 | ) | | | (1.64 | ) | | | (1.95 | ) | | | 11.87 | | | | (17.76 | )% | | | 98,501 | | | | 1.23 | %(f) | | | 1.23 | %(c) | | | 2.48 | % | | | 2.48 | % | | | 132.93 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 14.94 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 2.26 | | | | 2.55 | | | | (0.34 | ) | | | (0.67 | ) | | | (1.01 | ) | | | 16.48 | | | | 17.67 | % | | | 124,668 | | | | 1.23 | %(g) | | | 1.22 | %(c) | | | 1.86 | % | | | 1.86 | % | | | 121.30 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 15.79 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.59 | | | | (0.35 | ) | | | (1.09 | ) | | | (1.44 | ) | | | 14.94 | | | | 4.02 | % | | | 133,835 | | | | 1.23 | % | | | 1.23 | %(c) | | | 1.96 | % | | | 1.96 | % | | | 162.84 | % |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 10.16 | | | | 0.36 | | | | 0.64 | | | | 1.00 | | | | (0.31 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.31 | ) | | | 10.85 | | | | 9.99 | % | | | 3,569 | | | | 2.97 | % | | | 2.20 | %(c) | | | 2.68 | % | | | 3.46 | % | | | 123.33 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 11.73 | | | | 0.32 | | | | (1.56 | ) | | | (1.24 | ) | | | (0.33 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.33 | ) | | | 10.16 | | | | (10.12 | )% | | | 3,348 | | | | 2.69 | % | | | 2.21 | %(c) | | | 3.21 | % | | | 3.69 | % | | | 148.56 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 16.33 | | | | 0.21 | | | | (2.97 | ) | | | (2.76 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | | | (1.64 | ) | | | (1.84 | ) | | | 11.73 | | | | (18.60 | )% | | | 4,461 | | | | 2.34 | %(f) | | | 2.20 | %(c) | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.54 | % | | | 132.93 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 14.85 | | | | 0.14 | | | | 2.23 | | | | 2.37 | | | | (0.22 | ) | | | (0.67 | ) | | | (0.89 | ) | | | 16.33 | | | | 16.45 | % | | | 5,331 | | | | 2.33 | %(g) | | | 2.21 | %(c) | | | 0.75 | % | | | 0.87 | % | | | 121.30 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 15.71 | | | | 0.15 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.44 | | | | (0.21 | ) | | | (1.09 | ) | | | (1.30 | ) | | | 14.85 | | | | 3.03 | % | | | 4,753 | | | | 2.29 | % | | | 2.20 | %(c) | | | 0.91 | % | | | 1.00 | % | | | 162.84 | % |
Class Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 10.26 | | | | 0.47 | | | | 0.64 | | | | 1.11 | | | | (0.41 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.41 | ) | | | 10.96 | | | | 11.04 | % | | | 88 | | | | 7.66 | % | | | 1.20 | %(c) | | | (2.01 | )% | | | 4.45 | % | | | 123.33 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 11.84 | | | | 0.41 | | | | (1.57 | ) | | | (1.16 | ) | | | (0.42 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.42 | ) | | | 10.26 | | | | (9.20 | )% | | | 66 | | | | 8.73 | % | | | 1.21 | %(c) | | | (2.83 | )% | | | 4.69 | % | | | 148.56 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 16.46 | | | | 0.38 | | | | (3.04 | ) | | | (2.66 | ) | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (1.64 | ) | | | (1.96 | ) | | | 11.84 | | | | (17.81 | )% | | | 81 | | | | 11.18 | %(f) | | | 1.20 | %(c) | | | (7.14 | )% | | | 2.84 | % | | | 132.93 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 14.94 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 2.26 | | | | 2.56 | | | | (0.37 | ) | | | (0.67 | ) | | | (1.04 | ) | | | 16.46 | | | | 17.74 | % | | | 40 | | | | 11.08 | %(g) | | | 1.21 | %(c) | | | (7.96 | )% | | | 1.92 | % | | | 121.30 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 15.79 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.59 | | | | (0.35 | ) | | | (1.09 | ) | | | (1.44 | ) | | | 14.94 | | | | 4.04 | % | | | 24 | | | | 4.36 | % | | | 1.20 | %(c) | | | (1.20 | )% | | | 1.96 | % | | | 162.84 | % |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 10.21 | | | | 0.46 | | | | 0.63 | | | | 1.09 | | | | (0.40 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.40 | ) | | | 10.90 | | | | 10.84 | % | | | 1,521 | | | | 4.59 | % | | | 1.45 | %(c) | | | 1.19 | % | | | 4.32 | % | | | 123.33 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 11.80 | | | | 0.38 | | | | (1.57 | ) | | | (1.19 | ) | | | (0.40 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.40 | ) | | | 10.21 | | | | (9.53 | )% | | | 237 | | | | 5.68 | % | | | 1.46 | %(c) | | | 0.26 | % | | | 4.48 | % | | | 148.56 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 16.40 | | | | 0.31 | | | | (2.99 | ) | | | (2.68 | ) | | | (0.28 | ) | | | (1.64 | ) | | | (1.92 | ) | | | 11.80 | | | | (17.98 | )% | | | 281 | | | | 5.40 | %(f) | | | 1.44 | %(c) | | | (1.67 | )% | | | 2.29 | % | | | 132.93 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 14.92 | | | | 0.27 | | | | 2.22 | | | | 2.49 | | | | (0.34 | ) | | | (0.67 | ) | | | (1.01 | ) | | | 16.40 | | | | 17.29 | % | | | 322 | | | | 3.77 | %(g) | | | 1.45 | %(c) | | | (0.60 | )% | | | 1.73 | % | | | 121.30 | % |
May 31, 2006 (inception) to September 30, 2006 | | | 15.04 | | | | 0.08 | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | 0.07 | | | | (0.19 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.19 | ) | | | 14.92 | | | | 0.46 | % | | | 19 | | | | 38.36 | % | | | 1.44 | %(c) | | | (35.18 | )% | | | 1.74 | % | | | 162.84 | % |
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63
Financial Highlights (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ratio of net investment
| | |
| | | | Income from investment operations | | Less dividends and | | distributions | | | | | | | | Ratio of expenses
| | income/(loss)
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | to average net assets(a) | | to average net assets(a) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Before
| | After
| | Before
| | After
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | expense
| | expense
| | expense
| | expense
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | |
| | Net asset
| | Net
| | Net realized
| | | | Dividends
| | Distributions
| | | | | | | | Net assets,
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | |
| | value,
| | investment
| | and unrealized
| | Total from
| | from net
| | from net
| | Total
| | Net asset
| | | | end of
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | Portfolio
|
| | beginning
| | income/
| | gains/(losses)
| | investment
| | investment
| | realized
| | dividends and
| | value, end
| | Total
| | period (in
| | agent earnings
| | agent earnings
| | agent earnings
| | agent earnings
| | turnover
|
| | of period | | (loss)(x) | | on investments | | operations | | income | | gains | | distributions | | of period | | return* | | thousands) | | credit | | credit | | credit | | credit | | rate(b) |
|
ICON Long/Short Fund(e) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | $ | 11.73 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 0.28 | | | $ | 0.28 | | | $ | (0.16 | ) | | $ | - | | | $ | (0.16 | ) | | $ | 11.85 | | | | 2.32 | % | | $ | 11,306 | | | | 2.90 | % | | | 2.45 | %(c) | | | (0.44 | )% | | | 0.01 | % | | | 136.50 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 13.76 | | | | 0.16 | | | | (1.91 | ) | | | (1.75 | ) | | | (0.28 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.28 | ) | | | 11.73 | | | | (12.40 | )% | | | 15,209 | | | | 2.03 | % | | | 1.97 | %(c) | | | 1.44 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 131.79 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 19.26 | | | | 0.13 | | | | (4.86 | ) | | | (4.73 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.74 | ) | | | (0.77 | ) | | | 13.76 | | | | (25.43 | )% | | | 93,243 | | | | 1.47 | % | | | 1.47 | %(c) | | | 0.78 | % | | | 0.78 | % | | | 174.59 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 17.19 | | | | 0.07 | | | | 2.47 | | | | 2.54 | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (0.43 | ) | | | (0.47 | ) | | | 19.26 | | | | 15.05 | % | | | 238,943 | | | | 1.46 | % | | | 1.46 | %(c) | | | 0.39 | % | | | 0.39 | % | | | 105.00 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 15.99 | | | | 0.03 | | | | 1.17 | | | | 1.20 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 17.19 | | | | 7.50 | % | | | 168,522 | | | | 1.45 | %(d) | | | 1.45 | %(c) | | | 0.18 | %(d) | | | 0.18 | % | | | 94.62 | % |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 11.19 | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | 0.27 | | | | 0.19 | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | 11.29 | | | | 1.65 | % | | | 9,547 | | | | 3.60 | % | | | 3.19 | %(c) | | | (1.14 | )% | | | (0.73 | )% | | | 136.50 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 13.13 | | | | 0.06 | | | | (1.81 | ) | | | (1.75 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.19 | ) | | | 11.19 | | | | (13.10 | )% | | | 15,093 | | | | 2.95 | % | | | 2.81 | %(c) | | | 0.44 | % | | | 0.58 | % | | | 131.79 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 18.54 | | | | - | | | | (4.67 | ) | | | (4.67 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.74 | ) | | | (0.74 | ) | | | 13.13 | | | | (26.09 | )% | | | 27,148 | | | | 2.31 | % | | | 2.31 | %(c) | | | (0.01 | )% | | | (0.01 | )% | | | 174.59 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 16.67 | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | 2.38 | | | | 2.30 | | | | - | | | | (0.43 | ) | | | (0.43 | ) | | | 18.54 | | | | 14.05 | % | | | 43,986 | | | | 2.33 | % | | | 2.32 | %(c) | | | (0.48 | )% | | | (0.47 | )% | | | 105.00 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 15.63 | | | | (0.13 | ) | | | 1.17 | | | | 1.04 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 16.67 | | | | 6.65 | % | | | 26,763 | | | | 2.30 | %(d) | | | 2.30 | %(c) | | | (0.78 | )%(d) | | | (0.78 | )% | | | 94.62 | % |
Class Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 11.80 | | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.32 | | | | (0.22 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.22 | ) | | | 11.90 | | | | 2.63 | % | | | 132 | | | | 5.80 | % | | | 2.15 | %(c) | | | (3.39 | )% | | | 0.25 | % | | | 136.50 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 13.81 | | | | 0.17 | | | | (1.89 | ) | | | (1.72 | ) | | | (0.29 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.29 | ) | | | 11.80 | | | | (12.10 | )% | | | 128 | | | | 4.40 | % | | | 1.73 | %(c) | | | (1.12 | )% | | | 1.55 | % | | | 131.79 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 19.30 | | | | 0.18 | | | | (4.93 | ) | | | (4.75 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.74 | ) | | | (0.74 | ) | | | 13.81 | | | | (25.45 | )% | | | 540 | | | | 2.37 | % | | | 1.44 | %(c) | | | 0.16 | % | | | 1.09 | % | | | 174.59 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 17.29 | | | | 0.10 | | | | 2.41 | | | | 2.51 | | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.43 | ) | | | (0.50 | ) | | | 19.30 | | | | 14.81 | % | | | 447 | | | | 1.25 | % | | | 1.25 | %(c) | | | 0.55 | % | | | 0.55 | % | | | 105.00 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 16.05 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 1.13 | | | | 1.24 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 17.29 | | | | 7.73 | % | | | 3,306 | | | | 1.17 | %(d) | | | 1.17 | %(c) | | | 0.61 | %(d) | | | 0.61 | % | | | 94.62 | % |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 11.67 | | | | - | | | | 0.28 | | | | 0.28 | | | | (0.18 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.18 | ) | | | 11.77 | | | | 2.34 | % | | | 1,855 | | | | 3.65 | % | | | 2.45 | %(c) | | | (1.21 | )% | | | (0.01 | )% | | | 136.50 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 13.69 | | | | 0.14 | | | | (1.88 | ) | | | (1.74 | ) | | | (0.28 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.28 | ) | | | 11.67 | | | | (12.39 | )% | | | 2,390 | | | | 2.64 | % | | | 2.06 | %(c) | | | 0.76 | % | | | 1.34 | % | | | 131.79 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 19.20 | | | | 0.10 | | | | (4.85 | ) | | | (4.75 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.74 | ) | | | (0.76 | ) | | | 13.69 | | | | (25.61 | )% | | | 4,859 | | | | 1.72 | % | | | 1.72 | %(c) | | | 0.63 | % | | | 0.63 | % | | | 174.59 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 17.18 | | | | 0.05 | | | | 2.46 | | | | 2.51 | | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.43 | ) | | | (0.49 | ) | | | 19.20 | | | | 14.94 | % | | | 6,481 | | | | 1.68 | % | | | 1.67 | %(c) | | | 0.27 | % | | | 0.26 | % | | | 105.00 | % |
May 31, 2006 (inception) to September 30, 2006 | | | 17.52 | | | | 0.05 | | | | (0.39 | ) | | | (0.34 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 17.18 | | | | (1.94 | )% | | | 821 | | | | 2.51 | % | | | 1.54 | %(c) | | | (0.01 | )% | | | 0.96 | % | | | 94.62 | % |
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65
Financial Highlights (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ratio of net investment
| | |
| | | | Income from investment operations | | Less dividends and | | distributions | | | | | | | | Ratio of expenses
| | income/(loss)
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | to average net assets(a) | | to average net assets(a) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Before
| | After
| | Before
| | After
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | expense
| | expense
| | expense
| | expense
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | |
| | Net asset
| | Net
| | Net realized
| | | | Dividends
| | Distributions
| | | | | | | | Net assets,
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | |
| | value,
| | investment
| | and unrealized
| | Total from
| | from net
| | from net
| | Total
| | Net asset
| | | | end of
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | Portfolio
|
| | beginning
| | income/
| | gains/(losses)
| | investment
| | investment
| | realized
| | dividends and
| | value, end
| | Total
| | period (in
| | agent earnings
| | agent earnings
| | agent earnings
| | agent earnings
| | turnover
|
| | of period | | (loss)(x) | | on investments | | operations | | income | | gains | | distributions | | of period | | return* | | thousands) | | credit | | credit | | credit | | credit | | rate(b) |
|
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | $ | 10.43 | | | $ | 0.06 | | | $ | 0.31 | | | $ | 0.37 | | | $ | (0.04 | ) | | $ | - | | | $ | (0.04 | ) | | $ | 10.76 | | | | 3.56 | % | | $ | 18,768 | | | | 1.82 | % | | | 1.56 | %(c) | | | 0.26 | % | | | 0.52 | % | | | 114.34 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 11.28 | | | | 0.15 | | | | (0.85 | ) | | | (0.70 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.15 | ) | | | 10.43 | | | | (5.98 | )% | | | 37,475 | | | | 1.44 | % | | | 1.44 | %(c) | | | 1.62 | % | | | 1.62 | % | | | 194.31 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 13.18 | | | | 0.12 | | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (1.27 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.53 | ) | | | (0.63 | ) | | | 11.28 | | | | (10.04 | )% | | | 82,599 | | | | 1.30 | % | | | 1.30 | %(c) | | | 0.93 | % | | | 0.93 | % | | | 184.47 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 13.80 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | 1.64 | | | | 1.62 | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (2.23 | ) | | | (2.24 | ) | | | 13.18 | | | | 12.51 | % | | | 77,195 | | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.50 | %(c) | | | (0.11 | )% | | | (0.11 | )% | | | 150.42 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 13.88 | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | 0.05 | | | | 0.04 | | | | - | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | 13.80 | | | | 0.30 | % | | | 60,321 | | | | 1.47 | % | | | 1.47 | %(c) | | | (0.04 | )% | | | (0.04 | )% | | | 159.55 | % |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 9.88 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.27 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 10.15 | | | | 2.73 | % | | | 2,609 | | | | 3.36 | % | | | 2.30 | %(c) | | | (1.27 | )% | | | (0.21 | )% | | | 114.34 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 10.72 | | | | 0.05 | | | | (0.79 | ) | | | (0.74 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.10 | ) | | | 9.88 | | | | (6.69 | )% | | | 3,199 | | | | 2.72 | % | | | 2.24 | %(c) | | | 0.06 | % | | | 0.54 | % | | | 194.31 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 12.61 | | | | 0.01 | | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (1.31 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (0.53 | ) | | | (0.58 | ) | | | 10.72 | | | | (10.85 | )% | | | 4,207 | | | | 2.52 | % | | | 2.21 | %(c) | | | (0.24 | )% | | | 0.07 | % | | | 184.47 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 13.39 | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | 1.56 | | | | 1.45 | | | | - | | | | (2.23 | ) | | | (2.23 | ) | | | 12.61 | | | | 11.53 | % | | | 2,291 | | | | 2.76 | % | | | 2.25 | %(c) | | | (1.34 | )% | | | (0.83 | )% | | | 150.42 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 13.56 | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | 0.06 | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | 13.39 | | | | (0.36 | )% | | | 2,842 | | | | 2.61 | % | | | 2.23 | %(c) | | | (1.23 | )% | | | (0.85 | )% | | | 159.55 | % |
Class Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 10.61 | | | | 0.08 | | | | 0.33 | | | | 0.41 | | | | (0.06 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.06 | ) | | | 10.96 | | | | 3.90 | % | | | 62 | | | | 10.41 | % | | | 1.31 | %(c) | | | (8.34 | )% | | | 0.75 | % | | | 114.34 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 11.46 | | | | 0.22 | | | | (0.91 | ) | | | (0.69 | ) | | | (0.16 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.16 | ) | | | 10.61 | | | | (5.79 | )% | | | 72 | | | | 3.55 | % | | | 1.24 | %(c) | | | (0.10 | )% | | | 2.21 | % | | | 194.31 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 13.37 | | | | 0.15 | | | | (1.43 | ) | | | (1.28 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.53 | ) | | | (0.63 | ) | | | 11.46 | | | | (9.99 | )% | | | 422 | | | | 4.39 | % | | | 1.21 | %(c) | | | (1.98 | )% | | | 1.20 | % | | | 184.47 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 13.94 | | | | 0.01 | | | | 1.65 | | | | 1.66 | | | | - | | | | (2.23 | ) | | | (2.23 | ) | | | 13.37 | | | | 12.67 | % | | | 37 | | | | 17.99 | % | | | 1.25 | %(c) | | | (16.64 | )% | | | 0.10 | % | | | 150.42 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 13.94 | | | | 0.02 | | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.12 | | | | - | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | 13.94 | | | | 0.88 | % | | | 5 | | | | 3.52 | % | | | 1.22 | %(c) | | | (2.14 | )% | | | 0.15 | % | | | 159.55 | % |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 10.39 | | | | 0.05 | | | | 0.33 | | | | 0.38 | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | 10.72 | | | | 3.69 | % | | | 4,020 | | | | 2.62 | % | | | 1.59 | %(c) | | | (0.57 | )% | | | 0.46 | % | | | 114.34 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 11.25 | | | | 0.09 | | | | (0.80 | ) | | | (0.71 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.15 | ) | | | 10.39 | | | | (6.05 | )% | | | 1,501 | | | | 2.87 | % | | | 1.49 | %(c) | | | (0.43 | )% | | | 0.95 | % | | | 194.31 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 13.15 | | | | 0.10 | | | | (1.38 | ) | | | (1.28 | ) | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.53 | ) | | | (0.62 | ) | | | 11.25 | | | | (10.18 | )% | | | 863 | | | | 3.75 | % | | | 1.46 | %(c) | | | (1.44 | )% | | | 0.85 | % | | | 184.47 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 13.80 | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | 1.65 | | | | 1.62 | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (2.23 | ) | | | (2.27 | ) | | | 13.15 | | | | 12.51 | % | | | 294 | | | | 7.12 | % | | | 1.49 | %(c) | | | (5.85 | )% | | | (0.22 | )% | | | 150.42 | % |
May 31, 2006 (inception) to September 30, 2006 | | | 13.73 | | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.07 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 13.80 | | | | 0.51 | % | | | 15 | | | | 42.18 | % | | | 1.47 | %(c) | | | (40.01 | )% | | | 0.69 | % | | | 159.55 | % |
| | |
(x) | | Calculated using the average shares method. |
* | | The total return calculation is for the period indicated and excludes any sales charges. |
** | | Class A shares commenced operations on September 30, 2010. |
(a) | | Annualized for periods less than a year. |
(b) | | Portfolio turnover is calculated at the Fund level and is not annualized for periods less than a year. |
(c) | | The Fund’s operating expenses, not including interest expense, are contractually limited to the amounts discussed in Note 3. The ratios in these financial highlights reflect the limitation, including the interest expense. |
(d) | | Prior disclosures were reclassified to be consistent with current presentation. |
(e) | | The Fund’s operating expenses, not including dividends on short positions, are contractually limited to 1.55% for Class I, 2.30% for Class C, 1.25% for Class Z and 1.55% for Class A. The ratios in these financial highlights reflect the limitation, including the dividends on short positions. |
(f) | | The ratio of expenses to average net assets before expense limitation and transfer agent earnings credit including expenses that were paid on behalf of the Fund by a third party related to a tax matter were 1.43%, 2.54%, 11.38% and 5.60% for Class I, C, Z and A, respectively. |
(g) | | The ratio of expenses to average net assets before expense limitation and transfer agent earnings credit including a potential Internal Revenue Code section 860 deficiency dividend expense were 1.81%, 2.91%, 11.66% and 4.35% for Class I, C, Z and A, respectively. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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67
Notes to Financial Statements
September 30, 2010
1. Organization
The ICON Bond Fund (“Bond Fund”), ICON Core Equity Fund (“Core Equity Fund”), ICON Equity Income Fund (“Equity Income Fund”), ICON Long/Short Fund (“Long/Short Fund”) and ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund (“Risk-Managed Equity Fund”) are series funds (individually a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The Funds are part of the ICON Funds (the “Trust”), a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end investment management company. Each Fund has four classes of shares: Class I, Class C, Class Z and Class A. Class A shares of the Bond Fund commenced operations at the close of business on September 30, 2010. All classes have equal rights as to earnings, assets and voting privileges except that each Class may bear different distribution fees, registration costs, legal costs, mailing and printing costs and shareholder servicing costs and each Class has exclusive voting rights with respect to its distribution plan. There are currently twelve other active Funds within the Trust. Those Funds are covered by separate prospectuses and shareholder reports.
Each Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of no par shares. The investment objective of the Bond Fund is maximum total return. The investment objective of the Core Equity Fund is long-term capital appreciation with a secondary objective of capital preservation. The investment objective of the Equity Income Fund is modest capital appreciation and income. The investment objective of the Long/Short Fund is capital appreciation. The investment objective of the Risk-Managed Equity Fund is modest capital appreciation and to maximize realized gains.
The Funds may have elements of risk, including the risk of loss of principal. There is no assurance that the investment process will consistently lead to successful results. An investment concentrated in sectors and industries may involve greater risk and volatility than a more diversified investment. Investing in fixed income securities such as bonds involves interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities generally decreases. Additionally, the Bond Fund may invest in medium-and lower-quality debt securities. High-yield bonds involve a greater risk of default and price volatility than U.S. government and other high-quality bonds. The Long/Short Fund engages in short selling; there are risks associated with selling short, including the risk that the Long/Short Fund may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short sale, resulting in a loss. The Long/Short Fund’s loss on a short sale is potentially unlimited as a loss
68 Notes to Financial Statements
occurs when the value of a security sold short increases. The Risk-Managed Equity Fund invests in call options; call options involve certain risks, such as limited gains and lack of liquidity of the underlying securities, and are not suitable for all investors. Investments in foreign securities and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar-denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower government supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability. Financial statements of foreign companies are governed by different accounting, auditing, and financial standards than U.S. companies and may be less transparent and uniform than in the United States. Many corporate governance standards, which help ensure the integrity of public information in the United States, may not exist in some foreign countries. In general, there may be less governmental supervision of foreign stock exchanges and securities brokers and issuers. There are also risks associated with small- and mid-cap investing, including limited product lines, less liquidity and small market share.
The Core Equity Fund has a significant weighting in the Industrials sector which may cause the Fund’s performance to be susceptible to the economic, business and/or other developments that may affect that sector.
In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into various agreements that provide for general indemnifications. Each Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as any potential exposure involving future claims that may be made against each Fund is unknown. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be minimal.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Notes to Financial Statements 69
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Investment Valuation
The Funds’ securities and other assets, excluding options on securities indexes, are valued as of the closing price at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (normally 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) each day the NYSE is open, except that securities traded primarily on the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) are normally valued by the Funds at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price provided by NASDAQ each business day. Options on securities indexes are valued at the close of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (normally 4:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
The Funds use pricing services to obtain the market value of securities in their portfolios; if a pricing service is not able to provide a price, or the pricing service’s valuation quote is considered inaccurate or does not reflect the market value of the security, prices may be obtained through market quotations from independent broker/dealers. If market quotations from these sources are not readily available, the Funds’ securities or other assets are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Funds’ Board of Trustees (“Board”) or pursuant to procedures approved by the Board.
Lacking any sales that day, a security is valued at the current closing bid price (or yield equivalent thereof) or based on quotes obtained from dealers making a market for the security. Options are valued at their closing mid-price on the market with the most volume. Mid-price is the average of the closing bid and closing ask prices. Debt securities with a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued in accordance with the evaluated bid price supplied by the pricing service. The evaluated bid price supplied by the pricing service is based upon a matrix valuation system which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost or original cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value. Currency rates as of the close of the NYSE are used to convert foreign security values into U.S. dollars.
The Funds’ securities traded in countries outside of the Western Hemisphere are fair valued daily by utilizing the quotations of an independent pricing service, unless the Board determines that use of another valuation methodology is appropriate. The purposes of daily fair valuation are to avoid stale prices and to take into account, among other things, any significant events occurring after the close of foreign markets. The pricing service uses statistical analyses and quantitative models to adjust local market prices using factors such as subsequent movements and changes in the prices of
70 Notes to Financial Statements
indexes, securities and exchange rates in other markets to determine fair value as of the time a Fund calculates its net asset value (“NAV”). The valuation assigned to fair-value securities for purposes of calculating a Fund’s NAV may differ from the security’s most recent closing market price and from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their NAVs.
Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value.
Various inputs are used to determine the value of the Funds’ investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 — significant observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk).
Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs.
Observable inputs are those based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Funds, and unobservable inputs reflect the Funds’ own assumptions based on the best information available. The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investments at that level. For example, non-U.S. equity securities actively traded in foreign markets generally are reflected in Level 2 despite the availability of closing prices, because the Funds evaluate and determine whether those closing prices reflect fair value at the close of the NYSE or require adjustment, as described above. The following table summarizes the Funds’ investments, based on the inputs used to determine their values on September 30, 2010:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | |
| | | | | Liabilities
| | | | |
| | | | | for Securities
| | | | |
| | Investments
| | | Sold Short and
| | | Investments
| |
Fund Name | | in Securities | | | Written Options | | | in Securities | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund |
Corporate Bonds | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 132,743,452 | |
U.S. Government Bonds | | | - | | | | - | | | | 915,078 | |
U.S. Treasury Obligations | | | - | | | | - | | | | 13,683,205 | |
Foreign Corporate Bonds | | | - | | | | - | | | | 501,370 | |
Foreign Government Bonds | | | - | | | | - | | | | 568,750 | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | - | | | | 17,142,522 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,594,424 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 167,148,801 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Notes to Financial Statements 71
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | |
| | | | | Liabilities
| | | | |
| | | | | for Securities
| | | | |
| | Investments
| | | Sold Short and
| | | Investments
| |
Fund Name | | in Securities | | | Written Options | | | in Securities | |
| |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 100,321,216 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | - | | | | 28,922,701 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 100,321,216 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 28,992,701 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 37,452,177 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Corporate Bonds | | | - | | | | - | | | | 2,579,541 | |
Convertible Corporate Bonds | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,050,375 | |
U.S. Government Bonds | | | - | | | | - | | | | 917,855 | |
Call Options Purchased | | | 188,555 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Put Options Purchased | | | 6,000 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | - | | | | 12,265,464 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | - | | | | 560,983 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 37,646,732 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 17,374,218 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 23,941,228 | | | $ | (355,555 | ) | | $ | - | |
Corporate Bonds | | | - | | | | - | | | | 72,275 | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4,838,596 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | - | | | | 63,949 | |
Mutual Funds | | | - | | | | (4,411,440 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 23,941,228 | | | $ | (4,766,995 | ) | | $ | 4,974,820 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 25,219,103 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Put Options Purchased | | | 52,250 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | - | | | | 4,998,385 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | - | | | | 2,434,129 | |
Call Options Written | | | - | | | | (255,100 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 25,271,353 | | | $ | (255,100 | ) | | $ | 7,432,514 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
There were no Level 3 securities held in any of the Funds at September 30, 2010.
For the year ended September 30, 2010, there was no significant security transfer activity between Level 1 and Level 2.
72 Notes to Financial Statements
Foreign Currency Translation
The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated daily into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the respective dates of the transactions. Purchases and sales of securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the contractual currency exchange rates established at the time of each trade.
The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, resulting from changes in the exchange rates and changes in market prices of securities held.
Options Transactions
The Funds’ use of derivatives for the year ended September 30, 2010 was limited to purchased and written options.
The Risk-Managed Equity Fund’s primary investment strategy involves the use of options. Each of the other Funds may also purchase and/or write (sell) call and put options on any security in which it may invest. The Funds utilize options to hedge against changes in market conditions and to provide market exposure while trying to reduce transaction costs.
Option contracts involve market risk and can be highly volatile. Should prices of securities or securities indexes move in an unexpected manner, the Funds may not achieve the desired benefits and may realize losses and thus be in a worse position than if such strategies had not been utilized.
When a Fund writes a put or call option, an amount equal to the premium received is included on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option. If an option expires on its stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, a gain or loss is realized. If a written call option on an individual security is exercised, a gain or loss is realized for the sale of the underlying security, and the proceeds from the sale are increased by the premium originally received. If a written call option on a securities index is exercised, a gain or loss is realized as determined by the premium originally received, the
Notes to Financial Statements 73
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
exercise price and the market value of the index. If a written put option on an individual security is exercised, the cost of the security acquired is decreased by the premium originally received. As a writer of an option, a Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the individual security or securities index underlying the written option. Additionally, written call options may involve the risk of limited gains, lack of liquidity for the option and lack of liquidity for the security or securities index.
Each Fund may also purchase put and call options. When a Fund purchases a put or call option, an amount equal to the premium paid is included on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an investment, and is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option. If an option expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction, a gain or loss is realized. If the Fund exercises a call option on an individual security, the cost of the security acquired is increased by the premium paid for the call. If the Fund exercises a put option on an individual security, a gain or loss is realized from the sale of the underlying security, and the proceeds from such a sale are decreased by the premium originally paid. If the Fund exercises a put or a call option on a security index, a gain or loss is realized as determined by the premium originally paid, the exercise price and the market value of the index. Written and purchased options are non-income producing securities.
As of September 30, 2010, the Equity Income Fund engaged in purchased put and call options transactions and the Risk-Managed Equity Fund engaged in written call and purchased put options transactions. All open option contracts are included on each Fund’s Schedule of Investments.
The Risk-Managed Equity Fund’s written options are collateralized by cash and/or securities held in a segregated account at the Fund’s custodian. Such collateral is restricted from the Fund’s use. The cash collateral held for the prime broker and/or borrowings from the prime broker are included on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The securities pledged as collateral are included on the Schedule of Investments.
74 Notes to Financial Statements
The number of options contracts written and the premiums received by the Risk-Managed Equity Fund during the year ended September 30, 2010, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Risk-Managed Equity Fund | |
| | Number of
| | | Premiums
| |
| | Contracts | | | Received | |
| |
Options outstanding, beginning of year | | | 410 | | | $ | 1,358,925 | |
Options written during year | | | 17,004 | | | | 28,752,456 | |
Options expired during year | | | (445 | ) | | | (789,613 | ) |
Options closed during year | | | (16,779 | ) | | | (29,029,795 | ) |
Options exercised during year | | | (60 | ) | | | (44,305 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Options outstanding, end of year | | | 130 | | | $ | 247,668 | |
| | | | | | | | |
The following is a summary of how these derivatives are treated in the financial statements and their impact on the Funds:
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
| | Statement of
| | | | | Statement of
| | | |
| | Assets and
| | | | | Assets and
| | | |
Derivatives not accounted for as
| | Liabilities
| | Fair
| | | Liabilities
| | Fair
| |
hedging instruments | | Location | | Value | | | Location | | Value | |
| |
|
Purchased option contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity risk | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | Investments, | | $ | 194,555 | | | Investments, | | $ | - | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | at value | | | 52,250 | | | at value | | | - | |
Written option contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity risk | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | Options written, at value | | $ | - | | | Options written, at value | | $ | 255,100 | |
Amount of Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Operations
| | | | | | |
| | Location of Gain/(Loss)
| | | |
Derivatives not accounted for as
| | on Derivatives
| | | |
hedging instruments | | Recognized in Operations | | Amount | |
| |
Purchased option contracts | | | | | | |
Equity risk | | | | | | |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | Net realized gain/(loss) from | | $ | (628,920 | ) |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | investment transactions | | | (30,823 | ) |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | | | (6,400,731 | ) |
Written option contracts | | | | | | |
Equity risk | | | | | | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | Net realized gain/(loss) from written option transactions | | $ | 5,334,234 | |
Notes to Financial Statements 75
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Operations
| | | | | | |
| | Location of Gain/(Loss)
| | | |
Derivatives not accounted for as
| | on Derivatives
| | | |
hedging instruments | | Recognized in Operations | | Amount | |
| |
Purchased option contracts | | | | | | |
Equity risk | | | | | | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | Change in unrealized net | | $ | (437,736 | ) |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | | | (43,834 | ) |
Written option contracts | | | | | | |
Equity risk | | | | | | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | Change in unrealized net appreciation/(depreciation) on written options | | $ | (64,207 | ) |
Information about derivative instruments reflected as of the date of this report is generally indicative of the type and volume of derivative activity for the year ended September 30, 2010.
The Funds value derivatives at fair value, as described below, and recognize changes in fair value currently in the results of operations. Accordingly, the Funds do not follow hedge accounting, even for derivatives employed as economic hedges.
Short Sales
The Long/Short Fund may engage in short sales (selling securities it does not own) as part of its normal investment activities. The Long/Short Fund enters into short positions in equity securities identified as being overvalued.
Short sales involve market risk. If a security sold short increases in price, the Long/Short Fund may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short sale price, resulting in a loss. These short sales are collateralized by cash and/or securities held with the Fund’s prime broker and in a segregated account at the Fund’s custodian. The collateral required is determined daily by reference to the market value of the short positions. Such collateral for the Fund is restricted from use. The cash collateral that is restricted from use is included on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as “Deposits for short sales.“The securities pledged as collateral that are restricted from use are included on the Schedule of Investments. Dividends received on short sales are treated as an expense on the Statement of Operations. Liabilities for securities sold short are closed out by purchasing the applicable securities for delivery to the Fund’s prime broker. As of
76 Notes to Financial Statements
September 30, 2010, the Long/Short Fund engaged in short selling. The short positions are included in the Schedule of Securities Sold Short on the Schedule of Investments.
Securities Lending
Under procedures adopted by the Board, the Funds may lend securities to non-affiliated qualified parties. The Funds seek to earn additional income through securities lending. There is the risk of delay in recovering a loaned security. The Funds do not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan; however, the Funds may attempt to call back the loan and vote the proxy.
All loans will be continuously secured by collateral which consists of cash. The cash collateral is invested in the State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio and is disclosed on the Schedule of Investments. The lending fees received and the Funds’ portion of the interest income earned on cash collateral are included on the Statement of Operations, if applicable.
As of September 30, 2010, the following Funds had securities with the following values on loan:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Value of
| | | Value of
| |
Fund | | Loaned Securities | | | Collateral | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | $ | 16,539,075 | | | $ | 17,142,522 | |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | | 28,164,658 | | | | 28,922,701 | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 11,930,194 | | | | 12,265,464 | |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | 4,740,628 | | | | 4,838,596 | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | 4,865,836 | | | | 4,998,385 | |
The value of the collateral above could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before September 30, 2010. It may also include collateral received from the pre-funding of loans.
Income Taxes
The Funds intend to qualify as regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and, accordingly, the Funds will generally not be subject to federal and state income taxes, or federal excise taxes to the extent that they intend to make sufficient distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains.
Dividends paid by the Funds from net investment income and distributions of net realized short-term gains are, for federal income tax purposes, taxable as ordinary income to shareholders.
Notes to Financial Statements 77
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded by the Funds on the ex-dividend/distribution date. The Bond Fund distributes net investment income, if any, to shareholders monthly. The Equity Income Fund and the Risk-Managed Equity Fund intend to distribute net investment income, if any, to shareholders quarterly. Other Funds distribute income, if any, annually. The Funds distribute net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually, if not offset by capital loss carryforwards. The Funds may utilize equalization accounting for tax purposes and designate earnings and profits, including net realized gains distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares, as part of the dividends paid deduction for income tax purposes. Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements.
The Funds file U.S. tax returns. While the statute of limitations remains open to examine the Funds’ U.S. tax returns filed for the past four years, no examinations are in progress or anticipated at this time. The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
Investment Income
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Interest income is accrued as earned. Certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the Funds are informed of the dividend if such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are amortized over the life of the respective securities.
Investment Transactions
Security transactions are accounted for no later than one business day after the trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.
78 Notes to Financial Statements
Allocation of Income and Expenses
Each class of a Fund’s shares bears expenses incurred specifically on its behalf and, in addition, each class bears a portion of general expenses, based upon relative net assets of each class. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a specific Fund in the Trust are apportioned between all Funds in the Trust based upon relative net assets. In calculating the net asset value per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses other than class-specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets.
Below are the class level expenses that are included in Other Expenses on the Statement of Operations:
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Printing
| |
| | Legal
| | | And Postage
| |
Fund | | Expense | | | Expense | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | $ | 12,975 | | | $ | 36,175 | |
Class C | | | 376 | | | | 1,069 | |
Class Z | | | 82 | | | | 240 | |
Class A | | | - | | | | - | |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 6,014 | | | | 25,073 | |
Class C | | | 2,431 | | | | 9,945 | |
Class Z | | | 38 | | | | 153 | |
Class A | | | 144 | | | | 587 | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 3,834 | | | | 16,862 | |
Class C | | | 346 | | | | 1,513 | |
Class Z | | | 8 | | | | 37 | |
Class A | | | 107 | | | | 472 | |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 1,786 | | | | 13,375 | |
Class C | | | 1,481 | | | | 10,852 | |
Class Z | | | 20 | | | | 140 | |
Class A | | | 283 | | | | 1,983 | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 3,535 | | | | 14,512 | |
Class C | | | 368 | | | | 1,528 | |
Class Z | | | 8 | | | | 35 | |
Class A | | | 501 | | | | 2,075 | |
Notes to Financial Statements 79
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
3. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Investment Advisory Fees
ICON Advisers, Inc. (“ICON Advisers”) serves as investment adviser to the Funds and is responsible for managing the Funds’ portfolios of securities. ICON Advisers receives a monthly management fee that is computed daily at an annual rate of 0.60% of average daily net assets of the Bond Fund, 0.75% of average daily net assets of the Core Equity, Equity Income and Risk-Managed Equity Funds, and 0.85% of average daily net assets of the Long/Short Fund.
ICON Advisers has contractually agreed to limit its investment advisory fee and/or reimburse certain of the Funds’ operating expenses (exclusive of brokerage, interest, taxes, dividends on short sales and extraordinary expenses) to the extent necessary to ensure that the Funds’ operating expenses do not exceed the following amounts:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Class I | | | Class C | | | Class Z | | | Class A | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | | 1.00% | | | | 1.60% | | | | 0.75% | | | | 1.00% | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 1.45% | | | | 2.20% | | | | 1.20% | | | | 1.45% | |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | 1.55% | | | | 2.30% | | | | 1.25% | | | | 1.55% | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | 1.45% | | | | 2.20% | | | | 1.20% | | | | 1.45% | |
The Funds’ expense limitation, excluding the Bond Fund Class A, will continue in effect until at least January 31, 2021. The Bond Fund Class A’s expense limitation will continue in effect until at least January 31, 2012. To the extent ICON Advisers reimburses or absorbs fees and expenses, it may seek payment of such amounts for up to three years after the expenses were reimbursed or absorbed. A Fund will make no such payment, however, if the total Fund operating expenses exceed the expense limits in effect at the time the expenses were reimbursed or at the time these payments are proposed.
As of September 30, 2010 the following amounts were still available for recoupment by ICON Advisers based upon their potential expiration dates:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | 2011 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | $ | 110,767 | | | $ | 144,367 | | | $ | 245,979 | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 24,557 | | | | 36,020 | | | | 82,255 | |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | 4,673 | | | | 62,033 | | | | 150,441 | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | 27,551 | | | | 34,273 | | | | 139,018 | |
80 Notes to Financial Statements
Accounting, Custody and Transfer Agent Fees
As of April 1, 2010, State Street Bank and Trust Company, (“State Street”) became the fund accounting agent for the funds. For its services, the Trust pays State Street a fee that is calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on the aggregate average daily assets of the Trust. Prior to April 1, 2010, the fund accounting agent for the funds was Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi”). The Trust paid Citi fees that were calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on the aggregate average daily assets of the Trust.
As of March 29, 2010, State Street became the custodian of the Trust’s investments. For its services, the Trust pays State Street asset-based fees that vary according to the number of positions and transactions, plus out-of-pocket expenses. Prior to March 29, 2010, Brown Brothers Harriman (“BBH”) was the custodian of the Trust’s investments. For its custodial services, the Trust paid BBH asset-based fees that varied according to the number of positions and transactions, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (“BFDS”) is the Trust’s transfer agent. For these services, the Trust pays an account fee of $13.25 per open account, $7.00 per networked account, $1.80 per closed account, plus certain other transaction and cusip charges. BFDS may pay each Fund transfer agent earnings credits. Transfer agent earnings credits are credits received for interest which results from overnight balances used by BFDS for clearing shareholder transactions.
Administrative Services
The Trust has entered into an administrative services agreement with ICON Advisers pursuant to which ICON Advisers oversees the administration of the Trust’s business and affairs. This agreement provides for an annual fee of 0.05% on the Funds’ first $1.5 billion of average daily net assets, 0.045% on the next $1.5 billion of average daily net assets, 0.040% on the next $2 billion of average daily net assets and 0.030% on average daily net assets over $5 billion. During the year ended September 30, 2010, the Funds’ payment for administrative services to ICON Advisers is included on the Statement of Operations. The administrative services agreement provides that ICON Advisers will not be liable for any error of judgment, mistake of law, or any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with matters to which the administrative services agreement relates, except for a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence by ICON Advisers in the performance of its duties.
Notes to Financial Statements 81
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
As of April 1, 2010, ICON Advisers entered into a sub-administration agreement with State Street to which State Street assists ICON Advisers with the administration and business affairs of the Trust. For its services, ICON Advisers pays State Street a fee that is calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on the aggregate average daily assets of the Trust. Prior to April 1, 2010, Citi assisted ICON Advisers with the administration and business affairs of the Trust. ICON Advisers paid Citi a fee that was calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on the average daily assets of the Trust.
Distribution Fees
The Funds have adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (“12b-1 Plan”) under which the Funds are authorized to compensate the Funds’ distributor, ICON Distributors, Inc. (“IDI”) (an affiliate of the adviser) for the sale and distribution of shares and for other shareholder services. Under the 12b-1 Plan, Bond Fund Class C shareholders pay an annual distribution and service fee of 0.85% of average daily net assets and Class I and Class A shareholders pay an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets. The shareholders of the other Funds pay an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00% of average daily net assets for Class C shares and an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets for Class I shares and Class A shares. The total amount paid under the 12b-1 plans by the Funds is shown on the Statement of Operations.
Other Related Parties
Certain Officers and Directors of ICON Advisers are also Officers and Trustees of the Funds; however, such Officers and Trustees (with the exception of the Chief Compliance Officer, “CCO”) receive no compensation from the Funds. The CCO’s salary is paid 100% by the Funds. For the year ended September 30, 2010, the total related amounts paid by the Trust under this arrangement are included in Other Expenses on the Statements of Operations.
Some of the distribution amounts received by IDI, discussed in the Distribution Fees section above, have been used to offset various shareholder servicing costs incurred by ICON Advisers. For the year ended September 30, 2010, this amount was $42,777.
82 Notes to Financial Statements
4. Borrowings
As of March 29, 2010, the Trust has entered into Lines of Credit agreements with State Street to provide temporary funding for redemption requests. The maximum borrowing is limited to $150 million. Interest on domestic borrowings is charged at the higher of the Federal Funds Rate effective on that day and the Overnight LIBOR Rate effective on that day plus 1.25%. The Funds may have borrowings with the prime broker as a result of brokerage requirements. Interest on domestic borrowing with the prime broker is charged at the Fed Funds rate plus 0.50%. The average interest rate charged for the year ended September 30, 2010 was 0.86%.
Prior to March 29, 2010, the Funds entered into Lines of Credit agreements with BBH to provide temporary funding for redemption requests. At BBH, the maximum borrowing was limited to the lesser of $50 million or 25% of the net asset value in the Fund subject to a maximum borrowing limit by the Trust of $150 million.
| | | | |
| | Average Borrowing
| |
Fund | | (10/1/09-9/30/10) | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | $ | 736,146 | |
ICON Core Equity Fund* | | | 320,243 | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 159,939 | |
ICON Long/Short Fund* | | | 3,829,938 | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund* | | | 5,555,776 | |
| | |
* | | Fund had outstanding borrowings under these agreements as of September 30, 2010. |
Average borrowing is calculated using only the days there was a borrowing. It is not an annualized number.
Notes to Financial Statements 83
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
5. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities
For the year ended September 30, 2010, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities (excluding securities sold short, short-term securities and written options contacts) was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Proceeds
| |
| | | | | | | | Purchases of
| | | from Sales of
| |
| | | | | Proceeds
| | | Long-Term U.S.
| | | Long-Term U.S.
| |
| | Purchases of
| | | from Sales
| | | Government
| | | Government
| |
Fund | | Securities | | | of Securities | | | Obligations | | | Obligations | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | $ | 75,907,241 | | | $ | 114,005,583 | | | $ | 25,708,700 | | | $ | 15,063,355 | |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | | 122,972,949 | | | | 120,207,035 | | | | - | | | | - | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 49,642,685 | | | | 51,394,301 | | | | 1,106,882 | | | | 4,413,943 | |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | 39,619,628 | | | | 51,973,211 | | | | - | | | | - | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | 39,401,488 | | | | 58,568,563 | | | | - | | | | - | |
6. Federal Income Tax
Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations that may differ from accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences are due to differing treatments for items such as net short-term gains, deferrals of wash sale losses, foreign currency transactions, net investment losses, and capital loss carryforwards.
The tax components of capital shown in the following tables represent losses or deductions the Funds may be able to offset against income and gains recognized in future years and post October loss deferrals. The accumulated losses noted represent net capital loss carryforwards as of September 30,
84 Notes to Financial Statements
2010 that may be available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce future taxable income distributions.
For the year ended September 30, 2010 the following Funds had capital loss carryforwards:
| | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Amounts | | | Expires | |
| |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | $ | 1,364,078 | | | | 2016 | |
| | | 32,616,367 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 19,833,424 | | | | 2018 | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 77,639 | | | | 2016 | |
| | | 14,946,877 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 19,098,068 | | | | 2018 | |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | 44,159,483 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 19,325,857 | | | | 2018 | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | 260,291 | | | | 2016 | |
| | | 7,975,360 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 14,212,596 | | | | 2018 | |
Future capital loss carryforward utilization in any given year may be limited if there are substantial shareholder redemptions or contributions.
The tax characteristics of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Distributions Paid from | | | Total
| |
| |
| | | Net Long-Term
| | | Distributions
| |
Fund | | Ordinary Income | | | Gains | | | Paid | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | $ | 7,731,554 | | | $ | 158,909 | | | $ | 7,890,463 | |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | | 1,543,355 | | | | - | | | | 1,543,355 | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 1,655,386 | | | | - | | | | 1,655,386 | |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | 370,083 | | | | - | | | | 370,083 | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | 130,024 | | | | - | | | | 130,024 | |
The tax characteristics of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Distributions
| | | Total
| |
| | Paid from
| | | Distributions
| |
Fund | | Ordinary Income | | | Paid | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | $ | 5,192,023 | | | $ | 5,192,023 | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 3,171,360 | | | | 3,171,360 | |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | 1,649,817 | | | | 1,649,817 | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | 1,081,889 | | | | 1,081,889 | |
Notes to Financial Statements 85
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
As of September 30, 2010, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Total
| |
| | Undistributed
| | | Undistributed
| | | | | | | | | Accumulated
| | | Unrealized
| | | Accumulated
| |
| | Ordinary
| | | Net Long-
| | | Accumulated
| | | Distributions
| | | Capital and
| | | Appreciation/
| | | Earnings/
| |
Fund | | Income | | | Term-Gains | | | Earnings | | | Payable* | | | Other Losses | | | (Depreciation)** | | | (Deficit) | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | $ | 2,231,751 | | | $ | 71,880 | | | $ | 2,303,631 | | | $ | (521,290 | ) | | $ | - | | | $ | 10,144,363 | | | $ | 11,926,704 | |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | | 168,474 | | | | - | | | | 168,474 | | | | - | | | | (53,813,869 | ) | | | 5,206,423 | | | | (48,438,972 | ) |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 291,107 | | | | - | | | | 291,107 | | | | (262,949 | ) | | | (34,122,584 | ) | | | 3,825,892 | | | | (30,268,534 | ) |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (63,485,346 | ) | | | 300,045 | | | | (63,185,301 | ) |
ICON Risk-Managed | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity Fund | | | 29,973 | | | | - | | | | 29,973 | | | | - | | | | (22,448,247 | ) | | | 2,757,633 | | | | (19,660,641 | ) |
| | |
* | | Differences between the financial statement distribution payable and the tax basis distribution payable are a result of accrual based accounting and cash basis accounting used for federal tax reporting purposes. |
** | | Differences between the book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) are attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
As of September 30, 2010, cost for federal income tax purposes and the amount of net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Net
| |
| | | | | Unrealized
| | | Unrealized
| | | Appreciation/
| |
Fund | | Cost | | | Appreciation | | | (Depreciation) | | | (Depreciation) | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | $ | 157,004,438 | | | $ | 10,379,188 | | | $ | (234,825 | ) | | $ | 10,144,363 | |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | | 124,037,494 | | | | 9,389,098 | | | | (4,182,675 | ) | | | 5,206,423 | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 51,330,730 | | | | 4,361,061 | | | | (670,841 | ) | | | 3,690,220 | |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | 23,849,030 | | | | 1,135,635 | | | | (835,612 | ) | | | 300,023 | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | 30,022,610 | | | | 3,160,386 | | | | (479,129 | ) | | | 2,681,257 | |
7. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events and determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Funds’ financial statements.
86 Notes to Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of the ICON Funds:
In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ICON Bond Fund, ICON Core Equity Fund, ICON Equity Income Fund, ICON Risk Managed Equity Fund and ICON Long/Short Fund (five of the portfolios constituting ICON Funds, hereafter referred to as the “Funds”) at September 30, 2010, and the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Funds’ management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at September 30, 2010 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
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Denver, Colorado
November 19, 2010
Report of Accounting Firm 87
Six Month Hypothetical Expense Example
September 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
Example
As a shareholder of a Fund you may pay two types of fees: transaction fees and fund-related fees. Certain funds charge transaction fees, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, or other distributions; redemption fees; and exchange fees. Funds also incur various ongoing expenses, including management fees, distribution and/or service fees, and other fund expenses, which are indirectly paid by shareholders.
This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the various ICON Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. This Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the six-month period (4/1/10-9/30/10).
Actual Expenses
The first line in the table for each Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. The Example includes, but is not limited to, management fees, 12b-1 fees, fund accounting, custody and transfer agent fees. However, the Example does not include client specific fees, such as the $15 fee charged to IRA accounts, or the $15 fee charged for wire redemptions. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for each Fund under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line in the table for each Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your
ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees that may be charged by other funds. Therefore, this information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning
| | | | | | Expenses Paid
| | | Annualized
| |
| | Account Value
| | | Ending Account
| | | During Period
| | | Expense Ratio
| |
| | 4/1/10 | | | Value 9/30/10 | | | 4/1/10 - 9/30/10* | | | 4/1/2010 - 9/30/10 | |
| |
|
ICON Bond Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,049.00 | | | $ | 5.14 | | | | 1.00% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,020.05 | | | | 5.07 | | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,045.70 | | | | 8.21 | | | | 1.60% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.05 | | | | 8.09 | | | | | |
Class Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,050.10 | | | | 3.85 | | | | 0.75% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,021.31 | | | | 3.80 | | | | | |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 940.90 | | | | 6.74 | | | | 1.39% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,018.12 | | | | 7.01 | | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 937.20 | | | | 11.23 | | | | 2.31% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,013.47 | | | | 11.68 | | | | | |
Class Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 935.80 | | | | 12.22 | | | | 2.52% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,012.44 | | | | 12.71 | | | | | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 930.30 | | | | 16.11 | | | | 3.33% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,008.38 | | | | 16.76 | | | | | |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,004.70 | | | | 7.29 | | | | 1.45% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.80 | | | | 7.34 | | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,000.70 | | | | 11.04 | | | | 2.20% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,014.04 | | | | 11.11 | | | | | |
Class Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,005.90 | | | | 6.04 | | | | 1.20% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,019.05 | | | | 6.08 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning
| | | | | | Expenses Paid
| | | Annualized
| |
| | Account Value
| | | Ending Account
| | | During Period
| | | Expense Ratio
| |
| | 4/1/10 | | | Value 9/30/10 | | | 4/1/10 - 9/30/10* | | | 4/1/2010 - 9/30/10 | |
| |
|
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,004.20 | | | $ | 7.26 | | | | 1.45% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.82 | | | | 7.31 | | | | | |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 981.00 | | | | 11.95 | | | | 2.41% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,013.00 | | | | 12.15 | | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 977.50 | | | | 15.65 | | | | 3.16% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,009.24 | | | | 15.90 | | | | | |
Class Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 982.70 | | | | 10.60 | | | | 2.13% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,014.37 | | | | 10.77 | | | | | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 980.80 | | | | 12.06 | | | | 2.43% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,012.89 | | | | 12.26 | | | | | |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 966.00 | | | | 7.58 | | | | 1.54% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.36 | | | | 7.77 | | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 962.10 | | | | 11.17 | | | | 2.27% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,013.68 | | | | 11.46 | | | | | |
Class Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 967.40 | | | | 6.39 | | | | 1.30% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,018.58 | | | | 6.55 | | | | | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 966.90 | | | | 7.88 | | | | 1.60% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.05 | | | | 8.08 | | | | | |
| |
* | Expenses are equal to the Fund’s six month expense ratio annualized, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period. |
Total returns exclude applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included (maximum 5.75%), returns would be lower.
Board of Trustees and Fund Officers (unaudited)
The ICON Funds Board of Trustees (“Board”) consists of five Trustees who oversee the 17 ICON Funds (the “Funds”). The Board is responsible for general oversight of the Funds’ business and for assuring that the Funds are managed in the best interest of the Funds’ shareholders. The Trustees, and their ages, and principal occupations are set forth below. The address of the Trustees is 5299 DTC Blvd., Suite 1200, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Trustees have no official term of office and generally serve until they resign or are not re-elected.
Interested Trustee
Craig T. Callahan, 59, Chairman of the Board. Dr. Callahan has been a Trustee of the Funds since their inception. Dr. Callahan also serves as President (1998 to present) and Chairman of the Investment Committee (2005 to present) and served as the Chief Investment Officer (1991 to 2004) of ICON Advisers. Dr. Callahan is also Executive Vice President (2005 to present); Director (1991 to present); and was previously President (1998 to 2005) and Chief Compliance Officer (2005) of IDI. Dr. Callahan also serves as the President (1998 to present) and Chairman of the Board of Directors (1994 to present) of ICON Management & Research Corporation (“IM&R”), the parent company of ICON Advisers and IDI.
Independent Trustees
Glen F. Bergert, 60. Mr. Bergert has been a Trustee of the Funds since 1999. Mr. Bergert is President of Venture Capital Management LLC (1997 to present); General Partner of SOGNO Partners LP, a venture capital company (2001 to present); General Partner of Bergert Properties, LLP, a real estate holding company (1997 to present); and General Partner of Pyramid Real Estate Partnership, a real estate development company (1998 to present); General Partner of Chamois Partners, LP, a venture capital company (2004 to present); and was previously a General Partner with KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP (1979 to 1997). Mr. Bergert is also a Director of Herre Bros, Inc., a contracting company (1998 to present). Delta Dental of California, an insurance company (2006 to present), Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, an insurance company (1998 to 2009 and 2010 to present) and Dentegra Group, Inc, an insurance holding company (2010 to present). Mr. Bergert was a Director of Delta Reinsurance Corporation (2000 to 2009).
John C. Pomeroy, Jr., 63. Mr. Pomeroy has been a Trustee of the Funds since November 2002. Mr. Pomeroy is Chief Investment Officer and Director of Investments, Pennsylvania State University (2001 to present) and was
Portfolio Manager and Product Manager, Trinity Investment Management Corporation (1989 to 2001).
Gregory Kellam Scott, 62. Mr. Scott has been a Trustee of the Funds since November 2002. Mr. Scott currently is employed as a member of the Executive Staff of the President of Ivy Tech Community College, recently appointed as Assistant to the President for Diversity and Community Relations (April 2008 to present). Prior to his current employment, he served as Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (2005 to 2008). Mr. Scott was Senior Vice President-Law, General Counsel and Secretary of GenCorp, Inc., a multinational technology-based manufacturing company (2002 to 2004); Vice President and General Counsel of Kaiser-Hill Company, LLC, a nuclear clean-up and environmental remediation company (2000 to 2002) and served as a Justice on the Colorado Supreme Court (1993 to 2000). Mr. Scott was also a member of the faculty of the University Of Denver College Of Law (1980 to 2000).
R. Michael Sentel, 62. Mr. Sentel has been a Trustee of the Funds since their inception. Mr. Sentel is a Senior Attorney with the U.S. Department of Education (1996 to present). Mr. Sentel also provides legal representation as a sole practitioner with an emphasis on corporate and transactional law. He served as general counsel to numerous public companies and served on the board of directors of one of these clients. Mr. Sentel began his legal career with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement and served as a Branch Chief (1980 to 1981). Later he served as the Section Chief for the Professional Liability Section of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. with responsibility for the Rocky Mountain Region (1991 to 1994).
The Officers of the Funds are:
Craig T. Callahan, 59. Chairman of the Board. Dr. Callahan has been a Trustee of the Funds since their inception. Dr. Callahan also serves as President (1998 to present) and Chairman of the Investment Committee (2005 to present) and served as the Chief Investment Officer (1991 to 2004) of ICON Advisers. Dr. Callahan is also Executive Vice President (2005 to present); Director (1991 to present); and was previously President (1998 to 2005) and Chief Compliance Officer (2005) of IDI. Dr. Callahan also serves as the President (1998 to present) and Chairman of the Board of Directors (1994 to present) of IM&R, the parent company of ICON Advisers and IDI.
Erik L. Jonson, 61. Mr. Jonson has been a Vice President and Principal Financial Officer/Treasurer of the Funds since their inception in 1996. Mr. Jonson is also Chief Financial Officer (1996 to present) and Executive Vice President (2004 to present) and was previously Vice President (1998 to 2004) and Secretary (2005 and 1998 to 2002) of ICON Advisers; Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary and Director (1998 to present) of IM&R; and Executive Vice and Treasurer/Financial Principal (1996 to present) of IDI.
Jessica Seidlitz, 32. Ms. Seidlitz serves as Assistant Treasurer of the Funds (2007 to present). She also serves as Mutual Fund Controller of ICON Advisers, Inc. (2005 to present). Previously, she was a Senior Associate/Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, (2001 to 2004).
Donald Salcito, 57. Mr. Salcito serves as Vice President and Secretary of the Funds since November 15, 2006. Mr. Salcito is also Executive Vice President and General Counsel (September 2005 to present) of ICON Advisers; Director of IM&R (2005 to present); Executive Vice President, Secretary, General Counsel, for IDI (2005 to present); Chief Compliance Officer of IDI (2005 to 2007). Previously he was a Partner in the law firm of Perkins Coie, LLP. (2000 to 2005).
Brian Harding, 31. Mr. Harding serves as Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds (2008 to present). Mr. Harding also serves as Anti-Money Laundering Officer of the Funds (2008 to present). Previously he was a Manager (2007 to 2008) and Senior Associate/Associate (2001 to 2007) at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Notice to the Shareholders of the ICON Bond Fund
The ICON Bond Fund presently provides, under the heading Principal Investment Strategy, that the Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in a broad range of U.S. dollar-denominated bonds. It lists these to include corporate bonds, notes, debentures, asset-backed securities, and mortgage-related securities. The ICON Bond Fund has not significantly invested in asset-backed securities or mortgage-related securities in the past, and has no present intent to do so in the immediate future. As such, it will remove such instruments from its Principal Investment Strategy and include a benchmark that excludes such bonds. The ICON Bond Fund may, however, invest in such bonds, but not as a principle investment strategy.
94 Notice to the Shareholders
Other Information (unaudited)
Renewal of Investment Advisory Agreements
On August 9, 2010, the Board of Trustees, including all of the Trustees that are not “interested persons” of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”), approved continuation of the advisory agreements between ICON Funds (the “Trust”) and ICON Advisers, Inc. (“ICON” or the “Adviser”) - the Trust’s Investment Advisory Agreement dated October 9, 1996, as amended (related to the Sector, International and Core Equity Funds) and under the Trust’s Investment Advisory Agreement dated July 9, 2002 and effective October 1, 2002, as amended (related to the U.S. Diversified Funds - Bond, Risk-Managed Equity, Equity Income and Long/Short Funds) (collectively, the “Advisory Agreements”), for an additional one-year term commencing October 1, 2010.
In determining to renew the Advisory Agreements the Board requested, was provided with and reviewed data with respect to ICON, its personnel, and the services to be provided to each Fund by ICON. The data included information concerning advisory, distribution and administrative services provided to the Funds by ICON and its related companies; information concerning other businesses of those companies; comparative data related to exchange traded funds versus the Sector Funds; and comparative data obtained from Lipper Analytical Services related to Fund performance and Fund expenses (the “Lipper report”). Management also provided an AthenaInvest investment style analysis relating to the Funds. Management personnel discussed the data for and with those present. Included in the discussion was a briefing on the sales and marketing initiatives, the different classes of shares being offered by the Trust and efficiencies in connection with administering services to the Funds/various classes of shares.
The Independent Trustees were represented by independent legal counsel throughout the process. Prior to acting on the matter, the Independent Trustees met separately as a group in private sessions with their independent legal counsel to review and discuss the foregoing information. Based on these discussions, independent legal counsel and/or the Lead Independent Trustee also contacted management to request additional information and to discuss responses to questions raised during the process. In addition, the Independent Trustees received materials from their independent legal counsel discussing the legal standards applicable to their consideration of the agreement.
In considering the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser, the Board reviewed information relating to ICON’s operations and personnel. Among other things, the Adviser provided biographical
information on its professional staff and descriptions of its organizational and management structure. In the course of their deliberations the Board evaluated, among other things, information relating to the investment philosophy, strategies and techniques used in managing each Fund, the qualifications and experience of ICON’s investment personnel, ICON’s compliance programs, ICON’s brokerage practices, including the extent to which the Adviser obtains research through “soft dollar” arrangements with the Funds’ brokerage, and the financial and non-financial resources available to provide services required under the Advisory Agreements.
During the discussion, the Lipper report was discussed and management personnel showed performance for each fund and discussed the factors affecting performance. Management noted that ICON modified the valuation methodology at the end of 2008 to better account for systemic risk. ICON implemented the modified valuation methodology in February 2009. During the discussion, management personnel noted that the markets over the past year have been very volatile; that when the market is volatile, relative strength readings are also volatile; that volatility has affected ICON’s performance; and that this had been the case for much of the last year for the Funds. It was also noted that poor quality stocks with low relative strength lead the market whereas higher quality stocks with higher relative strength have not performed as well; and that the market volatility and the relative strength component to our methodology have produced mixed results. In this regard it was noted that many other value managers have had challenges in this market. In the discussion, the Adviser advised that it continues to believe the adjustments to its system have been functioning as intended, and as this period of volatility stabilizes the funds will benefit; and that the Adviser is constantly evaluating the system and will modify it as needed.
In connection with reviewing data bearing upon the nature, quality, and extent of services furnished by ICON to each Fund, the Board assessed data concerning ICON’s staffing, systems and facilities. The Board also assessed ICON’s non-Trust business to see if there are any initiatives that would dilute service to the Trust. The Board noted:
A. That the breadth and the quality of investment advisory and other services being provided to each Fund is satisfactory, as evidenced in part by efforts to address and improve the performance record of each Fund when compared with the performance records of a peer group of comparable funds and markets in general;
B. That ICON has made significant expenditures in the past year and in prior years to ensure that it has the sophisticated systems and the highly trained personnel necessary for it to be able to continue to provide
quality service to the Funds’ shareholders, including the dedication of substantial resources to ICON’s investment and trading departments;
C. That the Board is satisfied with the research, portfolio management, and trading services, among others, being provided by ICON to the Funds; and
D. The risks assumed by ICON in providing investment advisory services to each Fund including the capital commitments which have been made in the past and which continue to be made by ICON to ensure the continuation of the highest quality of service to the Trust is made with the recognition that the Trust’s advisory relationship with ICON be terminated at any time and must be renewed on an annual basis.
In considering the reasonableness of the fee payable to the Adviser for managing each Fund, the Board reviewed, among other things, data concerning other funds from the Lipper report, financial statements of the Adviser and an analysis of the profitability to the Adviser and its affiliates of their relationship with each Fund over various time periods, which analysis identified all revenues and other benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates from managing each Fund, the costs associated with providing such services and the resulting profitability to the Adviser and its affiliates.
The Board considered the current and anticipated asset levels of each Fund and the willingness of the Adviser to reimburse expenses of the Funds from time to time, in connection with the contractual expense limitation agreement, to limit the total expenses of the Funds. In this regard the Board discussed significantly reduced asset levels in each fund covered by the Advisory Agreements due to the tumultuous markets during the past two and a half years, to relative poor Fund performance (prior to the adjustment to the Advisers system in early 2009), and to industry wide net-redemptions in reaction to the tumultuous markets. ICON’s ability to provide the services called for under the Advisory Agreements was assessed in light of current and projected asset levels. Fund expenses and expense ratios were also assessed in light of current and projected asset levels. The Board concluded that the Adviser has the resources necessary to provide the services called for under the Advisory Agreements; that profitability to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Funds is not excessive; and that the Adviser is not realizing material benefits from economies of scale that would warrant adjustments to the fees for any Fund at this time. The Board of Trustees concluded that, in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser and the levels of profitability associated with providing these services, the fees charged by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreements to each Fund are reasonable.
In connection with assessing data bearing the fairness of fee arrangements, the Board used data from Lipper Analytical Services concerning funds of similar size and funds of larger size, as well as data concerning ICON’s other clients and noted that:
A. the advisory fee structures of the Funds were considered in comparison with advisory fees and expense ratios of other similarly managed funds as set forth in the comparative data;
B. contractual advisory fees of the Sector Funds were higher than fees for similar funds; but that the Sector Funds’ expense ratios were competitive and consistent with those of similarly managed Funds;
C. contractual advisory fees for the International Funds were above the average fees for similar funds; and that the Funds’ expense ratios were competitive in light of their size;
D. ICON has contractually agreed to impose expense limitations on certain Funds at a cost to ICON;
E. the advisory and other fees payable by the Funds to ICON are essentially fees which would be similar to those which would have resulted solely from “arm’s-length” bargaining, and may well be lower than fees arrived at solely from such arm’s-length negotiation;
F. the fees paid to ICON for managing other institutional accounts (such as pension plans) are not lower than the fees paid by similarly-managed funds; and to the extent such fees of those accounts are lower, the reasons why such accounts are less costly for ICON to manage; and
G. ICON has contractually committed to break points in it fees of the Sector Funds so that economies of scale could be realized as a Fund grows in assets, for the benefit of Fund shareholders.
In connection with the direct and indirect benefits to ICON from serving as the Funds’ adviser, the Board discussed and noted that:
A. ICON benefits from serving directly or through affiliates as the principal underwriter and administrative agent for the Funds; that services provided by ICON and its affiliates to the Funds are satisfactory, and that profits derived from providing the services are competitive and reasonable; and
B. ICON receives research assistance (primarily in the form of data) from the use of soft dollars generated from Fund portfolio transactions; that such research assists ICON in providing quality advisory services; and that the Board concluded that the arrangements are consistent with Fund brokerage practices and benefit the Funds and their shareholders
Based on these considerations, among others, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, concluded that: 1) the continuation of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders, 2) the services to be performed under the Advisory Agreement were required for the operation of the Funds, 3) the advisory services were satisfactory to the Funds in the past, and 4) the fees for the advisory services and other benefits from the relationship with the Trust received by ICON were consistent with fees paid by similar funds, other clients of ICON, reasonable in light of the comparative data, and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s length in light of all the circumstances.
Supplemental Tax Information
For corporate shareholders, the following percentage of the total ordinary income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction for the following Funds:
| | | | |
| | Dividends
| |
| | Received
| |
Fund | | Deduction | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | | - | % |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | | 88 | % |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 72 | % |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | 47 | % |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | 100 | % |
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the following funds paid qualified dividend income:
| | | | |
Fund | | Amount | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | | - | % |
ICON Core Equity Fund | | | 76 | % |
ICON Equity Income Fund | | | 77 | % |
ICON Long/Short Fund | | | 35 | % |
ICON Risk-Managed Equity Fund | | | 100 | % |
The Funds designate the following amounts, or the maximum amount needed, as long-term capital gain distributions qualifying for the maximum 15% income tax rate for individuals:
| | | | |
Fund | | Amount | |
| |
ICON Bond Fund | | $ | 938,007 | |
Portfolio Holdings
Information related to the 10 largest portfolio holdings of each Fund is made available at www.iconfunds.com within approximately 10 business days after month-end. Additionally, a complete list of each Fund’s holdings is made available approximately 30 days after month-end. Each ICON Fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of its fiscal year with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on Form N-Q. The ICON Funds’ Forms N-Q are available at www.sec.gov or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
Proxy Voting
A summarized description of the policies and procedures the ICON Funds use to vote proxies is available free of charge at www.iconfunds.com or by calling 1-800-764-0442.
Information about how the ICON Funds voted proxies related to each Fund’s portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 is available free of charge at www.iconfunds.com or on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.
For More Information
This report is for the general information of the Funds’ shareholders and is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus. You may obtain a copy of the prospectus, which contains information about the investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and share classes of each ICON Fund, by visiting www.iconfunds.com or by calling 1-800-764-0442. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
ICON Distributors, Inc., Distributor.
ICON Funds Privacy Information
| | | |
FACTS | | | WHAT DOES ICON DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? |
| | | |
| | | |
Why? | | | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. |
| | | |
| | | |
What? | | | The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include: |
| | | n Social Security number and account balances |
| | | n income and transaction history |
| | | n checking account information and wire transfer instructions |
| | | When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. |
| | | |
| | | |
How? | | | All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons ICON chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. |
| | | |
| | | | | | |
Reasons we can share your personal information | | | Does ICON share? | | | Can you limit this sharing? |
|
For our everyday business purposes — such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus | | | Yes | | | No |
| | | | | | |
For our marketing purposes — to offer our products and services to you | | | No | | | We don’t share |
| | | | | | |
For joint marketing with other financial companies | | | No | | | We don’t share |
| | | | | | |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your transactions and experiences | | | No | | | We don’t share |
| | | | | | |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness | | | No | | | We don’t share |
| | | | | | |
For nonaffiliates to market to you | | | No | | | We don’t share |
| | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Questions? | | | Call 1-800-764-0442 for the ICON Funds and 1-800-828-4881 for ICON Advisers, Inc. and ICON Distributors, Inc. |
| | | |
ICON Funds Privacy Information 101
| | | |
Page 2 | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Who we are | | | |
| | | |
Who is providing this notice? | | | ICON Funds, ICON Advisers, Inc., and ICON Distributors, Inc. (collectively “ICON”) |
| | | |
| | | |
What we do | | | |
| | | |
How does ICON protect my personal information? | | | To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. |
| | | Contracts with our service providers require them to restrict access to your non-public personal information, and to maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards against unintended disclosure. |
| | | |
How does ICON collect my personal information? | | | We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or enter into an investment advisory contract
n provide account information or give us your contact information
n make a wire transfer |
| | | We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies. |
| | | |
Why can’t I limit all sharing? | | | Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness |
| | | n affiliates from using your information to market to you |
| | | n sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you |
| | | State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
| | | |
| | | |
Definitions | | | |
| | | |
Affiliates | | | Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. |
| | | n Our affiliates include financial companies such as ICON Funds, ICON Advisers, Inc., and ICON Distributors, Inc. |
| | | |
Nonaffiliates | | | Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. |
| | | n Nonaffiliates we share with can include financial companies such as custodians, transfer agents, registered representatives, financial advisers and nonfinancial companies such as fulfillment, proxy voting, and class action service providers |
| | | |
Joint marketing | | | A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. |
| | | n ICON doesn’t jointly market |
| | | |
102 ICON Funds Privacy Information
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| | |
|
For more information about the ICON Funds, contact us: |
| | |
By Telephone | | 1-800-764-0442 |
| | |
By Mail | | ICON Funds P.O. Box 55452 Boston, MA 02205-8165 |
| | |
In Person | | ICON Funds 5299 DTC Boulevard, 12th Floor Greenwood Village, CO 80111 |
| | |
On the Internet | | www.iconfunds.com |
| | |
By E-Mail | | info@iconadvisers.com |
2010 Annual Report
ICON International Funds
Investment Update
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund
ICON Europe Fund
ICON International Equity Fund
1-800-764-0442 ï www.iconfunds.com
AR-INTL-10 K11883
You can now sign up for electronic delivery of ICON Fund shareholder reports, including prospectuses, annual reports, semiannual reports and proxy statements.
When these materials are available, you will receive an email from ICON with instructions on how to view the documents. Statements, transaction confirmations and other documents that are not available online will continue to be sent to you by U.S. mail.
Visit ICON’s website at www.iconfunds.com to learn more and sign up.
You may change or cancel your participation in eDelivery by visiting www.iconfunds.com, or you can request a hard copy of any of the materials free of charge by calling ICON Funds at 1-800-764-0442.
1-800-764-0442 • www.iconfunds.com
Table of Contents
| | | | |
| | | | |
About This Report (Unaudited) | | | 2 | |
| | | | |
Message from ICON Funds (Unaudited) | | | 6 | |
| | | | |
Management Overview (Unaudited) and Schedules of Investments | | | | |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | | 9 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | 19 | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | 28 | |
| | | | |
Financial Statements | | | 39 | |
| | | | |
Financial Highlights | | | 46 | |
| | | | |
Notes to Financial Statements | | | 50 | |
| | | | |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | | | 66 | |
| | | | |
Six Month Hypothetical Expense Example (Unaudited) | | | 67 | |
| | | | |
Board of Trustees and Fund Officers (Unaudited) | | | 70 | |
| | | | |
Other Information (Unaudited) | | | 73 | |
About This Report (unaudited)
Historical Returns
All total returns mentioned in this Report account for the change in a Fund’s per-share price and the reinvestment of any dividends, capital gain distributions and adjustments for financial statement purposes. If your account is set up to receive Fund distributions in cash rather than to reinvest them, your actual return may differ from these figures. The Funds’ performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. The Adviser may have reimbursed certain fees or expenses of some of the Funds. If not for these reimbursements, performance would have been lower. Fund results shown, unless otherwise indicated, are at net asset value. If a sales charge (maximum 5.75%) had been deducted, results would have been lower.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance results represent past performance, and current performance may be higher or lower. Please call 1-800-764-0442 or visit www.iconfunds.com for performance results current to the most recent month-end.
Portfolio Data
This Report reflects ICON’s views, opinions and portfolio holdings as of September 30, 2010, the end of the reporting period. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any sector, industry, security or the Funds.
Opinions and forecasts regarding industries, companies and/or themes, and portfolio composition and holdings are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions, and should not be construed as a recommendation of any specific security, industry or sector. Each Fund’s holdings as of September 30, 2010 are included in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments.
While ICON’s quantitative investment methodology primarily considers company-specific factors beyond financial data, various company factors may impact a stock’s performance, and therefore, Fund performance. Investments in foreign securities may entail unique risks, including political, market, and currency risks. Financial statements of foreign companies are governed by different accounting, auditing, and financial standards than U.S. companies and may be less transparent and uniform than in the United States. Many corporate governance standards, which help ensure the integrity of public information in the United States, do not exist in foreign
countries. In general, there may be less governmental supervision of foreign stock exchanges and securities brokers and issuers. The ICON system relies on the integrity of financial statements released to the market as part of our analysis.
There are risks associated with mutual fund investing, including the loss of principal. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time. There is no assurance that the investment process will consistently lead to successful results.
An investment in a region fund may involve greater risk and volatility than a diversified fund. An investment concentrated in sectors and industries may involve greater risk and volatility than a more diversified investment.
According to ICON, value investing is an analytical, quantitative approach to investing that employs various factors, including projecting earnings growth estimates, in an effort to determine whether securities are over- or underpriced relative to ICON’s estimates of their intrinsic value. Value investing involves risks and uncertainties and does not guarantee better performance or lower costs than other investment methodologies. ICON’s value-to-price ratio is a ratio of intrinsic value, as calculated using ICON’s proprietary valuation methodology, of a broad range of domestic and international securities within ICON’s system as compared to the current market price of those securities.
This Report contains statements regarding industry or sector themes, new market themes, investment outlook, relative strength, value-to-price ratios, and investment team expectations, beliefs, goals and the like that are based on current expectations, recent individual stock performance relative to current market prices, estimates of company values and other information supplied to the market by the companies we follow. Words such as “expects,” “suggests,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “value,” “intrinsic value,” “indicates,” “believes,” “considers,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements, which are not statements of historical fact. Forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to assess. These risks and uncertainties are based on a number of important factors, including, among others: stock price fluctuations; the integrity and accuracy of historical and projected financial and other information supplied by companies to the public; interest rates; future earnings growth rates; the risks noted in this report and other factors beyond the control of our investment team. Therefore, actual outcome may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward looking statements.
The prospectus and statement of additional information contain this and other information about the Funds and are available by visiting www.iconfunds.com or calling 1-800-764-0442. Please read the prospectus and statement of additional information carefully.
Comparative Indexes
The comparative indexes discussed in this Report are meant to provide a basis for judging a Fund’s performance against specific securities indexes. Each index shown accounts for both change in the security price and reinvestment of dividends and distributions (except as noted), but does not reflect the costs of managing a mutual fund. The total return figures for the Morgan Stanley Capital International (“MSCI”) indexes assume change in security prices and the deduction of local taxes. The Funds’ portfolios may significantly differ in holdings and composition from the indexes. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index.
| |
• | The unmanaged MSCI All Country Pacific Index comprises stocks traded in the developed and emerging markets of the Pacific Basin (Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand). The capitalization-weighted index attempts to capture at least 60% of investable capitalization in those markets subject to constraints governed by industry representation, maximum liquidity, maximum float, and minimum cross-ownership. |
|
• | The unmanaged MSCI Europe Index comprises approximately 600 stocks traded in developed markets from 15 European countries. The capitalization-weighted index attempts to capture at least 60% of investable capitalization in those markets subject to constraints governed by industry representation, maximum liquidity, maximum float, and minimum cross-ownership. |
|
• | The MSCI All Country World Index ex-United States (“ACWI ex-U.S.”) is a leading unmanaged benchmark of international stock performance. The capitalization-weighted index is representative of the performance of securities of companies located in developed and emerging markets outside of the United States. |
Index returns and statistical data included in this Report are provided by Bloomberg and FactSet Research Systems.
Financial Intermediary
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may influence the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Message From ICON Funds
Dear Shareholder,
Although ICON’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, I write this letter in early November, pleased to report on the continued market rally that began in 2009. Between October 31, 2009 and October 31, 2010, the S & P 1500 Composite Index, a broad measure of the U.S. stock market, gained 17.7%. From October 31, 2008 to October 31, 2010, the S & P 1500 gained 29.8%. On the international side, the MSCI AWCI (ex- U.S.) gained 52.4% over the two years ended October 31, 2010 and 13.1% over the last 12 months. These rates of return are generally above historic averages for 12- or 24-month periods.
ICON’s valuation readings during fiscal year 2010 led us to minimize cash in our funds, allowing us to participate in the general market advance. If you are receiving this letter, you own an ICON Fund and we are pleased to report that you most likely participated in the market advance along with our other shareholders.
While stock prices continued to advance last year, mutual fund investors evidently remain skeptical about the prospects for equities. Nationwide, many investors have been redeeming their equity mutual funds and moving some of the proceeds into bond funds. This periodic but significant equity sell-off has made for a choppy, volatile upward trend in the overall market. What I said a year ago in our annual shareholder letter remains true today: we see valuation readings approaching levels not seen since late 2007, and we believe these valuations will take stock prices higher. Moreover, last year I reported that between September 30 through October 10, 2008, the S & P 1500 Index dropped 22.9% in eight trading days. Could the . . . recovery be a mirror image of the . . . collapse, with an equally dramatic upside? It’s possible, but unlikely in our opinion. Instead, a path of two steps forward and one step back is more likely. There remain a lot of jittery, skeptical investors who use advances as an opportunity to exit. To move higher, the market has to absorb or “take out” their shares. While valuations may justify price levels back to those seen at the peak in 2007, the path for stock prices may be a grind.
In retrospect, and in my opinion, this two steps forward/one step back rally is exactly what happened during fiscal year 2010. Prices moved higher and jittery investors helped create a volatile setting by selling into those market advances. As we said a year ago, the market had to absorb or “take out” anxious sellers in order to move higher. We expect more of the same over the next year as we still see domestic and international stocks to be priced far below our estimate of fair value. That value gap is the reason we anticipate prices will advance, while our expectations for future volatility are based on our belief that the remaining jittery investors will sell into the
6 Message From ICON Funds
advance. We believe the sellers will look back in a few years and regret their move out of equities.
The sell-offs and volatility of fiscal year 2010 resulted in dramatic industry theme reversals. Some industries led the market higher for six to eight weeks, only to get pummeled when the market subsequently, though temporarily, retreated. This has been a difficult setting for the ICON system, which is designed to identify and capture industry themes typically lasting one to two years. We believe the choppiness that distinguished the last 12- to 24-months is the temporary consequence of investors who are looking in their rear view mirrors and seeing the declines of 2007 - 2009. As we put that setting further behind us, the volatility and choppy nature of the recent advance will subside and we expect to return to a period characterized by the one- to two-year industry themes we’ve seen in the past.
Anecdotally, it seems investors have avoided equities and missed out on gains during the last two years for a variety of reasons, though at ICON we’ve seen timorous or would-be investors express these same anxieties time and again. Some investors worry about the unemployment rate and the fact that it hasn’t declined satisfactorily for them. Others worry about the federal government’s budget deficit, without being able to explain whether or how the deficit impacts the stock market. They just don’t like deficits. Some worry about inflation and deflation at the same time. Still others believe the excess supply of housing is of paramount concern. Many would-be investors worry about the consumer’s ability and willingness to spend in the future. Finally, some believe a weak dollar and staggering gold prices justify waiting on the sidelines.
While we understand these concerns, we contend they are not reason enough to stay out of the market. Barely four months ago, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average was roughly 1500 points lower than it was at the end of October, ICON had an overall value-to-price ratio (“V/P”) for domestic and international stocks in the 1.35 range. That is an extreme V/P by historical standards and suggests to us the worries listed above are already built into the market. That’s why stock prices were inexpensive, relatively speaking. Even after the rally through late October, our U.S. V/P is 1.17 and our international V/P is 1.27, suggesting bargains may be found both domestically and internationally. Over the last two years, our valuation readings have proven to be a much better guide for us than chasing the “worry of the week.”
Message From ICON Funds 7
In summary, it appears to me that the ’two steps forward/one step back’ recovery will continue. There is an old investment saying that “Wall Street climbs a wall of worry.” At this point, our valuation readings suggest to us stock prices will chart a path to scale that wall. Thank you for climbing it with us.
Yours truly,
Craig T. Callahan, DBA
Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President of the Adviser
8 Message From ICON Funds
Class S ICARX
Class C ICPCX
Class A IPCAX
Management Overview
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmark? |
| |
A. | The ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund returned 18.02% for Class S shares and 17.74% for Class I shares (which were closed and liquidated on September 30, 2010) for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Pacific Index, which returned 8.92%. Class A shares of the Fund returned 17.91% (11.12% with maximum sales charge) during the same period. Class C shares of the Fund returned 17.02% for the fiscal year. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | In the 12-months ended September 30, 2010, the Asia-Pacific region continued to perform well relative to other regions. The 2010 fiscal year, much like 2009, was marked by significant volatility due to continued worries over future global growth prospects and sovereign debt concerns, highlighted by Greece’s debt crisis. The Fund, however, performed well both in absolute and relative terms, especially during the roughly four and a half months between the region’s late May lows and the fiscal year end. |
Guided by ICON’s value and relative strength readings, the Fund reduced exposure to the Leisure/Consumer Staples, Health Care, and Consumer Discretionary sectors while increasing Financials, Telecommunications/Utilities, Materials, and Information Technology weightings. The primary drivers of positive relative performance were holdings in the Financials, Information Technology, and Industrials sectors.
In terms of country-level weightings, the most notable increases were to Australia, India, and Japan. Weights were reduced primarily in Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan. The primary drivers of positive relative performance came from the Fund’s underweighting in Japan and overweights in Thailand, China, Korea, and Singapore.
As a multi-cap manager, we do not consider investments based on market capitalization. Nonetheless, our valuations resulted in a shift away from small-cap companies into those of large-cap companies over the course of the fiscal year. Relative to its benchmark, however, the Fund remains significantly underweight large-cap stocks (the benchmark’s dominant market cap allocation), and significantly overweight mid-cap and small-cap stocks. The overweighting of mid-cap stocks in particular added the most in terms of relative performance.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | From an industry perspective, the Fund’s holdings in areas especially responsive to an economic recovery added the most in terms of relative performance. For example, diversified banks drove relative performance in the Financials sector, while electronic components added the most to outperformance in the Information Technology space. In Industrials, aerospace & defense contributed the most to that sector’s outperformance. |
Though relatively small in terms of underperformance, Health Care was the only sector to lag the benchmark. The primary contributor to this sector’s underperformance came from holdings in the health care equipment industry.
From a country perspective, overweights in China and Thailand along with a significant underweight in Japan contributed positively to performance. The Fund’s overweight in Hong Kong slightly underperformed the benchmark.
Finally, the Fund employed a currency hedging strategy in an effort to hedge its exposure to the Taiwan Dollar and Korean Won. The results of this hedging strategy contributed modestly to the Fund’s overall performance this fiscal year.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the Asia-Pacific equity market? |
| |
A. | At the end of the 2009 fiscal year, the Asia region’s value-to-price ratio (“V/P”) stood at 1.03, or very close to fair value. As of the close of fiscal year 2010, the regional V/P has improved to 1.29. This is very encouraging, and the valuation provides ICON reason to believe in the region’s potential as we head into 2011. The V/P is especially heartening in light of the fact that many Asian countries have been consistently tightening monetary policy and removing stimulus measures. |
At fiscal year-end, the sectors that look the most promising under the ICON system include Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary, Materials, and Energy. We ended the fiscal year underweight the more defensive Telecommunications & Utilities and Leisure & Consumer Staples sectors.
From a country perspective, Korea, India, Malaysia, and China are the most attractive and have warranted increased weightings under our methodology. While Japan is our largest absolute weight by country, we remain significantly underweight relative to the benchmark. However we have been cautiously adding to Japan, as certain of its industries have begun to meet ICON’s investment criteria.
We continue to seek out industries we believe are trading at a discount to fair value and showing relative strength in the markets. Using value as a guide in our systematic and non-emotional discipline, we see numerous opportunities in the Asia-Pacific market as fiscal year 2010 comes to a close. We have long said it is nearly impossible to accurately time bottoms and, further, that rallies do not offer invitations. Given this philosophy, and the valuations we see in the market at fiscal year-end, we remain heavily invested, ready to reallocate and adapt as market conditions dictate.
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund
Country Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Japan | | | 25.3% | |
China | | | 16.0% | |
South Korea | | | 15.3% | |
Hong Kong | | | 9.9% | |
India | | | 8.8% | |
Australia | | | 8.0% | |
Singapore | | | 4.7% | |
Taiwan | | | 4.3% | |
Thailand | | | 3.3% | |
Malaysia | | | 2.1% | |
Indonesia | | | 1.0% | |
New Zealand | | | 0.5% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.2% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Financial | | | 23.7% | |
Information Technology | | | 16.5% | |
Industrials | | | 15.8% | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 13.1% | |
Materials | | | 11.6% | |
Telecommunication & Utilities | | | 6.3% | |
Energy | | | 6.2% | |
Health Care | | | 3.1% | |
Leisure and Consumer Staples | | | 2.9% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.2% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Diversified Banks | | | 16.6% | |
Diversified Metals & Mining | | | 4.7% | |
Electronic Components | | | 3.7% | |
Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods | | | 3.7% | |
Trading Companies & Distributors | | | 3.3% | |
Electronic Manufacturing Services | | | 3.1% | |
Automobile Manufacturers | | | 2.9% | |
Steel | | | 2.8% | |
Construction & Engineering | | | 2.8% | |
Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks | | | 2.7% | |
Electric Utilities | | | 2.5% | |
Semiconductors | | | 2.4% | |
Integrated Oil & Gas | | | 2.0% | |
Property & Casualty Insurance | | | 1.9% | |
Computer Hardware | | | 1.9% | |
Real Estate Development | | | 1.8% | |
Wireless Telecommunication Services | | | 1.7% | |
Pharmaceuticals | | | 1.6% | |
Regional Banks | | | 1.6% | |
Industrial Machinery | | | 1.6% | |
Health Care Equipment | | | 1.5% | |
Internet Software & Services | | | 1.4% | |
Auto Parts & Equipment | | | 1.3% | |
Apparel Retail | | | 1.3% | |
Household Appliances | | | 1.3% | |
Coal & Consumable Fuels | | | 1.3% | |
Electronic Equipment & Instruments | | | 1.3% | |
Water Utilities | | | 1.2% | |
IT Consulting & Other Services | | | 1.2% | |
Oil & Gas Drilling | | | 1.1% | |
Tires & Rubber | | | 1.1% | |
Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals | | | 1.1% | |
Specialty Chemicals | | | 1.0% | |
Industrial Conglomerates | | | 1.0% | |
Packaged Foods & Meats | | | 1.0% | |
Office Electronics | | | 1.0% | |
Highways & Railtracks | | | 1.0% | |
Life & Health Insurance | | | 1.0% | |
Other Industries (each less than 1%) | | | 12.8% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.2% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | Inception
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | Date | | | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | 10 Years | | | | Inception | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund - Class S | | | | 2/25/97 | | | | | | 18.02 | % | | | | | 5.87 | % | | | | | 3.95 | % | | | | | 3.08 | % | | | | | 1.54 | % | | | | | 1.54 | % | |
|
|
MSCI All Country Pacific Index | | | | | | | | | | 8.92 | % | | | | | 4.20 | % | | | | | 3.83 | % | | | | | 2.90 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund - Class I | | | | 1/25/08 | | | | | | 17.74 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -2.84 | % | | | | | 127.83 | % | | | | | 1.83 | % | |
|
|
MSCI All Country Pacific Index | | | | | | | | | | 8.92 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -2.58 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund - Class C | | | | 1/25/08 | | | | | | 17.02 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -3.57 | % | | | | | 19.80 | % | | | | | 2.55 | % | |
|
|
MSCI All Country Pacific Index | | | | | | | | | | 8.92 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -2.58 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund - Class A | | | | 5/31/06 | | | | | | 17.91 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | 2.01 | % | | | | | 5.89 | % | | | | | 1.82 | % | |
|
|
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund - Class A (including maximum sales charge of 5.75%) | | | | 5/31/06 | | | | | | 11.12 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | 0.62 | % | | | | | 5.89 | % | | | | | 1.82 | % | |
|
|
MSCI All Country Pacific Index | | | | | | | | | | 8.92 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | 1.69 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section. The Adviser has agreed to limit certain Fund expenses; without these limitations, returns would have been lower. The limitation provisions may be terminated in the future. Class Z shares are available only to institutional investors.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
Class C total returns exclude applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included returns would be lower.
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Asia
| | | | |
| | Pacific Region
| | | MSCI All
| |
| | Fund -
| | | Country Pacific
| |
| | Class S | | | Index | |
2/25/1997 | | | 9960.00 | | | | 9873.00 | |
09/30/1998 | | | 6090.00 | | | | 6087.48 | |
09/30/1999 | | | 10870.00 | | | | 10556.80 | |
09/30/2000 | | | 10250.00 | | | | 10147.90 | |
09/30/2001 | | | 6810.00 | | | | 6683.07 | |
09/30/2002 | | | 5700.39 | | | | 6508.14 | |
09/30/2003 | | | 7647.36 | | | | 8078.15 | |
09/30/2004 | | | 8221.35 | | | | 9305.14 | |
09/30/2005 | | | 11355.00 | | | | 12034.70 | |
09/30/2006 | | | 13326.20 | | | | 13864.30 | |
09/30/2007 | | | 19060.90 | | | | 17846.30 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 11195.90 | | | | 12065.20 | |
09/30/2009 | | | 12795.40 | | | | 13570.60 | |
09/30/2010 | | | 15101.00 | | | | 14781.50 | |

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund’s Class S shares on the Class’ inception date of 2/25/97 to a $10,000 investment made in an unmanaged securities index on that date. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions and tax return of capital, but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (99.2%) |
| 430,000 | | | Agile Property Holdings Ltd. | | $ | 486,036 | |
| 648,000 | | | Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class H† | | | 336,576 | |
| 20,200 | | | Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 632,142 | |
| 364,000 | | | Alliance Financial Group Bhd. | | | 364,369 | |
| 232,000 | | | Apollo Tyres, Ltd. | | | 419,777 | |
| 62,100 | | | Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Ltd. | | | 1,422,181 | |
| 397,000 | | | Axiata Group Bhd.† | | | 563,704 | |
| 620,000 | | | Bank Danamon Indonesia Tbk PT | | | 402,593 | |
| 998,000 | | | Bank of Ayudhya PLC | | | 829,746 | |
| 1,212,000 | | | Bank of China, Ltd., Class H | | | 636,271 | |
| 29,300 | | | Bank of India | | | 337,513 | |
| 42,700 | | | BHP Billiton, Ltd. | | | 1,627,615 | |
| 1,467,000 | | | Bumi Resources Tbk PT | | | 348,672 | |
| 28,000 | | | Busan Bank | | | 344,760 | |
| 15,600 | | | Canon, Inc. | | | 728,614 | |
| 650,000 | | | Chaoda Modern Agriculture Holdings, Ltd. | | | 540,919 | |
| 138,000 | | | Chiba Bank Ltd.(a) | | | 805,760 | |
| 529,000 | | | China BlueChemical, Ltd., Class H | | | 380,732 | |
| 1,341,000 | | | China Construction Bank Corp., Class H | | | 1,172,032 | |
| 1,089,000 | | | China Dongxiang Group Co. | | | 629,506 | |
| 109,000 | | | China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Class H | | | 430,973 | |
| 534,000 | | | China Oilfield Services, Ltd., Class H | | | 832,136 | |
| 843,000 | | | China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class H | | | 743,765 | |
| 742,000 | | | China Railway Group Ltd., Class H | | | 579,005 | |
| 144,000 | | | China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., Class H | | | 593,020 | |
| 516,500 | | | China Steel Corp. | | | 534,256 | |
| 3,470 | | | CJ CheilJedang Corp. | | | 732,534 | |
| 12,300 | | | Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd. | | | 908,387 | |
| 117,800 | | | Dah Sing Financial Group, Ltd. | | | 909,422 | |
| 67,000 | | | DBS Group Holdings, Ltd. | | | 716,802 | |
| 27,200 | | | Doosan Infracore Co. Ltd.† | | | 571,644 | |
| 121,817 | | | Esprit Holdings, Ltd. | | | 659,008 | |
| 10,600 | | | FamilyMart Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 380,089 | |
| 2,100 | | | Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 295,817 | |
| 158,000 | | | Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corp. Ltd. | | | 344,003 | |
| 162,000 | | | Fortescue Metals Group, Ltd.†(a) | | | 817,586 | |
| 84,000 | | | FUJITSU, Ltd.(a) | | | 591,005 | |
Schedule of Investments 15
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 63,000 | | | Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. | | $ | 420,213 | |
| 1,722,000 | | | Guangdong Investment, Ltd. | | | 906,223 | |
| 1,118,000 | | | Guangshen Railway Co. Ltd., Class H | | | 414,327 | |
| 20,900 | | | Hana Financial Group, Inc. | | | 619,789 | |
| 14,200 | | | Hanwha Corp. | | | 547,725 | |
| 30,200 | | | HCL Technologies, Ltd. | | | 284,930 | |
| 44,000 | | | Hengan International Group Co. Ltd. | | | 443,417 | |
| 7,000 | | | Hero Honda Motors, Ltd. | | | 291,286 | |
| 214,000 | | | Hitachi, Ltd.†(a) | | | 936,698 | |
| 217,448 | | | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. | | | 815,515 | |
| 24,200 | | | Honda Motor Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 861,135 | |
| 138,500 | | | Housing Development & Infrastructure, Ltd.† | | | 797,722 | |
| 32,100 | | | Hoya Corp.(a) | | | 783,927 | |
| 132,000 | | | ITOCHU Corp.(a) | | | 1,208,181 | |
| 142,800 | | | IVRCL Infrastructures & Projects, Ltd. | | | 509,742 | |
| 246,000 | | | Jiangxi Copper Co. Ltd., Class H | | | 619,916 | |
| 183,000 | | | Kingboard Chemical Holdings, Ltd. | | | 925,369 | |
| 13,500 | | | Kintetsu World Express, Inc. | | | 318,462 | |
| 17,000 | | | Komatsu, Ltd. | | | 395,488 | |
| 11,000 | | | Korea Electric Power Corp. | | | 283,260 | |
| 41,000 | | | Korea Life Insurance Co. Ltd. | | | 274,896 | |
| 26,000 | | | Korean Reinsurance Co. | | | 258,638 | |
| 13,740 | | | Largan Precision Co. Ltd. | | | 261,257 | |
| 350,000 | | | Lenovo Group, Ltd. | | | 216,483 | |
| 11,000 | | | LG Display Co. Ltd. | | | 381,642 | |
| 35,000 | | | LG Fashion Corp. | | | 1,045,683 | |
| 2,850 | | | LG Innotek Co. Ltd. | | | 350,113 | |
| 201,000 | | | Li Ning Co. Ltd. | | | 606,968 | |
| 86,000 | | | Lupin, Ltd. | | | 745,778 | |
| 1,800 | | | MegaStudy Co. Ltd. | | | 266,685 | |
| 106,100 | | | Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd. | | | 702,999 | |
| 111,000 | | | Minebea Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 572,228 | |
| 35,000 | | | Mitsubishi Electric Corp.(a) | | | 301,577 | |
| 58,400 | | | Mitsui & Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 868,346 | |
| 328,000 | | | Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 742,694 | |
| 222,000 | | | MobileOne, Ltd. | | | 368,940 | |
| 52,400 | | | National Australia Bank, Ltd. | | | 1,283,965 | |
| 39,000 | | | NHK Spring Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 323,152 | |
| 3,000 | | | NHN Corp.† | | | 515,639 | |
| 172,000 | | | Nine Dragons Paper Holdings, Ltd. | | | 297,353 | |
| 80,000 | | | Nippon Express Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 304,824 | |
| 2,800 | | | Nitori Co. Ltd. | | | 234,136 | |
| 12,300 | | | Nitto Denko Corp.(a) | | | 481,935 | |
| 201,000 | | | Noble Group, Ltd.(a) | | | 288,869 | |
| 4,800 | | | Otsuka Corp. | | | 319,023 | |
16 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 49,000 | | | Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. | | $ | 329,436 | |
| 590,000 | | | PetroChina Co. Ltd., Class H | | | 685,987 | |
| 144,000 | | | Ports Design, Ltd. | | | 396,721 | |
| 116,000 | | | PTT Exploration & Production PLC | | | 588,649 | |
| 40,500 | | | Reliance Infrastructure, Ltd. | | | 960,174 | |
| 2,258,000 | | | Renhe Commercial Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | 421,805 | |
| 8,800 | | | Rio Tinto, Ltd. | | | 653,955 | |
| 1,527 | | | Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | | | 1,039,901 | |
| 8,100 | | | Secom Co. Ltd. | | | 365,840 | |
| 54,500 | | | Sesa Goa, Ltd. | | | 395,888 | |
| 1,350,000 | | | Shenzhen Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H | | | 706,401 | |
| 5,600 | | | Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 273,264 | |
| 17,400 | | | Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd. | | | 666,614 | |
| 25,000 | | | Siam Cement PLC | | | 274,385 | |
| 280,000 | | | Singapore Post, Ltd. | | | 260,053 | |
| 132,000 | | | Singapore Technologies Engineering, Ltd. | | | 336,995 | |
| 3,100 | | | SK C&C Co. Ltd. | | | 276,029 | |
| 7,200 | | | SK Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | 747,971 | |
| 17,000 | | | Square Enix Holdings Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 381,873 | |
| 129,000 | | | Sterlite Industries India, Ltd. | | | 479,354 | |
| 78,000 | | | Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 342,416 | |
| 24,000 | | | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | | | 292,704 | |
| 40,000 | | | Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. | | | 391,273 | |
| 56,000 | | | Sumitomo Trust & Banking Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 280,606 | |
| 152,361 | | | Taiwan Mobile Co. Ltd. | | | 314,752 | |
| 338,704 | | | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | | 670,295 | |
| 970,000 | | | Techtronic Industries Co. | | | 950,932 | |
| 198,000 | | | Tenaga Nasional Bhd. | | | 565,764 | |
| 14,000 | | | Tencent Holdings, Ltd. | | | 304,751 | |
| 13,700 | | | Terumo Corp.(a) | | | 727,311 | |
| 396,000 | | | Thai Oil PLC | | | 689,224 | |
| 58,000 | | | Toho Gas Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 287,195 | |
| 24,300 | | | Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 655,433 | |
| 69,000 | | | Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 313,811 | |
| 34,900 | | | Toyota Motor Corp.(a) | | | 1,250,840 | |
| 37,400 | | | Union Bank of India | | | 323,444 | |
| 100,000 | | | United Phosphorus, Ltd. | | | 398,708 | |
| 3,300 | | | USS Co. Ltd. | | | 246,849 | |
| 190,000 | | | Venture Corp. Ltd. | | | 1,418,356 | |
| 75,000 | | | Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class H | | | 795,768 | |
| 69,000 | | | Wing Hang Bank, Ltd. | | | 825,942 | |
| 295,972 | | | Wistron Corp. | | | 539,236 | |
Schedule of Investments 17
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 46,400 | | | Woori Finance Holdings Co. Ltd. | | $ | 577,539 | |
| 550 | | | Yahoo! Japan Corp.(a) | | | 190,053 | |
| 10,600 | | | Yamato Kogyo Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 257,081 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $60,478,665) | | | 71,897,696 | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan (18.6%) |
| 13,461,291 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | | 13,461,291 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $13,461,291) | | | 13,461,291 | |
Short-Term Investments (2.5%) |
$ | 1,793,143 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | 1,793,143 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $1,793,143) | | | 1,793,143 | |
Total Investments 120.3%* (Cost $75,733,099) | | | 87,152,130 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (20.3)% | | | (14,708,571 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 72,443,559 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
* | | The value of foreign securities fair valued (Note 1) as of September 30, 2010 was 98.8% of net assets. |
|
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
As of September 30, 2010, the Fund had the following forward foreign currency contracts outstanding:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Original
| | | | | | Unrealized
| |
| | | | | Delivery
| | | Contract
| | | Market
| | | Appreciation/
| |
Contracts* | | Currency | | | Date | | | Value | | | Value | | | (Depreciation) | |
| |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracts to Buy: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
5,700,000,000 | | | Korean Won | | | | 11/22/10 | | | $ | 4,726,368 | | | $ | 4,988,841 | | | $ | 262,473 | |
99,000,000 | | | Taiwan Dollar | | | | 12/01/10 | | | | 3,133,903 | | | | 3,171,279 | | | | 37,376 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | 7,860,271 | | | $ | 8,160,120 | | | $ | 299,849 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracts to Sell: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(5,700,000,000) | | | Korean Won | | | | 11/22/10 | | | $ | (4,952,216 | ) | | $ | (4,988,841 | ) | | $ | (36,625 | ) |
(99,000,000) | | | Taiwan Dollar | | | | 12/01/10 | | | | (3,132,911 | ) | | | (3,171,279 | ) | | | (38,368 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | (8,085,127 | ) | | $ | (8,160,120 | ) | | $ | (74,993 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
* | | Counterparty for all forward foreign currency contracts is State Street Bank. |
18 Schedule of Investments
Class S ICSEX
Class C ICUCX
Class A IERAX
Management Overview
ICON Europe Fund
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmark? |
| |
A. | The ICON Europe Fund - Class S returned 6.40% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, outperforming the 3.23% return for the MSCI Europe Index. Class A shares of the Fund returned 6.16% (0.06% with maximum sales charge) over the same period with the Class C shares of the Fund returning 5.37%. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | Europe participated in the global recovery, yet its economic situation was weaker relative to other parts of the world. Economic growth improved as a whole, but high unemployment and fiscal concerns from peripheral euro-zone countries tempered expectations. |
The period opened with the European region priced at 11% below our calculation of intrinsic value. After a strong equity rally that began in March 2009, the regional benchmark followed a relatively choppy and sideways path for the first half of the fiscal year. Concerns about the deteriorating fiscal situations in countries like Greece, Spain, and Portugal led to greater uncertainty regarding the sustainability of the global economic recovery as a whole. Government bond yields as well as corporate bond credit spreads declined as accommodative monetary policy measures (notably, lowering short term interest rates) were utilized to assist in the fledgling recovery.
May 2010 brought a formalized European Union bailout plan to help Greece meet its future financing needs, while requiring a number of fiscal austerity measures from Greece in return. The region witnessed large losses leading up to the bailout announcement, as equity markets sold off in April and May amidst the looming uncertainty surrounding Greece and other countries facing similar fiscal difficulties. As the European market bottomed in May, better than expected economic results helped lead an upward, yet volatile, recovery in equities. And, as equities recovered, so did government yields and corporate credit spreads. The narrowing of these spreads ultimately had a positive impact on our intrinsic valuations for the region’s underlying stocks. As the rally continued toward the end of the fiscal year, we saw value increase along with stock prices. With value and prices both surging higher, we ended this period with stocks trading at a 27% discount to our estimate of
intrinsic value, representing the best bargains of all regions across the globe.
Foreign currency exchange rates oscillated in a fairly dramatic fashion over the course of the fiscal year as well. The U.S. dollar strengthened relative to most of the major European currencies during this period as investors fled to perceived safer havens amidst the region’s economic and fiscal difficulties. The subsequent rally in equities led to a reversal of this trend, however, as risk aversion abated among many investors and money flowed back toward arguably riskier assets after the Greece bailout. This action ultimately bolstered the strength of the underlying European currencies for the latter part of the fiscal year.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | The Fund’s composition over the year generally reflected the market’s recovery-based theme. The largest increases in sector weighting went towards the Industrials sector, which contributed the most to positive relative performance for the overall period. Leisure & Consumer Staples industries, including benchmark-overweights in areas such as brewers and agricultural products, contributed positively to Fund returns as well. Underweighting the Energy and Telecommunications & Utilities sectors (specifically, the integrated oil & gas and electric utilities industries, respectively), contributed to positive relative performance as these areas saw losses for the fiscal year. |
Financials saw a gradual decrease in portfolio weight - a consequence of the region’s sovereign fiscal difficulties. In fact, Financials was the worst performing sector of the nine sectors we track and the Fund suffered losses throughout its Financials holdings largely due to the timing of its multi-line insurance and asset management & custody banks industries sales. Health Care industries, including health care supplies and biotechnology, detracted from relative performance for this period as well. Currency hedging in the British Pound also detracted from performance as the currency strengthened in the latter part of fiscal year. As a whole, currency forwards used for hedging had a slightly negative effect, yet their net effect was immaterial to the overall Fund returns.
Regarding country composition, an overweight position in Turkey, Switzerland and Norway helped performance, but the Fund’s underweight holdings in the United Kingdom detracted from relative performance.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the European equity market? |
| |
A. | Our analysis suggests there is considerable upside to the European region in spite of the rally in equity prices that began on May 25, 2010. We |
| |
| estimate that, on average, fair value for European equities is 37% higher than where prices are currently trading. According to our calculations, Europe has the best values when compared to all other regions we track globally. We believe the recovery-based market theme that emerged in 2009 remains in place, with sectors like Industrials and Consumer Discretionary continuing to show relative strength throughout these dramatic market movements. |
With value as our core investment tenet, we look for potential leaders where the market trades at a deep discount relative to our estimation of intrinsic value. While not showing much relative strength, the defensive Health Care sector shows the best value under our calculations. Moreover, as of fiscal year-end, industries within the Consumer Discretionary and Industrials sectors show the best combination of value and relative strength.
We believe it is nearly impossible to accurately time market bottoms and we have long preached that rallies do not issue invitations. Using value as a guide in our disciplined, systematic and non-emotional approach to investing, we see opportunities amidst the turbulence and volatility. We continue to work methodically in an effort to identify the industries we believe are both trading at a discount to fair value and showing relative strength in the markets. Our valuations at the end of the fiscal year dictate that we remain nearly fully invested, but we will adjust accordingly as market conditions require.
ICON Europe Fund
Country Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Britain | | | 16.1% | |
Germany | | | 15.9% | |
Switzerland | | | 14.9% | |
France | | | 14.6% | |
Belgium | | | 6.7% | |
Sweden | | | 4.6% | |
Netherlands | | | 4.5% | |
Denmark | | | 4.3% | |
Norway | | | 3.5% | |
Turkey | | | 3.4% | |
Spain | | | 2.2% | |
Luxembourg | | | 1.8% | |
Finland | | | 1.6% | |
Portugal | | | 1.1% | |
Italy | | | 1.1% | |
Ireland | | | 0.6% | |
Austria | | | 0.4% | |
Russia | | | 0.4% | |
| | | | |
| | | 97.7% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Europe Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Industrials | | | 24.8% | |
Financial | | | 15.2% | |
Materials | | | 14.8% | |
Leisure and Consumer Staples | | | 14.7% | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 9.5% | |
Health Care | | | 6.3% | |
Energy | | | 4.5% | |
Telecommunication & Utilities | | | 4.1% | |
Information Technology | | | 3.8% | |
| | | | |
| | | 97.7% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Europe Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Diversified Banks | | | 10.4% | |
Brewers | | | 5.2% | |
Industrial Conglomerates | | | 5.1% | |
Packaged Foods & Meats | | | 4.6% | |
Integrated Oil & Gas | | | 4.5% | |
Industrial Machinery | | | 4.1% | |
Diversified Metals & Mining | | | 4.0% | |
Construction & Engineering | | | 3.8% | |
Pharmaceuticals | | | 3.4% | |
Application Software | | | 3.0% | |
Health Care Supplies | | | 2.9% | |
Specialty Chemicals | | | 2.4% | |
Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods | | | 2.4% | |
Household Appliances | | | 2.3% | |
Steel | | | 2.3% | |
Construction Materials | | | 2.1% | |
Integrated Telecommunication Services | | | 2.1% | |
Life & Health Insurance | | | 2.0% | |
Wireless Telecommunication Services | | | 2.0% | |
Trucking | | | 1.9% | |
Food Retail | | | 1.9% | |
Distillers & Vintners | | | 1.9% | |
Diversified Chemicals | | | 1.9% | |
Building Products | | | 1.5% | |
Environmental & Facilities Services | | | 1.5% | |
Marine | | | 1.5% | |
Aerospace & Defense | | | 1.3% | |
Apparel Retail | | | 1.3% | |
Tires & Rubber | | | 1.2% | |
Heavy Electrical Equipment | | | 1.1% | |
Diversified Capital Markets | | | 1.1% | |
Air Freight & Logistics | | | 1.0% | |
Other Industries (each less than 1%) | | | 10.0% | |
| | | | |
| | | 97.7% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Europe Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | Inception
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | Date | | | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | 10 Years | | | | Inception | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Europe Fund - Class S | | | | 2/20/97 | | | | | | 6.40 | % | | | | | 1.21 | % | | | | | 5.11 | % | | | | | 6.02 | % | | | | | 1.57 | % | | | | | 1.57 | % | |
|
|
MSCI Europe Index | | | | | | | | | | 3.23 | % | | | | | 2.93 | % | | | | | 3.47 | % | | | | | 5.86 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Europe Fund - Class C | | | | 1/25/08 | | | | | | 5.37 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -10.94 | % | | | | | 75.12 | % | | | | | 2.57 | % | |
|
|
MSCI Europe Index | | | | | | | | | | 3.23 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -6.79 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON Europe Fund - Class A | | | | 5/31/06 | | | | | | 6.16 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -3.90 | % | | | | | 11.15 | % | | | | | 1.82 | % | |
|
|
ICON Europe Fund - Class A (including maximum sales charge of 5.75%) | | | | 5/31/06 | | | | | | 0.06 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -5.20 | % | | | | | 11.15 | % | | | | | 1.82 | % | |
|
|
MSCI Europe Index | | | | | | | | | | 3.23 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -0.06 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section. The Fund’s name and investment strategy changed effective January 29, 2004. The Fund’s past performance would have been different if the current strategy had been in effect. The Adviser has agreed to limit certain expenses on Class C and Class A shares; without these limitations, returns would have been lower. The limitation provisions may be terminated in the future.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
Class C total returns exclude applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included returns would be lower.
ICON Europe Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Europe
| | | | |
| | Fund -
| | | MSCI Europe
| |
Dates | | Class S | | | Index | |
2/20/1997 | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | |
9/30/1997 | | | 11900.00 | | | | 12051.20 | |
9/30/1998 | | | 12627.20 | | | | 12847.20 | |
9/30/1999 | | | 13437.20 | | | | 14823.00 | |
9/30/2000 | | | 13463.70 | | | | 15415.40 | |
9/30/2001 | | | 10794.90 | | | | 11436.60 | |
9/30/2002 | | | 9849.76 | | | | 9296.93 | |
9/30/2003 | | | 13097.50 | | | | 11917.20 | |
9/30/2004 | | | 16012.50 | | | | 15017.90 | |
9/30/2005 | | | 20870.80 | | | | 18770.60 | |
9/30/2006 | | | 26524.70 | | | | 23066.20 | |
9/30/2007 | | | 34400.40 | | | | 29548.70 | |
9/30/2008 | | | 21729.20 | | | | 20535.10 | |
9/30/2009 | | | 20830.80 | | | | 21011.50 | |
9/30/2010 | | | 22163.50 | | | | 21690.70 | |

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund’s Class S shares on the Class’ inception date of 2/20/97 to a $10,000 investment made in an unmanaged securities index on that date. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions and tax return of capital, but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Europe Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (97.7%) |
| 25,500 | | | ABB Ltd.† | | $ | 538,432 | |
| 5,800 | | | Adidas AG | | | 358,977 | |
| 23,600 | | | Anheuser-Busch InBev N.V. | | | 1,389,314 | |
| 26,800 | | | ArcelorMittal(a) | | | 884,147 | |
| 314,100 | | | Asya Katilim Bankasi A/S | | | 751,152 | |
| 19,600 | | | AXA S.A. | | | 343,615 | |
| 27,100 | | | Banca Popolare di Milano Scarl (BPM) | | | 129,587 | |
| 66,800 | | | Banco Santander S.A. | | | 847,843 | |
| 14,400 | | | BASF SE | | | 908,024 | |
| 3,900 | | | Bauer AG | | | 159,478 | |
| 3,130 | | | Bayer AG | | | 218,161 | |
| 30,900 | | | BHP Billiton PLC | | | 985,476 | |
| 8,028 | | | BNP Paribas | | | 572,968 | |
| 11,000 | | | Carlsberg A/S, Class B | | | 1,144,518 | |
| 3,300 | | | Casino Guichard Perrachon S.A. | | | 302,382 | |
| 2,030 | | | Christian Dior S.A. | | | 265,658 | |
| 16,584 | | | Cie de St-Gobain | | | 741,076 | |
| 7,900 | | | Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin(a) | | | 602,418 | |
| 18,000 | | | CNP Assurances | | | 334,300 | |
| 6,200 | | | Credit Suisse Group AG | | | 264,140 | |
| 4,700 | | | Deutsche Bank AG | | | 257,301 | |
| 26,700 | | | Deutsche Post AG | | | 484,144 | |
| 53,200 | | | Diageo PLC | | | 915,600 | |
| 13,900 | | | DnB NOR ASA | | | 189,743 | |
| 283,000 | | | DSG International PLC† | | | 114,564 | |
| 46,100 | | | DSV AS | | | 937,779 | |
| 20,100 | | | Electrolux AB | | | 495,545 | |
| 16,000 | | | Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. PLC | | | 231,172 | |
| 27,500 | | | Experian PLC | | | 299,719 | |
| 33,300 | | | GEA Group AG | | | 832,049 | |
| 6,782 | | | Gerry Weber International AG | | | 277,919 | |
| 10,300 | | | HeidelbergCement AG | | | 496,095 | |
| 17,000 | | | Hennes & Mauritz AB | | | 616,967 | |
| 163,000 | | | HSBC Holdings PLC | | | 1,648,901 | |
| 51,000 | | | Husqvarna AB | | | 378,567 | |
| 35,000 | | | ING Groep† | | | 362,972 | |
| 121,000 | | | Intesa Sanpaolo | | | 394,158 | |
| 4,100 | | | K+S AG | | | 245,270 | |
| 5,000 | | | KBC Groep | | | 224,426 | |
| 52,000 | | | KOC Holding | | | 247,289 | |
| 6,000 | | | Kuehne + Nagel International AG | | | 721,060 | |
| 9,500 | | | Lafarge S.A. | | | 543,795 | |
| 255,000 | | | Legal & General Group PLC | | | 414,767 | |
| 23,100 | | | Logitech International S.A.†(a) | | | 403,313 | |
| 3,000 | | | LUKOIL OAO, ADR | | | 170,100 | |
| 1,830 | | | LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A. | | | 268,788 | |
| 1,400 | | | MAN SE | | | 152,411 | |
| 38,000 | | | Marks & Spencer Group PLC | | | 232,113 | |
| 1,800 | | | Mayr Melnhof Karton AG | | | 182,387 | |
| 3,800 | | | Metro AG | | | 247,271 | |
| 3,700 | | | MTU Aero Engines Holding AG | | | 211,298 | |
Schedule of Investments 25
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 1,150 | | | Muenchener Rueckversicherungs Gesellschaft AG | | $ | 159,254 | |
| 27,300 | | | Nestle S.A. | | | 1,455,292 | |
| 11,900 | | | Novartis AG | | | 684,939 | |
| 3,700 | | | Nutreco Holding N.V. | | | 270,744 | |
| 8,400 | | | Obrascon Huarte Lain S.A. | | | 236,443 | |
| 38,400 | | | Omega Pharma S.A. | | | 1,430,182 | |
| 47,500 | | | Praktiker Bau- und Heimwerkermaerkte Holding AG | | | 400,610 | |
| 23,000 | | | Prudential PLC | | | 229,836 | |
| 236,000 | | | Rentokil Initial PLC† | | | 382,003 | |
| 50,000 | | | Rexam PLC | | | 241,485 | |
| 5,560 | | | Roche Holding AG | | | 759,674 | |
| 25,900 | | | Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B | | | 756,679 | |
| 14,600 | | | Safran S.A. | | | 410,346 | |
| 5,300 | | | Scania AB | | | 117,269 | |
| 3,250 | | | Schneider Electric S.A. | | | 412,887 | |
| 3,100 | | | SEB S.A. | | | 266,222 | |
| 15,300 | | | Serco Group PLC | | | 147,894 | |
| 16,200 | | | Siemens AG | | | 1,708,903 | |
| 535 | | | Sika AG | | | 987,707 | |
| 15,300 | | | SKF AB, Class B | | | 352,885 | |
| 5,194 | | | Societe Generale | | | 300,332 | |
| 478,000 | | | Sonae | | | 531,330 | |
| 15,000 | | | Statoil ASA | | | 313,954 | |
| 20,000 | | | Svenska Cellulosa AB | | | 304,811 | |
| 27,700 | | | Takkt AG | | | 361,081 | |
| 166,000 | | | Tekfen Holding | | | 676,467 | |
| 65,200 | | | Telenor ASA | | | 1,024,055 | |
| 47,300 | | | Temenos Group AG†(a) | | | 1,450,614 | |
| 93,000 | | | Tesco PLC | | | 620,365 | |
| 7,700 | | | ThyssenKrupp AG | | | 251,046 | |
| 32,500 | | | Tomra Systems ASA | | | 193,786 | |
| 18,600 | | | Total S.A. | | | 961,078 | |
| 4,700 | | | Umicore | | | 203,334 | |
| 26,900 | | | Unilever N.V. | | | 805,546 | |
| 8,098 | | | Vallourec S.A. | | | 805,360 | |
| 21,900 | | | Vedanta Resources PLC | | | 745,476 | |
| 384,900 | | | Vodafone Group PLC | | | 949,684 | |
| 33,600 | | | YIT Oyj | | | 797,760 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $43,967,951) | | | 47,646,482 | |
Right (0.0%) |
| 7,900 | | | Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, 10/13/10†(a) | | | 22,056 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Rights (Cost $0) | | | 22,056 | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan (6.6%) |
| 3,200,415 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | | 3,200,415 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $3,200,415) | | | 3,200,415 | |
Short-Term Investments (2.0%) |
$ | 956,387 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | 956,387 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $956,387) | | | 956,387 | |
Total Investments 106.3%* (Cost $48,124,753) | | | 51,825,340 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (6.3)% | | | (3,056,482 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 48,768,858 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
* | | The value of foreign securities fair valued (Note 1) as of September 30, 2010 was 96.6% of net assets. |
|
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
26 Schedule of Investments
As of September 30, 2010, the Fund had the following forward foreign currency contracts outstanding:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Original
| | | | | | Unrealized
| |
| | | | | Delivery
| | | Contract
| | | Market
| | | Appreciation/
| |
Contracts* | | Currency | | | Date | | | Value | | | Value | | | (Depreciation) | |
| |
|
Contracts to Buy: |
8,500,000 | | | Euro | | | | 12/01/10 | | | $ | 10,425,845 | | | $ | 11,582,482 | | | $ | 1,156,637 | |
2,700,000 | | | British Pound | | | | 10/15/10 | | | | 4,085,370 | | | | 4,241,093 | | | | 155,723 | |
2,700,000 | | | British Pound | | | | 10/15/10 | | | | 4,028,454 | | | | 4,241,093 | | | | 212,639 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | 18,539,669 | | | $ | 20,064,668 | | | $ | 1,524,999 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | �� | | | | | | |
Contracts to Sell: |
(8,500,000) | | | Euro | | | | 12/01/10 | | | $ | (10,502,090 | ) | | $ | (11,582,482 | ) | | $ | (1,080,392 | ) |
(5,400,000) | | | British Pound | | | | 10/15/10 | | | | (8,291,052 | ) | | | (8,482,186 | ) | | | (191,134 | ) |
(5,500,000) | | | British Pound | | | | 12/20/10 | | | | (8,161,010 | ) | | | (8,635,272 | ) | | | (474,262 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | (26,954,152 | ) | | $ | (28,699,940 | ) | | $ | (1,745,788 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
* | | Counterparty for all forward foreign currency contracts is State Street Bank. |
Schedule of Investments 27
Class S ICESX
Class I IIQIX
Class C IIQCX
Class Z ICNEX
Class A IIQAX
Class Q ICEQX
Management Overview
ICON International Equity Fund
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmark? |
| |
A. | For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the ICON International Equity Fund returned 10.44% for Class I shares, 10.88% for Class Q shares, 10.78% for Class S shares and 10.87% for Class Z shares, outperforming the 8.00% return of the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) ex-U.S., the Fund’s benchmark. Class A shares of the Fund returned 10.38% (4.00% with maximum sales charge) during the same period. Class C shares of the Fund returned 9.65% for the fiscal year. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | The fiscal year built on the recovery-themed rally that started on March 9, 2009, but it ultimately led to a volatile, sideways 12-month period. The Asia-Pacific region, highlighted by China, India and Thailand, performed relatively better than the European and Western Hemisphere regions. Europe struggled with benign growth and a sovereign debt crisis involving deteriorated fiscal situations with eurozone countries. The Asia-Pacific region led the worldwide recovery throughout this period, as improving economic conditions led central banks to actually tighten monetary policy to better manage and moderate future growth and inflation in many countries. In general, those sectors, industries, and stocks that were affiliated with these leading economies saw superior relative returns over this period. |
The most significant reallocation in the Fund during the period was a decreased weighting in Europe, more specifically in the region’s Financials sector. The rotation out of that region was allocated mostly to emerging market countries within the Asia-Pacific and Western Hemisphere regions. This portfolio positioning existed at the beginning of the period, yet became more pronounced as the year went on. We favored the Industrials and Consumer Discretionary sectors, as our models indicated they showed the best combination of value and relative strength.
As a multi-cap manager, we do not consider investments based on market capitalization. Nonetheless, our valuations resulted in a concentration in mid- to small-cap companies during the period. These allocations were overweight the predominantly large-cap benchmark, and the overweighting of small-cap stocks in particular benefited performance as large-cap stocks underperformed during this period.
Currency movements worldwide throughout the fiscal year had a slightly positive effect on returns. The U.S. dollar experienced a rebound in the first eight months of this period, as worldwide risk aversion stemming from Europe’s sovereign crisis and global recovery doubts led to selling foreign currencies with a corresponding rise in demand for U.S. dollars. As fears abated, however, this trend reversed and portfolio currencies in the Asia-Pacific and Western Hemisphere countries recovered relative to the U.S. dollar, thus benefitting Fund shareholders. The Fund engaged in selective currency hedging throughout the year, and the net effect from such moves was positive but ultimately immaterial to the overall Fund returns.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | The Fund’s overweighting of the Industrials sector proved to be the most beneficial contributor to relative performance. The industrial conglomerates and construction & farm machinery & heavy trucks industries were particularly strong. Additionally, larger relative exposures in the Consumer Discretionary sector benefitted returns as apparel accessories & luxury goods and homebuilding stocks outpaced the benchmark. The packaged foods & meats industry also contributed significantly as Asia-Pacific names outperformed as well. |
Conversely, the Health Care sector was a major detractor, as this group suffered losses within the Fund during the last 12 months. Further, the multi-line insurance and asset management & custody banks industries within the Financials sector also hindered returns as stocks within these industries lagged the benchmark over this period.
Emerging markets outperformed over the entire period after strong participation in the recovery-based rally that began in early 2009. As such, the Fund’s positions in countries like Thailand, Turkey, China, and South Korea contributed positively to performance. Meanwhile, Belgium, France, and Spain were the main detractors over this period.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the international equity market? |
| |
A. | Amid the volatility seen over the past year, we still see opportunity in the worldwide equity markets. These markets have experienced periods of turmoil and recovery over the past three years and the representative companies have adjusted to ever-changing worldwide economic conditions. Interest rates remain low, however, monetary policy is loose and accommodative, and corporate earnings and balance sheets are showing signs of improvement. We believe these are all positive signs for stocks going forward. As we close out fiscal year 2010, we estimate that, |
| |
| on average, fair value for international equities is 31% higher than where prices are currently trading. Europe, where equities are trading at a 37% upside to our estimate of fair value, is showing the best bargains globally. |
We believe the recovery-based market theme that continued in 2010 remains in place, with the Industrials, Consumer Discretionary, and Materials sectors showing the best combinations of value and relative strength amid the current market environment. Our value-based calculations suggest that leadership could be imminent in the Health Care and Telecommunications & Utilities sectors, but our relative strength metrics have not yet confirmed that expectation.
While we do not target countries as a primary investment decision, it is a secondary factor we monitor. The Asia-Pacific region, which includes China, South Korea and India, remains the most attractive region under our system. Within the Western Hemisphere, Brazil and Canada look attractive and Germany currently leads in the European region.
At ICON we are doing what we have always done by seeking out industries we believe are both trading at a discount to fair value and showing relative strength in the markets. Using value as a guide in our disciplined, systematic and non-emotional approach to investing, we see opportunities amid the recent turbulence and volatility. We believe it is nearly impossible to accurately time market bottoms and we believe rallies do not offer invitations. Therefore, given our current valuations, we remain almost fully invested. As market conditions dictate, we will adjust accordingly.
ICON International Equity Fund
Country Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
South Korea | | | 11.0% | |
Hong Kong | | | 10.6% | |
Brazil | | | 8.9% | |
Canada | | | 8.0% | |
China | | | 7.1% | |
France | | | 6.9% | |
Germany | | | 5.9% | |
Britain | | | 5.5% | |
Japan | | | 5.4% | |
India | | | 5.2% | |
Switzerland | | | 4.0% | |
Australia | | | 3.9% | |
Belgium | | | 3.6% | |
Denmark | | | 2.4% | |
Turkey | | | 1.9% | |
Norway | | | 1.6% | |
Israel | | | 1.2% | |
Netherlands | | | 1.1% | |
Mexico | | | 0.9% | |
Spain | | | 0.8% | |
Finland | | | 0.7% | |
Taiwan | | | 0.5% | |
Sweden | | | 0.4% | |
Indonesia | | | 0.3% | |
| | | | |
| | | 97.8% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common and preferred stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON International Equity Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Financial | | | 20.6% | |
Industrials | | | 20.5% | |
Materials | | | 14.7% | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 10.0% | |
Leisure and Consumer Staples | | | 9.3% | |
Energy | | | 6.8% | |
Telecommunication & Utilities | | | 6.6% | |
Information Technology | | | 5.1% | |
Health Care | | | 4.2% | |
| | | | |
| | | 97.8% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common and preferred stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON International Equity Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Diversified Banks | | | 18.4% | |
Integrated Oil & Gas | | | 6.2% | |
Diversified Metals & Mining | | | 4.9% | |
Construction & Engineering | | | 4.2% | |
Industrial Conglomerates | | | 3.9% | |
Gold | | | 3.7% | |
Water Utilities | | | 3.4% | |
Industrial Machinery | | | 2.9% | |
Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods | | | 2.7% | |
Packaged Foods & Meats | | | 2.7% | |
Household Appliances | | | 2.7% | |
Brewers | | | 2.6% | |
Trading Companies & Distributors | | | 2.5% | |
Health Care Supplies | | | 2.2% | |
Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks | | | 2.2% | |
Steel | | | 2.0% | |
Homebuilding | | | 2.0% | |
Pharmaceuticals | | | 1.9% | |
Agricultural Products | | | 1.5% | |
Distillers & Vintners | | | 1.4% | |
Wireless Telecommunication Services | | | 1.3% | |
Tires & Rubber | | | 1.3% | |
Electronic Equipment & Instruments | | | 1.2% | |
Trucking | | | 1.2% | |
Specialty Chemicals | | | 1.1% | |
Life & Health Insurance | | | 1.1% | |
Construction Materials | | | 1.1% | |
Electronic Components | | | 1.1% | |
Aerospace & Defense | | | 1.1% | |
Electric Utilities | | | 1.0% | |
Paper Products | | | 1.0% | |
Food Retail | | | 1.0% | |
Semiconductors | | | 1.0% | |
Apparel Retail | | | 1.0% | |
Other Industries (each less than 1%) | | | 8.3% | |
| | | | |
| | | 97.8% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common and preferred stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON International Equity Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | Inception
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | Date | | | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | 10 Years | | | | Inception | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON International Equity Fund - Class S | | | | 1/25/08 | | | | | | 10.78 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -7.19 | % | | | | | 1.34 | % | | | | | 1.34 | % | |
|
|
MSCI ACWI ex-U.S. | | | | | | | | | | 8.00 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -4.01 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON International Equity Fund - Class I | | | | 2/6/04 | | | | | | 10.44 | % | | | | | 3.35 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | 6.44 | % | | | | | 1.76 | % | | | | | 1.76 | % | |
|
|
MSCI ACWI ex-U.S. | | | | | | | | | | 8.00 | % | | | | | 4.72 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | 7.98 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON International Equity Fund - Class C | | | | 2/19/04 | | | | | | 9.65 | % | | | | | 2.48 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | 4.86 | % | | | | | 2.64 | % | | | | | 2.55 | % | |
|
|
MSCI ACWI ex-U.S. | | | | | | | | | | 8.00 | % | | | | | 4.72 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | 7.54 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON International Equity Fund - Class Z | | | | 2/18/97 | | | | | | 10.87 | % | | | | | 3.73 | % | | | | | 5.33 | % | | | | | 6.89 | % | | | | | 1.43 | % | | | | | 1.25 | % | |
|
|
MSCI ACWI ex-U.S. | | | | | | | | | | 8.00 | % | | | | | 4.72 | % | | | | | 4.73 | % | | | | | 5.38 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON International Equity Fund - Class A | | | | 5/31/06 | | | | | | 10.38 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -0.85 | % | | | | | 2.08 | % | | | | | 1.80 | % | |
|
|
ICON International Equity Fund - Class A (including maximum sales charge of 5.75%) | | | | 5/31/06 | | | | | | 4.00 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -2.20 | % | | | | | 2.08 | % | | | | | 1.80 | % | |
|
|
MSCI ACWI ex-U.S. | | | | | | | | | | 8.00 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | 2.13 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
ICON International Equity Fund - Class Q | | | | 1/28/08 | | | | | | 10.88 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -7.21 | % | | | | | 1.41 | % | | | | | 1.40 | % | |
|
|
MSCI ACWI ex-U.S. | | | | | | | | | | 8.00 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | | | | | -3.57 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section. The Fund’s name and investment strategy changed effective January 29, 2004. The Fund’s past performance would have been different if the current strategy had been in effect. The Adviser has agreed to limit certain Fund expenses; without these limitations, returns would have been lower. The limitation provisions may be terminated in the future. Class Z shares are available only to grandfathered and institutional investors.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
Class C total returns exclude applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included returns would be lower.
ICON International Equity Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
| | ICON International
| | | | |
| | Equity Fund
| | | MSCI ACWI
| |
| | - Class
| | | ex. U.S.
| |
Dates | | S | | | Index | |
2/18/1997 | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | |
9/30/1997 | | | 11060.00 | | | | 11121.70 | |
9/30/1998 | | | 11841.30 | | | | 9482.24 | |
9/30/1999 | | | 13354.10 | | | | 12434.80 | |
9/30/2000 | | | 14747.30 | | | | 12855.40 | |
9/30/2001 | | | 10279.80 | | | | 9056.37 | |
9/30/2002 | | | 8538.07 | | | | 7874.30 | |
9/30/2003 | | | 12175.40 | | | | 10160.70 | |
9/30/2004 | | | 15437.20 | | | | 12512.50 | |
9/30/2005 | | | 20635.30 | | | | 16200.80 | |
9/30/2006 | | | 25061.10 | | | | 19337.20 | |
9/30/2007 | | | 35225.40 | | | | 25344.10 | |
9/30/2008 | | | 21273.90 | | | | 17747.80 | |
9/30/2009 | | | 22351.50 | | | | 18889.50 | |
9/30/2010 | | | 24780.70 | | | | 20400.50 | |

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund’s Class Z shares on the Class’ inception date of 2/18/97 to a $10,000 investment made in an unmanaged securities index on that date. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to differences in charges and expenses. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends, capital gain distributions and tax return of capital, but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON International Equity Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (92.4%) |
| 727,000 | | | Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class H† | | $ | 377,609 | |
| 26,000 | | | Anheuser-Busch InBev N.V. | | | 1,530,601 | |
| 397,000 | | | Apollo Tyres, Ltd. | | | 718,326 | |
| 358,000 | | | Asya Katilim Bankasi A/S | | | 856,136 | |
| 62,000 | | | Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Ltd. | | | 1,419,891 | |
| 17,800 | | | AXA S.A. | | | 312,059 | |
| 67,200 | | | Banco Santander S.A. | | | 852,920 | |
| 2,082,000 | | | Bank of China, Ltd., Class H | | | 1,093,000 | |
| 16,000 | | | Bank of Nova Scotia(a) | | | 854,038 | |
| 16,000 | | | Barrick Gold Corp. | | | 739,430 | |
| 14,900 | | | BASF SE | | | 939,552 | |
| 29,900 | | | BHP Billiton, Ltd. | | | 1,139,711 | |
| 16,719 | | | BNP Paribas | | | 1,193,256 | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Bumi Resources Tbk PT | | | 356,516 | |
| 13,100 | | | Carlsberg A/S, Class B | | | 1,363,017 | |
| 1,468,000 | | | Chaoda Modern Agriculture Holdings, Ltd. | | | 1,221,644 | |
| 1,196,000 | | | China Citic Bank Corp. Ltd., Class H | | | 764,621 | |
| 986,000 | | | China Construction Bank Corp., Class H | | | 861,763 | |
| 1,437,000 | | | China Dongxiang Group Co. | | | 830,671 | |
| 485,000 | | | China Green Holdings, Ltd. | | | 468,131 | |
| 406,000 | | | China Minsheng Banking Corp. Ltd., Class H | | | 362,757 | |
| 52,000 | | | China Mobile Ltd. | | | 532,291 | |
| 170,000 | | | China National Building Material Co. Ltd. | | | 395,831 | |
| 2,470,000 | | | China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class H | | | 2,179,239 | |
| 1,470,000 | | | China Water Affairs Group, Ltd. | | | 532,881 | |
| 21,000 | | | Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo | | | 470,390 | |
| 39,700 | | | Cia Siderurgica Nacional S.A. | | | 688,180 | |
| 9,800 | | | Cie de St-Gobain | | | 437,925 | |
| 8,800 | | | Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin(a) | | | 671,048 | |
| 16,800 | | | CNP Assurances | | | 312,013 | |
| 194,000 | | | Corp. GEO S.A.B. de C.V.† | | | 555,445 | |
| 12,400 | | | Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd. | | | 915,772 | |
| 41,300 | | | Deutsche Post AG | | | 748,882 | |
| 90,200 | | | Diageo PLC | | | 1,552,390 | |
| 28,600 | | | Dongkuk Steel Mill Co. Ltd. | | | 685,316 | |
| 62,800 | | | DSV AS | | | 1,277,495 | |
| 17,500 | | | Electrolux AB | | | 431,445 | |
| 200,299 | | | Esprit Holdings, Ltd. | | | 1,083,581 | |
| 15,000 | | | First Quantum Minerals, Ltd.(a) | | | 1,140,781 | |
Schedule of Investments 35
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 17,000 | | | FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.(a) | | $ | 564,507 | |
| 160,000 | | | Gafisa S.A. | | | 1,234,043 | |
| 59,500 | | | GEA Group AG | | | 1,486,695 | |
| 21,500 | | | Goldcorp, Inc. | | | 934,056 | |
| 5,262,000 | | | Guangdong Investment, Ltd. | | | 2,769,189 | |
| 2,692,000 | | | Guangshen Railway Co. Ltd., Class H | | | 997,647 | |
| 17,000 | | | Hana Financial Group, Inc. | | | 504,135 | |
| 8,300 | | | HeidelbergCement AG | | | 399,766 | |
| 173,000 | | | Hitachi, Ltd.(a) | | | 757,237 | |
| 147,560 | | | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.† | | | 553,408 | |
| 148,000 | | | Housing Development & Infrastructure, Ltd.† | | | 852,439 | |
| 22,000 | | | Hoya Corp.(a) | | | 537,271 | |
| 182,900 | | | HSBC Holdings PLC | | | 1,850,209 | |
| 51,200 | | | IAMGOLD Corp. | | | 906,661 | |
| 90,100 | | | Industrial Bank of Korea | | | 1,231,818 | |
| 192,000 | | | IVRCL Infrastructures & Projects, Ltd. | | | 685,367 | |
| 11,000 | | | KB Financial Group, Inc. | | | 472,160 | |
| 51,900 | | | Kinross Gold Corp. | | | 973,535 | |
| 70,200 | | | KOC Holding | | | 333,840 | |
| 55,000 | | | Komatsu, Ltd.(a) | | | 1,279,519 | |
| 7,400 | | | Lafarge S.A. | | | 423,588 | |
| 73,000 | | | LG Fashion Corp. | | | 2,180,995 | |
| 5,400 | | | LG Innotek Co. Ltd. | | | 663,371 | |
| 7,100 | | | Loblaw Cos. Ltd. | | | 281,336 | |
| 72,000 | | | Manulife Financial Corp.(a) | | | 908,310 | |
| 142,000 | | | Marfrig Alimentos S.A. | | | 1,446,856 | |
| 117,000 | | | Mitsui & Co. Ltd.(a) | | | 1,739,665 | |
| 124,000 | | | Nagarjuna Construction Co. | | | 432,771 | |
| 52,000 | | | National Australia Bank, Ltd. | | | 1,274,163 | |
| 29,000 | | | Nestle S.A. | | | 1,545,914 | |
| 12,900 | | | Newcrest Mining, Ltd. | | | 493,708 | |
| 15,900 | | | Nexen, Inc. | | | 319,885 | |
| 651,000 | | | Nine Dragons Paper Holdings, Ltd. | | | 1,125,447 | |
| 686,181 | | | Noble Group, Ltd. | | | 986,152 | |
| 66,300 | | | Omega Pharma S.A. | | | 2,469,298 | |
| 1,900 | | | POSCO | | | 863,687 | |
| 47,900 | | | Reliance Infrastructure, Ltd. | | | 1,135,613 | |
| 5,900 | | | Roche Holding AG | | | 806,129 | |
| 39,500 | | | Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B | | | 1,154,009 | |
| 41,900 | | | Safran S.A. | | | 1,177,638 | |
| 1,600 | | | Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | | | 1,089,615 | |
| 6,100 | | | Samsung Engineering Co. Ltd. | | | 813,981 | |
| 1,685,000 | | | Sare Holding S.A.B. de C.V., Class B† | | | 370,384 | |
| 27,500 | | | Siemens AG | | | 2,900,916 | |
| 680 | | | Sika AG | | | 1,255,403 | |
| 6,600 | | | SK C&C Co. Ltd. | | | 587,674 | |
| 10,200 | | | SK Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | 1,059,626 | |
| 646,000 | | | Skyworth Digital Holdings Ltd. | | | 448,762 | |
| 14,983 | | | Societe Generale | | | 866,360 | |
| 22,000 | | | Statoil ASA | | | 460,466 | |
| 196,000 | | | Sterlite Industries India, Ltd. | | | 728,320 | |
| 28,000 | | | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. | | | 341,488 | |
| 137,000 | | | Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. | | | 707,039 | |
36 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 46,600 | | | Tata Motors, Ltd. | | $ | 1,135,491 | |
| 2,593,000 | | | Techtronic Industries Co. | | | 2,542,028 | |
| 231,800 | | | Tekfen Holding | | | 944,609 | |
| 60,000 | | | Telenor ASA | | | 942,382 | |
| 26,700 | | | Temenos Group AG†(a) | | | 818,845 | |
| 124,600 | | | Tesco PLC | | | 831,156 | |
| 25,000 | | | Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., ADR | | | 1,318,750 | |
| 52,000 | | | Tomra Systems ASA | | | 310,058 | |
| 24,800 | | | Toronto-Dominion Bank(a) | | | 1,794,499 | |
| 22,555 | | | Total S.A. | | | 1,165,436 | |
| 10,470 | | | Vallourec S.A. | | | 1,041,259 | |
| 26,400 | | | Vedanta Resources PLC | | | 898,656 | |
| 377,000 | | | Vodafone Group PLC | | | 930,192 | |
| 81,200 | | | Woori Finance Holdings Co. Ltd. | | | 1,010,694 | |
| 33,900 | | | YIT Oyj | | | 804,883 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $92,606,993) | | | 101,737,563 | |
|
Preferred Stocks (5.4%) |
| 62,340 | | | Banco Bradesco S.A. | | | 1,249,747 | |
| 184,000 | | | Investimentos Itau S.A. | | | 1,405,012 | |
| 116,000 | | | Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. | | | 1,870,946 | |
| 52,700 | | | Vale S.A. | | | 1,442,086 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $4,943,069) | | | 5,967,791 | |
|
Rights (0.0%) |
| 8,800 | | | Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, 10/13/10†(a) | | | 24,569 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Rights (Cost $0) | | | 24,569 | |
|
Collateral for Securities on Loan (8.3%) |
| 9,154,966 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | | 9,154,966 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $9,154,966) | | | 9,154,966 | |
|
Short-Term Investments (0.2%) |
$ | 227,760 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | 227,760 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $227,760) | | | 227,760 | |
Total Investments 106.3%* (Cost $106,932,788) | | | 117,112,649 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (6.3)% | | | (6,919,670 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 110,192,979 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
* | | The value of foreign securities fair valued (Note 1) as of September 30, 2010 was 78.9% of net assets. |
|
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
Schedule of Investments 37
As of September 30, 2010, the Fund had the following forward foreign currency contracts outstanding.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Original
| | | | | | Unrealized
| |
| | | | | Delivery
| | | Contract
| | | Market
| | | Appreciation/
| |
Contracts* | | Currency | | | Date | | | Value | | | Value | | | (Depreciation) | |
| |
|
Contracts to Buy: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
7,000,000 | | | Euro | | | | 12/01/10 | | | $ | 8,585,990 | | | $ | 9,538,515 | | | $ | 952,525 | |
2,350,000 | | | British Pound | | | | 10/15/10 | | | | 3,506,247 | | | | 3,691,322 | | | | 185,075 | |
2,350,000 | | | British Pound | | | | 10/15/10 | | | | 3,555,785 | | | | 3,691,322 | | | | 135,537 | |
12,000,000,000 | | | Korean Won | | | | 11/22/10 | | | | 9,950,249 | | | | 10,502,823 | | | | 552,574 | |
63,000,000 | | | Taiwan Dollar | | | | 12/01/10 | | | | 1,994,302 | | | | 2,018,087 | | | | 23,785 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | 27,592,573 | | | $ | 29,442,069 | | | $ | 1,849,496 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracts to Sell: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(7,000,000) | | | Euro | | | | 12/01/10 | | | $ | (8,648,780 | ) | | $ | (9,538,515 | ) | | $ | (889,735 | ) |
(4,700,000) | | | British Pound | | | | 10/15/10 | | | | (7,216,286 | ) | | | (7,382,643 | ) | | | (166,357 | ) |
(4,400,000) | | | British Pound | | | | 12/20/10 | | | | (6,528,808 | ) | | | (6,908,217 | ) | | | (379,409 | ) |
(12,000,000,000) | | | Korean Won | | | | 11/22/10 | | | | (10,425,717 | ) | | | (10,502,823 | ) | | | (77,106 | ) |
(63,000,000) | | | Taiwan Dollar | | | | 12/01/10 | | | | (1,993,671 | ) | | | (2,018,087 | ) | | | (24,416 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | $ | (34,813,262 | ) | | $ | (36,350,285 | ) | | $ | (1,537,023 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
* | | Counterparty for all forward foreign currency contracts is State Street Bank. |
38 Schedule of Investments
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON
| | | | | | | |
| | Asia-Pacific
| | | ICON
| | | ICON
| |
| | Region
| | | Europe
| | | International
| |
| | Fund | | | Fund | | | Equity Fund | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at cost | | $ | 75,733,099 | | | $ | 48,124,753 | | | $ | 106,932,788 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at value† | | | 87,152,130 | | | | 51,825,340 | | | | 117,112,649 | |
Foreign currency, at value(a) | | | 566,203 | | | | - | | | | 496,815 | |
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts | | | 299,849 | | | | 1,524,999 | | | | 1,849,496 | |
Cash | | | 750 | | | | 1,060 | | | | - | |
Receivables: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund shares sold | | | 36,490 | | | | 11,504 | | | | 124,886 | |
Investments sold | | | - | | | | 280,240 | | | | 1,529,502 | |
Dividends | | | 197,858 | | | | 75,935 | | | | 158,595 | |
Expense reimbursements by Adviser | | | 36,247 | | | | 31,766 | | | | 35,620 | |
Foreign tax reclaims | | | 391 | | | | 76,417 | | | | 68,442 | |
Other assets | | | 21,406 | | | | 17,811 | | | | 30,625 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | | 88,311,324 | | | | 53,845,072 | | | | 121,406,630 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts | | | 74,993 | | | | 1,745,788 | | | | 1,537,023 | |
Payables: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments purchased | | | 1,980,977 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Payable for collateral received on securities loaned | | | 13,461,291 | | | | 3,200,415 | | | | 9,154,966 | |
Fund shares redeemed | | | 157,643 | | | | 48,623 | | | | 298,178 | |
Advisory fees | | | 54,714 | | | | 38,881 | | | | 87,244 | |
Accrued distribution fees | | | 528 | | | | 86 | | | | 19,801 | |
Fund accounting fees | | | 5,968 | | | | 4,403 | | | | 10,027 | |
Transfer agent fees | | | 11,750 | | | | 8,668 | | | | 15,602 | |
Administration fees | | | 2,694 | | | | 1,702 | | | | 4,375 | |
Trustee fees | | | 2,075 | | | | 1,347 | | | | 3,083 | |
Capital gains tax payable | | | 52,510 | | | | - | | | | 51,589 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 62,622 | | | | 26,301 | | | | 31,763 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 15,867,765 | | | | 5,076,214 | | | | 11,213,651 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - all share classes | | $ | 72,443,559 | | | $ | 48,768,858 | | | $ | 110,192,979 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class S | | $ | 70,853,574 | | | $ | 48,547,466 | | | $ | 32,424,301 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class I | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 36,993,225 | |
| | | | �� | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class C | | $ | 441,375 | | | $ | 71,445 | | | $ | 13,990,261 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class Z | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 12,805,597 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class A | | $ | 1,148,610 | | | $ | 149,947 | | | $ | 5,358,427 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class Q | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 8,621,168 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON
| | | | | | | |
| | Asia-Pacific
| | | ICON
| | | ICON
| |
| | Region
| | | Europe
| | | International
| |
| | Fund | | | Fund | | | Equity Fund | |
Net Assets Consist of | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 81,869,449 | | | $ | 100,017,635 | | | $ | 192,369,721 | |
Accumulated undistributed net investment income/(loss) | | | (430,258 | ) | | | 675,975 | | | | 85,776 | |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain/(loss) from investment and foreign currency transactions | | | (20,593,961 | ) | | | (55,408,717 | ) | | | (92,690,403 | ) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | | 11,598,329 | | | | 3,483,965 | | | | 10,427,885 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 72,443,559 | | | $ | 48,768,858 | | | $ | 110,192,979 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, no par value) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 5,737,504 | | | | 3,747,548 | | | | 2,643,745 | |
Class I | | | - | | | | - | | | | 3,098,423 | |
Class C | | | 36,269 | | | | 5,595 | | | | 1,238,260 | |
Class Z | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,057,459 | |
Class A | | | 93,005 | | | | 11,548 | | | | 445,108 | |
Class Q | | | - | | | | - | | | | 712,768 | |
Net asset value (offering and redemption price per share) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | $ | 12.35 | | | $ | 12.95 | | | $ | 12.26 | |
Class I | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 11.94 | |
Class C | | $ | 12.17 | | | $ | 12.77 | | | $ | 11.30 | |
Class Z | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 12.11 | |
Class A | | $ | 12.35 | | | $ | 12.98 | | | $ | 12.04 | |
Class Q | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 12.10 | |
Class A maximum offering price (100%/(100%-maximum sales charge)) of net asset value adjusted to the nearest cent per share | | $ | 13.10 | | | $ | 13.77 | | | $ | 12.77 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
† Includes securities on loan of | | $ | 12,810,319 | | | $ | 3,051,568 | | | $ | 8,760,476 | |
(a) Foreign currency, at cost | | $ | 559,555 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 487,947 | |
| | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. |
Statements of Operations
For the Year Ended September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON
| | | | | | | |
| | Asia-Pacific
| | | ICON
| | | ICON
| |
| | Region
| | | Europe
| | | International
| |
| | Fund | | | Fund | | | Equity Fund | |
Investment Income | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 851 | | | $ | 298 | | | $ | 826 | |
Dividends | | | 1,478,996 | | | | 1,692,894 | | | | 3,084,486 | |
Income from securities lending, net | | | 13,851 | | | | 50,163 | | | | 67,380 | |
Foreign taxes withheld | | | (109,589 | ) | | | (158,543 | ) | | | (226,179 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investment Income | | | 1,384,109 | | | | 1,584,812 | | | | 2,926,513 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Advisory fees | | | 782,780 | | | | 517,069 | | | | 1,179,776 | |
Distribution fees: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class I | | | 96 | | | | 8 | | | | 93,339 | |
Class C | | | 3,518 | | | | 546 | | | | 148,192 | |
Class A | | | 1,820 | | | | 360 | | | | 13,008 | |
Fund accounting fees | | | 23,099 | | | | 15,245 | | | | 34,786 | |
Transfer agent fees | | | 133,530 | | | | 87,082 | | | | 152,874 | |
Administration fees | | | 38,626 | | | | 25,526 | | | | 58,231 | |
Custody fees | | | 94,429 | | | | 45,818 | | | | 110,273 | |
Registration fees: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 50,057 | | | | 24,036 | | | | 18,871 | |
Class I | | | 18,654 | | | | 17,041 | | | | 22,561 | |
Class C | | | 17,224 | | | | 15,623 | | | | 22,262 | |
Class Z | | | 3,406 | | | | 1,903 | | | | - | |
Class A | | | 19,423 | | | | 17,040 | | | | 18,379 | |
Class Q | | | - | | | | - | | | | 2,347 | |
Insurance expense | | | 13,526 | | | | 7,095 | | | | 18,476 | |
Trustee fees and expenses | | | 9,188 | | | | 5,777 | | | | 13,297 | |
Audit and Tax Service expense | | | 33,989 | | | | 33,931 | | | | 32,590 | |
Interest expense | | | 18,188 | | | | 159 | | | | 2,475 | |
Other expenses | | | 101,855 | | | | 75,472 | | | | 120,224 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total expenses before expense reimbursement | | | 1,363,408 | | | | 889,731 | | | | 2,061,961 | |
Expense reimbursement by Adviser due to expense limitation agreement | | | (79,031 | ) | | | (71,182 | ) | | | (63,508 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Expenses | | | 1,284,377 | | | | 818,549 | | | | 1,998,453 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | | | 99,732 | | | | 766,263 | | | | 928,060 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Foreign Currency and Capital Gains Tax | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gain/(loss) from investment transactions | | | 16,265,852 | | | | 6,397,943 | | | | 21,040,500 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) from foreign currency transactions | | | (418,749 | ) | | | 87,772 | | | | (479,441 | ) |
Net realized capital gains tax | | | (111,185 | ) | | | - | | | | (80,639 | ) |
Change in unrealized net appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | | (3,881,126 | ) | | | (4,393,093 | ) | | | (11,081,438 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments, Foreign Currency and Capital Gains Tax | | | 11,854,792 | | | | 2,092,622 | | | | 9,398,982 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | | $ | 11,954,524 | | | $ | 2,858,885 | | | $ | 10,327,042 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | | ICON Europe Fund | | | ICON International Equity Fund | |
| | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| |
| | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 99,732 | | | $ | 609,675 | | | $ | 766,263 | | | $ | 742,930 | | | $ | 928,060 | | | $ | 971,495 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on investment transactions | | | 16,265,852 | | | | (24,654,650 | ) | | | 6,397,943 | | | | (39,112,789 | ) | | | 21,040,500 | | | | (68,371,244 | ) |
Net realized gain/(loss) from foreign currency transactions | | | (418,749 | ) | | | 1,812,560 | | | | 87,772 | | | | (222,611 | ) | | | (479,441 | ) | | | 853,204 | |
Net realized capital gains tax | | | (111,185 | ) | | | (152,123 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (80,639 | ) | | | (136,679 | ) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | | (3,881,126 | ) | | | 32,307,243 | | | | (4,393,093 | ) | | | 26,253,592 | | | | (11,081,438 | ) | | | 59,678,543 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 11,954,524 | | | | 9,922,705 | | | | 2,858,885 | | | | (12,338,878 | ) | | | 10,327,042 | | | | (7,364,681 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends to Shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | (2,047,982 | ) | | | (766,237 | ) | | | (491,915 | ) | | | (1,818,492 | ) | | | (630,736 | ) | | | - | |
Class I | | | (299 | ) | | | (87 | ) | | | (20 | ) | | | (317 | ) | | | (558,189 | ) | | | (1,476,602 | ) |
Class C | | | (3,704 | ) | | | (282 | ) | | | (67 | ) | | | (313 | ) | | | (143,688 | ) | | | (116,245 | ) |
Class Z | | | (115 | ) | | | (69 | ) | | | (40 | ) | | | (91 | ) | | | (482,631 | ) | | | (426,650 | ) |
Class A | | | (8,693 | ) | | | (2,949 | ) | | | (889 | ) | | | (4,370 | ) | | | (79,858 | ) | | | (82,280 | ) |
Class Q | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (157,568 | ) | | | (204,736 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease from dividends | | | (2,060,793 | ) | | | (769,624 | ) | | | (492,931 | ) | | | (1,823,583 | ) | | | (2,052,670 | ) | | | (2,306,513 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund Share Transactions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 36,256,247 | | | | 68,526,114 | | | | 6,692,968 | | | | 14,191,781 | | | | 6,126,691 | | | | 37,481,231 | |
Class I | | | 98,494 | | | | 8,014 | | | | - | | | | 5 | | | | 11,426,534 | | | | 10,161,189 | |
Class C | | | 231,787 | | | | 328,363 | | | | 60,123 | | | | 5,500 | | | | 1,409,676 | | | | 1,225,128 | |
Class Z | | | 1,200 | | | | 15 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 6,771,576 | | | | 28,152,025 | |
Class A | | | 1,406,633 | | | | 1,049,447 | | | | 19,813 | | | | 16,163 | | | | 1,948,858 | | | | 853,358 | |
Class Q | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 417,260 | | | | 707,343 | |
Reinvested dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 1,969,593 | | | | 742,224 | | | | 484,255 | | | | 1,796,515 | | | | 628,823 | | | | - | |
Class I | | | 299 | | | | 87 | | | | 20 | | | | 317 | | | | 491,814 | | | | 1,423,394 | |
Class C | | | 3,127 | | | | 282 | | | | 67 | | | | 313 | | | | 127,039 | | | | 102,403 | |
Class Z | | | 115 | | | | 69 | | | | 40 | | | | 91 | | | | 439,510 | | | | 423,014 | |
Class A | | | 7,199 | | | | 2,549 | | | | 692 | | | | 3,787 | | | | 70,683 | | | | 71,623 | |
Class Q | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 157,214 | | | | 204,396 | |
Shares repurchased | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | (85,400,255 | ) | | | (39,519,959 | ) | | | (17,663,442 | ) | | | (29,533,643 | ) | | | (12,511,313 | ) | | | (14,393,575 | ) |
Class I | | | (116,205 | ) | | | (3,089 | ) | | | (3,632 | ) | | | (8,753 | ) | | | (14,836,993 | ) | | | (63,795,984 | ) |
Class C | | | (112,028 | ) | | | (124,771 | ) | | | (14,990 | ) | | | - | | | | (4,462,878 | ) | | | (6,471,332 | ) |
Class Z | | | (7,660 | ) | | | (6 | ) | | | (3,677 | ) | | | - | | | | (24,426,405 | ) | | | (15,356,217 | ) |
Class A | | | (938,570 | ) | | | (992,203 | ) | | | (38,218 | ) | | | (165,717 | ) | | | (2,257,800 | ) | | | (2,271,884 | ) |
Class Q | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,324,612 | ) | | | (3,513,989 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase/(decrease) from fund share transactions | | | (46,600,024 | ) | | | 30,017,136 | | | | (10,465,981 | ) | | | (13,693,641 | ) | | | (29,804,323 | ) | | | (24,997,877 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | (36,706,293 | ) | | | 39,170,217 | | | | (8,100,027 | ) | | | (27,856,102 | ) | | | (21,529,951 | ) | | | (34,669,071 | ) |
Net Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 109,149,852 | | | | 69,979,635 | | | | 56,868,885 | | | | 84,724,987 | | | | 131,722,930 | | | | 166,392,001 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
End of year | | $ | 72,443,559 | | | $ | 109,149,852 | | | $ | 48,768,858 | | | $ | 56,868,885 | | | $ | 110,192,979 | | | $ | 131,722,930 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
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43
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | | ICON Europe Fund | | | ICON International Equity Fund | |
| | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| |
| | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Transactions in Fund Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 3,291,708 | | | | 7,474,792 | | | | 548,122 | | | | 1,315,107 | | | | 531,628 | | | | 4,818,426 | |
Class I | | | 8,567 | | | | 761 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,039,598 | | | | 1,211,533 | |
Class C | | | 21,226 | | | | 34,743 | | | | 5,033 | | | | 596 | | | | 133,245 | | | | 152,037 | |
Class Z | | | 110 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 591,916 | | | | 3,459,568 | |
Class A | | | 127,018 | | | | 135,002 | | | | 1,639 | | | | 1,625 | | | | 172,608 | | | | 98,082 | |
Class Q | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 37,359 | | | | 92,571 | |
Reinvested dividends | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 182,201 | | | | 105,388 | | | | 38,927 | | | | 191,242 | | | | 55,015 | | | | - | |
Class I | | | 28 | | | | 12 | | | | 2 | | | | 34 | | | | 44,069 | | | | 191,841 | |
Class C | | | 292 | | | | 40 | | | | 6 | | | | 33 | | | | 11,962 | | | | 14,484 | |
Class Z | | | 10 | | | | 10 | | | | 3 | | | | 10 | | | | 38,963 | | | | 56,477 | |
Class A | | | 666 | | | | 362 | | | | 55 | | | | 402 | | | | 6,283 | | | | 9,552 | |
Class Q | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 13,950 | | | | 27,289 | |
Shares repurchased | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | (7,912,830 | ) | | | (4,742,328 | ) | | | (1,453,831 | ) | | | (3,265,926 | ) | | | (1,115,347 | ) | | | (1,785,702 | ) |
Class I | | | (10,129 | ) | | | (293 | ) | | | (289 | ) | | | (970 | ) | | | (1,344,907 | ) | | | (8,313,274 | ) |
Class C | | | (9,887 | ) | | | (13,560 | ) | | | (1,276 | ) | | | - | | | | (423,072 | ) | | | (847,038 | ) |
Class Z | | | (650 | ) | | | - | | | | (292 | ) | | | - | | | | (2,217,806 | ) | | | (2,120,422 | ) |
Class A | | | (85,752 | ) | | | (128,235 | ) | | | (3,065 | ) | | | (17,256 | ) | | | (204,963 | ) | | | (285,661 | ) |
Class Q | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (120,384 | ) | | | (449,303 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) | | | (4,387,422 | ) | | | 2,866,604 | | | | (864,966 | ) | | | (1,775,103 | ) | | | (2,749,883 | ) | | | (3,669,540 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares outstanding, beginning of year | | | 10,254,200 | | | | 7,387,596 | | | | 4,629,657 | | | | 6,404,760 | | | | 11,945,646 | | | | 15,615,186 | |
Shares outstanding, end of year | | | 5,866,778 | | | | 10,254,200 | | | | 3,764,691 | | | | 4,629,657 | | | | 9,195,763 | | | | 11,945,646 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accumulated undistributed net investment income/(loss) | | $ | (430,258 | ) | | $ | 1,484,422 | | | $ | 675,975 | | | $ | 314,871 | | | $ | 85,776 | | | $ | 1,725,539 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
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45
Financial Highlights
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ratio of net investment
| | |
| | | | Income from investment operations | | Less dividends and | | distributions | | | | | | | | Ratio of expenses
| | income/(loss) to average
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | to average net assets(d) | | net assets(d) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | After
| | | | After
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Before
| | contractual
| | Before
| | contractual
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | expense
| | expense
| | expense
| | expense
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | |
| | Net asset
| | Net
| | Net realized
| | | | Dividends
| | Distributions
| | Total
| | Net asset
| | | | Net assets,
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | |
| | value,
| | investment
| | and unrealized
| | Total from
| | from net
| | from net
| | dividends
| | value,
| | | | end of
| | agent
| | agent
| | agent
| | agent
| | Portfolio
|
| | beginning
| | income/
| | gains/(losses)
| | investment
| | investment
| | realized
| | and
| | end of
| | Total
| | period (in
| | earnings
| | earnings
| | earnings
| | earnings
| | turnover
|
| | of period | | (loss)(x) | | on investments | | operations | | income | | gains | | distributions | | period | | return* | | thousands) | | credit | | credit | | credit | | credit | | rate(a) |
|
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | �� | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | $ | 10.64 | | | $ | 0.01 | | | $ | 1.89 | | | $ | 1.90 | | | $ | (0.19 | ) | | $ | - | | | $ | (0.19 | ) | | $ | 12.35 | | | | 18.02 | % | | $ | 70,854 | | | | 1.63 | % | | | 1.63 | % | | | 0.13 | % | | | 0.13 | % | | | 100.41 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 9.47 | | | | 0.08 | | | | 1.20 | | | | 1.28 | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | 10.64 | | | | 14.18 | % | | | 108,325 | | | | 1.54 | % | | | 1.54 | % | | | 1.00 | % | | | 1.00 | % | | | 171.05 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 18.82 | | | | 0.10 | | | | (6.99 | ) | | | (6.89 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (2.34 | ) | | | (2.46 | ) | | | 9.47 | | | | (41.26 | )% | | | 69,519 | | | | 1.42 | % | | | 1.42 | % | | | 0.70 | % | | | 0.70 | % | | | 168.42 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 13.19 | | | | 0.15 | | | | 5.51 | | | | 5.66 | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | 18.82 | | | | 43.03 | % | | | 205,332 | | | | 1.38 | % | | | 1.38 | % | | | 0.96 | % | | | 0.97 | % | | | 130.84 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 11.25 | | | | 0.02 | | | | 1.93 | | | | 1.95 | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | 13.19 | | | | 17.36 | % | | | 147,444 | | | | 1.44 | % | | | 1.44 | % | | | 0.12 | % | | | 0.12 | % | | | 159.51 | % |
Class I** | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 10.67 | | | | 0.06 | | | | 1.80 | | | | 1.86 | | | | (0.19 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.19 | ) | | | 12.34 | | | | 17.74 | % | | | - | | | | 63.72 | % | | | 1.82 | %(b) | | | (61.40 | )% | | | 0.50 | % | | | 100.41 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 9.45 | | | | 0.06 | | | | 1.24 | | | | 1.30 | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | 10.67 | | | | 14.24 | % | | | 16 | | | | 127.83 | % | | | 1.83 | %(b) | | | (125.26 | )% | | | 0.74 | % | | | 171.05 | % |
January 25, 2008 (inception) to September 30, 2008 | | | 13.73 | | | | 0.10 | | | | (4.38 | ) | | | (4.28 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 9.45 | | | | (31.17 | )% | | | 10 | | | | 51.45 | % | | | 1.91 | %(b) | | | (48.29 | )% | | | 1.25 | % | | | 168.42 | % |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 10.54 | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | 1.82 | | | | 1.77 | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | 12.17 | | | | 17.02 | % | | | 441 | | | | 9.04 | % | | | 2.57 | %(b) | | | (6.91 | )% | | | (0.44 | )% | | | 100.41 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 9.41 | | | | 0.02 | | | | 1.18 | | | | 1.20 | | | | (0.07 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.07 | ) | | | 10.54 | | | | 13.10 | % | | | 260 | | | | 19.80 | % | | | 2.55 | %(b) | | | (17.06 | )% | | | 0.19 | % | | | 171.05 | % |
January 25, 2008 (inception) to September 30, 2008 | | | 13.73 | | | | 0.05 | | | | (4.37 | ) | | | (4.32 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 9.41 | | | | (31.46 | )% | | | 33 | | | | 23.58 | % | | | 2.64 | %(b) | | | (20.28 | )% | | | 0.66 | % | | | 168.42 | % |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 10.63 | | | | 0.02 | | | | 1.86 | | | | 1.88 | | | | (0.16 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.16 | ) | | | 12.35 | | | | 17.91 | % | | | 1,149 | | | | 5.17 | % | | | 1.82 | %(b) | | | (3.13 | )% | | | 0.22 | % | | | 100.41 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 9.38 | | | | 0.05 | | | | 1.25 | | | | 1.30 | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | 10.63 | | | | 14.11 | % | | | 543 | | | | 5.89 | % | | | 1.82 | %(b) | | | (3.41 | )% | | | 0.66 | % | | | 171.05 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 18.72 | | | | 0.03 | | | | (6.93 | ) | | | (6.90 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (2.34 | ) | | | (2.44 | ) | | | 9.38 | | | | (41.53 | )% | | | 412 | | | | 2.94 | % | | | 1.88 | %(b) | | | (0.82 | )% | | | 0.24 | % | | | 168.42 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 13.18 | | | | 0.27 | | | | 5.30 | | | | 5.57 | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | 18.72 | | | | 42.38 | % | | | 973 | | | | 3.26 | % | | | 1.85 | %(b) | | | 0.24 | % | | | 1.65 | % | | | 130.84 | % |
May 31, 2006 (inception) to September 30, 2006 | | | 13.54 | | | | 0.04 | | | | (0.40 | ) | | | (0.36 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 13.18 | | | | (2.66 | )% | | | 24 | | | | 25.78 | % | | | 1.81 | %(b) | | | (23.09 | )% | | | 0.88 | % | | | 159.51 | % |
ICON Europe Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 12.28 | | | | 0.18 | | | | 0.60 | | | | 0.78 | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | 12.95 | | | | 6.40 | % | | | 48,547 | | | | 1.58 | % | | | 1.58 | % | | | 1.48 | % | | | 1.48 | % | | | 105.08 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 13.23 | | | | 0.15 | | | | (0.79 | ) | | | (0.64 | ) | | | (0.31 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.31 | ) | | | 12.28 | | | | (4.13 | )% | | | 56,681 | | | | 1.57 | % | | | 1.57 | % | | | 1.52 | % | | | 1.52 | % | | | 129.97 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 24.04 | | | | 0.36 | | | | (8.21 | ) | | | (7.85 | ) | | | (0.21 | ) | | | (2.75 | ) | | | (2.96 | ) | | | 13.23 | | | | (36.83 | )% | | | 84,320 | | | | 1.35 | % | | | 1.35 | % | | | 1.89 | % | | | 1.89 | % | | | 181.83 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 18.82 | | | | 0.21 | | | | 5.33 | | | | 5.54 | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (0.27 | ) | | | (0.32 | ) | | | 24.04 | | | | 29.69 | % | | | 139,069 | | | | 1.35 | % | | | 1.35 | % | | | 0.97 | % | | | 0.97 | % | | | 133.36 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 15.68 | | | | 0.20 | | | | 3.80 | | | | 4.00 | | | | - | | | | (0.86 | ) | | | (0.86 | ) | | | 18.82 | | | | 27.09 | % | | | 105,409 | | | | 1.51 | % | | | 1.51 | % | | | 1.13 | % | | | 1.13 | % | | | 100.62 | % |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 12.15 | | | | 0.09 | | | | 0.56 | | | | 0.65 | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | 12.77 | | | | 5.37 | % | | | 71 | | | | 40.14 | % | | | 2.55 | %(b) | | | (36.86 | )% | | | 0.73 | % | | | 105.08 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 13.12 | | | | 0.07 | | | | (0.80 | ) | | | (0.73 | ) | | | (0.24 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.24 | ) | | | 12.15 | | | | (5.04 | )% | | | 22 | | | | 75.12 | % | | | 2.57 | %(b) | | | (71.83 | )% | | | 0.72 | % | | | 129.97 | % |
January 25, 2008 (inception) to September 30, 2008 | | | 17.91 | | | | 0.07 | | | | (4.86 | ) | | | (4.79 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 13.12 | | | | (26.74 | )% | | | 16 | | | | 51.24 | % | | | 2.58 | %(b) | | | (48.03 | )% | | | 0.63 | % | | | 181.83 | % |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 12.30 | | | | 0.15 | | | | 0.60 | | | | 0.75 | | | | (0.07 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.07 | ) | | | 12.98 | | | | 6.16 | % | | | 150 | | | | 17.22 | % | | | 1.80 | %(b) | | | (14.22 | )% | | | 1.21 | % | | | 105.08 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 13.14 | | | | 0.12 | | | | (0.75 | ) | | | (0.63 | ) | | | (0.21 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.21 | ) | | | 12.30 | | | | (4.32 | )% | | | 159 | | | | 11.15 | % | | | 1.82 | %(b) | | | (8.08 | )% | | | 1.25 | % | | | 129.97 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 23.91 | | | | 0.26 | | | | (8.17 | ) | | | (7.91 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) | | | (2.75 | ) | | | (2.86 | ) | | | 13.14 | | | | (37.17 | )% | | | 370 | | | | 4.36 | % | | | 1.83 | %(b) | | | (1.18 | )% | | | 1.35 | % | | | 181.83 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 18.79 | | | | 0.15 | | | | 5.28 | | | | 5.43 | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (0.27 | ) | | | (0.31 | ) | | | 23.91 | | | | 29.14 | % | | | 666 | | | | 2.43 | % | | | 1.84 | %(b) | | | 0.09 | % | | | 0.69 | % | | | 133.36 | % |
May 31, 2006 (inception) to September 30, 2006 | �� | | 18.40 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | 0.41 | | | | 0.39 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 18.79 | | | | 2.12 | % | | | 30 | | | | 33.40 | % | | | 1.84 | %(b) | | | (31.86 | )% | | | (0.30 | )% | | | 100.62 | % |
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47
Financial Highlights (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ratio of net investment
| | |
| | | | Income from investment operations | | Less dividends and | | distributions | | | | | | | | Ratio of expenses
| | income/(loss)
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | to average net assets(d) | | to average net assets(d) | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | After
| | | | After
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Before
| | contractual
| | Before
| | contractual
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | expense
| | expense
| | expense
| | expense
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | limitation/
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | recoupment
| | |
| | Net asset
| | Net
| | Net realized
| | | | Dividends
| | Distributions
| | Total
| | Net asset
| | | | Net assets,
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | and transfer
| | |
| | value,
| | investment
| | and unrealized
| | Total from
| | from net
| | from net
| | dividends
| | value,
| | | | end of
| | agent
| | agent
| | agent
| | agent
| | Portfolio
|
| | beginning
| | income/
| | gains/(losses)
| | investment
| | investment
| | realized
| | and
| | end of
| | Total
| | period (in
| | earnings
| | earnings
| | earnings
| | earnings
| | turnover
|
| | of period | | (loss)(x) | | on investments | | operations | | income | | gains | | distributions | | period | | return* | | thousands) | | credit | | credit | | credit | | credit | | rate(a) |
|
ICON International Equity Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | $ | 11.27 | | | $ | 0.12 | | | $ | 1.08 | | | $ | 1.20 | | | $ | (0.21 | ) | | $ | - | | | $ | (0.21 | ) | | $ | 12.26 | | | | 10.78 | % | | $ | 32,424 | | | | 1.42 | % | | | 1.42 | %(b) | | | 1.08 | % | | | 1.08 | % | | | 111.29 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 10.84 | | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.43 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 11.27 | | | | 3.97 | % | | | 35,748 | | | | 1.34 | % | | | 1.34 | %(b)(e) | | | 1.42 | % | | | 1.42 | %(f) | | | 182.73 | % |
January 25, 2008 (inception) to September 30, 2008 | | | 15.25 | | | | 0.20 | | | | (4.61 | ) | | | (4.41 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 10.84 | | | | (28.92 | )% | | | 1,515 | | | | 1.62 | % | | | 1.62 | %(b) | | | 2.08 | % | | | 2.08 | % | | | 188.73 | % |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 10.97 | | | | 0.07 | | | | 1.06 | | | | 1.13 | | | | (0.16 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.16 | ) | | | 11.94 | | | | 10.44 | % | | | 36,993 | | | | 1.84 | % | | | 1.80 | %(b) | | | 0.63 | % | | | 0.66 | % | | | 111.29 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 10.71 | | | | 0.05 | | | | 0.37 | | | | 0.42 | | | | (0.16 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.16 | ) | | | 10.97 | | | | 4.60 | % | | | 36,860 | | | | 1.76 | % | | | 1.76 | %(b)(e) | | | 0.59 | % | | | 0.59 | %(f) | | | 182.73 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 20.09 | | | | 0.22 | | | | (7.48 | ) | | | (7.26 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (1.99 | ) | | | (2.12 | ) | | | 10.71 | | | | (39.85 | )% | | | 110,029 | | | | 1.55 | % | | | 1.55 | %(b) | | | 1.39 | % | | | 1.39 | % | | | 188.73 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 14.94 | | | | 0.18 | | | | 5.63 | | | | 5.81 | | | | - | (c) | | | (0.66 | ) | | | (0.66 | ) | | | 20.09 | | | | 40.11 | % | | | 170,383 | | | | 1.54 | % | | | 1.54 | %(b) | | | 1.02 | % | | | 1.03 | % | | | 132.30 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 12.91 | | | | 0.09 | | | | 2.57 | | | | 2.66 | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.62 | ) | | | (0.63 | ) | | | 14.94 | | | | 21.20 | % | | | 76,454 | | | | 1.71 | % | | | 1.71 | %(b) | | | 0.59 | % | | | 0.59 | % | | | 129.31 | % |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 10.40 | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | 1.01 | | | | 1.00 | | | | (0.10 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.10 | ) | | | 11.30 | | | | 9.65 | % | | | 13,990 | | | | 2.69 | % | | | 2.55 | %(b) | | | (0.21 | )% | | | (0.07 | )% | | | 111.29 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 10.10 | | | | - | (c) | | | 0.36 | | | | 0.36 | | | | (0.06 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.06 | ) | | | 10.40 | | | | 3.79 | % | | | 15,774 | | | | 2.64 | % | | | 2.55 | %(b)(e) | | | (0.13 | )% | | | (0.04 | )%(f) | | | 182.73 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 19.09 | | | | 0.07 | | | | (7.07 | ) | | | (7.00 | ) | | | - | (c) | | | (1.99 | ) | | | (1.99 | ) | | | 10.10 | | | | (40.38 | )% | | | 22,194 | | | | 2.44 | % | | | 2.44 | %(b) | | | 0.47 | % | | | 0.47 | % | | | 188.73 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 14.36 | | | | - | (c) | | | 5.39 | | | | 5.39 | | | | - | | | | (0.66 | ) | | | (0.66 | ) | | | 19.09 | | | | 38.74 | % | | | 29,274 | | | | 2.57 | % | | | 2.56 | %(b) | | | (0.04 | )% | | | (0.03 | )% | | | 132.30 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 12.53 | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | 2.48 | | | | 2.45 | | | | - | | | | (0.62 | ) | | | (0.62 | ) | | | 14.36 | | | | 20.09 | % | | | 13,899 | | | | 2.76 | % | | | 2.54 | %(b) | | | (0.39 | )% | | | (0.18 | )% | | | 129.31 | % |
Class Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 11.13 | | | | 0.13 | | | | 1.06 | | | | 1.19 | | | | (0.21 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.21 | ) | | | 12.11 | | | | 10.87 | % | | | 12,806 | | | | 1.43 | % | | | 1.36 | %(b) | | | 1.06 | % | | | 1.12 | % | | | 111.29 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 10.87 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.35 | | | | 0.46 | | | | (0.20 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.20 | ) | | | 11.13 | | | | 5.16 | % | | | 29,437 | | | | 1.43 | % | | | 1.25 | %(b)(e) | | | 1.07 | % | | | 1.25 | %(f) | | | 182.73 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 20.34 | | | | 0.22 | | | | (7.53 | ) | | | (7.31 | ) | | | (0.17 | ) | | | (1.99 | ) | | | (2.16 | ) | | | 10.87 | | | | (39.66 | )% | | | 13,580 | | | | 1.27 | % | | | 1.27 | %(b) | | | 1.31 | % | | | 1.31 | % | | | 188.73 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 15.07 | | | | 0.20 | | | | 5.73 | | | | 5.93 | | | | - | | | | (0.66 | ) | | | (0.66 | ) | | | 20.34 | | | | 40.56 | % | | | 37,619 | | | | 1.26 | % | | | 1.26 | %(b) | | | 1.16 | % | | | 1.16 | % | | | 132.30 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 13.00 | | | | 0.09 | | | | 2.63 | | | | 2.72 | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.62 | ) | | | (0.65 | ) | | | 15.07 | | | | 21.54 | % | | | 28,295 | | | | 1.41 | % | | | 1.40 | %(b) | | | 0.60 | % | | | 0.61 | % | | | 129.31 | % |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 11.07 | | | | 0.08 | | | | 1.06 | | | | 1.14 | | | | (0.17 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.17 | ) | | | 12.04 | | | | 10.38 | % | | | 5,358 | | | | 2.16 | % | | | 1.80 | %(b) | | | 0.33 | % | | | 0.68 | % | | | 111.29 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 10.78 | | | | 0.06 | | | | 0.37 | | | | 0.43 | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | 11.07 | | | | 4.65 | % | | | 5,214 | | | | 2.08 | % | | | 1.80 | %(b)(e) | | | 0.42 | % | | | 0.70 | %(f) | | | 182.73 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 20.24 | | | | 0.18 | | | | (7.52 | ) | | | (7.34 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (1.99 | ) | | | (2.12 | ) | | | 10.78 | | | | (39.95 | )% | | | 7,001 | | | | 1.73 | % | | | 1.73 | %(b) | | | 1.17 | % | | | 1.17 | % | | | 188.73 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 15.06 | | | | 0.17 | | | | 5.67 | | | | 5.84 | | | | - | | | | (0.66 | ) | | | (0.66 | ) | | | 20.24 | | | | 39.97 | % | | | 6,744 | | | | 1.70 | % | | | 1.69 | %(b) | | | 0.98 | % | | | 0.99 | % | | | 132.30 | % |
May 31, 2006 (inception) to September 30, 2006 | | | 15.17 | | | | 0.03 | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 15.06 | | | | (0.73 | )% | | | 88 | | | | 19.13 | % | | | 1.79 | %(b) | | | (16.62 | )% | | | 0.72 | % | | | 129.31 | % |
Class Q | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 11.11 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 1.08 | | | | 1.19 | | | | (0.20 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.20 | ) | | | 12.10 | | | | 10.88 | % | | | 8,621 | | | | 1.45 | % | | | 1.45 | %(b) | | | 1.01 | % | | | 1.01 | % | | | 111.29 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 10.86 | | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.35 | | | | 0.45 | | | | (0.20 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.20 | ) | | | 11.11 | | | | 4.97 | % | | | 8,690 | | | | 1.41 | % | | | 1.40 | %(b)(e) | | | 1.11 | % | | | 1.12 | %(f) | | | 182.73 | % |
January 28, 2008 (inception) to September 30, 2008 | | | 15.44 | | | | 0.23 | | | | (4.81 | ) | | | (4.58 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 10.86 | | | | (29.66 | )% | | | 12,072 | | | | 1.31 | % | | | 1.31 | %(b) | | | 2.36 | % | | | 2.36 | % | | | 188.73 | % |
| |
(x) | Calculated using the average share method. |
* | The total return calculation is for the period indicated and excludes any sales charges. |
** | Class I shares were closed and liquidated on September 30, 2010. |
(a) | Not annualized. |
(b) | The Fund’s operating expenses, not including interest expense, are contractually limited to the amounts discussed in Note 3. The ratios in these financial highlights reflect the limitation, including interest expense. |
(c) | Amount less than $0.005. |
(d) | Annualized for periods less than a year. |
(e) | The ratio of expenses to average net assets after the contractual expense limitation and voluntary expense waiver and transfer agent earnings credit is 1.29%, 1.73%, 2.52%, 1.25%, 1.76% and 1.37% for Class S, Class I, Class C, Class Z, Class A and Class Q, respectively. |
(f) | The ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets after the contractual expense limitation and voluntary expense waiver and transfer agent earnings credit is 1.47%, 0.62%, (0.01%), 1.25%, 0.74% and 1.15% for Class S, Class I, Class C, Class Z, Class A and Class Q, respectively. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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49
Notes to Financial Statements
September 30, 2010
1. Organization
The ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund (“Asia-Pacific Region Fund”), ICON Europe Fund (“Europe Fund”) and ICON International Equity Fund (“International Equity Fund”) are series funds (individually a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The Funds are part of the ICON Funds (the “Trust”), a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end investment management company. The Asia-Pacific Region Fund and the Europe Fund each have three classes of shares: Class S, Class C, and Class A. Class Z shares of the Asia-Pacific Region Fund and Class I and Z shares of the Europe Fund closed on September 15, 2010. Class I shares of the Asia-Pacific Region Fund closed on September 30, 2010. The International Equity Fund has six classes of shares: Class S, Class I, Class C, Class Z, Class A, and Class Q. Class Q shares are closed to new investors. All classes have equal rights as to earnings, assets and voting privileges except that each Class may bear different distribution fees, registration costs, legal costs, mailing and printing costs and shareholder servicing costs and each Class has exclusive voting rights with respect to its distribution plan. There are currently fourteen other active Funds within the Trust. Those Funds are covered by separate prospectuses and shareholder reports.
Each Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of no par shares. The Funds primarily invest in foreign securities; the Asia-Pacific Region Fund and the Europe Fund primarily invest in companies whose principal business activities fall within specific regions. The investment objective of each Fund is to provide long-term capital appreciation.
The Funds may have elements of risk, including the risk of loss of principal. There is no assurance that the investment process will consistently lead to successful results. An investment concentrated in sectors and industries may involve greater risk and volatility than a more diversified investment. Investments in foreign securities and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar-denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower government supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability. Financial statements of foreign companies are governed by different accounting, auditing, and financial standards than U.S. companies and may be less transparent and uniform than in the United States. Many corporate governance standards, which help ensure the integrity of public information
50 Notes to Financial Statements
in the United States, may not exist in some foreign countries. In general, there may be less governmental supervision of foreign stock exchanges and securities brokers and issuers. There are also risks associated with small-and mid-cap investing, including limited product lines, less liquidity, and small market share.
The Asia-Pacific Region Fund has a significant weighting in Japan which may cause the Fund’s performance to be susceptible to the economic, business and/or other developments that may affect that country.
In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into various agreements that provide for general indemnifications. Each Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as any potential exposure involving future claims that may be made against each Fund is unknown. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be minimal.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Investment Valuation
The Funds’ securities and other assets, excluding options on securities indexes, are valued as of the closing price at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (normally 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) each day the NYSE is open, except that securities traded primarily on the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) are normally valued by the Funds at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price provided by NASDAQ each business day. Options on securities indexes are valued at the close of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (normally 4:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
The Funds use pricing services to obtain the market value of securities in their portfolios; if a pricing service is not able to provide a price, or the
Notes to Financial Statements 51
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
pricing service’s valuation quote is considered inaccurate or does not reflect the market value of the security, prices may be obtained through market quotations from independent broker/dealers. If market quotations from these sources are not readily available, the Funds’ securities or other assets are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Funds’ Board of Trustees (“Board”) or pursuant to procedures approved by the Board.
Lacking any sales that day, a security is valued at the current closing bid price (or yield equivalent thereof) or based on quotes obtained from dealers making a market for the security. Options are valued at their closing mid-price on the market with the most volume. Mid-price is the average of the closing bid and closing ask prices. Debt securities with a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued in accordance with the evaluated bid price supplied by the pricing service. The evaluated bid price supplied by the pricing service is based upon a matrix valuation system which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost or original cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value. Currency rates as of the close of the NYSE are used to convert foreign security values into U.S. dollars.
The Funds’ securities traded in countries outside of the Western Hemisphere are fair valued daily by utilizing the quotations of an independent pricing service, unless the Board determines that use of another valuation methodology is appropriate. The purposes of daily fair valuation are to avoid stale prices and to take into account, among other things, any significant events occurring after the close of foreign markets. The pricing service uses statistical analyses and quantitative models to adjust local market prices using factors such as subsequent movements and changes in the prices of indexes, securities and exchange rates in other markets to determine fair value as of the time a Fund calculates its net asset value (“NAV”). The valuation assigned to fair-value securities for purposes of calculating a Fund’s NAV may differ from the security’s most recent closing market price and from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their NAVs.
Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value.
Various inputs are used to determine the value of the Funds’ investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
52 Notes to Financial Statements
Level 2 — significant observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk).
Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs.
Observable inputs are those based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Funds, and unobservable inputs reflect the Funds’ own assumptions based on the best information available. The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investments at that level. For example, non-U.S. equity securities actively traded in foreign markets generally are reflected in Level 2 despite the availability of closing prices, because the Funds evaluate and determine whether those closing prices reflect fair value at the close of the NYSE or require adjustment, as described above. The following table summarizes the Funds’ investments, based on the inputs used to determine their values on September 30, 2010:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Level 2 | |
| | | | | Investments
| | | | |
| | | | | in Securities
| | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | and Forward
| | | Liabilities for
| |
| | Investments
| | | Foreign Currency
| | | Forward Foreign
| |
| | in Securities | | | Contracts | | | Currency Contracts | |
|
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Hong Kong | | $ | - | | | $ | 6,855,306 | | | $ | - | |
China | | | 336,576 | | | | 11,255,882 | | | | - | |
Japan | | | - | | | | 18,341,782 | | | | - | |
Korea | | | - | | | | 11,112,448 | | | | - | |
India | | | - | | | | 6,364,529 | | | | - | |
Australia | | | - | | | | 5,805,302 | | | | - | |
Other Countries | | | - | | | | 11,825,871 | | | | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | 13,461,291 | | | | - | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | 1,793,143 | | | | - | |
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts | | | - | | | | 299,849 | | | | (74,993 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 336,576 | | | $ | 87,115,403 | | | $ | (74,993 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Notes to Financial Statements 53
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Level 2 | |
| �� | | | | Investments
| | | | |
| | | | | in Securities
| | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | and Forward
| | | Liabilities for
| |
| | Investments
| | | Foreign Currency
| | | Forward Foreign
| |
| | in Securities | | | Contracts | | | Currency Contracts | |
|
ICON Europe Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United Kingdom | | $ | - | | | $ | 8,915,734 | | | $ | - | |
Germany | | | 361,081 | | | | 7,368,211 | | | | - | |
Switzerland | | | - | | | | 7,265,171 | | | | - | |
France | | | - | | | | 7,131,225 | | | | - | |
Belgium | | | - | | | | 3,247,257 | | | | - | |
Other Countries | | | 170,100 | | | | 13,187,703 | | | | - | |
Rights | | | 22,056 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | 3,200,415 | | | | - | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | 956,387 | | | | - | |
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts | | | - | | | | 1,524,999 | | | | (1,745,788 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 553,237 | | | $ | 52,797,102 | | | $ | (1,745,788 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Hong Kong | | $ | - | | | $ | 10,723,954 | | | $ | - | |
China | | | 377,609 | | | | 7,485,529 | | | | - | |
Korea | | | - | | | | 12,078,843 | | | | - | |
Canada | | | 8,852,533 | | | | - | | | | - | |
France | | | - | | | | 7,600,581 | | | | - | |
Germany | | | - | | | | 6,475,811 | | | | - | |
United Kingdom | | | - | | | | 7,216,612 | | | | - | |
Japan | | | - | | | | 5,926,726 | | | | - | |
India | | | - | | | | 5,688,327 | | | | - | |
Other Countries | | | 6,084,048 | | | | 23,226,990 | | | | - | |
Preferred Stock | | | | | | | | | | | - | |
Brazil | | | 5,967,791 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Rights | | | 24,569 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | 9,154,966 | | | | - | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | 227,760 | | | | - | |
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts | | | - | | | | 1,849,496 | | | | (1,537,023 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 21,306,550 | | | $ | 97,655,595 | | | $ | (1,537,023 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
There were no Level 3 securities held in any of the Funds at September 30, 2010.
For the year ended September 30, 2010, there was no significant transfer activity between Level 1 and Level 2.
54 Notes to Financial Statements
Foreign Currency Translation
The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated daily into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the respective dates of the transactions. Purchases and sales of securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the contractual currency exchange rates established at the time of each trade.
The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, resulting from changes in the exchange rates and changes in market prices of securities held.
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
The Funds’ use of derivatives for the year ended September 30, 2010 was limited to forward foreign currency contracts.
The Funds may enter into short-term forward foreign currency contracts. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between contracting parties to exchange an amount of currency at some future time at an agreed upon rate. The Funds may use forward foreign currency contracts to manage foreign currency exposure with respect to transactional hedging, positional hedging, cross hedging and proxy hedging.
These contracts involve market risk and do not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the prices of those securities decline. The Funds could be exposed to risk if the value of the currency changes unfavorably. Additionally, the Funds could be exposed to counterparty risk if the counterparties are unable to meet the terms of the contracts.
These contracts are marked-to-market daily. Net realized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent disposition of foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount recorded at the time of the transaction and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. Any realized gain or loss incurred by the Funds due to foreign currency translation is included on the Statement of Operations. At September 30, 2010, the Asia-Pacific Region Fund, Europe Fund and International Equity Fund had outstanding
Notes to Financial Statements 55
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
forward foreign currency contracts that are listed on the Schedule of Investments.
The following is a summary of how these derivatives are treated in the financial statements and their impact on the Funds:
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
| | Statement of
| | | | | Statement of
| | | |
| | Assets and
| | | | | Assets and
| | | |
Derivatives not accounted for as
| | Liabilities
| | Fair
| | | Liabilities
| | Fair
| |
hedging instruments | | Location | | Value | | | Location | | Value | |
| |
Foreign exchange contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange risk | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign | | $ | 299,849 | | | Unrealized depreciation | | $ | 74,993 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | 1,524,999 | | | on forward foreign | | | 1,745,788 | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | currency contracts | | | 1,849,496 | | | currency contracts | | | 1,537,023 | |
Amount of Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Operations
| | | | | | |
| | Location of Gain/(Loss)
| | | |
Derivatives not accounted for as
| | on Derivatives
| | | |
hedging instruments | | Recognized in Operations | | Amount | |
| |
Foreign exchange contracts | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange risk | | | | | | |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | Net realized gain/(loss) from | | $ | 237,979 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | foreign currency transactions | | | (387,784 | ) |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | | | (99,790 | ) |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Operations
| | | | | | |
| | Location of Gain/(Loss)
| | | |
Derivatives not accounted for as
| | on Derivatives
| | | |
hedging instruments | | Recognized in Operations | | Amount | |
| |
Foreign exchange contracts | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange risk | | Change in unrealized net | | | | |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | appreciation/(depreciation) on | | $ | 483,391 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | investments and foreign | | | (354,934) | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | currency translations | | | 325,551 | |
Information about derivative instruments reflected as of the date of this report is generally indicative of the type and volume of derivative activity for the year ended September 30, 2010.
56 Notes to Financial Statements
The Funds value derivatives at fair value, as described below, and recognize changes in fair value currently in the results of operations. Accordingly, the Funds do not follow hedge accounting even for derivatives employed as economic hedges.
Securities Lending
Under procedures adopted by the Board, the Funds may lend securities to non-affiliated qualified parties. The Funds seek to earn additional income through securities lending. There is the risk of delay in recovering a loaned security. The Funds do not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan; however, the Funds may attempt to call back the loan and vote the proxy.
All loans will be continuously secured by collateral which consists of cash. The cash collateral is invested in the State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio and is disclosed on the Schedule of Investments. The lending fees received and the Funds’ portion of the interest income earned on cash collateral are included on the Statement of Operations, if applicable.
As of September 30, 2010, the following Funds had securities with the following values on loan:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Value of
| | | Value of
| |
Fund | | Loaned Securities | | | Collateral | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | $ | 12,810,319 | | | $ | 13,461,291 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | 3,051,568 | | | | 3,200,415 | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | 8,760,476 | | | | 9,154,966 | |
The value of the collateral above could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before September 30, 2010. It may also include collateral received from the pre-funding of loans.
Income Taxes
The Funds intend to qualify as regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and, accordingly, the Funds will generally not be subject to federal and state income taxes, or federal excise taxes to the extent that they intend to make sufficient distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains.
Dividends paid by the Funds from net investment income and distributions of net realized short-term gains are, for federal income tax purposes, taxable as ordinary income to shareholders.
Notes to Financial Statements 57
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded by the Funds on the ex-dividend/distribution date. The Funds distribute income and net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually, if not offset by capital loss carryforward. The Funds may utilize equalization accounting for tax purposes and designate earnings and profits, including net realized gains distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares, as part of the dividends paid deduction for income tax purposes. Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements.
The Funds file U.S. tax returns. While the statute of limitations remains open to examine the Funds’ U.S. tax returns filed for the past four years, no examinations are in progress or anticipated at this time. The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
Certain foreign countries impose a tax on capital gains which is accrued by the Funds based on the unrealized appreciation, if any, on affected securities. Any accrual would reduce a Fund’s NAV. The tax is paid when the gain is realized.
Investment Income
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Interest income is accrued as earned. Certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the Funds are informed of the dividend if such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are amortized over the life of the respective securities.
Investment Transactions
Security transactions are accounted for no later than one business day after the trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.
58 Notes to Financial Statements
Allocation of Income and Expenses
Each class of a Fund’s shares bears expenses incurred specifically on its behalf and, in addition, each class bears a portion of general expenses, based upon relative net assets of each class. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a specific Fund in the Trust are apportioned between all Funds in the Trust based upon relative net assets. In calculating the net asset value per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses other than class-specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets.
Below are the class level expenses that are included in Other Expenses on the Statement of Operations:
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Printing
| |
| | Legal
| | | And Postage
| |
Fund | | Expense | | | Expense | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | $ | 7,588 | | | $ | 36,622 | |
Class I* | | | 8 | | | | 37 | |
Class C | | | 44 | | | | 216 | |
Class Z* | | | 1 | | | | 4 | |
Class A | | | 85 | | | | 417 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 5,142 | | | | 22,835 | |
Class I* | | | - | | | | 2 | |
Class C | | | 7 | | | | 34 | |
Class Z* | | | - | | | | 2 | |
Class A | | | 15 | | | | 62 | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 3,448 | | | | 11,824 | |
Class I | | | 3,824 | | | | 13,473 | |
Class C | | | 1,504 | | | | 5,170 | |
Class Z | | | 1,846 | | | | 5,075 | |
Class A | | | 539 | | | | 1,842 | |
Class Q | | | 859 | | | | 3,018 | |
| |
* | Class Z shares of ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund and Class I and Z shares of the ICON Europe fund were closed and liquidated on September 15, 2010. Class I shares of the ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund was closed and liquidated on September 30, 2010. |
Notes to Financial Statements 59
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
3. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Investment Advisory Fees
ICON Advisers, Inc. (“ICON Advisers”) serves as investment adviser to the Funds and is responsible for managing the Funds’ portfolios of securities. ICON Advisers receives a monthly management fee that is computed daily at an annual rate of 1.00% of each Fund’s average daily net assets.
ICON Advisers has contractually agreed to limit its investment advisory fee and/or reimburse certain of the Funds’ operating expenses (exclusive of brokerage, interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses) to the extent necessary to ensure that the Funds’ operating expenses do not exceed the following amounts:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Class S | | | Class I | | | Class C | | | Class Z | | | Class A | | | Class Q | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | | - | | | | 1.80% | | | | 2.55% | | | | N/A | | | | 1.80% | | | | N/A | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | - | | | | N/A | | | | 2.55% | | | | N/A | | | | 1.80% | | | | N/A | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | 1.80% | | | | 1.80% | | | | 2.55% | | | | 1.55% | | | | 1.80% | | | | 1.55% | |
Effective January 25, 2010 the expense limitation for the Class Z shares of the ICON International Equity Fund increased from 1.25% to 1.55%.
The Funds’ expense limitations will continue in effect until at least January 31, 2021. To the extent ICON Advisers reimburses or absorbs fees and expenses, it may seek payment of such amounts for up to three years after the expenses were reimbursed or absorbed. A Fund will make no such payment, however, if the total Fund operating expenses exceed the expense limits in effect at the time the expenses were reimbursed or at the time these payments are proposed.
As of September 30, 2010 the following amounts were still available for recoupment by ICON Advisers based upon their potential expiration dates:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | 2011 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | $ | 15,723 | | | $ | 27,778 | | | $ | 47,207 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | 16,533 | | | | 26,513 | | | | 42,776 | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | - | | | | 61,349 | | | | 63,508 | |
Accounting, Custody and Transfer Agent Fees
As of April 1, 2010, State Street Bank and Trust Company, (“State Street”) became the fund accounting agent for the funds. For its services, the Trust pays State Street a fee that is calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on the aggregate average daily assets of the Trust. Prior to April 1, 2010, the fund accounting agent for the funds was Citi
60 Notes to Financial Statements
Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi”). The Trust paid Citi fees that were calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on the aggregate average daily assets of the Trust.
As of March 29, 2010, State Street became the custodian of the Trust’s investments. For its services, the Trust pays State Street asset-based fees that vary according to the number of positions and transactions, plus out-of-pocket expenses. Prior to March 29, 2010, Brown Brothers Harriman (“BBH”) was the custodian of the Trust’s investments. For its custodial services, the Trust paid BBH asset-based fees that varied according to the number of positions and transactions, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (“BFDS”) is the Trust’s transfer agent. For these services, the Trust pays an account fee of $13.25 per open account, $7.00 per networked account, $1.80 per closed account, plus certain other transaction and cusip charges. BFDS may pay each Fund transfer agent earnings credits. Transfer agent earnings credits are credits received for interest which results from overnight balances used by BFDS for clearing shareholder transactions.
Administrative Services
The Trust has entered into an administrative services agreement with ICON Advisers pursuant to which ICON Advisers oversees the administration of the Trust’s business and affairs. This agreement provides for an annual fee of 0.05% on the Funds’ first $1.5 billion of average daily net assets, 0.045% on the next $1.5 billion of average daily net assets, 0.040% on the next $2 billion of average daily net assets and 0.030% on average daily net assets over $5 billion. During the year ended September 30, 2010, the Funds’ payment for administrative services to ICON Advisers is included on the Statement of Operations. The administrative services agreement provides that ICON Advisers will not be liable for any error of judgment, mistake of law, or any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with matters to which the administrative services agreement relates, except for a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence by ICON Advisers in the performance of its duties.
As of April 1, 2010, ICON Advisers entered into a sub-administration agreement with State Street to which State Street assists ICON Advisers with the administration and business affairs of the Trust. For its services, ICON Advisers pays State Street a fee that is calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on the aggregate average daily assets of the Trust. Prior to April 1, 2010, Citi assisted ICON Advisers with the administration
Notes to Financial Statements 61
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
and business affairs of the Trust. ICON Advisers paid Citi a fee that was calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on the average daily assets of the Trust.
Distribution Fees
The Funds have adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (“12b-1 Plan”) under which the Funds are authorized to compensate the Funds’ distributor, ICON Distributors, Inc. (“IDI”) (an affiliate of the adviser) for the sale and distribution of shares. Under the 12b-1 Plan, Class I and Class A shareholders pay an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets. The Class C shareholders pay an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00% of average daily net assets. The total amount paid under the 12b-1 plans by the Funds is shown on the Statement of Operations.
Other Related Parties
Certain Officers and Directors of ICON Advisers are also Officers and Trustees of the Funds; however, such Officers and Trustees (with the exception of the Chief Compliance Officer, “CCO”) receive no compensation from the Funds. The CCO’s salary is paid 100% by the Funds. For the year ended September 30, 2010, the total related amounts paid by the Trust under this arrangement are included in Other Expenses on the Statements of Operations.
Some of the distribution amounts received by IDI, discussed in the Distribution Fees section above, have been used to offset various shareholder servicing costs incurred by ICON Advisers. For the year ended September 30, 2010, this amount was $6,911.
4. Borrowings
As of March 29, 2010, the Trust has entered into Lines of Credit agreements with State Street to provide temporary funding for redemption requests. The maximum borrowing is limited to $150 million. Interest on domestic borrowings is charged at the higher of the Federal Funds Rate effective on that day and the Overnight LIBOR Rate effective on that day plus 1.25%. The average interest rate charged for the year ended September 30, 2010 was 1.62%.
62 Notes to Financial Statements
Prior to March 29, 2010, the Funds entered into Lines of Credit agreements with BBH to provide temporary funding for redemption requests.
| | | | |
| | Average Borrowing
| |
Fund | | (10/1/09-9/30/10) | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | $ | 3,237,023 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | 143,803 | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | 902,412 | |
None of the Funds had outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2010.
Average borrowing is calculated using only the days there was a borrowing. It is not an annualized number.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities
For the year ended September 30, 2010, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) was as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Proceeds
| |
| | Purchases of
| | | from Sales
| |
Fund | | Securities | | | of Securities | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | $ | 75,658,583 | | | $ | 118,987,072 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | 51,706,945 | | | | 59,788,053 | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | 127,910,956 | | | | 157,511,562 | |
6. Federal Income Tax
Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations that may differ from accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences are due to differing treatments for items such as net short-term gains, deferrals of wash sale losses, foreign currency transactions, net investment losses, and capital loss carryforwards.
The tax components of capital shown in the following tables represent losses or deductions the Funds may be able to offset against income and gains recognized in future years and post October loss deferrals. The accumulated losses noted represent net capital loss carryforwards as of September 30, 2010 that may be available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce future taxable income distributions.
Notes to Financial Statements 63
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
For the year ended September 30, 2010 the following Funds had capital loss carryforwards:
| | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Amounts | | | Expires | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | $ | 20,592,923 | | | | 2017 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | 28,735,751 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 26,614,409 | | | | 2018 | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | 65,091,860 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 27,012,993 | | | | 2018 | |
Future capital loss carryforward utilization in any given year may be limited if there are substantial shareholder redemptions or contributions. During the year ended September 30, 2010, the Asia-Pacific Region Fund utilized $4,112,906 of capital loss carryforwards.
For the year ended September 30, 2010, the Funds will elect to defer post October currency losses of:
| | | | |
| | Post October
| |
Fund | | Losses | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | $ | 204,339 | |
The tax characteristics of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Distributions
| | | Total
| |
| | Paid From
| | | Distributions
| |
Fund | | Ordinary Income | | | Paid | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | $ | 2,060,793 | | | $ | 2,060,793 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | 492,931 | | | | 492,931 | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | 2,052,670 | | | | 2,052,670 | |
The tax characteristics of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Distributions
| | | Total
| |
| | Paid From
| | | Distributions
| |
Fund | | Ordinary Income | | | Paid | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | $ | 769,624 | | | $ | 769,624 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | 1,823,583 | | | | 1,823,583 | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | 2,306,513 | | | | 2,306,513 | |
64 Notes to Financial Statements
As of September 30, 2010, the components of accumulated earnings (deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Total
| |
| | Undistributed
| | | | | | Accumulated
| | | Unrealized
| | | Accumulated
| |
| | Ordinary
| | | Accumulated
| | | Capital and
| | | Appreciation/
| | | Earnings/
| |
Fund | | Income | | | Earnings | | | Other Losses | | | (Depreciation)* | | | (Deficit) | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | (20,797,262 | ) | | $ | 11,371,372 | | | $ | (9,425,890 | ) |
ICON Europe Fund | | | 455,186 | | | | 455,186 | | | | (55,350,160 | ) | | | 3,646,197 | | | | (51,248,777 | ) |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | 401,402 | | | | 401,402 | | | | (92,104,853 | ) | | | 9,526,710 | | | | (82,176,741 | ) |
| | |
* | | Differences between the book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) are attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
As of September 30, 2010, cost for federal income tax purposes and the amount of net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Net
| |
| | | | | Unrealized
| | | Unrealized
| | | Appreciation/
| |
Fund | | Cost | | | Appreciation | | | (Depreciation) | | | (Depreciation) | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | $ | 75,734,137 | | | $ | 12,686,422 | | | $ | 1,268,429 | | | $ | 11,417,993 | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | 48,183,310 | | | | 5,662,517 | | | | 2,020,487 | | | | 3,642,030 | |
ICON International Equity Fund | | | 107,518,337 | | | | 13,417,209 | | | | 3,822,897 | | | | 9,594,312 | |
7. Subsequent Event
Management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events and determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Funds’ financial statements.
Notes to Financial Statements 65
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of the ICON Funds:
In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund, ICON Europe Fund, and ICON International Equity Fund (three of the portfolios constituting ICON Funds, hereafter referred to as the “Funds”) at September 30, 2010, and the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Funds’ management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at September 30, 2010 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
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Denver, Colorado
November 19, 2010
66 Report of Accounting Firm
Six Month Hypothetical Expense Example
September 30, 2010 (unaudited)
Example
As a shareholder of a Fund you may pay two types of fees: transaction fees and fund-related fees. Certain funds charge transaction fees, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, or other distributions; redemption fees; and exchange fees. Funds also incur various ongoing expenses, including management fees, distribution and/or service fees, and other fund expenses, which are indirectly paid by shareholders.
This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the various ICON Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. This Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the six-month period (4/1/10-9/30/10).
Actual Expenses
The first line in the table for each Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. The Example includes, but is not limited to, management fees, 12b-1 fees, fund accounting, custody and transfer agent fees. However, the Example does not include client specific fees, such as the $15 fee charged to IRA accounts, or the $15 fee charged for wire redemptions. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for each Fund under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line in the table for each Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your
ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees that may be charged by other funds. Therefore, this information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning
| | | Ending
| | | | | | | |
| | Account
| | | Account
| | | Expenses Paid
| | | Annualized
| |
| | Value
| | | Value
| | | During Period
| | | Expense Ratio
| |
| | 4/1/10 | | | 9/30/10 | | | 4/1/10-9/30/10* | | | 4/1/10-9/30/10 | |
| |
|
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,078.60 | | | $ | 9.42 | | | | 1.81% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.01 | | | | 9.13 | | | | | |
Class I** | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,076.80 | | | | 9.40 | | | | 1.81% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.01 | | | | 9.13 | | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,074.10 | | | | 13.26 | | | | 2.55% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,012.28 | | | | 12.86 | | | | | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,078.60 | | | | 9.43 | | | | 1.81% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.00 | | | | 9.14 | | | | | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,018.10 | | | | 8.38 | | | | 1.66% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.76 | | | | 8.37 | | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,014.30 | | | | 12.89 | | | | 2.55% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,012.27 | | | | 12.88 | | | | | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,018.00 | | | | 9.12 | | | | 1.80% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.03 | | | | 9.11 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning
| | | Ending
| | | | | | | |
| | Account
| | | Account
| | | Expenses Paid
| | | Annualized
| |
| | Value
| | | Value
| | | During Period
| | | Expense Ratio
| |
| | 4/1/10 | | | 9/30/10 | | | 4/1/10-9/30/10* | | | 4/1/10-9/30/10 | |
| |
|
ICON International Equity Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,026.80 | | | $ | 7.65 | | | | 1.51% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.52 | | | | 7.62 | | | | | |
Class I | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,025.80 | | | | 9.42 | | | | 1.85% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,015.77 | | | | 9.37 | | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,022.60 | | | | 12.95 | | | | 2.55% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,012.27 | | | | 12.88 | | | | | |
Class Z | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,027.10 | | | | 7.42 | | | | 1.46% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.75 | | | | 7.39 | | | | | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,026.40 | | | | 9.17 | | | | 1.80% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.02 | | | | 9.12 | | | | | |
Class Q | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,028.00 | | | | 7.82 | | | | 1.54% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.35 | | | | 7.78 | | | | | |
| |
* | Expenses are equal to the Fund’s six month expense ratio annualized, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period. |
** | Class I shares of the ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund closed and liquidated on September 30, 2010. |
Total returns exclude applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included (maximum 5.75%), returns would be lower.
Board of Trustees and Fund Officers (unaudited)
The ICON Funds Board of Trustees (“Board”) consists of five Trustees who oversee the 17 ICON Funds (the “Funds”). The Board is responsible for general oversight of the Funds’ business and for assuring that the Funds are managed in the best interest of the Funds’ shareholders. The Trustees, and their ages, and principal occupations are set forth below. The address of the Trustees is 5299 DTC Blvd., Suite 1200, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Trustees have no official term of office and generally serve until they resign or are not re-elected.
Interested Trustee
Craig T. Callahan, 59, Chairman of the Board. Dr. Callahan has been a Trustee of the Funds since their inception. Dr. Callahan also serves as President (1998 to present) and Chairman of the Investment Committee (2005 to present) and served as the Chief Investment Officer (1991 to 2004) of ICON Advisers. Dr. Callahan is also Executive Vice President (2005 to present); Director (1991 to present); and was previously President (1998 to 2005) and Chief Compliance Officer (2005) of IDI. Dr. Callahan also serves as the President (1998 to present) and Chairman of the Board of Directors (1994 to present) of ICON Management & Research Corporation (“IM&R”), the parent company of ICON Advisers and IDI.
Independent Trustees
Glen F. Bergert, 60. Mr. Bergert has been a Trustee of the Funds since 1999. Mr. Bergert is President of Venture Capital Management LLC (1997 to present); General Partner of SOGNO Partners LP, a venture capital company (2001 to present); General Partner of Bergert Properties, LLP, a real estate holding company (1997 to present); and General Partner of Pyramid Real Estate Partnership, a real estate development company (1998 to present); General Partner of Chamois Partners, LP, a venture capital company (2004 to present); and was previously a General Partner with KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP (1979 to 1997). Mr. Bergert is also a Director of Herre Bros, Inc., a contracting company (1998 to present). Delta Dental of California, an insurance company (2006 to present), Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, an insurance company (1998 to 2009 and 2010 to present) and Dentegra Group, Inc, an insurance holding company (2010 to present). Mr. Bergert was a Director of Delta Reinsurance Corporation (2000 to 2009).
John C. Pomeroy, Jr., 63. Mr. Pomeroy has been a Trustee of the Funds since November 2002. Mr. Pomeroy is Chief Investment Officer and Director of Investments, Pennsylvania State University (2001 to present) and was
Portfolio Manager and Product Manager, Trinity Investment Management Corporation (1989 to 2001).
Gregory Kellam Scott, 62. Mr. Scott has been a Trustee of the Funds since November 2002. Mr. Scott currently is employed as a member of the Executive Staff of the President of Ivy Tech Community College, recently appointed as Assistant to the President for Diversity and Community Relations (April 2008 to present). Prior to his current employment, he served as Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (2005 to 2008). Mr. Scott was Senior Vice President-Law, General Counsel and Secretary of GenCorp, Inc., a multinational technology-based manufacturing company (2002 to 2004); Vice President and General Counsel of Kaiser-Hill Company, LLC, a nuclear clean-up and environmental remediation company (2000 to 2002) and served as a Justice on the Colorado Supreme Court (1993 to 2000). Mr. Scott was also a member of the faculty of the University Of Denver College Of Law (1980 to 2000).
R. Michael Sentel, 62. Mr. Sentel has been a Trustee of the Funds since their inception. Mr. Sentel is a Senior Attorney with the U.S. Department of Education (1996 to present). Mr. Sentel also provides legal representation as a sole practitioner with an emphasis on corporate and transactional law. He served as general counsel to numerous public companies and served on the board of directors of one of these clients. Mr. Sentel began his legal career with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement and served as a Branch Chief (1980 to 1981). Later he served as the Section Chief for the Professional Liability Section of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. with responsibility for the Rocky Mountain Region (1991 to 1994).
The Officers of the Funds are:
Craig T. Callahan, 59. Chairman of the Board. Dr. Callahan has been a Trustee of the Funds since their inception. Dr. Callahan also serves as President (1998 to present) and Chairman of the Investment Committee (2005 to present) and served as the Chief Investment Officer (1991 to 2004) of ICON Advisers. Dr. Callahan is also Executive Vice President (2005 to present); Director (1991 to present); and was previously President (1998 to 2005) and Chief Compliance Officer (2005) of IDI. Dr. Callahan also serves as the President (1998 to present) and Chairman of the Board of Directors (1994 to present) of IM&R, the parent company of ICON Advisers and IDI.
Erik L. Jonson, 61. Mr. Jonson has been a Vice President and Principal Financial Officer/Treasurer of the Funds since their inception in 1996. Mr. Jonson is also Chief Financial Officer (1996 to present) and Executive Vice President (2004 to present) and was previously Vice President (1998 to 2004) and Secretary (2005 and 1998 to 2002) of ICON Advisers; Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary and Director (1998 to present) of IM&R; and Executive Vice and Treasurer/Financial Principal (1996 to present) of IDI.
Jessica Seidlitz, 32. Ms. Seidlitz serves as Assistant Treasurer of the Funds (2007 to present). She also serves as Mutual Fund Controller of ICON Advisers, Inc. (2005 to present). Previously, she was a Senior Associate/Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, (2001 to 2004).
Donald Salcito, 57. Mr. Salcito serves as Vice President and Secretary of the Funds since November 15, 2006. Mr. Salcito is also Executive Vice President and General Counsel (September 2005 to present) of ICON Advisers; Director of IM&R (2005 to present); Executive Vice President, Secretary, General Counsel, for IDI (2005 to present); Chief Compliance Officer of IDI (2005 to 2007). Previously he was a Partner in the law firm of Perkins Coie, LLP. (2000 to 2005).
Brian Harding, 31. Mr. Harding serves as Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds (2008 to present). Mr. Harding also serves as Anti-Money Laundering Officer of the Funds (2008 to present). Previously he was a Manager (2007 to 2008) and Senior Associate/Associate (2001 to 2007) at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Other Information (unaudited)
Renewal of Investment Advisory Agreements
On August 9, 2010, the Board of Trustees, including all of the Trustees that are not “interested persons” of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”), approved continuation of the advisory agreements between ICON Funds (the “Trust”) and ICON Advisers, Inc. (“ICON” or the “Adviser”) - the Trust’s Investment Advisory Agreement dated October 9, 1996, as amended (related to the Sector, International and Core Equity Funds) and under the Trust’s Investment Advisory Agreement dated July 9, 2002 and effective October 1, 2002, as amended (related to the U.S. Diversified Funds - Bond, Risk-Managed Equity, Equity Income and Long/Short Funds) (collectively, the “Advisory Agreements”), for an additional one-year term commencing October 1, 2010.
In determining to renew the Advisory Agreements the Board requested, was provided with and reviewed data with respect to ICON, its personnel, and the services to be provided to each Fund by ICON. The data included information concerning advisory, distribution and administrative services provided to the Funds by ICON and its related companies; information concerning other businesses of those companies; comparative data related to exchange traded funds versus the Sector Funds; and comparative data obtained from Lipper Analytical Services related to Fund performance and Fund expenses (the “Lipper report”). Management also provided an AthenaInvest investment style analysis relating to the Funds. Management personnel discussed the data for and with those present. Included in the discussion was a briefing on the sales and marketing initiatives, the different classes of shares being offered by the Trust and efficiencies in connection with administering services to the Funds/various classes of shares.
The Independent Trustees were represented by independent legal counsel throughout the process. Prior to acting on the matter, the Independent Trustees met separately as a group in private sessions with their independent legal counsel to review and discuss the foregoing information. Based on these discussions, independent legal counsel and/or the Lead Independent Trustee also contacted management to request additional information and to discuss responses to questions raised during the process. In addition, the Independent Trustees received materials from their independent legal counsel discussing the legal standards applicable to their consideration of the agreement.
In considering the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser, the Board reviewed information relating to ICON’s operations and personnel. Among other things, the Adviser provided biographical
information on its professional staff and descriptions of its organizational and management structure. In the course of their deliberations the Board evaluated, among other things, information relating to the investment philosophy, strategies and techniques used in managing each Fund, the qualifications and experience of ICON’s investment personnel, ICON’s compliance programs, ICON’s brokerage practices, including the extent to which the Adviser obtains research through “soft dollar” arrangements with the Funds’ brokerage, and the financial and non-financial resources available to provide services required under the Advisory Agreements.
During the discussion, the Lipper report was discussed and management personnel showed performance for each fund and discussed the factors affecting performance. Management noted that ICON modified the valuation methodology at the end of 2008 to better account for systemic risk. ICON implemented the modified valuation methodology in February 2009. During the discussion, management personnel noted that the markets over the past year have been very volatile; that when the market is volatile, relative strength readings are also volatile; that volatility has affected ICON’s performance; and that this had been the case for much of the last year for the Funds. It was also noted that poor quality stocks with low relative strength lead the market whereas higher quality stocks with higher relative strength have not performed as well; and that the market volatility and the relative strength component to our methodology have produced mixed results. In this regard it was noted that many other value managers have had challenges in this market. In the discussion, the Adviser advised that it continues to believe the adjustments to its system have been functioning as intended, and as this period of volatility stabilizes the funds will benefit; and that the Adviser is constantly evaluating the system and will modify it as needed.
In connection with reviewing data bearing upon the nature, quality, and extent of services furnished by ICON to each Fund, the Board assessed data concerning ICON’s staffing, systems and facilities. The Board also assessed ICON’s non-Trust business to see if there are any initiatives that would dilute service to the Trust. The Board noted:
A. That the breadth and the quality of investment advisory and other services being provided to each Fund is satisfactory, as evidenced in part by efforts to address and improve the performance record of each Fund when compared with the performance records of a peer group of comparable funds and markets in general;
B. That ICON has made significant expenditures in the past year and in prior years to ensure that it has the sophisticated systems and the highly trained personnel necessary for it to be able to continue to provide
quality service to the Funds’ shareholders, including the dedication of substantial resources to ICON’s investment and trading departments;
C. That the Board is satisfied with the research, portfolio management, and trading services, among others, being provided by ICON to the Funds; and
D. The risks assumed by ICON in providing investment advisory services to each Fund including the capital commitments which have been made in the past and which continue to be made by ICON to ensure the continuation of the highest quality of service to the Trust is made with the recognition that the Trust’s advisory relationship with ICON be terminated at any time and must be renewed on an annual basis.
In considering the reasonableness of the fee payable to the Adviser for managing each Fund, the Board reviewed, among other things, data concerning other funds from the Lipper report, financial statements of the Adviser and an analysis of the profitability to the Adviser and its affiliates of their relationship with each Fund over various time periods, which analysis identified all revenues and other benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates from managing each Fund, the costs associated with providing such services and the resulting profitability to the Adviser and its affiliates.
The Board considered the current and anticipated asset levels of each Fund and the willingness of the Adviser to reimburse expenses of the Funds from time to time, in connection with the contractual expense limitation agreement, to limit the total expenses of the Funds. In this regard the Board discussed significantly reduced asset levels in each fund covered by the Advisory Agreements due to the tumultuous markets during the past two and a half years, to relative poor Fund performance (prior to the adjustment to the Advisers system in early 2009), and to industry wide net-redemptions in reaction to the tumultuous markets. ICON’s ability to provide the services called for under the Advisory Agreements was assessed in light of current and projected asset levels. Fund expenses and expense ratios were also assessed in light of current and projected asset levels. The Board concluded that the Adviser has the resources necessary to provide the services called for under the Advisory Agreements; that profitability to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Funds is not excessive; and that the Adviser is not realizing material benefits from economies of scale that would warrant adjustments to the fees for any Fund at this time. The Board of Trustees concluded that, in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser and the levels of profitability associated with providing these services, the fees charged by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreements to each Fund are reasonable.
In connection with assessing data bearing the fairness of fee arrangements, the Board used data from Lipper Analytical Services concerning funds of
similar size and funds of larger size, as well as data concerning ICON’s other clients and noted that:
A. the advisory fee structures of the Funds were considered in comparison with advisory fees and expense ratios of other similarly managed funds as set forth in the comparative data;
B. contractual advisory fees of the Sector Funds were higher than fees for similar funds; but that the Sector Funds’ expense ratios were competitive and consistent with those of similarly managed Funds;
C. contractual advisory fees for the International Funds were above the average fees for similar funds; and that the Funds’ expense ratios were competitive in light of their size;
D. ICON has contractually agreed to impose expense limitations on certain Funds at a cost to ICON;
E. the advisory and other fees payable by the Funds to ICON are essentially fees which would be similar to those which would have resulted solely from “arm’s-length” bargaining, and may well be lower than fees arrived at solely from such arm’s-length negotiation;
F. the fees paid to ICON for managing other institutional accounts (such as pension plans) are not lower than the fees paid by similarly-managed funds; and to the extent such fees of those accounts are lower, the reasons why such accounts are less costly for ICON to manage; and
G. ICON has contractually committed to break points in it fees of the Sector Funds so that economies of scale could be realized as a Fund grows in assets, for the benefit of Fund shareholders.
In connection with the direct and indirect benefits to ICON from serving as the Funds’ adviser, the Board discussed and noted that:
A. ICON benefits from serving directly or through affiliates as the principal underwriter and administrative agent for the Funds; that services provided by ICON and its affiliates to the Funds are satisfactory, and that profits derived from providing the services are competitive and reasonable; and
B. ICON receives research assistance (primarily in the form of data) from the use of soft dollars generated from Fund portfolio transactions; that such research assists ICON in providing quality advisory services; and that the Board concluded that the arrangements are consistent with Fund brokerage practices and benefit the Funds and their shareholders
Based on these considerations, among others, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, concluded that: 1) the continuation of the Advisory
Agreement was in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders, 2) the services to be performed under the Advisory Agreement were required for the operation of the Funds, 3) the advisory services were satisfactory to the Funds in the past, and 4) the fees for the advisory services and other benefits from the relationship with the Trust received by ICON were consistent with fees paid by similar funds, other clients of ICON, reasonable in light of the comparative data, and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s length in light of all the circumstances.
Supplemental Tax Information
For corporate shareholders, the following percentage of the total ordinary income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction for the following Funds:
| | | | |
| | Dividends
| |
| | Received
| |
Fund | | Deduction | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | | - | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | - | |
ICON International Fund | | | - | |
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the following funds paid qualified dividend income:
| | | | |
Fund | | Amount | |
| |
ICON Asia-Pacific Region Fund | | | 37% | |
ICON Europe Fund | | | 29% | |
ICON International Fund | | | 77% | |
The Funds had no long-term capital gain distributions qualifying for the maximum 15% income tax rate for individuals.
Portfolio Holdings
Information related to the 10 largest portfolio holdings of each Fund is made available at www.iconfunds.com within approximately 10 business days after month-end. Additionally, a complete list of each Fund’s holdings is made available approximately 30 days after month-end. Each ICON Fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of its fiscal year with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on Form N-Q. The ICON Funds’ Forms N-Q are available at www.sec.gov or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
Proxy Voting
A summarized description of the policies and procedures the ICON Funds use to vote proxies is available free of charge at www.iconfunds.com or by calling 1-800-764-0442.
Information about how the ICON Funds voted proxies related to each Fund’s portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 is available free of charge at www.iconfunds.com or on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.
For More Information
This report is for the general information of the Funds’ shareholders and is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus. You may obtain a copy of the prospectus, which contains information about the investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and share classes of each ICON Fund, by visiting www.iconfunds.com or by calling 1-800-764-0442. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
ICON Distributors, Inc., Distributor.
ICON Funds Privacy Information
| | | |
FACTS | | | WHAT DOES ICON DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? |
| | | |
| | | |
Why? | | | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. |
| | | |
| | | |
What? | | | The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include: |
| | | n Social Security number and account balances |
| | | n income and transaction history |
| | | n checking account information and wire transfer instructions |
| | | When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. |
| | | |
| | | |
How? | | | All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons ICON chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. |
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Reasons we can share your personal information | | | Does ICON share? | | | Can you limit this sharing? |
|
For our everyday business purposes — such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus | | | Yes | | | No |
| | | | | | |
For our marketing purposes — to offer our products and services to you | | | No | | | We don’t share |
| | | | | | |
For joint marketing with other financial companies | | | No | | | We don’t share |
| | | | | | |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your transactions and experiences | | | No | | | We don’t share |
| | | | | | |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness | | | No | | | We don’t share |
| | | | | | |
For nonaffiliates to market to you | | | No | | | We don’t share |
| | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Questions? | | | Call 1-800-764-0442 for the ICON Funds and 1-800-828-4881 for ICON Advisers, Inc. and ICON Distributors, Inc. |
| | | |
Funds Privacy Information 79
| | | |
Who we are | | | |
| | | |
Who is providing this notice? | | | ICON Funds, ICON Advisers, Inc., and ICON Distributors, Inc. (collectively “ICON”) |
| | | |
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What we do | | | |
| | | |
How does ICON protect my personal information? | | | To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. |
| | | Contracts with our service providers require them to restrict access to your non-public personal information, and to maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards against unintended disclosure. |
| | | |
How does ICON collect my personal information? | | | We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or enter into an investment advisory contract
n provide account information or give us your contact information
n make a wire transfer |
| | | We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies. |
| | | |
Why can’t I limit all sharing? | | | Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness |
| | | n affiliates from using your information to market to you |
| | | n sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you |
| | | State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
| | | |
| | | |
Definitions | | | |
| | | |
Affiliates | | | Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. |
| | | n Our affiliates include financial companies such as ICON Funds, ICON Advisers, Inc., and ICON Distributors, Inc. |
| | | |
Nonaffiliates | | | Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. |
| | | n Nonaffiliates we share with can include financial companies such as custodians, transfer agents, registered representatives, financial advisers and nonfinancial companies such as fulfillment, proxy voting, and class action service providers |
| | | |
Joint marketing | | | A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. |
| | | n ICON doesn’t jointly market |
| | | |
80 Funds Privacy Information
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For more information about the ICON Funds, contact us: |
| | |
By Telephone | | 1-800-764-0442 |
| | |
By Mail | | ICON Funds P.O. Box 55452 Boston, MA 02205-8165 |
| | |
In Person | | ICON Funds 5299 DTC Boulevard, 12th Floor Greenwood Village, CO 80111 |
| | |
On the Internet | | www.iconfunds.com |
| | |
By E-Mail | | info@iconadvisers.com |
2010 Annual Report
ICON Sector Funds
Investment Update
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund
ICON Energy Fund
ICON Financial Fund
ICON Healthcare Fund
ICON Industrials Fund
ICON Information Technology Fund
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund
ICON Materials Fund
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund
1-800-764-0442 ïwww.iconfunds.com
AR-SECT-10 K11881
You can now sign up for electronic delivery of ICON Fund shareholder reports, including prospectuses, annual reports, semiannual reports and proxy statements.
When these materials are available, you will receive an email from ICON with instructions on how to view the documents. Statements, transaction confirmations and other documents that are not available online will continue to be sent to you by U.S. mail.
Visit ICON’s website at www.iconfunds.com to learn more and sign up.
You may change or cancel your participation in eDelivery by visiting www.iconfunds.com, or you can request a hard copy of any of the materials free of charge by calling ICON Funds at 1-800-764-0442.
1-800-764-0442 • www.iconfunds.com
Table of Contents
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| | | 97 | |
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Six Month Hypothetical Expense Example (Unaudited) | | | 98 | |
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Board of Trustees and Fund Officers (Unaudited) | | | 101 | |
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Notice to Shareholders (Unaudited) | | | 104 | |
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Other Information (Unaudited) | | | 105 | |
About This Report (unaudited)
Historical Returns
All total returns mentioned in this Report account for the change in a Fund’s per-share price and the reinvestment of any dividends, capital gain distributions and adjustments for financial statement purposes. If your account is set up to receive Fund distributions in cash rather than to reinvest them, your actual return may differ from these figures. The Funds’ performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Fund results shown, unless otherwise indicated, are at net asset value. If a sales charge (maximum 5.75%) had been deducted, results would have been lower.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance results represent past performance, and current performance may be higher or lower. Please call 1-800-764-0442 or visit www.iconfunds.com for performance results current to the most recent month-end.
Portfolio Data
This Report reflects ICON’s views, opinions and portfolio holdings as of September 30, 2010, the end of the reporting period. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any sector, industry, security or the Funds.
Opinions and forecasts regarding industries, companies and/or themes, and portfolio composition and holdings are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions, and should not be construed as a recommendation of any specific security, industry or sector. Each Fund’s holdings as of September 30, 2010 are included in each Fund’s Schedule of Investments.
According to ICON, value investing is an analytical, quantitative approach to investing that employs various factors, including projecting earnings growth estimates, in an effort to determine whether securities are over- or underpriced relative to ICON’s estimates of their intrinsic value. Value investing involves risks and uncertainties and does not guarantee better performance or lower costs than other investment methodologies. ICON’s value-to-price ratio is a ratio of intrinsic value, as calculated using ICON’s proprietary valuation methodology, of a broad range of domestic and international securities within ICON’s system as compared to the current market price of those securities. The ICON system relies on the integrity of financial statements released to the market as part of our analysis.
This Report contains statements regarding industry or sector themes, new market themes, investment outlook, relative strength, value-to-price ratios, and investment team expectations, beliefs, goals and the like that are based on current expectations, recent individual stock performance relative to current market prices, estimates of company values and other information supplied to the market by the companies we follow. Words such as “expects,” “suggests,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “value,” “intrinsic value,” “indicates,” “believes,” “considers,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements, which are not statements of historical fact. Forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to assess. These risks and uncertainties are based on a number of important factors, including, among others: stock price fluctuations; the integrity and accuracy of historical and projected financial and other information supplied by companies to the public; interest rates; future earnings growth rates; the risks noted in this Report and other factors beyond the control of our investment team. Therefore, actual outcome may differ materially from what is expressed in such forward looking statements.
There are risks associated with mutual fund investing, including the loss of principal. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time. There is no assurance that the investment process will consistently lead to successful results.
An investment concentrated in sectors and industries may involve greater risk and volatility than a more diversified investment. Investments in foreign securities may entail unique risks, including political, market, and currency risks. Financial statements of foreign companies are governed by different accounting, auditing, and financial standards than U.S. companies and may be less transparent and uniform than in the United States. Many corporate governance standards, which help ensure the integrity of public information in the United States, do not exist in foreign countries. In general, there may be less governmental supervision of foreign stock exchanges and securities brokers and issuers.
The prospectus and statement of additional information contain this and other information about the Funds and are available by visiting www.iconfunds.com or calling 1-800-764-0442. Please read the prospectus and statement of additional information carefully.
Comparative Indexes
The comparative indexes discussed in this Report are meant to provide a basis for judging the Funds’ performance against specific securities indexes.
Each index shown accounts for both change in security price and reinvestment of dividends and distributions (except as noted), but does not reflect the costs of managing a mutual fund. The Funds’ portfolios may significantly differ in holdings and composition from the indexes. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index.
| |
• | The unmanaged Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) Composite 1500 Index (“S&P Composite 1500 Index”) is a broad-based capitalization-weighted index comprising 1,500 stocks of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap U.S. companies. |
|
• | The capitalization-weighted S&P 1500 Sector and Industry Indexes are based on specific classifications determined by S&P. |
|
• | The unmanaged NASDAQ Composite (“NASDAQ”) Index is a broad-based capitalization-weighted index of all NASDAQ National Market and Small-Cap stocks. |
Index returns and statistical data included in this Report are provided by Bloomberg and FactSet Research Systems.
Financial Intermediary
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may influence the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
Message From ICON Funds
Dear Shareholder,
Although ICON’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, I write this letter in early November, pleased to report on the continued market rally that began in 2009. Between October 31, 2009 and October 31, 2010, the S&P 1500 Composite Index, a broad measure of the U.S. stock market, gained 17.7%. From October 31, 2008 to October 31, 2010, the S&P 1500 gained 29.8%. On the international side, the MSCI AWCI (ex- U.S.) gained 52.4% over the two years ended October 31, 2010 and 13.1% over the last 12 months. These rates of return are generally above historic averages for 12- or 24-month periods.
ICON’s valuation readings during fiscal year 2010 led us to minimize cash in our funds, allowing us to participate in the general market advance. If you are receiving this letter, you own an ICON Fund and we are pleased to report that you most likely participated in the market advance along with our other shareholders.
While stock prices continued to advance last year, mutual fund investors evidently remain skeptical about the prospects for equities. Nationwide, many investors have been redeeming their equity mutual funds and moving some of the proceeds into bond funds. This periodic but significant equity sell-off has made for a choppy, volatile upward trend in the overall market. What I said a year ago in our annual shareholder letter remains true today: we see valuation readings approaching levels not seen since late 2007, and we believe these valuations will take stock prices higher. Moreover, last year I reported that between September 30 through October 10, 2008, the S&P 1500 Index dropped 22.9% in eight trading days. Could the . . . recovery be a mirror image of the . . . collapse, with an equally dramatic upside? It’s possible, but unlikely in our opinion. Instead, a path of two steps forward and one step back is more likely. There remain a lot of jittery, skeptical investors who use advances as an opportunity to exit. To move higher, the market has to absorb or “take out” their shares. While valuations may justify price levels back to those seen at the peak in 2007, the path for stock prices may be a grind.
In retrospect, and in my opinion, this two steps forward/one step back rally is exactly what happened during fiscal year 2010. Prices moved higher and jittery investors helped create a volatile setting by selling into those market advances. As we said a year ago, the market had to absorb or “take out” anxious sellers in order to move higher. We expect more of the same over the next year as we still see domestic and international stocks to be priced far below our estimate of fair value. That value gap is the reason we
Message From ICON Funds 5
anticipate prices will advance, while our expectations for future volatility are based on our belief that the remaining jittery investors will sell into the advance. We believe the sellers will look back in a few years and regret their move out of equities.
The sell-offs and volatility of fiscal year 2010 resulted in dramatic industry theme reversals. Some industries led the market higher for six to eight weeks, only to get pummeled when the market subsequently, though temporarily, retreated. This has been a difficult setting for the ICON system, which is designed to identify and capture industry themes typically lasting one to two years. We believe the choppiness that distinguished the last 12- to 24-months is the temporary consequence of investors who are looking in their rear view mirrors and seeing the declines of 2007 - 2009. As we put that setting further behind us, the volatility and choppy nature of the recent advance will subside and we expect to return to a period characterized by the one- to two-year industry themes we’ve seen in the past.
Anecdotally, it seems investors have avoided equities and missed out on gains during the last two years for a variety of reasons, though at ICON we’ve seen timorous or would-be investors express these same anxieties time and again. Some investors worry about the unemployment rate and the fact that it hasn’t declined satisfactorily for them. Others worry about the federal government’s budget deficit, without being able to explain whether or how the deficit impacts the stock market. They just don’t like deficits. Some worry about inflation and deflation at the same time. Still others believe the excess supply of housing is of paramount concern. Many would-be investors worry about the consumer’s ability and willingness to spend in the future. Finally, some believe a weak dollar and staggering gold prices justify waiting on the sidelines.
While we understand these concerns, we contend they are not reason enough to stay out of the market. Barely four months ago, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average was roughly 1500 points lower than it was at the end of October, ICON had an overall value-to-price ratio (“V/P”) for domestic and international stocks in the 1.35 range. That is an extreme V/P by historical standards and suggests to us the worries listed above are already built into the market. That’s why stock prices were inexpensive, relatively speaking. Even after the rally through late October, our U.S. V/P is 1.17 and our international V/P is 1.27, suggesting bargains may be found both domestically and internationally. Over the last two years, our valuation readings have proven to be a much better guide for us than chasing the “worry of the week.”
In summary, it appears to me that the ‘two steps forward/one step back’ recovery will continue. There is an old investment saying that “Wall Street
6 Message From ICON Funds
climbs a wall of worry.” At this point, our valuation readings suggest to us stock prices will chart a path to scale that wall. Thank you for climbing it with us.
Yours truly,
Craig T. Callahan, DBA
Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President of the Adviser
Message From ICON Funds 7
Class S ICCCX
Class C ICCEX
Class A ICCAX
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund
| |
Q. | How did the Fund Perform relative to its benchmark? |
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A. | The Fund underperformed its benchmark for the period. The Fund’s Class S shares rose 20.61%, while the benchmark S&P 1500 Consumer Discretionary Index rose 22.93%. |
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Q. | What primary factors influenced the Fund’s relative performance during the period? |
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A. | Despite ongoing macro economic problems, Consumer Discretionary stocks moved significantly higher over the period. With the unemployment rate rising to 10.1% and access to credit remaining tight, retail sales nonetheless managed to move steadily higher over the period off their late 2008 collapse. |
Consumer confidence also held steady as measured by the Consumer Board Confidence Index. This Index, which goes back to 1968 and surveys individuals about their confidence in the economy six months forward, ended the period at a value of 48.50. To put that number into context, the Index hit its all time low of 25.30 in February 2009 just before the stock market began its explosive rally in March of that same year. By May 2009 it had risen to 54.80 before dropping to 46.40 in February 2010. Although the Index closed the period well below its historical average of 94.40 it did remain well above its February 2009 low and higher than its February 2010 level. The stabilization in this Index may have positively impacted the market’s view of the sector.
It appeared the market began scooping up consumer related issues in anticipation of improving consumer spending. The Consumer Discretionary sector led the 10 sectors tracked by Standard & Poor’s over the period. While the Fund participated in most of the strong rally in this sector, the extreme volatility in the market was problematic for ICON’s relative strength investment component. We use relative strength to complement our value based investment methodology. We believe relative strength helps us identify industries that display leadership compared to the broader market over a six-month period. In market settings with extreme volatility, however, industry leadership can change rapidly, creating a difficult environment for ICON’s investment methodology.
Market conditions were volatile over the course of the fiscal year and Consumer Discretionary holdings were even more erratic than the market as a whole. For the 12-months ended September 30, 2010, the beta for
the S&P 1500 Consumer Discretionary Index was 1.20 versus the broad based S&P 1500 Index. Thus, the sector was quite volatile even relative to the already volatile market. In this setting, sharp, quick industry reversals are not uncommon and these abrupt changes had a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. That said, the Fund was significantly less volatile than its benchmark, the S&P 1500 Consumer Discretionary Index, with a beta of .74 for the period. As a result, the Fund generated a positive alpha for the fiscal year even though it slightly underperformed its benchmark on an absolute basis.
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Q. | How did the Fund’s Composition affect performance? |
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A. | At ICON we focus on industry selection based on value and relative strength. When we identify industries we believe have value and are leading the market higher, we naturally tilt our sector fund to those industries. Within the Consumer Discretionary Fund we track 24 separate industries. Over the past year, over- and underweight industry positions had a significant impact on the Fund’s performance relative to its benchmark. |
On the positive side, there were a number of industries that performed well relative to the S&P 1500 Consumer Discretionary Composite Index. The Fund was overweight the apparel retail industry by about 10% for the period. This concentrated position contributed about 2% percent to the Fund’s relative performance. Another significantly overweight industry was general merchandise stores. This industry was about 11% overweight relative to the benchmark. The concentrated position contributed about 1% to the Fund’s relative performance.
On an absolute basis, the apparel retail and general merchandise industries made up about 32% of the Fund on average during the fiscal year. Thus, the concentrated positions in these two industries paid off. Other large industry positions that contributed to positive relative performance were automotive retail and footwear. These two positions accounted for about 17% of the Fund on average for the period and contributed approximately .84% to relative performance.
On the flipside, there were also a number of industry positions that detracted from the Fund’s relative performance. Some of those industries included home improvement retail, advertising, education services and computer & electronics retail. These industries combined accounted for about 14% of the Fund on average for the period. They detracted about 2.6% from relative Fund performance. The Fund’s position in the internet retail industry detracted the most from relative performance. The position was about 5% underweight on average for the period relative to the
benchmark. The underweight position detracted about 1.6% from relative performance as the industry was up significantly over the period.
Investment Outlook
The average stock we track in the Consumer Discretionary sector was about 16% undervalued based on our model at the end of the fiscal period. Even with the significant gains in the sector over the past year, we still believe upside potential exists.
While macro economic conditions remain quite uncertain, our model suggests the market has punished Consumer Discretionary stocks too hard, pricing them below our estimation of their intrinsic value. With earnings growth rate estimates remaining strong for the sector, our bottom up stock by stock evaluation tells a different story than the top down macro economic fears that currently saturate the news headlines. As a result, we continue to see upside potential in the Consumer Discretionary sector. The Fund has maintained significant overweight positions in both the general merchandise stores and apparel retail industries. These industries begin the new fiscal period undervalued according to the ICON system, with about 40% and 25% upside potential respectively.
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
General Merchandise Stores | | | 17.4% | |
Apparel Retail | | | 12.4% | |
Automotive Retail | | | 10.1% | |
Restaurants | | | 8.2% | |
Footwear | | | 6.9% | |
Cable & Satellite | | | 6.6% | |
Home Improvement Retail | | | 6.0% | |
Advertising | | | 5.3% | |
Household Appliances | | | 3.9% | |
Housewares & Specialties | | | 3.4% | |
Distributors | | | 2.6% | |
Movies & Entertainment | | | 2.6% | |
Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods | | | 2.6% | |
Internet Retail | | | 2.6% | |
Auto Parts & Equipment | | | 2.5% | |
Homefurnishing Retail | | | 2.2% | |
Industrial Machinery | | | 2.2% | |
Personal Products | | | 1.4% | |
Specialty Stores | | | 1.3% | |
| | | | |
| | | 100.2% | |
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Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 96.5% | |
Industrials | | | 2.2% | |
Leisure and Consumer Staples | | | 1.5% | |
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| | | 100.2% | |
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Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Gross
| | | | Net
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Inception
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
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| | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | 10 Years | | | | 7/9/97 | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund - Class S | | | | 20.61 | % | | | | | -0.53 | % | | | | | 3.69 | % | | | | | 2.33 | % | | | | | 1.63 | % | | | | | 1.63 | % | |
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S&P 1500 Consumer Discretionary Index | | | | 22.93 | % | | | | | 1.67 | % | | | | | 1.83 | % | | | | | 4.96 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
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S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 0.22 | % | | | | | 4.06 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
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Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The performance of the S&P 1500 Consumer Discretionary Index includes the reinvestment of the dividends and capital gain distributions beginning on January 1, 2002. Additional information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | S&P 1500
| | | | |
| | ICON Consumer
| | | Consumer Discretionary
| | | S&P Composite
| |
| | Discretionary Fund | | | Index | | | 1500 Index | |
07/09/1997 | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | |
09/30/1997 | | | 10970.00 | | | | 10924.60 | | | | 10596.50 | |
09/30/1998 | | | 7870.00 | | | | 11942.90 | | | | 11263.00 | |
09/30/1999 | | | 9898.94 | | | | 15968.10 | | | | 14342.80 | |
09/29/2000 | | | 9448.52 | | | | 15824.50 | | | | 16551.90 | |
09/28/2001 | | | 9172.13 | | | | 12530.40 | | | | 12295.00 | |
09/30/2002 | | | 10359.60 | | | | 11536.90 | | | | 9977.83 | |
09/30/2003 | | | 12069.10 | | | | 14244.40 | | | | 12440.70 | |
09/30/2004 | | | 13000.70 | | | | 16388.60 | | | | 14253.10 | |
09/30/2005 | | | 13932.20 | | | | 17469.30 | | | | 16164.70 | |
09/29/2006 | | | 14795.50 | | | | 18760.00 | | | | 17832.60 | |
09/28/2007 | | | 15626.30 | | | | 19871.10 | | | | 20787.70 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 11843.30 | | | | 15311.00 | | | | 16365.50 | |
09/30/2009 | | | 11250.30 | | | | 15437.80 | | | | 15258.80 | |
09/30/2010 | | | 13568.90 | | | | 18978.40 | | | | 16924.50 | |

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund on its inception date of 7/9/97 to a $10,000 investment made in unmanaged securities indexes on that date. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (100.2%) |
| 2,900 | | | Amazon.com, Inc.†(a) | | $ | 455,474 | |
| 15,200 | | | Arbitron, Inc.(a) | | | 425,144 | |
| 4,400 | | | AutoZone, Inc.†(a) | | | 1,007,204 | |
| 9,200 | | | Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.† | | | 399,372 | |
| 9,500 | | | Cablevision Systems Corp. | | | 248,805 | |
| 9,300 | | | CEC Entertainment, Inc.†(a) | | | 319,269 | |
| 8,900 | | | Comcast Corp., Class A(a) | | | 160,912 | |
| 8,900 | | | Darden Restaurants, Inc.(a) | | | 380,742 | |
| 12,500 | | | DIRECTV, Class A†(a) | | | 520,375 | |
| 20,700 | | | Dollar Tree, Inc.†(a) | | | 1,009,332 | |
| 20,800 | | | Family Dollar Stores, Inc.(a) | | | 918,528 | |
| 5,600 | | | Fortune Brands, Inc.(a) | | | 275,688 | |
| 10,500 | | | Genuine Parts Co.(a) | | | 468,195 | |
| 24,500 | | | Home Depot, Inc.(a) | | | 776,160 | |
| 14,800 | | | Johnson Controls, Inc. | | | 451,400 | |
| 12,849 | | | JOS A. Bank Clothiers, Inc.†(a) | | | 547,496 | |
| 12,700 | | | Lowe’s Cos., Inc.(a) | | | 283,083 | |
| 2,500 | | | McDonald’s Corp. | | | 186,275 | |
| 4,800 | | | Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.(a) | | | 221,328 | |
| 18,500 | | | Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.(a) | | | 329,485 | |
| 9,020 | | | Nike, Inc., Class B(a) | | | 722,863 | |
| 8,900 | | | Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 256,320 | |
| 10,500 | | | O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.†(a) | | | 558,600 | |
| 13,000 | | | Omnicom Group, Inc.(a) | | | 513,240 | |
| 11,000 | | | Ross Stores, Inc.(a) | | | 600,820 | |
| 8,400 | | | Snap-on, Inc.(a) | | | 390,684 | |
| 5,100 | | | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | | | 312,528 | |
| 21,800 | | | Target Corp. | | | 1,164,992 | |
| 14,600 | | | Texas Roadhouse, Inc.†(a) | | | 205,276 | |
| 5,600 | | | The Walt Disney Co. | | | 185,416 | |
| 4,400 | | | Time Warner Cable, Inc.(a) | | | 237,556 | |
| 5,300 | | | Time Warner, Inc.(a) | | | 162,445 | |
| 23,500 | | | TJX Cos., Inc.(a) | | | 1,048,805 | |
| 5,600 | | | Tractor Supply Co.(a) | | | 222,096 | |
| 5,700 | | | V.F. Corp.(a) | | | 461,814 | |
| 3,200 | | | Viacom, Inc., Class B(a) | | | 115,808 | |
| 4,700 | | | Whirlpool Corp.(a) | | | 380,512 | |
| 17,200 | | | Wolverine World Wide, Inc.(a) | | | 498,972 | |
| 7,800 | | | Yum! Brands, Inc. | | | 359,267 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $16,335,912) | | | 17,782,281 | |
| | | | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan (28.9%) | | | | |
| 5,122,939 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | | 5,122,939 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $5,122,939) | | | 5,122,939 | |
12 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Short-Term Investments (2.4%) |
$ | 428,882 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | $ | 428,882 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $428,882) | | | 428,882 | |
Total Investments 131.5% (Cost $21,887,733) | | | 23,334,102 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (31.5)% | | | (5,584,427 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 17,749,675 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
Schedule of Investments 13
Class S ICENX
Class C ICEEX
Class A ICEAX
Management Overview
ICON Energy Fund
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmarks? |
| |
A. | For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the ICON Energy Fund Class S returned -0.17%, lagging its sector-specific benchmark, the S&P 1500 Energy Index, which gained 5.20%, and its broad benchmark, the S&P Composite 1500 Index, which gained 10.92%. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | At least three separate disasters had a deleterious effect on the Energy Fund’s holdings, impacting performance. In April 2010, for example, Massey Energy accounted for nearly 3% of the Fund. When disaster struck Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia on April 5, the stock dropped over 11%. It would eventually lose nearly two-thirds of its value by June. The Fund likewise held Alliance Resource Partners, a security which lost over 20% of its value following a fatal accident at a coal mine operated by its subsidiary. While these events adversely affected two securities held by the Fund, the Macondo deepwater rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico would have even greater consequences for Fund performance. At the time of the explosion, on April 20, 2010, the Energy Fund had positions in Transocean (which owned the oil rig (Transocean’s value plunged 21% within nine trading days of the disaster)), British Petroleum (which leased the rig (BP fell 17% in the same time frame)) and Halliburton (which installed part of the rig (Halliburton fell 9% in nine days)). The Fund closed out its positions in Transocean and BP in April and May respectively. Our methodology guided us to trim, but not eliminate entirely, our position in Halliburton. |
In the wake of the Gulf of Mexico disaster, between April 23, 2010 and May 24, 2010, the S&P 1500 fell nearly 12%. The Energy Index was harder hit, however, falling almost 16%. The damage to the Energy sector was spread across the board and affected numerous positions held by the Fund.
The Fund was hindered also by the volatility in the price of crude oil. While the spot price of WTI crude rose just 13% between September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2010, the price fluctuated considerably during those 12-months. Uncertainty surrounding the strength of the economic recovery, coupled with a rising dollar led the price of oil to fall to $65.96 per barrel on the 24th of May. Just six weeks earlier, oil reached its high for the year to date at $86.84 per barrel. As the US dollar fell
and anxieties over a double dip recession abated, oil gained 21% off the May lows to close at $79.97 a barrel. The Energy Index, by comparison, rose less than 9% between May 24, 2010 and the end of the Fiscal year.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | Two industries in particular contributed negatively to the Fund’s relative performance: oil & gas drilling and oil & gas equipment and services. In the wake of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the United States government issued a moratorium on off-shore drilling and otherwise reevaluated the oil and gas drilling regulatory landscape. The Fund was adversely affected because of its exposure to certain companies within this industry. The Fund suffered also because of its limited exposure to companies in the oil & gas equipment and services industry, an industry that gained a weighted average of 11.31% in the S&P 1500 Energy Index during the fiscal year. |
The Fund’s tilt toward the coal & consumable fuels industry made the greatest contribution to performance, regulatory scrutiny notwithstanding. The Fund was overweight this industry, with a weighted average holding during the fiscal year of approximately 6% compared to the Energy Index’s 2.4% average. The coal & consumable fuels stocks in our portfolio generated an approximate 28% return for the Fund - more than double this industry’s returns for the Energy Index. On the other hand, the Fund’s overweight position in oil & gas refining & marketing proved to be a drag on performance.
Finally, the Fund’s use of derivatives contributed to overall performance. Over the course of the fiscal year, as we saw value thin in the Energy sector, the Fund established defensive put positions in an effort to offset some of the effects of a market downturn. The Fund bought puts on ETFs and individual stocks and while this strategy may have sacrificed some upside potential, the Fund nonetheless benefited from the put positions.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the Energy sector? |
| |
A. | We remain optimistic about the growth potential in the Energy space. According to our calculations, as of fiscal year-end the Energy sector has an overall value-to-price ratio of 1.26, suggesting that fair value for Energy stocks as a whole is roughly 26% higher than where prices are currently trading. We believe this valuation provides a great opportunity for the Energy sector in general and the Energy Fund in particular. Accordingly, we remain fully invested, although we are prepared to respond appropriately if our valuations change. |
ICON Energy Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Integrated Oil & Gas | | | 45.0% | |
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | | | 22.0% | |
Coal & Consumable Fuels | | | 10.1% | |
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | | | 6.3% | |
Oil & Gas Drilling | | | 4.2% | |
Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation | | | 4.1% | |
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing | | | 3.4% | |
Construction & Engineering | | | 1.8% | |
Diversified Metals & Mining | | | 1.6% | |
Railroads | | | 1.0% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.5% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Energy Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Energy | | | 95.1% | |
Industrials | | | 2.8% | |
Materials | | | 1.6% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.5% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Energy Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Inception
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | 10 Years | | | | 11/5/97 | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Energy Fund - Class S | | | | -0.17 | % | | | | | 3.18 | % | | | | | 12.59 | % | | | | | 12.11 | % | | | | | 1.24 | % | | | | | 1.24 | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
S&P 1500 Energy Index | | | | 5.20 | % | | | | | 2.64 | % | | | | | 8.22 | % | | | | | 8.33 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 0.22 | % | | | | | 3.74 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
ICON Energy Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Energy
| | | S&P 1500
| | | S&P Composite
| |
| | Fund | | | Energy Index | | | 1500 Index | |
11/05/1997 | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | |
09/30/1998 | | | 6350.00 | | | | 8972.86 | | | | 10680.60 | |
09/30/1999 | | | 8082.13 | | | | 10707.30 | | | | 13601.00 | |
09/29/2000 | | | 13358.80 | | | | 12744.80 | | | | 15695.90 | |
09/28/2001 | | | 12485.80 | | | | 10774.30 | | | | 11659.10 | |
09/30/2002 | | | 13114.00 | | | | 9668.83 | | | | 9461.83 | |
09/30/2003 | | | 15174.10 | | | | 11244.30 | | | | 11797.40 | |
09/30/2004 | | | 24156.70 | | | | 16445.40 | | | | 13516.00 | |
09/30/2005 | | | 37392.50 | | | | 24660.80 | | | | 15328.80 | |
09/29/2006 | | | 36340.80 | | | | 25266.30 | | | | 16910.40 | |
09/28/2007 | | | 52213.20 | | | | 36045.50 | | | | 19712.70 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 44568.60 | | | | 31199.70 | | | | 15519.20 | |
09/30/2009 | | | 43796.90 | | | | 26700.70 | | | | 14469.70 | |
09/30/2010 | | | 43724.10 | | | | 28088.10 | | | | 16049.30 | |

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund on its inception date of 11/5/97 to a $10,000 investment made in unmanaged securities indexes on that date. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Energy Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (99.5%) |
| 249,400 | | | Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. | | $ | 14,549,996 | |
| 141,800 | | | Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.† | | | 5,835,070 | |
| 171,900 | | | Apache Corp. | | | 16,804,944 | |
| 157,300 | | | Arch Coal, Inc. | | | 4,201,483 | |
| 147,300 | | | Baker Hughes, Inc. | | | 6,274,980 | |
| 1,012,200 | | | Chevron Corp. | | | 82,038,810 | |
| 40,100 | | | CNOOC, Ltd., ADR(a) | | | 7,791,430 | |
| 996,900 | | | ConocoPhillips | | | 57,251,967 | |
| 79,400 | | | Consol Energy, Inc. | | | 2,934,624 | |
| 116,000 | | | Core Laboratories(a) | | | 10,212,640 | |
| 144,900 | | | Dresser-Rand Group, Inc.† | | | 5,345,361 | |
| 85,700 | | | Ensco PLC, ADR | | | 3,833,361 | |
| 818,700 | | | Exxon Mobil Corp. | | | 50,587,473 | |
| 71,900 | | | Gulfmark Offshore, Inc., Class A†(a) | | | 2,208,768 | |
| 640,400 | | | Halliburton Co. | | | 21,178,028 | |
| 128,500 | | | Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | | | 5,199,110 | |
| 129,200 | | | Hess Corp. | | | 7,638,304 | |
| 152,700 | | | Holly Corp.(a) | | | 4,390,125 | |
| 91,700 | | | Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.†(a) | | | 1,787,233 | |
| 375,500 | | | KBR, Inc. | | | 9,252,320 | |
| 240,600 | | | Marathon Oil Corp. | | | 7,963,860 | |
| 316,000 | | | Massey Energy Co. | | | 9,802,320 | |
| 27,500 | | | Matrix Service Co.† | | | 240,625 | |
| 152,200 | | | Murphy Oil Corp. | | | 9,424,224 | |
| 253,700 | | | National Oilwell Varco, Inc. | | | 11,282,039 | |
| 100,500 | | | Noble Energy, Inc.(a) | | | 7,546,545 | |
| 87,200 | | | Norfolk Southern Corp. | | | 5,189,272 | |
| 188,100 | | | Occidental Petroleum Corp. | | | 14,728,230 | |
| 99,000 | | | Oil States International, Inc.† | | | 4,608,450 | |
| 289,200 | | | Peabody Energy Corp. | | | 14,173,692 | |
| 197,400 | | | Pride International, Inc.† | | | 5,809,482 | |
| 64,900 | | | Rowan Cos., Inc.† | | | 1,970,364 | |
| 569,700 | | | Schlumberger, Ltd. | | | 35,099,217 | |
| 80,200 | | | Ship Finance International, Ltd.(a) | | | 1,558,286 | |
| 255,700 | | | Southern Union Co. | | | 6,152,142 | |
| 239,200 | | | Spectra Energy Corp. | | | 5,393,960 | |
| 168,200 | | | Superior Energy Services, Inc.†(a) | | | 4,489,258 | |
| 474,200 | | | Tesoro Corp.† | | | 6,335,312 | |
| 104,500 | | | Tidewater, Inc.(a) | | | 4,682,645 | |
| 108,000 | | | TransCanada Corp.(a) | | | 4,008,960 | |
| 72,400 | | | Transocean, Ltd.† | | | 4,654,596 | |
| 229,900 | | | Valero Energy Corp. | | | 4,025,549 | |
| 101,700 | | | Walter Energy, Inc. | | | 8,267,193 | |
| 291,800 | | | Weatherford International, Ltd.† | | | 4,989,780 | |
| 183,000 | | | Williams Cos., Inc. | | | 3,497,130 | |
| 97,200 | | | World Fuel Services Corp. | | | 2,528,171 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $485,482,004) | | | 507,737,329 | |
18 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Underlying Security/
| | | | | | |
Expiration Date/
| | | | | | |
Exercise Price | | Contracts | | | Value | |
| |
|
Call Option Purchased (0.1%) |
BP PLC, January 2011, $36.00 | | | 900 | | | $ | 571,500 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Call Options Purchased (Cost $576,144) | | | 571,500 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value | |
| |
|
Collateral for Securities on Loan (6.0%) |
| 30,355,309 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | $ | 30,355,309 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $30,355,309) | | | 30,355,309 | |
|
Short-Term Investments (0.2%) |
$ | 1,233,459 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | 1,233,459 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $1,233,459) | | | 1,233,459 | |
Total Investments 105.8% (Cost $517,646,916) | | | 539,897,597 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (5.8)% | | | (29,716,195 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 510,181,402 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
Schedule of Investments 19
Class S ICFSX
Class C ICOCX
Class A ICFAX
Management Overview
ICON Financial Fund
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmarks? |
| |
A. | The ICON Financial Fund Class S lost 5.11% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, lagging its sector-specific benchmark, the S&P 1500 Financials Index, which lost 0.46%. The Fund, in addition, lagged its broad benchmark, the S&P Composite 1500 Index, which gained 10.92%. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | The Financials sector lagged the equity market for a second year in a row, as concerns over this country’s economic stability weighed heavily on investors. While the largest banks have generally repaid the Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) monies extended to them, some 600 smaller banks have yet to repay their approximately $65 billion in TARP funds. The FDIC reported that 172 banks failed during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, as bad debt issues continued to plague our nation’s banks. These failures continued a theme begun during fiscal year 2009 when over 100 banks failed. |
The other diversified financial services industry and the diversified banks industry weighed heavily on the S&P 1500 Financials Index (and, by extension, the Fund), returning -16.6% and -7.0% respectively for the Index for the fiscal year end, as trading volume in the equities market slowed and hurt profits. This slowdown likewise had a material effect on the investment banking & brokerage industry which declined 20.6% on a weighted average basis over the same time period. For fiscal year 2010, the stock market averaged 1.19 billion shares per day. By way of comparison, it averaged 1.46 billion shares per day for fiscal year 2009.
In a year that proved very difficult for most larger banks, the thrifts & mortgage finance industry and the regional banks industry both gained over 7% during the fiscal year. In spite of these gains (significant though they were within the Financials sector), the industries, and the sector as a whole, were not able to keep pace with the greater than 10% return in the broader market.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) proved to be a bright spot in a sector which otherwise struggled in fiscal year 2010. The S&P US REIT Composite Index rose 30.55% during the period. Although the Fund had exposure to mortgage REITs, we otherwise had no exposure to this industry, as it had a low valuation under the ICON system. REITs comprised approximately 12% of the Financials Index during the fiscal
year and our lack of exposure proved a considerable drag on performance.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | The Fund suffered because of its lack of exposure to REITs. As investors flocked to REITs, the underlying prices of these securities exceeded their fair value, making REITs ineligible for purchase under ICON’s methodology. During the fiscal year, REITs made up 12% of the Financials Index on a weighted average basis, while the Fund’s exposure was limited to a weighted average position of approximately 1.4% in mortgage REITs. The Fund’s lack of exposure to specialized REIT industries alone equated to a nearly 1% lag relative to the benchmark as these stocks gained a weighted average of 29% during the year. |
The Fund’s performance was affected also by its life & health insurance industry holdings. The Fund was overweight this industry by about 8% relative to the benchmark. As the market fell from its April highs, however, the decline in life & health insurance outpaced the broader index an additional 7.3% between April 23 and May 20. This industry downturn alone created a greater than .30% lag to the Fund’s benchmark.
On the positive side, the Fund’s diversified banks industry holdings contributed to Fund performance during this fiscal year. The Fund established an overweight position in this industry at 16% versus 10.6% in the Financials Index. The Fund’s diversified banks holdings outperformed the Index’s diversified banks holdings by nearly 6.5%. In addition, the Fund was overweight the consumer finance industry, and the Fund’s consumer finance holdings rose approximately 30% during the course of the fiscal year. As noted earlier, the other diversified financial services industry took a big hit during fiscal year 2010. We benefitted from being underweight this industry. The Fund’s positions in each of the industries noted in this paragraph helped performance relative to the benchmark.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the Financials sector? |
| |
A. | At fiscal year end we estimate the overall market has a value-to-price ratio (“V/P”) of 1.26, suggesting to us that many opportunities are available to investors. The Financials sector itself has a V/P of 1.29, indicating even greater potential for investors interested in Financials. We are optimistic that the economy will continue to improve, and as that occurs, we intend to take advantage of the rally. |
ICON Financial Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Other Diversified Financial Services | | | 17.2% | |
Diversified Banks | | | 16.8% | |
Property & Casualty Insurance | | | 15.1% | |
Asset Management & Custody Banks | | | 10.9% | |
Life & Health Insurance | | | 7.8% | |
Investment Banking & Brokerage | | | 7.3% | |
Consumer Finance | | | 5.3% | |
Diversified Capital Markets | | | 4.0% | |
Multi-line Insurance | | | 3.4% | |
Specialized Finance | | | 3.2% | |
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance | | | 2.8% | |
Real Estate Services | | | 2.1% | |
Mortgage REIT’s | | | 1.5% | |
Reinsurance | | | 1.0% | |
Insurance Brokers | | | 0.7% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.1% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Financial Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Financial Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Inception
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | 10 Years | | | | 7/1/97 | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Financial Fund - Class S | | | | -5.11 | % | | | | | -10.72 | % | | | | | -1.01 | % | | | | | 1.96 | % | | | | | 1.42 | % | | | | | 1.42 | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
S&P 1500 Financials Index | | | | -0.46 | % | | | | | -10.11 | % | | | | | -3.53 | % | | | | | 1.20 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 0.22 | % | | | | | 4.20 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
ICON Financial Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Financial
| | | S&P 1500
| | | S&P Composite
| |
| | Fund | | | Financials Index | | | 1500 Index | |
07/01/1997 | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | |
09/30/1997 | | | 10510.00 | | | | 11141.10 | | | | 10795.30 | |
09/30/1998 | | | 9410.69 | | | | 10943.50 | | | | 11474.30 | |
09/30/1999 | | | 10356.60 | | | | 12679.30 | | | | 14611.80 | |
09/29/2000 | | | 14306.80 | | | | 16774.30 | | | | 16862.40 | |
09/28/2001 | | | 15676.00 | | | | 14796.60 | | | | 12525.60 | |
09/30/2002 | | | 13813.00 | | | | 12815.50 | | | | 10165.00 | |
09/30/2003 | | | 16899.80 | | | | 16100.60 | | | | 12674.10 | |
09/30/2004 | | | 21045.20 | | | | 18644.50 | | | | 14520.50 | |
09/30/2005 | | | 22788.90 | | | | 19956.30 | | | | 16468.00 | |
09/29/2006 | | | 26327.80 | | | | 23931.40 | | | | 18167.20 | |
09/28/2007 | | | 27339.40 | | | | 24284.60 | | | | 21177.70 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 18610.70 | | | | 15340.80 | | | | 16672.60 | |
09/30/2009 | | | 13623.00 | | | | 11767.90 | | | | 15545.10 | |
09/30/2010 | | | 12926.80 | | | | 11713.40 | | | | 17242.00 | |

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund on its inception date of 7/1/97 to a $10,000 investment made in unmanaged securities indexes on that date. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Financial Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (99.1%) |
| 17,800 | | | ACE, Ltd. | | $ | 1,036,850 | |
| 42,700 | | | Aflac, Inc. | | | 2,208,017 | |
| 15,600 | | | Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings, Ltd. | | | 882,804 | |
| 27,700 | | | American Express Co. | | | 1,164,231 | |
| 34,600 | | | Ameriprise Financial, Inc. | | | 1,637,618 | |
| 25,900 | | | Annaly Capital Management, Inc., REIT | | | 455,840 | |
| 62,600 | | | Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp., REIT | | | 446,338 | |
| 115,956 | | | Apollo Investment Corp. | | | 1,186,230 | |
| 19,600 | | | Assurant, Inc. | | | 797,720 | |
| 57,000 | | | Assured Guaranty, Ltd. | | | 975,270 | |
| 15,300 | | | Banco Bradesco S.A., ADR | | | 311,814 | |
| 12,000 | | | Banco de Chile, ADR | | | 1,078,320 | |
| 51,500 | | | Banco Santander S.A., ADR | | | 651,990 | |
| 133,400 | | | Bank of America Corp. | | | 1,748,874 | |
| 22,600 | | | Bank of Montreal | | | 1,305,150 | |
| 27,000 | | | Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | | | 705,510 | |
| 2,300 | | | BlackRock, Inc. | | | 391,575 | |
| 7,900 | | | BNP Paribas, ADR | | | 279,976 | |
| 14,500 | | | Capital One Financial Corp. | | | 573,475 | |
| 14,600 | | | CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc.† | | | 266,888 | |
| 21,700 | | | Chubb Corp. | | | 1,236,683 | |
| 612,800 | | | Citigroup, Inc.† | | | 2,389,920 | |
| 8,400 | | | Credicorp, Ltd. | | | 956,760 | |
| 18,400 | | | Credit Suisse Group AG, ADR | | | 783,104 | |
| 19,100 | | | Delphi Financial Group, Inc., Class A | | | 477,309 | |
| 8,200 | | | Deutsche Bank AG | | | 450,426 | |
| 73,600 | | | Dime Community Bancshares | | | 1,019,360 | |
| 31,900 | | | Ezcorp, Inc., Class A† | | | 639,276 | |
| 40,500 | | | Fidelity National Financial, Inc. | | | 636,255 | |
| 25,700 | | | First Cash Financial Services, Inc.† | | | 713,175 | |
| 25,200 | | | FirstService Corp.† | | | 607,824 | |
| 8,200 | | | Franklin Resources, Inc. | | | 876,580 | |
| 17,500 | | | Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | | 2,530,150 | |
| 14,300 | | | Hartford Financial Services Group | | | 328,185 | |
| 3,200 | | | HDFC Bank Ltd., ADR | | | 589,984 | |
| 50,300 | | | Horace Mann Educators Corp. | | | 894,334 | |
| 295,200 | | | ING Groep, ADR† | | | 3,037,608 | |
| 27,300 | | | Invesco, Ltd. | | | 579,579 | |
| 4,300 | | | Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc. | | | 370,961 | |
| 76,700 | | | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 2,919,969 | |
| 26,500 | | | MetLife, Inc. | | | 1,018,925 | |
| 69,900 | | | MF Global Holdings, Ltd.† | | | 503,280 | |
| 50,600 | | | Morgan Stanley | | | 1,248,808 | |
| 29,300 | | | NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.† | | | 569,299 | |
| 30,900 | | | National Financial Partners Corp.† | | | 391,503 | |
| 37,300 | | | New York Community Bancorp, Inc. | | | 606,125 | |
| 22,200 | | | NYSE Euronext | | | 634,254 | |
| 10,300 | | | Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.† | | | 665,895 | |
| 38,400 | | | Progressive Corp. | | | 801,408 | |
| 16,300 | | | Protective Life Corp. | | | 354,688 | |
24 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 9,600 | | | Prudential Financial, Inc. | | $ | 520,128 | |
| 11,900 | | | Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. | | | 574,651 | |
| 15,600 | | | State Street Corp. | | | 587,496 | |
| 45,400 | | | The Allstate Corp. | | | 1,432,370 | |
| 14,400 | | | Travelers Cos., Inc. | | | 750,240 | |
| 51,700 | | | U.S. Bancorp | | | 1,117,754 | |
| 64,800 | | | UBS AG† | | | 1,103,544 | |
| 17,100 | | | Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. | | | 467,856 | |
| 143,000 | | | Wells Fargo & Co. | | | 3,593,590 | |
| 52,800 | | | XL Group PLC | | | 1,143,648 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $56,149,917) | | | 58,227,394 | |
Total Investments 99.1% (Cost $56,149,917) | | | 58,227,394 | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities 0.9% | | | 522,877 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 58,750,271 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
|
REIT | | Real Estate Investment Trust |
Schedule of Investments 25
Class S ICHCX
Class C ICHEX
Class A ICHAX
Management Overview
ICON Healthcare Fund
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmarks? |
| |
A. | For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the Fund’s sector-specific benchmark, the S&P 1500 Health Care Index, returned 9.51%, and its broad benchmark, the S&P Composite 1500 Index, returned 10.92%. The ICON Healthcare Fund Class S trailed both benchmarks, gaining 5.39% during the same period. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | The Health Care sector faced a great deal of uncertainty this past year as a result of the debate and passage of the national health care reform by Congress. Throughout the first half of the year, Health Care lagged the broad market. Debate in Congress fueled a great deal of speculation about the fiscal impact of reform, causing investors to become timid toward the sector. Uncertainty over the reform’s specifics and their effect on the private sector made most health care equities undesirable to investors. Perhaps surprisingly, passage of the legislation in March brought little change to the equity markets. After a slight lag during the weeks following the passage, Health Care stocks kept pace with the market, but this rally proved too little too late and the sector index ended the year underperforming the broad market. |
The equity market was highly volatile and saw multiple bust/boom cycles within the course of just one year. Identifying long term industry themes during this period was difficult, as industry leadership shifted every few months. Still, two industries within the sector took particularly strong leadership over the course of the year. Pharmaceuticals and managed health care both stood out as sector leaders due to strong earnings reports and upward future growth revisions. Managed care companies reacted positively to the rally in the early half of the year, exceeding the S&P Health Care Index by 20% from October 30, 2009 to January 19, 2010. The success of pharmaceuticals, on the other hand, was more reliant on individual companies’ reports of new drug approvals or merger announcements and occurred gradually throughout the year. The biotechnology industry, however, detracted from the sector and was the only industry that ended the year with negative returns. Losses in the large-cap biotech companies were a result of poor profit outlooks and drug testing delays.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | The ICON investment strategy directs us to weight industries based on our estimation of their value and relative strength. Our funds are tilted towards industries (and, ultimately, securities) that have outperformed the broad market over the previous six months, and which we identify as being priced below fair value. Throughout the entire year, Health Care ranked number one among all the sectors in terms of value, with almost all of the industries possessing a value-to-price ratio (“V/P”) greater than 1.00 for the entire course of the year. Due to the abundance of value within the sector, most industry concentrations were largely predicated upon the relative strength component of the model. Pharmaceuticals and health care services were the Fund’s largest overweights. |
The Fund’s concentration on the pharmaceutical industry contributed positively to the returns relative to the benchmark. Smaller cap companies, such as Medicis Pharmaceutical Company (MRX) and Perrigo Co. (PRGO) contributed positively to returns due to strong earnings and approvals of new drugs.
The Fund’s overweight position in the health care services industry proved to be a drag on performance. An announcement in July concerning a sharp reduction in Medicare payments for medical equipment took a large toll on the industry’s profit forecasts. Downward revisions and dismal growth predictions caused holdings like Lincare Holdings Inc. (LNCR) and Amedisys (AMED) to fall sharply, thus greatly detracting from the Fund’s performance.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the Healthcare sector? |
| |
A. | Looking forward to the next year, the Health Care sector continues to position itself as the most undervalued of the nine sectors we track. Our calculations indicate the Health Care sector has significant upside potential, trading at a 35% discount to our measure of the sector’s intrinsic value. |
The pharmaceuticals and managed health care industries in particular show strong value potential and remain the Fund’s most heavily weighted industries. Another emerging theme heading into the new year is the biotechnology industry. All three industries currently show V/Ps greater than 1.30.
ICON Healthcare Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Pharmaceuticals | | | 55.6% | |
Managed Health Care | | | 13.3% | |
Industrial Conglomerates | | | 8.0% | |
Biotechnology | | | 6.3% | |
Health Care Equipment | | | 5.8% | |
Life Sciences Tools & Services | | | 4.5% | |
Health Care Services | | | 2.5% | |
Life & Health Insurance | | | 2.3% | |
Industrial Gases | | | 1.3% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.6% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Healthcare Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Health Care | | | 88.0% | |
Industrials | | | 8.0% | |
Financial | | | 2.3% | |
Materials | | | 1.3% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.6% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Healthcare Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Inception
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | 10 Years | | | | 2/24/97 | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Healthcare Fund - Class S | | | | 5.39 | % | | | | | -2.67 | % | | | | | 4.00 | % | | | | | 7.46 | % | | | | | 1.37 | % | | | | | 1.37 | % | |
|
|
S&P 1500 Health Care Index | | | | 9.51 | % | | | | | 0.40 | % | | | | | 0.35 | % | | | | | 5.28 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | -0.49 | % | | | | | -0.86 | % | | | | | 4.11 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
ICON Healthcare Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | S&P 1500
| | | | |
| | ICON Healthcare
| | | Health Care
| | | S&P Composite
| |
| | Fund | | | Index | | | 1500 Index | |
02/24/1997 | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | |
09/30/1997 | | | 11780.00 | | | | 11190.70 | | | | 11935.10 | |
09/30/1998 | | | 12224.40 | | | | 14727.70 | | | | 12685.80 | |
09/30/1999 | | | 11571.30 | | | | 14869.90 | | | | 16154.50 | |
09/29/2000 | | | 17975.90 | | | | 19463.10 | | | | 18642.70 | |
09/28/2001 | | | 18585.10 | | | | 18662.90 | | | | 13848.00 | |
09/30/2002 | | | 17539.30 | | | | 14772.80 | | | | 11238.20 | |
09/30/2003 | | | 20809.90 | | | | 16699.90 | | | | 14012.20 | |
09/30/2004 | | | 23199.40 | | | | 17698.50 | | | | 16053.50 | |
09/30/2005 | | | 30481.10 | | | | 19845.20 | | | | 18206.60 | |
09/29/2006 | | | 30955.30 | | | | 21215.40 | | | | 20085.20 | |
09/28/2007 | | | 33174.50 | | | | 23247.10 | | | | 23413.60 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 27724.20 | | | | 20511.00 | | | | 18432.80 | |
09/30/2009 | | | 25258.00 | | | | 19698.30 | | | | 17186.30 | |
09/30/2010 | | | 26619.50 | | | | 21570.90 | | | | 19062.40 | |

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund on its inception date of 2/24/97 to a $10,000 investment made in unmanaged securities indexes on that date. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Healthcare Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (99.6%) |
| 17,100 | | | 3M Co.(a) | | $ | 1,482,741 | |
| 69,800 | | | Abbott Laboratories(a) | | | 3,646,352 | |
| 40,400 | | | Aetna, Inc.(a) | | | 1,277,044 | |
| 11,600 | | | Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. | | | 960,712 | |
| 10,100 | | | Becton, Dickinson & Co. | | | 748,410 | |
| 12,700 | | | Biogen Idec, Inc.†(a) | | | 712,724 | |
| 77,900 | | | Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(a) | | | 2,111,869 | |
| 25,700 | | | Celgene Corp.†(a) | | | 1,480,577 | |
| 17,300 | | | Cephalon, Inc.†(a) | | | 1,080,212 | |
| 54,900 | | | CIGNA Corp. | | | 1,964,322 | |
| 34,500 | | | Coventry Health Care, Inc.† | | | 742,785 | |
| 55,200 | | | Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.†(a) | | | 1,291,128 | |
| 68,100 | | | Eli Lilly & Co.(a) | | | 2,487,693 | |
| 15,300 | | | Express Scripts, Inc.† | | | 745,110 | |
| 91,100 | | | General Electric Co. | | | 1,480,375 | |
| 27,100 | | | GlaxoSmithKline PLC, ADR(a) | | | 1,070,992 | |
| 38,000 | | | Healthspring, Inc.†(a) | | | 981,920 | |
| 21,600 | | | Humana, Inc.† | | | 1,085,184 | |
| 49,300 | | | Johnson & Johnson, Inc. | | | 3,054,628 | |
| 76,900 | | | King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.†(a) | | | 765,924 | |
| 20,700 | | | Medco Health Solutions, Inc.† | | | 1,077,642 | |
| 108,100 | | | Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp., Class A(a) | | | 3,205,165 | |
| 21,800 | | | Medtronic, Inc. | | | 732,044 | |
| 152,700 | | | Merck & Co., Inc. | | | 5,620,887 | |
| 41,500 | | | Mylan, Inc.†(a) | | | 780,615 | |
| 147,300 | | | Par Pharmaceutical Cos., Inc.†(a) | | | 4,283,484 | |
| 35,000 | | | Perrigo Co.(a) | | | 2,247,700 | |
| 391,100 | | | Pfizer, Inc. | | | 6,715,187 | |
| 76,000 | | | Protective Life Corp.(a) | | | 1,653,760 | |
| 16,700 | | | Siemens AG, ADR | | | 1,760,180 | |
| 15,900 | | | Stryker Corp.(a) | | | 795,795 | |
| 43,200 | | | Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.† | | | 2,068,416 | |
| 29,100 | | | Tyco International, Ltd. | | | 1,068,843 | |
| 66,500 | | | UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | | | 2,334,815 | |
| 32,500 | | | Varian Medical Systems, Inc.†(a) | | | 1,966,250 | |
| 16,400 | | | Waters Corp.† | | | 1,160,792 | |
| 102,800 | | | Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.†(a) | | | 4,349,468 | |
| 22,400 | | | WellPoint, Inc.† | | | 1,268,736 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $62,379,754) | | | 72,260,481 | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan (27.6%) |
| 20,038,637 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | | 20,038,637 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $20,038,637) | | | 20,038,637 | |
30 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Short-Term Investments (0.4%) |
$ | 300,072 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | $ | 300,072 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $300,072) | | | 300,072 | |
Total Investments 127.6% (Cost $82,718,463) | | | 92,599,190 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (27.6)% | | | (20,044,833 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 72,554,357 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
Schedule of Investments 31
Class S ICTRX
Class C ICICX
Class A ICIAX
Management Overview
ICON Industrials Fund
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmarks? |
| |
A. | The ICON Industrials Fund Class S gained 19.40% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, while its sector-specific benchmark, the S&P 1500 Industrials Index, gained 18.79%, and the S&P Composite 1500 Index gained 10.92%. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | In spite of fiscal year 2010 beginning on the heels of a 76% rally, the Industrials sector was able to post a good year as the manufacturing segment of the economy maintained positive growth. While the end of year return was strong, the market charted a volatile path as economic uncertainty remained a persistent theme during the entire period. We believe the U.S. economy experienced two distinct phases during this fiscal year. The first part of the year saw strength in the manufacturing sector of the economy as companies continued the inventory rebuilding process that historically leads an economic recovery. This brought on two strong quarters of GDP growth and positive equity returns as both the S&P 1500 and S&P 1500 Industrials Index produced double digit returns. Historically, periods of inventory rebuilding and manufacturing growth are typically followed by the emergence of the consumer as the economic recovery takes hold. Consumer deleveraging and persistent levels of high unemployment stalled this recovery, however, and the second half of the year presented a significant decline in GDP growth. Fortunately, the Fed reacted aggressively to this slowdown in economic activity and we ended the fiscal year with the strongest September for equities since 1939. |
Our analysis suggests the Industrials sector itself experienced three distinct phases during the fiscal year. The year began with a strong 26% rally over approximately seven months as the manufacturing sector continued to grow and economic prospects showed promise. We fully participated in this rally for the first six months while valuations remained solid under our system. As prices rose closer to our estimate of fair value, however, we positioned the Fund defensively in anticipation of a downturn. Consequently, we lagged during the final month of the rally. The rally reversed quickly, as thinning valuations and regulatory concerns caused the S&P 1500 Industrials Index to drop almost 17% in just over two months. We were able to outperform during this downturn as we responded cautiously to our lower valuation readings. The last three
months of the fiscal year finished strong and the Industrials Index rose 16% between July 6, 2010 and September 30, 2010. The ICON Industrials Fund was able to outperform its sector-specific benchmark during these final months by just over 1.2%.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | Industry returns in the S&P 1500 Industrials Index demonstrate how volatile this past fiscal year has been, as the best performing industry, construction & farm machinery & heavy trucks, outperformed the worst industry, construction & engineering, by over 60%. |
The top industry contributors to the Fund’s performance during fiscal year 2010 were railroads, construction & farm machinery & heavy trucks, aerospace & defense, industrial machinery, and industrial conglomerates. Railroads, which was the top contributor, is heavily tied to the commodity space and benefited from strong overseas demand.
Top industry detractors from the Fund’s performance during fiscal year 2010 were construction & engineering, diversified support services, office services & supplies, and research & consulting services. All four industries, with the exception of construction & engineering, are not heavily tied to the growth of the economy and, as to be expected, lagged during this time of expansion.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the Industrials sector? |
| |
A. | At the close of the fiscal year, the Industrials sector had a value-to-price ratio of 1.23, which gives us confidence about the prospect for future opportunities. However, domestic GDP expectations have been cut to 2.7% for 2010 and 2.5% for 2011, and the manufacturing segment of the economy is beginning to show signs of fatigue. Fortunately, many Industrials companies have used the downturn to establish strong balance sheets and position themselves to grow in spite of a slowdown in the domestic economy. On a sector basis, the Industrials sector exhibits the 4th highest weighted average dividend yield within the S&P 1500 Index. Because of these qualities, we continue to regard the Industrials sector as one of our favorite spaces within the domestic market. |
ICON Industrials Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Industrial Conglomerates | | | 23.9% | |
Aerospace & Defense | | | 17.6% | |
Industrial Machinery | | | 10.4% | |
Air Freight & Logistics | | | 10.3% | |
Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks | | | 9.9% | |
Railroads | | | 9.4% | |
Airlines | | | 6.9% | |
Electrical Components & Equipment | | | 4.9% | |
Environmental & Facilities Services | | | 2.1% | |
Trading Companies & Distributors | | | 1.7% | |
Construction & Engineering | | | 1.4% | |
Marine | | | 0.5% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.0% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Industrials Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Industrials Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Inception
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | 10 Years | | | | 5/9/97 | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Industrials Fund - Class S | | | | 19.40 | % | | | | | 0.37 | % | | | | | 3.63 | % | | | | | 3.30 | % | | | | | 1.37 | % | | | | | 1.37 | % | |
|
|
S&P 1500 Industrials Index | | | | 18.79 | % | | | | | 2.38 | % | | | | | 2.27 | % | | | | | 5.30 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 0.22 | % | | | | | 4.78 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
ICON Industrials Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Industrials
| | | S&P 1500
| | | S&P Composite
| |
| | Fund | | | Industrials Index | | | 1500 Index | |
05/09/1997 | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | |
09/30/1997 | | | 12400.00 | | | | 11696.90 | | | | 11703.20 | |
09/30/1998 | | | 9662.65 | | | | 10755.50 | | | | 12439.30 | |
09/30/1999 | | | 11294.80 | | | | 13778.80 | | | | 15840.70 | |
09/29/2000 | | | 10806.80 | | | | 15954.90 | | | | 18280.50 | |
09/28/2001 | | | 10206.70 | | | | 13011.70 | | | | 13579.00 | |
09/30/2002 | | | 9502.42 | | | | 10861.90 | | | | 11019.90 | |
09/30/2003 | | | 10505.20 | | | | 13181.90 | | | | 13740.00 | |
09/30/2004 | | | 12558.50 | | | | 16224.30 | | | | 15741.70 | |
09/30/2005 | | | 15160.90 | | | | 17757.80 | | | | 17852.90 | |
09/29/2006 | | | 16296.80 | | | | 19907.50 | | | | 19695.00 | |
09/28/2007 | | | 20979.40 | | | | 24960.60 | | | | 22958.70 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 16423.50 | | | | 19134.30 | | | | 18074.70 | |
09/30/2009 | | | 12934.10 | | | | 16816.30 | | | | 16852.40 | |
09/30/2010 | | | 15443.90 | | | | 19976.90 | | | | 18692.00 | |

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund on its inception date of 5/9/97 to a $10,000 investment made in unmanaged securities indexes on that date. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Industrials Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (99.0%) |
| 40,000 | | | 3M Co.(a) | | $ | 3,468,400 | |
| 13,000 | | | Alaska Air Group, Inc.† | | | 663,390 | |
| 10,000 | | | Alliant Techsystems, Inc.†(a) | | | 754,000 | |
| 10,300 | | | AMETEK, Inc.(a) | | | 492,031 | |
| 10,000 | | | Canadian National Railway Co. | | | 640,200 | |
| 45,000 | | | Caterpillar, Inc.(a) | | | 3,540,600 | |
| 50,000 | | | Continental Airlines, Inc., Class B†(a) | | | 1,242,000 | |
| 20,000 | | | Cooper Industries PLC | | | 978,600 | |
| 30,000 | | | CSX Corp. | | | 1,659,600 | |
| 40,000 | | | Danaher Corp.(a) | | | 1,624,400 | |
| 25,000 | | | Deere & Co.(a) | | | 1,744,500 | |
| 150,000 | | | Delta Air Lines, Inc.†(a) | | | 1,746,000 | |
| 20,000 | | | Dover Corp. | | | 1,044,200 | |
| 8,000 | | | Eaton Corp. | | | 659,920 | |
| 10,000 | | | Emerson Electric Co.(a) | | | 526,600 | |
| 25,000 | | | FedEx Corp.(a) | | | 2,137,500 | |
| 5,000 | | | Flowserve Corp.(a) | | | 547,100 | |
| 20,000 | | | General Dynamics Corp. | | | 1,256,200 | |
| 620,000 | | | General Electric Co. | | | 10,075,000 | |
| 10,000 | | | Harsco Corp.(a) | | | 245,800 | |
| 55,000 | | | Honeywell International, Inc. | | | 2,416,700 | |
| 15,500 | | | Hubbell, Inc., Class B(a) | | | 786,625 | |
| 30,000 | | | Illinois Tool Works, Inc.(a) | | | 1,410,600 | |
| 10,000 | | | Joy Global, Inc.(a) | | | 703,200 | |
| 30,000 | | | KBR, Inc.(a) | | | 739,200 | |
| 4,500 | | | L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. | | | 325,215 | |
| 60,000 | | | Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 352,200 | |
| 40,000 | | | Norfolk Southern Corp. | | | 2,380,400 | |
| 10,000 | | | Northrop Grumman Corp.(a) | | | 606,300 | |
| 15,000 | | | PACCAR, Inc.(a) | | | 722,250 | |
| 15,000 | | | Pall Corp. | | | 624,600 | |
| 10,000 | | | Parker Hannifin Corp. | | | 700,600 | |
| 25,000 | | | Raytheon Co.(a) | | | 1,142,750 | |
| 25,000 | | | Republic Services, Inc. | | | 762,250 | |
| 25,000 | | | Rockwell Collins, Inc.(a) | | | 1,456,250 | |
| 20,000 | | | Siemens AG, ADR | | | 2,108,000 | |
| 50,000 | | | Skywest, Inc.(a) | | | 698,000 | |
| 13,200 | | | Snap-on, Inc.(a) | | | 613,932 | |
| 15,000 | | | Tata Motors Ltd., ADR(a) | | | 382,650 | |
| 10,000 | | | Thomas & Betts Corp.† | | | 410,200 | |
| 15,000 | | | Tutor Perini Corp.†(a) | | | 301,350 | |
| 40,000 | | | Tyco International, Ltd. | | | 1,469,200 | |
| 25,000 | | | Union Pacific Corp. | | | 2,045,000 | |
| 25,000 | | | United Continental Holdings†(a) | | | 590,750 | |
36 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 60,000 | | | United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B(a) | | $ | 4,001,400 | |
| 65,000 | | | United Technologies Corp. | | | 4,629,950 | |
| 75,000 | | | UTi Worldwide, Inc.(a) | | | 1,206,000 | |
| 20,000 | | | Waste Management, Inc.(a) | | | 714,800 | |
| 10,000 | | | Woodward Governor Co.(a) | | | 324,200 | |
| 10,000 | | | WW Grainger, Inc.(a) | | | 1,191,100 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $63,651,339) | | | 70,861,713 | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan (28.2%) |
| 20,221,364 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | | 20,221,364 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $20,221,364) | | | 20,221,364 | |
Short-Term Investments (0.6%) |
$ | 398,973 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | 398,973 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $398,973) | | | 398,973 | |
Total Investments 127.8% (Cost $84,271,676) | | | 91,482,050 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (27.8%) | | | (19,875,223 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 71,606,827 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
Schedule of Investments 37
Class S ICTEX
Class C ICTFX
Class A ICTTX
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmark? |
| |
A. | The Fund’s Class S shares underperformed its benchmark for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010. The Fund’s Class S shares returned 3.91%, while its benchmarks, the S&P 1500 Information Technology Composite Index, rose 11.22% and the NASDAQ Composite rose to 12.61%. The Fund underperformed the broad index, the S&P Composite 1500, which gained 10.92% for the fiscal year. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors influenced the Fund’s relative performance during the period? |
| |
A. | The past 12-months have seen a volatile market with a high turnover rate of industry leadership. The fiscal year started out strong with a generally positive earnings season and the promise of continued stimulus spending. However, the markets took a sharp dive after a mid-January announcement of financial reform legislation and negative employment reports. This brief downturn was followed by a rally in which the Dow Jones Industrials Index rose 13% in a little over two months. These gains were soon erased, however, as investors reacted to the news of economic troubles in Europe with a massive sell-off. The markets ended a turbulent fiscal year with positive gains. Nonetheless, the abrupt shifts in the market were a major contributor to the Fund’s performance relative to its benchmark, as the volatility made identifying long term industry themes difficult. |
The Information Technology sector is heavily influenced by its large-cap companies. The 10 largest companies in the sector compose just under 60% of the S&P 1500 Information Technology Index. Accordingly, these companies have a tremendous impact on the sector’s returns. This year saw a wide range of success for these major players. The computer hardware industry was the greatest contributor to the sector’s performance, entirely due to the success of Apple. With the release of two highly successful products, the iPad and iPhone 4, Apple’s shares gained enough value to allow the company to overcome Microsoft as the most valuable tech company in the world. Apple’s gains alone added 4.20% to the sector’s 11.22% in returns. This shift in leadership reflects a greater trend of the market’s shift from business needs to consumer tastes. Microsoft, on the other hand, had negative returns for the year due to poor earnings reports and forecasts. Another large-cap name, Intel Corp., also underperformed for the year. Microsoft and Intel were a significant distraction to the performance of the index.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | One of the largest single detractors of the Fund was Hewlett-Packard. The computer maker was plagued with multiple management scandals and lawsuits, causing its shares to end the period with more than a 10% loss. Because Hewlett-Packard was such a large portion of the benchmark and the Fund, performance was greatly affected by these events. |
The data processing & outsourced services industry was also a large detractor of returns over the period, due to the new financial reform and regulation passed by Congress. Companies such as Visa and MasterCard were faced with new rate and fee regulations that negatively affected their earnings and profit potential. The Fund was heavily overweight in this industry based upon ICON’s strong valuations and its industry leadership prior to this legislation, and suffered significant losses after the reform was announced.
The Fund did make sizeable gains in the systems software industry. Favorable timing in the reduction of Microsoft holdings before losses later in the year, as well as a large position in Oracle Corp., allowed the Fund to outperform the benchmark within this industry.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the Information Technology Sector? |
| |
A. | As the Fund enters the new fiscal year, we see the Information Technology sector as approximately 26% undervalued, about the same as the broad market. Currently 11 out of the sector’s 17 industries show both strong leadership and value under the ICON system, creating opportunities for investment. The Fund is currently positioned with concentrated positions in IT consulting and electronic components. |
ICON Information
Technology Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Computer Hardware | | | 26.5% | |
Systems Software | | | 16.1% | |
Internet Software & Services | | | 10.6% | |
Data Processing & Outsourced Services | | | 10.1% | |
Communications Equipment | | | 9.5% | |
Semiconductors | | | 8.0% | |
IT Consulting & Other Services | | | 6.8% | |
Application Software | | | 4.2% | |
Electronic Components | | | 3.2% | |
Electronic Equipment & Instruments | | | 1.1% | |
Office Electronics | | | 1.1% | |
Computer Storage & Peripherals | | | 0.9% | |
| | | | |
| | | 98.1% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Information
Technology Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Information Technology | | | 98.1% | |
| | | | |
| | | 98.1% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Information Technology Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Inception
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | 10 Years | | | | 2/19/97 | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Information Technology Fund - Class S | | | | 3.91 | % | | | | | -1.43 | % | | | | | -3.55 | % | | | | | 6.41 | % | | | | | 1.38 | % | | | | | 1.38 | % | |
|
|
S&P 1500 Information Technology Index | | | | 11.22 | % | | | | | 3.50 | % | | | | | -5.45 | % | | | | | 4.74 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
NASDAQ Composite Index | | | | 12.61 | % | | | | | 2.89 | % | | | | | -3.54 | % | | | | | 4.82 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | -6.62 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 0.22 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
ICON Information Technology Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | S&P 1500
| | | | | | | |
| | ICON Information
| | | Informantion Technology
| | | NASDAQ Composite
| | | S&P Composite
| |
| | Technology Fund | | | Index | | | Index | | | 1500 Index | |
02/19/1997 | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | |
09/30/1997 | | | 12960.00 | | | | 13158.20 | | | | 12379.20 | | | | 11890.70 | |
09/30/1998 | | | 9568.71 | | | | 14434.80 | | | | 12478.60 | | | | 12638.50 | |
09/30/1999 | | | 21006.30 | | | | 26416.00 | | | | 20263.20 | | | | 16094.40 | |
09/29/2000 | | | 33450.90 | | | | 32898.30 | | | | 27270.10 | | | | 18573.30 | |
09/28/2001 | | | 22446.70 | | | | 12408.40 | | | | 11266.10 | | | | 13796.50 | |
09/30/2002 | | | 17209.20 | | | | 8573.93 | | | | 8857.67 | | | | 11196.40 | |
09/30/2003 | | | 23799.30 | | | | 13690.70 | | | | 13580.30 | | | | 13960.10 | |
09/30/2004 | | | 22734.50 | | | | 13918.40 | | | | 14496.90 | | | | 15993.80 | |
09/30/2005 | | | 25036.70 | | | | 15813.80 | | | | 16499.90 | | | | 18138.80 | |
09/29/2006 | | | 25094.30 | | | | 16500.10 | | | | 17461.50 | | | | 20010.50 | |
09/28/2007 | | | 31713.20 | | | | 20345.10 | | | | 21053.60 | | | | 23326.40 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 22619.40 | | | | 15555.70 | | | | 16410.90 | | | | 18364.20 | |
09/30/2009 | | | 22418.00 | | | | 16888.70 | | | | 16895.80 | | | | 17122.30 | |
09/30/2010 | | | 23293.90 | | | | 18783.90 | | | | 19026.40 | | | | 18991.40 | |

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund on its inception date of 2/19/97 to a $10,000 investment made in unmanaged securities indexes on that date. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Information Technology Fund
Schedule of investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value | |
| |
|
Common Stocks (98.1%) |
| 30,000 | | | Accenture PLC, Class A(a) | | $ | 1,274,700 | |
| 20,000 | | | Altera Corp.(a) | | | 603,200 | |
| 43,300 | | | Amdocs Ltd.† | | | 1,240,978 | |
| 17,500 | | | Amphenol Corp., Class A | | | 857,150 | |
| 36,500 | | | Apple, Inc.† | | | 10,356,875 | |
| 24,800 | | | Autodesk, Inc.† | | | 792,856 | |
| 41,400 | | | Automatic Data Processing, Inc.(a) | | | 1,740,042 | |
| 7,900 | | | Baidu, Inc., ADR† | | | 810,698 | |
| 35,600 | | | Check Point Software Technologies†(a) | | | 1,314,708 | |
| 169,400 | | | Cisco Systems, Inc.† | | | 3,709,860 | |
| 19,100 | | | Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A† | | | 1,231,377 | |
| 88,500 | | | Convergys Corp.†(a) | | | 924,825 | |
| 64,900 | | | Corning, Inc.(a) | | | 1,186,372 | |
| 25,800 | | | CSG Systems International, Inc.†(a) | | | 470,334 | |
| 72,700 | | | eBay, Inc.†(a) | | | 1,773,880 | |
| 35,900 | | | EMC Corp.†(a) | | | 729,129 | |
| 9,900 | | | Factset Research Systems, Inc.(a) | | | 803,187 | |
| 4,300 | | | First Solar, Inc.†(a) | | | 633,605 | |
| 10,600 | | | Google, Inc., Class A† | | | 5,573,374 | |
| 64,200 | | | Hewlett-Packard Co. | | | 2,700,894 | |
| 163,500 | | | Intel Corp. | | | 3,144,105 | |
| 55,200 | | | International Business Machines Corp.(a) | | | 7,404,528 | |
| 28,500 | | | Juniper Networks, Inc.†(a) | | | 864,975 | |
| 44,300 | | | Lender Processing Services, Inc. | | | 1,472,089 | |
| 13,000 | | | Linear Technology Corp.(a) | | | 399,490 | |
| 7,400 | | | Mastercard, Inc., Class A | | | 1,657,600 | |
| 12,900 | | | MAXIMUS, Inc.(a) | | | 794,382 | |
| 309,300 | | | Microsoft Corp. | | | 7,574,757 | |
| 132,600 | | | Oracle Corp. | | | 3,560,310 | |
| 23,400 | | | OSI Systems, Inc.†(a) | | | 849,888 | |
| 60,800 | | | QUALCOMM, Inc.(a) | | | 2,743,296 | |
| 32,900 | | | Quest Software, Inc.†(a) | | | 809,011 | |
| 23,000 | | | Skyworks Solutions, Inc.†(a) | | | 475,640 | |
| 36,700 | | | SRA International, Inc., Class A† | | | 723,724 | |
| 33,500 | | | Texas Instruments, Inc.(a) | | | 909,190 | |
| 42,900 | | | Tyler Technologies, Inc.†(a) | | | 864,864 | |
| 20,500 | | | Visa, Inc., Class A | | | 1,522,330 | |
| 44,800 | | | Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.†(a) | | | 433,664 | |
42 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value | |
| |
|
| 81,400 | | | Xerox Corp.(a) | | $ | 842,490 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $65,849,982) | | | 75,774,377 | |
| | | | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan (14.3%) | | | | |
| 11,073,651 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | | 11,073,651 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $11,073,651) | | | 11,073,651 | |
Short-Term Investments (2.1%) |
$ | 1,604,001 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | 1,604,001 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $1,604,001) | | | 1,604,001 | |
Total Investments 114.5% (Cost $78,527,634) | | | 88,452,029 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (14.5)% | | | (11,182,854 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 77,269,175 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| |
† | Non-income producing security. |
| | |
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
Schedule of Investments 43
Class S ICLEX
Class C ICLCX
Class A ICLAX
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmarks? |
| |
A. | The ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund Class S gained 11.56% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010. The Fund underperformed the S&P 1500 Consumer Staples Index, which returned 13.16% and trailed the S&P 1500 Consumer Discretionary Index, which returned 22.93%. Although neither index is an ideal comparison, together they provide a suitable reference for the Fund’s overall performance in its sectors. |
The Fund outperformed its broad benchmark, the S&P Composite 1500 Index, which returned 10.92% over the same period.
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | The Consumer Discretionary sector led the equity market with the largest gains for the year, greatly outperforming the broad market. Consumer staples, on the other hand, had more modest gains, with returns in line with the broad market. The ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund has the ability to invest in two different market sectors. Roughly 70% of the stocks available to the Fund from ICON’s database are from the Staples sector, which was in line with the Fund’s exposure to this space in fiscal year 2010. |
While the gains of the Consumer Discretionary Index were impressive, most of its outperformance came from non-leisure industries such as internet retail and automobile manufacturers. As calculated using ICON’s valuations and relative strength readings, it appears most leisure industries either lacked value or had been hit especially hard during the times of market decline. With ICON’s model favoring Staples industries, the Fund was able to remain less volatile than the broad market. This was a welcome advantage in a year with multiple theme shifts and market conditions.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | The Fund’s performance was most positively influenced by five industries: personal products, tobacco, packaged meats & food, movies & entertainment, and cable & satellite. This leadership emerged out of industries from both the Staples and Discretionary sectors. |
Personal products were the stand-out contributor to the Fund this year, with approximately 4.5% of the Fund’s total returns coming from this industry alone. Names like Herbalife and Nu Skin Enterprises reported
consistently strong earnings and growth estimates. Entertainment stocks also led the sector as the industry reported a record breaking movie season and increased cable viewership.
The only industry that significantly detracted from the Fund’s performance was drug retail. The two names in the industry both stumbled due to poor earnings reports and negatively revised earnings forecasts. In October 2009, CVS Caremark saw its largest one-day drop in 8 years after disclosing news of an FTC antitrust investigation and the loss of $3.7 billion in pharmacy benefit contracts.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the Leisure and Consumer Staples sector? |
| |
A. | The Fund enters a new fiscal year with a continuation of the themes from earlier in 2010. Personal products and cable & satellite continue to show value and leadership, and agricultural products and brewers are also emerging as industry leaders. Leisure and Consumer Staples ranks as the second most undervalued sector of the nine sectors we track, with most of the value appearing in the Staples industries. As of fiscal year end, we have identified a handful of industries in the Leisure sector as being overpriced. Therefore, we anticipate increasing our position in the Staples industries in the near future unless conditions change and dictate otherwise. |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Cable & Satellite | | | 13.1% | |
Packaged Foods & Meats | | | 12.6% | |
Movies & Entertainment | | | 12.1% | |
Tobacco | | | 11.0% | |
Restaurants | | | 10.6% | |
Personal Products | | | 7.9% | |
Household Products | | | 6.5% | |
Agricultural Products | | | 6.1% | |
Distillers & Vintners | | | 5.0% | |
Food Distributors | | | 4.0% | |
Brewers | | | 3.7% | |
Soft Drinks | | | 3.1% | |
Broadcasting | | | 2.5% | |
Food Retail | | | 1.1% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.3% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Leisure and Consumer Staples | | | 61.0% | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 38.3% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.3% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Inception
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | 10 Years | | | | 5/9/97 | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund - Class S | | | | 11.56 | % | | | | | 1.17 | % | | | | | 5.77 | % | | | | | 7.09 | % | | | | | 1.58 | % | | | | | 1.58 | % | |
|
|
S&P 1500 Consumer Discretionary Index | | | | 22.93 | % | | | | | 1.67 | % | | | | | 1.83 | % | | | | | 5.52 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
S&P 1500 Consumer Staples Index | | | | 13.16 | % | | | | | 6.58 | % | | | | | 6.78 | % | | | | | 5.66 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 0.22 | % | | | | | 4.78 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The performance of the S&P 1500 Consumer Discretionary Index includes the reinvestment of the dividends and capital gain distributions beginning on January 1, 2002. Additional information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | S&P 1500
| | | S&P 1500
| | | | |
| | ICON Leisureand
| | | Information Consumer
| | | Consumer Staples
| | | S&P Composite
| |
| | ConsumerStaples Fund | | | Discretionary Index | | | Index | | | 1500 Index | |
05/09/1997 | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | |
09/30/1997 | | | 11350.00 | | | | 11816.00 | | | | 10551.50 | | | | 11703.20 | |
09/30/1998 | | | 11824.80 | | | | 12917.40 | | | | 10884.20 | | | | 12439.30 | |
09/30/1999 | | | 13569.80 | | | | 17271.10 | | | | 10742.10 | | | | 15840.70 | |
09/29/2000 | | | 14284.50 | | | | 17115.70 | | | | 10838.80 | | | | 18280.50 | |
09/28/2001 | | | 14607.00 | | | | 13552.80 | | | | 12132.30 | | | | 13579.00 | |
09/30/2002 | | | 17367.10 | | | | 12478.30 | | | | 11874.80 | | | | 11019.90 | |
09/30/2003 | | | 19258.90 | | | | 15406.70 | | | | 12482.90 | | | | 13740.00 | |
09/30/2004 | | | 22499.70 | | | | 17725.90 | | | | 13559.00 | | | | 15741.70 | |
09/30/2005 | | | 23626.70 | | | | 18894.70 | | | | 15192.80 | | | | 17852.90 | |
09/29/2006 | | | 23652.70 | | | | 20290.80 | | | | 16862.50 | | | | 19695.00 | |
09/28/2007 | | | 27344.80 | | | | 21492.50 | | | | 19249.00 | | | | 22958.70 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 22587.10 | | | | 16560.40 | | | | 19316.20 | | | | 18074.70 | |
09/30/2009 | | | 22442.40 | | | | 16697.40 | | | | 18462.70 | | | | 16852.40 | |
09/30/2010 | | | 25037.20 | | | | 20527.00 | | | | 20891.80 | | | | 18692.00 | |

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund on its inception date of 5/9/97 to a $10,000 investment made in unmanaged securities indexes on that date. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (99.3%) |
| 25,700 | | | Altria Group, Inc.(a) | | $ | 617,314 | |
| 7,800 | | | Anheuser-Busch InBev, ADR | | | 458,250 | |
| 19,800 | | | Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. | | | 632,016 | |
| 22,700 | | | Avon Products, Inc.(a) | | | 728,897 | |
| 5,600 | | | Boston Beer Co., Inc., Class A†(a) | | | 374,472 | |
| 19,600 | | | Brinker International, Inc.(a) | | | 369,656 | |
| 11,400 | | | Brown-Forman Corp., Class B(a) | | | 702,696 | |
| 7,600 | | | Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.†(a) | | | 363,964 | |
| 8,700 | | | Bunge Ltd. | | | 514,692 | |
| 27,900 | | | Cablevision Systems Corp. | | | 730,701 | |
| 16,700 | | | Campbell Soup Co.(a) | | | 597,025 | |
| 16,800 | | | CEC Entertainment, Inc.†(a) | | | 576,744 | |
| 8,400 | | | Colgate-Palmolive Co.(a) | | | 645,624 | |
| 13,800 | | | ConAgra Foods, Inc. | | | 302,772 | |
| 46,200 | | | Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A†(a) | | | 817,278 | |
| 7,300 | | | Corn Products International, Inc.(a) | | | 273,750 | |
| 15,700 | | | Darden Restaurants, Inc.(a) | | | 671,646 | |
| 14,000 | | | Diamond Foods, Inc.(a) | | | 573,860 | |
| 35,300 | | | DIRECTV, Class A†(a) | | | 1,469,539 | |
| 17,500 | | | Discovery Communications, Inc., Class A†(a) | | | 762,125 | |
| 29,700 | | | DISH Network Corp., Class A | | | 569,052 | |
| 20,100 | | | Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc. | | | 436,170 | |
| 8,900 | | | General Mills, Inc. | | | 325,206 | |
| 5,100 | | | Herbalife Ltd. | | | 307,785 | |
| 9,900 | | | J.M. Smucker Co.(a) | | | 599,247 | |
| 6,400 | | | Kellogg Co.(a) | | | 323,264 | |
| 11,600 | | | Kimberly-Clark Corp.(a) | | | 754,580 | |
| 18,100 | | | Kraft Foods, Inc., Class A | | | 558,566 | |
| 7,500 | | | Lorillard, Inc. | | | 602,325 | |
| 6,600 | | | Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B | | | 311,652 | |
| 48,300 | | | Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc., Class A(a) | | | 1,391,040 | |
| 12,300 | | | Papa John’s International, Inc.†(a) | | | 324,474 | |
| 14,500 | | | PepsiCo, Inc. | | | 963,380 | |
| 14,600 | | | Philip Morris International, Inc. | | | 817,892 | |
| 10,100 | | | Procter & Gamble Co. | | | 605,697 | |
| 10,900 | | | Rentrak Corp.†(a) | | | 275,443 | |
| 13,500 | | | Reynolds American, Inc.(a) | | | 801,765 | |
| 9,300 | | | Ruddick Corp.(a) | | | 322,524 | |
| 42,300 | | | Sara Lee Corp. | | | 568,089 | |
| 29,400 | | | Sonic Corp.†(a) | | | 237,552 | |
| 28,100 | | | Sysco Corp.(a) | | | 801,412 | |
| 23,300 | | | Texas Roadhouse, Inc.†(a) | | | 327,598 | |
| 44,370 | | | The Walt Disney Co.(a) | | | 1,469,091 | |
48 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 22,875 | | | Time Warner Cable, Inc. | | $ | 1,235,021 | |
| 28,666 | | | Time Warner, Inc.(a) | | | 878,613 | |
| 13,200 | | | United Natural Foods, Inc.†(a) | | | 437,448 | |
| 13,200 | | | Universal Corp.(a) | | | 529,188 | |
| 29,700 | | | Viacom, Inc., Class B† | | | 1,074,843 | |
| 8,300 | | | Yum! Brands, Inc. | | | 382,297 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $26,682,545) | | | 30,414,235 | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan (28.9%) |
| 8,843,118 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | | 8,843,118 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $8,843,118) | | | 8,843,118 | |
Short-Term Investments (2.9%) |
$ | 907,197 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | 907,197 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $907,197) | | | 907,197 | |
Total Investments 131.1% (Cost $36,432,860) | | | 40,164,550 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (31.1)% | | | (9,524,412 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 30,640,138 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
Schedule of Investments 49
Class S ICBMX
Class C ICBCX
Class A ICBAX
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmarks? |
| |
A. | The ICON Materials Fund Class S gained 13.92% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, while its sector-specific benchmark, the S&P 1500 Materials Index, gained 12.05%, and the S&P Composite 1500 Index gained 10.92%. |
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | In spite of fiscal year 2010 beginning on the heels of a 79% rally, the Materials Sector was able to post a strong year as overseas growth contributed to this heavily cyclical segment of the economy. While the end of year return was strong, the market charted a volatile path as economic uncertainty remained a persistent theme during the entire period. We believe the U.S. economy experienced two distinct periods during this fiscal year. The first part of the year saw strength in the manufacturing sector of the economy as companies continued the inventory rebuilding process that historically leads an economic recovery. Manufacturing brought on two strong quarters of GDP growth as both the S&P 1500 and S&P 1500 Materials Index returned around 12%. Historically, periods of inventory rebuilding and manufacturing growth are typically followed by the emergence of the consumer as the economic recovery takes hold. Consumer deleveraging and persistent levels of high unemployment stalled this recovery, however, and the second half of the year presented a significant decline in GDP growth. Fortunately, the Fed reacted aggressively to this slowdown in economic activity and we ended the fiscal year with the strongest September for equities since 1939. |
Our analysis suggests the Materials sector itself experienced five distinct phases during the fiscal year. The year began with a 13% rally in just over three months as economic prospects showed continued promise. We did not see significant value going into this rally and slightly lagged because of this. The rally reversed quickly in January as thinning valuations and regulatory concerns caused the S&P 1500 Materials Index to drop over 13% in a month. We anticipated this downturn and positioned the portfolio appropriately, thereby outperforming the Index during the sector’s decline. Going into February 2010 we had a value-to-price ratio (“V/P”) of 1.20 in the Materials sector, suggesting good potential for future positive returns. The Materials Sector subsequently rallied almost 20% over the next couple of months. While we were able to fully participate during the first month of this move, valuations thinned as the
rally continued and we lagged during the full time period. Valuations dipped again in late April and the market responded as we thought it might, falling over 19% in just over 2 months. As we did earlier, we anticipated this downturn and adjusted the portfolio accordingly, thus outperforming the market during this period of decline. The last three months of the year finished strong and the Materials Index rose approximately 18% between July 6, 2010 and September 30, 2010. The ICON Materials Fund was able to outperform its sector-specific benchmark during these final months by over 2%.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | Industry returns in the S&P 1500 Materials Index demonstrate how volatile this past fiscal year has been as the best performing industry, gold, outperformed the worst industry, fertilizers & agricultural chemicals, by almost 70%. This divergence contributed significantly to the outperformance of the ICON Materials Fund as we were overweight gold & underweight fertilizers & agricultural chemicals during the fiscal year. |
The top industry contributors to the Fund’s performance during fiscal year 2010 were gold, diversified chemicals, specialty chemicals, diversified metals & mining, and railroads. While the railroad industry is actually considered to be part of the Industrials sector, the industry’s strong tie to commodity products and relative outperformance made it an attractive addition to the Materials Fund.
Top industry detractors from the Fund��s performance included the fertilizers & agricultural chemicals, steel, aluminum and metal & glass container industries. As stated above, fertilizers detracted from overall performance during the time period, but our relative underweight actually helped us outperform the S&P 1500 Materials Index.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the Materials sector? |
| |
A. | At the close of the fiscal year, the Materials sector had a V/P of 1.25, giving us confidence about the prospect for future returns. While domestic GDP expectations have been cut to 2.7% for 2010 and 2.5% for 2011, emerging markets like China are still projecting double digit growth in 2010 and growth above 8% in 2011. With a significant portion of revenues tied to overseas growth, we believe companies within the Materials sector are better positioned to benefit from this decoupling of the world economy from the United States. As economic prospects may change going forward, we will continue to follow our systematic |
| |
| approach to investing and focus on opportunities that show both value and strength within the market place. |
ICON Materials Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Diversified Chemicals | | | 19.7% | |
Specialty Chemicals | | | 18.1% | |
Steel | | | 13.8% | |
Diversified Metals & Mining | | | 12.9% | |
Gold | | | 12.5% | |
Industrial Gases | | | 6.5% | |
Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals | | | 5.3% | |
Paper Packaging | | | 3.6% | |
Aluminum | | | 2.8% | |
Railroads | | | 2.2% | |
Commodity Chemicals | | | 1.4% | |
Marine | | | 0.6% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.4% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Materials Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Materials | | | 96.6% | |
Industrials | | | 2.8% | |
| | | | |
| | | 99.4% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Materials Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Inception
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | 10 Years | | | | 5/5/97 | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Materials Fund - Class S | | | | 13.92 | % | | | | | 5.74 | % | | | | | 8.96 | % | | | | | 3.54 | % | | | | | 1.40 | % | | | | | 1.40 | % | |
|
|
S&P 1500 Materials Index | | | | 12.05 | % | | | | | 6.38 | % | | | | | 9.31 | % | | | | | 5.40 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 0.22 | % | | | | | 4.73 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
ICON Materials Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Materials
| | | S&P 1500
| | | S&P Composite
| |
| | Fund | | | Materials Index | | | 1500 Index | |
05/05/1997 | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | |
09/30/1997 | | | 10900.00 | | | | 11227.50 | | | | 11635.90 | |
09/30/1998 | | | 6818.49 | | | | 9180.96 | | | | 12367.70 | |
09/30/1999 | | | 7612.53 | | | | 10478.90 | | | | 15749.50 | |
09/29/2000 | | | 6758.60 | | | | 8317.31 | | | | 18175.30 | |
09/28/2001 | | | 6010.38 | | | | 9316.82 | | | | 13500.90 | |
09/30/2002 | | | 6013.80 | | | | 8775.56 | | | | 10956.50 | |
09/30/2003 | | | 6576.76 | | | | 10810.20 | | | | 13660.90 | |
09/30/2004 | | | 9642.44 | | | | 14221.80 | | | | 15651.10 | |
09/30/2005 | | | 12056.60 | | | | 14864.20 | | | | 17750.20 | |
09/29/2006 | | | 13403.70 | | | | 17320.30 | | | | 19581.70 | |
09/28/2007 | | | 19922.20 | | | | 23751.90 | | | | 22826.60 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 15181.90 | | | | 18723.80 | | | | 17970.70 | |
09/30/2009 | | | 13987.70 | | | | 18072.30 | | | | 16755.40 | |
09/30/2010 | | | 15935.00 | | | | 20250.30 | | | | 18584.50 | |

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund on its inception date of 5/5/97 to a $10,000 investment made in unmanaged securities indexes on that date. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Materials Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (99.4%) |
| 25,000 | | | A Schulman, Inc. | | $ | 503,750 | |
| 6,000 | | | Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. | | | 426,180 | |
| 25,000 | | | Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. | | | 2,070,500 | |
| 200,000 | | | Alcoa, Inc.(a) | | | 2,422,000 | |
| 10,000 | | | AngloGold Ashanti Ltd., ADR | | | 462,400 | |
| 30,000 | | | ArcelorMittal(a) | | | 989,400 | |
| 25,000 | | | Barrick Gold Corp. | | | 1,157,250 | |
| 6,000 | | | BHP Billiton Ltd., ADR(a) | | | 457,920 | |
| 10,000 | | | CF Industries Holdings, Inc.(a) | | | 955,000 | |
| 25,000 | | | Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc.(a) | | | 1,598,000 | |
| 10,000 | | | CSX Corp. | | | 553,200 | |
| 275,000 | | | Dow Chemical Co.(a) | | | 7,551,500 | |
| 175,000 | | | E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.(a) | | | 7,808,500 | |
| 65,000 | | | Ecolab, Inc.(a) | | | 3,298,100 | |
| 100,000 | | | Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.(a) | | | 8,539,000 | |
| 15,000 | | | Goldcorp, Inc. | | | 652,800 | |
| 20,000 | | | International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.(a) | | | 970,400 | |
| 40,000 | | | Kinross Gold Corp. | | | 751,600 | |
| 29,400 | | | Lubrizol Corp. | | | 3,115,518 | |
| 50,000 | | | Methanex Corp. | | | 1,224,500 | |
| 55,000 | | | Monsanto Co. | | | 2,636,150 | |
| 90,000 | | | Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc. | | | 528,300 | |
| 15,000 | | | NewMarket Corp.(a) | | | 1,705,200 | |
| 120,000 | | | Newmont Mining Corp.(a) | | | 7,537,200 | |
| 10,000 | | | Norfolk Southern Corp. | | | 595,100 | |
| 100,000 | | | Nucor Corp.(a) | | | 3,820,000 | |
| 95,000 | | | Olin Corp.(a) | | | 1,915,200 | |
| 75,000 | | | Packaging Corp. of America(a) | | | 1,737,750 | |
| 10,000 | | | POSCO, ADR | | | 1,139,800 | |
| 7,500 | | | Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc. | | | 1,080,300 | |
| 40,000 | | | Praxair, Inc. | | | 3,610,400 | |
| 50,000 | | | Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. | | | 2,076,500 | |
| 18,400 | | | Rio Tinto PLC, ADR | | | 1,080,632 | |
| 100,000 | | | RPM International, Inc.(a) | | | 1,992,000 | |
| 20,000 | | | Sealed Air Corp. | | | 449,600 | |
| 30,000 | | | Sensient Technologies Corp.(a) | | | 914,700 | |
| 25,000 | | | Sigma-Aldrich Corp.(a) | | | 1,509,500 | |
| 30,000 | | | Sonoco Products Co. | | | 1,003,200 | |
| 175,000 | | | Steel Dynamics, Inc.(a) | | | 2,469,250 | |
| 10,000 | | | Union Pacific Corp. | | | 818,000 | |
| 15,000 | | | Vale S.A., ADR | | | 469,050 | |
| 60,000 | | | Valspar Corp.(a) | | | 1,911,000 | |
| 10,000 | | | Walter Energy, Inc.(a) | | | 812,900 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $72,864,448) | | | 87,319,250 | |
54 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Collateral for Securities on Loan (28.8%) |
| 25,274,995 | | | State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio | | $ | 25,274,995 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Collateral for Securities on Loan (Cost $25,274,995) | | | 25,274,995 | |
Short-Term Investments (0.1%) |
$ | 115,585 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | 115,585 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $115,585) | | | 115,585 | |
Total Investments 128.3% (Cost $98,255,028) | | | 112,709,830 | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets (28.3)% | | | (24,854,246 | ) |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 87,855,584 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
(a) | | All or a portion of the security was on loan as of September 30, 2010. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
Schedule of Investments 55
Class S ICTVX
Class C ICTZX
Class A ICTVX
| |
Q. | How did the Fund perform relative to its benchmarks? |
| |
A. | The ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund Class S gained 11.16% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, underperforming the 12.98% return for the S&P 1500 Utilities Index and underperforming the 18.71% gain for the S&P 1500 Telecommunication Services Index. Although neither sector-specific benchmark is an ideal comparison, together they provide a suitable reference for the Fund’s overall performance in its sectors. |
Additionally, the Fund outperformed its broad benchmark, the S&P Composite 1500 Index, which gained 10.92% over the same period.
| |
Q. | What primary factors were behind the Fund’s relative performance? |
| |
A. | Rapid theme reversals were a key factor in the Fund’s relative performance over the year. For the first half of the fiscal year, the S&P 1500 Utility Index led, rising 4.82% versus 2.89% for the S&P 1500 Telecommunication Services Index. Both sectors held good value, but the Fund allocated close to 70% of its holdings, on average, to the Utilities sector with its greater relative strength. |
During the second half of the fiscal year however, the S&P 1500 Telecommunication Services Index was the clear leader gaining 15.38% versus just 7.7% for the S&P 1500 Utility Index. Although the Fund shifted resources to the Telecommunication sector, the allocation did not allow the Fund to keep up with the S&P 1500 Telecommunication Services Index’s strong performance over the fiscal year.
The Fund’s broad strategy, however, has allowed it to perform well over longer periods of time. Indeed, the Fund continues to outperform both indices on a 10-year and since inception basis.
| |
Q. | How did the Fund’s composition affect performance? |
| |
A. | In general, the Fund’s Utilities sector allocations detracted from performance while allocations toward the Telecommunication sector aided performance. Specifically, the Fund’s significant weighting toward the electric utility industry hampered performance. The Fund allocated approximately 31% of its assets on average to electric utilities and although the Fund’s selected stocks outperformed the 8.56% return generated from the S&P 1500 Electric Utility Index, the allocation as a |
| |
| whole detracted from relative performance considering the 18.71% return generated from the S&P 1500 Telecommunication Services sector. The Fund received significant positive contributions from both its approximate 28% and 7% average weighting toward selected multi-utility and gas utility stocks which on average rose around 18.7 % and 26.6% respectively. Overall, however, the Fund’s Utilities holdings detracted from its performance against the S&P 1500 Telecommunication Services Index. |
The Fund was aided again by a significant 22% approximate weighting toward the integrated telecommunication services industry. The industry was led by 22.7% and 12.9% respective gains from Verizon and AT&T, the Fund’s two largest holdings. This allocation was not enough, however, to outperform the S&P 1500 Telecommunication Services Index which held an average 87.36% weighting in the industry.
| |
Q. | What is your investment outlook for the Telecommunication & Utilities sectors? |
| |
A. | As described above, the Telecommunication & Utilities sectors were subject to significant theme reversals. With the threat of cap and trade legislation, dividend tax rate increases and a strong belief in a V-shaped recovery, the broader market significantly outpaced both sectors. Between September 30, 2009 and April 23, 2010, the S&P Composite 1500 rose 17.32% versus an 8.55% return for the S&P 1500 Utility Index and a 3.95% return for the S&P 1500 Telecommunications Index. As investors began to price in the possibility of a slower recovery and reduced probabilities for both cap and trade legislation and significant dividend tax increases, the Telecommunication & Utilities sectors found favor again. From April 23, 2010 to September 30, 2010, the S&P 1500 Telecommunication Services Index rose 14.36% and the S&P 1500 Utilities Index gained 4.08%, significantly outperforming the S&P Composite 1500’s 5.46% loss. As the fiscal year ends, both sectors look promising under ICON’s methodology. Given the favorable historical valuations in the Telecommunication & Utilities sectors, their strong recent relative strength versus the broader market, and the continued possibility of a slow recovery and moderate regulation, we would expect the sectors to continue to perform well. |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund
Industry Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Integrated Telecommunication Services | | | 28.4% | |
Electric Utilities | | | 27.7% | |
Multi-Utilities | | | 24.1% | |
Gas Utilities | | | 7.8% | |
Wireless Telecommunication Services | | | 4.7% | |
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders | | | 3.0% | |
Electrical Components & Equipment | | | 1.0% | |
Other Industries (each less than 1%) | | | 2.2% | |
| | | | |
| | | 98.9% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund
Sector Composition
September 30, 2010
| | | | |
Telecommunication & Utilities | | | 95.9% | |
Industrials | | | 1.0% | |
Other Sectors (each less than 1%) | | | 2.0% | |
| | | | |
| | | 98.9% | |
| | | | |
Percentages are based upon common stocks as a percentage of net assets.
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund
Average Annual Total Return
as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Since
| | | | Gross
| | | | Net
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Inception
| | | | Expense
| | | | Expense
| |
| | | 1 Year | | | | 5 Years | | | | 10 Years | | | | 7/9/97 | | | | Ratio* | | | | Ratio* | |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund - Class S | | | | 11.16 | % | | | | | 2.98 | % | | | | | 2.78 | % | | | | | 7.11 | % | | | | | 1.70 | % | | | | | 1.70 | % | |
|
|
S&P 1500 Telecommunications Services Index | | | | 18.71 | % | | | | | 4.89 | % | | | | | -3.25 | % | | | | | 1.79 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
S&P 1500 Utilities Index | | | | 12.98 | % | | | | | 2.93 | % | | | | | 2.15 | % | | | | | 6.53 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
S&P Composite 1500 Index | | | | 10.92 | % | | | | | 0.92 | % | | | | | 0.22 | % | | | | | 4.06 | % | | | | | N/A | | | | | | N/A | | |
|
|
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Information about these performance results and the comparative indexes can be found in the About This Report section.
| |
* | Please see the most recent prospectus for details. |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund
Value of a $10,000 Investment
through September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Telecommunication
| | | | | | S&P 1500
| | | | |
| | & Utilities
| | | S&P 1500
| | | Telecommunications Services
| | | S&P 1500
| |
| | Fund | | | Utilities Index | | | Index | | | Index | |
07/09/1997 | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | | | | 10000.00 | |
09/30/1997 | | | 10630.00 | | | | 10407.80 | | | | 10607.90 | | | | 10596.50 | |
09/30/1998 | | | 14231.70 | | | | 13256.70 | | | | 15085.80 | | | | 11263.00 | |
09/30/1999 | | | 16402.20 | | | | 13003.50 | | | | 21062.30 | | | | 14342.80 | |
09/29/2000 | | | 18860.20 | | | | 18664.80 | | | | 17602.00 | | | | 16551.90 | |
09/28/2001 | | | 15326.70 | | | | 14497.30 | | | | 13901.90 | | | | 12295.00 | |
09/30/2002 | | | 11947.50 | | | | 10006.70 | | | | 5973.45 | | | | 9977.83 | |
09/30/2003 | | | 14379.90 | | | | 12233.20 | | | | 7764.98 | | | | 12440.70 | |
09/30/2004 | | | 16906.10 | | | | 14628.50 | | | | 9741.87 | | | | 14253.10 | |
09/30/2005 | | | 21420.50 | | | | 19992.90 | | | | 9963.81 | | | | 16164.70 | |
09/29/2006 | | | 23039.20 | | | | 20927.10 | | | | 12495.90 | | | | 17832.60 | |
09/28/2007 | | | 30320.40 | | | | 24913.40 | | | | 16041.00 | | | | 20787.70 | |
09/30/2008 | | | 23342.40 | | | | 21746.70 | | | | 10708.00 | | | | 16365.50 | |
09/30/2009 | | | 22318.30 | | | | 20442.70 | | | | 10655.40 | | | | 15258.80 | |
09/30/2010 | | | 24810.00 | | | | 23096.20 | | | | 12648.90 | | | | 16924.50 | |

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. The above graph compares a $10,000 investment made in the Fund on its inception date of 7/9/97 to a $10,000 investment made in unmanaged securities indexes on that date. The Fund’s performance in this chart and the performance table assumes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions but does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares.
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund
Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
Common Stocks (98.9%) |
| 50,000 | | | AES Corp.† | | $ | 567,500 | |
| 9,500 | | | AGL Resources, Inc. | | | 364,420 | |
| 13,000 | | | Allegheny Energy, Inc. | | | 318,760 | |
| 8,600 | | | America Movil S.A.B. de C.V., Series L, ADR | | | 458,638 | |
| 20,000 | | | American Electric Power Co., Inc. | | | 724,600 | |
| 6,500 | | | AMETEK, Inc. | | | 310,505 | |
| 1,000 | | | Apple, Inc.† | | | 283,750 | |
| 3,000 | | | Aqua America, Inc. | | | 61,200 | |
| 175,000 | | | AT&T, Inc. | | | 5,005,000 | |
| 10,800 | | | Atmos Energy Corp. | | | 315,900 | |
| 30,000 | | | Avista Corp. | | | 626,400 | |
| 15,000 | | | BCE, Inc. | | | 487,500 | |
| 10,000 | | | Comcast Corp., Class A | | | 180,800 | |
| 20,000 | | | Consolidated Edison, Inc. | | | 964,400 | |
| 12,500 | | | Constellation Energy Group, Inc. | | | 403,000 | |
| 27,500 | | | Dominion Resources, Inc. of Virginia | | | 1,200,650 | |
| 20,000 | | | DPL, Inc. | | | 522,600 | |
| 3,000 | | | DTE Energy Co. | | | 137,790 | |
| 8,000 | | | Edison International | | | 275,120 | |
| 20,000 | | | Empire District Electric Co. | | | 403,000 | |
| 6,000 | | | Entergy Corp. | | | 459,180 | |
| 6,300 | | | Exelon Corp. | | | 268,254 | |
| 20,000 | | | FirstEnergy Corp. | | | 770,800 | |
| 12,500 | | | France Telecom S.A., ADR | | | 269,125 | |
| 3,000 | | | Integrys Energy Group, Inc. | | | 156,180 | |
| 3,000 | | | Laclede Group, Inc. | | | 103,260 | |
| 7,900 | | | MDU Resources Group, Inc. | | | 157,605 | |
| 11,000 | | | NextEra Energy | | | 598,290 | |
| 5,000 | | | Northeast Utilities | | | 147,850 | |
| 7,500 | | | NSTAR | | | 295,125 | |
| 4,300 | | | Partner Communications Co. Ltd., ADR | | | 78,518 | |
| 20,000 | | | PG&E Corp. | | | 908,400 | |
| 3,900 | | | Pinnacle West Capital Corp. | | | 160,953 | |
| 30,000 | | | Portland General Electric Co. | | | 608,400 | |
| 30,000 | | | PPL Corp. | | | 816,900 | |
| 20,000 | | | Progress Energy, Inc. | | | 888,400 | |
| 7,500 | | | Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. | | | 248,100 | |
| 12,500 | | | Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B | | | 467,875 | |
| 25,000 | | | SCANA Corp. | | | 1,008,000 | |
| 9,000 | | | Sempra Energy | | | 484,200 | |
| 23,800 | | | SK Telecom Co. Ltd., ADR | | | 415,786 | |
| 10,000 | | | South Jersey Industries, Inc. | | | 494,700 | |
| 46,900 | | | Southern Co. | | | 1,746,556 | |
| 16,700 | | | Southwest Gas Corp. | | | 560,953 | |
| 4,000 | | | Syniverse Holdings, Inc.† | | | 90,680 | |
| 5,000 | | | Telenor ASA, ADR | | | 234,350 | |
| 19,600 | | | UGI Corp. | | | 560,756 | |
| 5,000 | | | Unisource Energy Corp. | | | 167,150 | |
| 5,000 | | | Veolia Environnement, ADR | | | 131,800 | |
| 95,000 | | | Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | 3,096,050 | |
| 2,200 | | | Walter Energy, Inc. | | | 178,838 | |
60 Schedule of Investments
| | | | | | | | |
Shares or Principal Amount | | Value |
|
|
| 3,000 | | | WGL Holdings, Inc. | | $ | 113,340 | |
| 4,300 | | | Wisconsin Energy Corp. | | | 248,540 | |
| 50,000 | | | Xcel Energy, Inc. | | | 1,148,500 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Common Stocks (Cost $29,424,934) | | | 31,694,947 | |
Short-Term Investments (0.6%) |
$ | 191,132 | | | State Street Euro Dollar Time Deposit (USD), 0.01%, 10/01/10 | | | 191,132 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $191,132) | | | 191,132 | |
Total Investments 99.5% (Cost $29,616,066) | | | 31,886,079 | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities 0.5% | | | 149,449 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 32,035,528 | |
| | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
| | |
† | | Non-income producing security. |
|
ADR | | American Depositary Receipt |
Schedule of Investments 61
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON
| | | | | | | |
| | Consumer
| | | ICON
| | | ICON
| |
| | Discretionary
| | | Energy
| | | Financial
| |
| | Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at cost | | $ | 21,887,733 | | | $ | 517,646,916 | | | $ | 56,149,917 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at value† | | | 23,334,102 | | | | 539,897,597 | | | | 58,227,394 | |
Receivables: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund shares sold | | | 2,264 | | | | 381,686 | | | | 35,499 | |
Investments sold | | | - | | | | 2,430,253 | | | | 3,038,757 | |
Dividends | | | 16,987 | | | | 378,809 | | | | 79,441 | |
Foreign tax reclaims | | | - | | | | - | | | | 6,151 | |
Other assets | | | 7,352 | | | | 90,336 | | | | 12,385 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | | 23,360,705 | | | | 543,178,681 | | | | 61,399,627 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payables: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Due to custodian bank | | | - | | | | - | | | | 39,062 | |
Investments purchased | | | 417,422 | | | | 1,091,991 | | | | 2,499,049 | |
Payable for collateral received on securities loaned | | | 5,122,939 | | | | 30,355,309 | | | | - | |
Fund shares redeemed | | | 20,823 | | | | 940,101 | | | | 24,475 | |
Advisory fees | | | 13,951 | | | | 408,110 | | | | 48,676 | |
Fund accounting fees | | | 1,411 | | | | 48,384 | | | | 5,281 | |
Transfer agent fees | | | 7,628 | | | | 42,235 | | | | 8,524 | |
Administration fees | | | 697 | | | | 20,398 | | | | 2,433 | |
Trustee fees | | | 371 | | | | 14,699 | | | | 1,605 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 25,788 | | | | 76,052 | | | | 20,251 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 5,611,030 | | | | 32,997,279 | | | | 2,649,356 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - all share classes | | $ | 17,749,675 | | | $ | 510,181,402 | | | $ | 58,750,271 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class S | | $ | 17,749,655 | | | $ | 510,181,382 | | | $ | 58,750,251 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class C | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 10 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class A | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 10 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON
| | | | | | | |
| | Consumer
| | | ICON
| | | ICON
| |
| | Discretionary
| | | Energy
| | | Financial
| |
| | Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | |
Net Assets Consist of | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 40,083,862 | | | $ | 550,839,429 | | | $ | 163,631,406 | |
Accumulated undistributed net investment income/(loss) | | | - | | | | 7,390,361 | | | | 214,041 | |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain/(loss) from investment, written options and foreign currency transactions | | | (23,780,556 | ) | | | (70,299,181 | ) | | | (107,172,806 | ) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, written options and foreign currency transactions | | | 1,446,369 | | | | 22,250,793 | | | | 2,077,630 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 17,749,675 | | | $ | 510,181,402 | | | $ | 58,750,271 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, no par value) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 2,241,070 | | | | 30,567,198 | | | | 10,586,570 | |
Class C | | | 1.26 | | | | 0.60 | | | | 1.80 | |
Class A | | | 1.26 | | | | 0.60 | | | | 1.80 | |
Net asset value (offering and redemption price per share) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | $ | 7.92 | | | $ | 16.69 | | | $ | 5.55 | |
Class C | | $ | 7.92 | | | $ | 16.69 | | | $ | 5.55 | |
Class A | | $ | 7.92 | | | $ | 16.69 | | | $ | 5.55 | |
Class A maximum offering price (100%/(100%- maximum sales charge)) of net asset value adjusted to the nearest cent per share | | $ | 8.40 | | | $ | 17.71 | | | $ | 5.89 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
† Includes securities on loan of | | $ | 4,981,086 | | | $ | 29,433,693 | | | $ | - | |
| | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. |
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | ICON
| |
| | ICON
| | | ICON
| | | Information
| |
| | Healthcare
| | | Industrials
| | | Technology
| |
| | Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at cost | | $ | 82,718,463 | | | $ | 84,271,676 | | | $ | 78,527,634 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at value† | | | 92,599,190 | | | | 91,482,050 | | | | 88,452,029 | |
Receivables: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund shares sold | | | 20,206 | | | | 58,524 | | | | 13,102 | |
Investments sold | | | - | | | | 352,968 | | | | - | |
Dividends | | | 110,763 | | | | 131,910 | | | | 22,934 | |
Foreign tax reclaims | | | 2,515 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Other assets | | | 24,808 | | | | 18,172 | | | | 21,721 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | | 92,757,482 | | | | 92,043,624 | | | | 88,509,786 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payables: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Due to custodian bank | | | - | | | | 2,700 | | | | - | |
Investments purchased | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Payable for collateral received on securities loaned | | | 20,038,637 | | | | 20,221,364 | | | | 11,073,651 | |
Fund shares redeemed | | | 37,486 | | | | 115,836 | | | | 54,043 | |
Advisory fees | | | 59,091 | | | | 57,597 | | | | 61,672 | |
Fund accounting fees | | | 9,790 | | | | 5,914 | | | | 7,496 | |
Transfer agent fees | | | 16,386 | | | | 8,812 | | | | 11,669 | |
Administration fees | | | 2,953 | | | | 2,879 | | | | 3,082 | |
Trustee fees | | | 3,268 | | | | 1,655 | | | | 2,559 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 35,514 | | | | 20,040 | | | | 26,439 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 20,203,125 | | | | 20,436,797 | | | | 11,240,611 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - all share classes | | $ | 72,554,357 | | | $ | 71,606,827 | | | $ | 77,269,175 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class S | | $ | 72,554,337 | | | $ | 71,606,807 | | | $ | 77,269,155 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class C | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 10 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class A | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 10 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | ICON
| |
| | ICON
| | | ICON
| | | Information
| |
| | Healthcare
| | | Industrials
| | | Technology
| |
| | Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | |
Net Assets Consist of | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 84,043,310 | | | $ | 108,528,615 | | | $ | 126,092,080 | |
Accumulated undistributed net investment income/(loss) | | | 368,439 | | | | 478,549 | | | | - | |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain/(loss) from investment, written options and foreign currency transactions | | | (21,738,119 | ) | | | (44,610,744 | ) | | | (58,747,300 | ) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, written options and foreign currency transactions | | | 9,880,727 | | | | 7,210,407 | | | | 9,924,395 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 72,554,357 | | | $ | 71,606,827 | | | $ | 77,269,175 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, no par value) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 5,677,697 | | | | 9,580,450 | | | | 9,594,070 | |
Class C | | | 0.78 | | | | 1.34 | | | | 1.24 | |
Class A | | | 0.78 | | | | 1.34 | | | | 1.24 | |
Net asset value (offering and redemption price per share) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | $ | 12.78 | | | $ | 7.47 | | | $ | 8.05 | |
Class C | | $ | 12.78 | | | $ | 7.47 | | | $ | 8.05 | |
Class A | | $ | 12.78 | | | $ | 7.47 | | | $ | 8.05 | |
Class A maximum offering price (100%/(100%-maximum sales charge)) of net asset value adjusted to the nearest cent per share | | $ | 13.57 | | | $ | 7.93 | | | $ | 8.54 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
† Includes securities on loan of | | $ | 19,489,480 | | | $ | 19,759,377 | | | $ | 10,735,032 | |
| | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. |
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON
| | | | | | ICON
| |
| | Leisure and
| | | ICON
| | | Telecommunication
| |
| | Consumer
| | | Materials
| | | & Utilities
| |
| | Staples Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at cost | | $ | 36,432,860 | | | $ | 98,255,028 | | | $ | 29,616,066 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments, at value† | | | 40,164,550 | | | | 112,709,830 | | | | 31,886,079 | |
Receivables: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund shares sold | | | 6,234 | | | | 37,979 | | | | 118,150 | |
Investments sold | | | - | | | | 1,599,239 | | | | - | |
Dividends | | | 77,522 | | | | 153,275 | | | | 83,897 | |
Foreign tax reclaims | | | - | | | | - | | | | 9,926 | |
Other assets | | | 9,953 | | | | 21,104 | | | | 8,491 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | | 40,258,259 | | | | 114,521,427 | | | | 32,106,543 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payables: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Due to custodian bank | | | - | | | | 1,073 | | | | - | |
Investments purchased | | | 700,310 | | | | 1,220,117 | | | | - | |
Payable for collateral received on securities loaned | | | 8,843,118 | | | | 25,274,995 | | | | - | |
Fund shares redeemed | | | 21,777 | | | | 50,840 | | | | 16,751 | |
Advisory fees | | | 24,848 | | | | 70,991 | | | | 25,938 | |
Fund accounting fees | | | 2,921 | | | | 7,748 | | | | 2,524 | |
Transfer agent fees | | | 6,068 | | | | 12,124 | | | | 6,350 | |
Administration fees | | | 1,242 | | | | 3,548 | | | | 1,296 | |
Trustee fees | | | 831 | | | | 2,285 | | | | 649 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 17,006 | | | | 22,122 | | | | 17,507 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 9,618,121 | | | | 26,665,843 | | | | 71,015 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - all share classes | | $ | 30,640,138 | | | $ | 87,855,584 | | | $ | 32,035,528 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class S | | $ | 30,640,118 | | | $ | 87,855,564 | | | $ | 32,035,508 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class C | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 10 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets - Class A | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 10 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON
| | | | | | ICON
| |
| | Leisure and
| | | ICON
| | | Telecommunication
| |
| | Consumer
| | | Materials
| | | & Utilities
| |
| | Staples Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | |
Net Assets Consist of | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 36,319,389 | | | $ | 107,443,874 | | | $ | 41,915,368 | |
Accumulated undistributed net investment income/(loss) | | | 315,201 | | | | 478,024 | | | | 779,136 | |
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain/(loss) from investment, written options and foreign currency transactions | | | (9,726,142 | ) | | | (34,521,116 | ) | | | (12,929,029 | ) |
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, written options and foreign currency transactions | | | 3,731,690 | | | | 14,454,802 | | | | 2,270,053 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 30,640,138 | | | $ | 87,855,584 | | | $ | 32,035,528 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, no par value) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 3,792,352 | | | | 8,735,032 | | | | 5,212,252 | |
Class C | | | 1.24 | | | | 0.99 | | | | 1.63 | |
Class A | | | 1.24 | | | | 0.99 | | | | 1.63 | |
Net asset value (offering and redemption price per share) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | $ | 8.08 | | | $ | 10.06 | | | $ | 6.15 | |
Class C | | $ | 8.08 | | | $ | 10.06 | | | $ | 6.15 | |
Class A | | $ | 8.08 | | | $ | 10.06 | | | $ | 6.15 | |
Class A maximum offering price (100%/(100%-maximum sales charge)) of net asset value adjusted to the nearest cent per share | | $ | 8.57 | | | $ | 10.67 | | | $ | 6.53 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
† Includes securities on loan of | | $ | 8,616,245 | | | $ | 24,602,150 | | | $ | - | |
| | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. |
Statements of Operations
For the year ended September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ICON
| | | ICON
| | | | | | | |
| | Consumer
| | | ICON
| | | ICON
| | | ICON
| | | ICON
| | | Information
| | | Leisure and
| | | ICON
| | | ICON
| |
| | Discretionary
| | | Energy
| | | Financial
| | | Healthcare
| | | Industrials
| | | Technology
| | | Consumer
| | | Materials
| | | Telecommunication
| |
| | Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | | | Fund | | | Staples Fund | | | Fund | | | & Utilities Fund | |
Investment Income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 603 | | | $ | 3,932 | | | $ | 59,497 | | | $ | 1,045 | | | $ | 1,065 | | | $ | 4,553 | | | $ | 449 | | | $ | 1,146 | | | $ | 1,027 | |
Dividends | | | 202,757 | | | | 13,886,556 | | | | 1,078,116 | | | | 1,922,180 | | | | 1,376,581 | | | | 706,856 | | | | 801,732 | | | | 1,689,888 | | | | 1,320,448 | |
Income from securities lending, net | | | 5,582 | | | | 264,736 | | | | 239 | | | | 64,780 | | | | 26,198 | | | | 44,056 | | | | 9,614 | | | | 23,815 | | | | 70 | |
Foreign taxes withheld | | | - | | | | (128,098 | ) | | | (23,311 | ) | | | (10,474 | ) | | | (3,412 | ) | | | - | | | | (1,339 | ) | | | (15,390 | ) | | | (13,342 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investment Income | | | 208,942 | | | | 14,027,126 | | | | 1,114,541 | | | | 1,977,531 | | | | 1,400,432 | | | | 755,465 | | | | 810,456 | | | | 1,699,459 | | | | 1,308,203 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Advisory fees | | | 149,115 | | | | 5,581,198 | | | | 621,813 | | | | 1,182,686 | | | | 656,050 | | | | 957,691 | | | | 321,383 | | | | 886,294 | | | | 264,049 | |
Fund accounting fees | | | 4,395 | | | | 165,463 | | | | 18,340 | | | | 34,861 | | | | 19,340 | | | | 28,246 | | | | 9,469 | | | | 26,127 | | | | 7,781 | |
Transfer agent fees | | | 56,401 | | | | 400,186 | | | | 87,038 | | | | 156,036 | | | | 84,841 | | | | 117,696 | | | | 59,072 | | | | 119,276 | | | | 63,142 | |
Custody fees | | | 8,299 | | | | 21,813 | | | | 6,864 | | | | 7,392 | | | | 5,885 | | | | 8,241 | | | | 4,699 | | | | 7,142 | | | | 4,197 | |
Administration fees | | | 7,377 | | | | 277,058 | | | | 30,711 | | | | 58,304 | | | | 32,407 | | | | 47,253 | | | | 15,869 | | | | 43,765 | | | | 13,046 | |
Registration fees: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 31,569 | | | | 100,805 | | | | 41,045 | | | | 43,821 | | | | 35,605 | | | | 42,376 | | | | 26,662 | | | | 35,715 | | | | 30,272 | |
Insurance expense | | | 1,638 | | | | 78,810 | | | | 9,442 | | | | 17,347 | | | | 9,659 | | | | 16,725 | | | | 3,919 | | | | 12,850 | | | | 3,266 | |
Trustee fees and expenses | | | 1,360 | | | | 62,727 | | | | 6,697 | | | | 14,360 | | | | 6,888 | | | | 11,266 | | | | 3,418 | | | | 9,585 | | | | 2,685 | |
Audit and Tax Services expense | | | 20,740 | | | | 23,227 | | | | 20,928 | | | | 21,304 | | | | 20,958 | | | | 21,178 | | | | 20,845 | | | | 21,089 | | | | 20,809 | |
Interest expense | | | 1,987 | | | | 4,256 | | | | 3,289 | | | | 8,669 | | | | 3,021 | | | | 4,850 | | | | 525 | | | | 3,184 | | | | 953 | |
Other expenses | | | 19,250 | | | | 244,627 | | | | 43,947 | | | | 64,300 | | | | 44,403 | | | | 58,801 | | | | 29,386 | | | | 56,375 | | | | 30,863 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Expenses | | | 302,131 | | | | 6,960,170 | | | | 890,114 | | | | 1,609,080 | | | | 919,057 | | | | 1,314,323 | | | | 495,247 | | | | 1,221,402 | | | | 441,063 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | | | (93,189 | ) | | | 7,066,956 | | | | 224,427 | | | | 368,451 | | | | 481,375 | | | | (558,858 | ) | | | 315,209 | | | | 478,057 | | | | 867,140 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency Transactions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gain/(loss) from investment transactions | | | 2,071,670 | | | | 70,562,775 | | | | 14,551,775 | | | | 11,603,009 | | | | 5,748,285 | | | | 15,864,394 | | | | 1,411,171 | | | | 9,069,867 | | | | (482,416 | ) |
Net realized gain/(loss) from foreign currency transactions | | | - | | | | (231 | ) | | | (167 | ) | | | - | | | | 13 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (89 | ) |
Change in unrealized net appreciation/ (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | | (738,123 | ) | | | (83,867,728 | ) | | | (20,022,696 | ) | | | (5,724,798 | ) | | | 5,287,288 | | | | (11,556,229 | ) | | | 1,507,065 | | | | 1,094,273 | | | | 2,392,792 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency Transactions | | | 1,333,547 | | | | (13,305,184 | ) | | | (5,471,088 | ) | | | 5,878,211 | | | | 11,035,586 | | | | 4,308,165 | | | | 2,918,236 | | | | 10,164,140 | | | | 1,910,287 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | | $ | 1,240,358 | | | $ | (6,238,228 | ) | | $ | (5,246,661 | ) | | $ | 6,246,662 | | | $ | 11,516,961 | | | $ | 3,749,307 | | | $ | 3,233,445 | | | $ | 10,642,197 | | | $ | 2,777,427 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. |
This page intentionally left blank. The content of this page is part of a ‘Double Page Spread’ table and appears on the previous page.
69
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund | | | ICON Energy Fund | | | ICON Financial Fund | | | ICON Healthcare Fund | |
| | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| |
| | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | (93,189 | ) | | $ | 44,840 | | | $ | 7,066,956 | | | $ | 5,899,755 | | | $ | 224,427 | | | $ | 1,103,860 | | | $ | 368,451 | | | $ | 914,721 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on investment transactions and foreign currency transactions | | | 2,071,670 | | | | (18,491,723 | ) | | | 70,562,544 | | | | (139,817,254 | ) | | | 14,551,608 | | | | (54,834,145 | ) | | | 11,603,009 | | | | (33,178,074 | ) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | | (738,123 | ) | | | 1,817,062 | | | | (83,867,728 | ) | | | 136,321,628 | | | | (20,022,696 | ) | | | 13,559,513 | | | | (5,724,798 | ) | | | 11,440,541 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 1,240,358 | | | | (16,629,821 | ) | | | (6,238,228 | ) | | | 2,404,129 | | | | (5,246,661 | ) | | | (40,170,772 | ) | | | 6,246,662 | | | | (20,822,812 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | (376,917 | ) | | | - | | | | (7,077,474 | ) | | | (1,993,032 | ) | | | (1,136,088 | ) | | | (3,381,427 | ) | | | (1,948,725 | ) | | | - | |
Net realized gains | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (134,183,715 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease from dividends and distributions | | | (376,917 | ) | | | - | | | | (7,077,474 | ) | | | (136,176,747 | ) | | | (1,136,088 | ) | | | (3,381,427 | ) | | | (1,948,725 | ) | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund Share Transactions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 25,144,641 | | | | 13,580,754 | | | | 178,922,949 | | | | 258,382,655 | | | | 23,666,480 | | | | 39,972,857 | | | | 60,674,398 | | | | 53,163,928 | |
Class C | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 10 | | | | - | |
Class A | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 10 | | | | - | |
Reinvested dividends and distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 370,245 | | | | - | | | | 6,772,496 | | | | 131,269,217 | | | | 1,109,429 | | | | 3,316,850 | | | | 1,861,774 | | | | - | |
Shares repurchased | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | (22,833,765 | ) | | | (54,987,695 | ) | | | (222,753,588 | ) | | | (187,961,116 | ) | | | (41,710,196 | ) | | | (45,844,802 | ) | | | (104,885,201 | ) | | | (81,818,503 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase/(decrease) from fund share transactions | | | 2,681,141 | | | | (41,406,941 | ) | | | (37,058,123 | ) | | | 201,690,756 | | | | (16,934,267 | ) | | | (2,555,095 | ) | | | (42,349,009 | ) | | | (28,654,575 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | 3,544,582 | | | | (58,036,762 | ) | | | (50,373,825 | ) | | | 67,918,138 | | | | (23,317,016 | ) | | | (46,107,294 | ) | | | (38,051,072 | ) | | | (49,477,387 | ) |
Net Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 14,205,093 | | | | 72,241,855 | | | | 560,555,227 | | | | 492,637,089 | | | | 82,067,287 | | | | 128,174,581 | | | | 110,605,429 | | | | 160,082,816 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
End of year | | $ | 17,749,675 | | | $ | 14,205,093 | | | $ | 510,181,402 | | | $ | 560,555,227 | | | $ | 58,750,271 | | | $ | 82,067,287 | | | $ | 72,554,357 | | | $ | 110,605,429 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transactions in Fund Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 3,179,590 | | | | 2,740,834 | | | | 10,555,692 | | | | 17,627,648 | | | | 3,866,691 | | | | 8,206,569 | | | | 4,673,714 | | | | 4,715,316 | |
Class C | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | 2 | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | |
Class A | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | 2 | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | |
Reinvested dividends and distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 52,892 | | | | - | | | | 395,124 | | | | 9,452,879 | | | | 197,759 | | | | 665,988 | | | | 141,580 | | | | - | |
Shares repurchased | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | (3,071,715 | ) | | | (10,713,665 | ) | | | (13,514,630 | ) | | | (12,157,086 | ) | | | (7,233,233 | ) | | | (10,111,073 | ) | | | (8,133,721 | ) | | | (7,587,615 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) | | | 160,769 | | | | (7,972,831 | ) | | | (2,563,812 | ) | | | 14,923,441 | | | | (3,168,779 | ) | | | (1,238,516 | ) | | | (3,318,425 | ) | | | (2,872,299 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares outstanding, beginning of year | | | 2,080,303 | | | | 10,053,134 | | | | 33,131,012 | | | | 18,207,571 | | | | 13,755,353 | | | | 14,993,869 | | | | 8,996,124 | | | | 11,868,423 | |
Shares outstanding, end of year | | | 2,241,072 | | | | 2,080,303 | | | | 30,567,200 | | | | 33,131,012 | | | | 10,586,574 | | | | 13,755,353 | | | | 5,677,699 | | | | 8,996,124 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accumulated undistributed net investment income/(loss) | | $ | - | | | $ | 376,911 | | | $ | 7,390,361 | | | $ | 7,639,241 | | | $ | 214,041 | | | $ | 1,136,023 | | | $ | 368,439 | | | $ | 1,948,713 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. |
This page intentionally left blank. The content of this page is part of a ‘Double Page Spread’ table and appears on the previous page.
71
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Industrials Fund | | | ICON Information Technology Fund | | | ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund | | | ICON Materials Fund | |
| | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| |
| | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 481,375 | | | $ | 998,537 | | | $ | (558,858 | ) | | $ | (87,678 | ) | | $ | 315,209 | | | $ | 181,167 | | | $ | 478,057 | | | $ | 1,156,445 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on investment transactions and foreign currency transactions | | | 5,748,298 | | | | (46,466,509 | ) | | | 15,864,394 | | | | (38,132,970 | ) | | | 1,411,171 | | | | (8,327,546 | ) | | | 9,069,867 | | | | (32,865,783 | ) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | | 5,287,288 | | | | 14,292,207 | | | | (11,556,229 | ) | | | 26,383,720 | | | | 1,507,065 | | | | 4,148,032 | | | | 1,094,273 | | | | 20,299,376 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 11,516,961 | | | | (31,175,765 | ) | | | 3,749,307 | | | | (11,836,928 | ) | | | 3,233,445 | | | | (3,998,347 | ) | | | 10,642,197 | | | | (11,409,962 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | (1,217,973 | ) | | | (571,232 | ) | | | (631,045 | ) | | | - | | | | (383,505 | ) | | | - | | | | (1,039,736 | ) | | | (860,270 | ) |
Net realized gains | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (9,922 | ) | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net decrease from dividends and distributions | | | (1,217,973 | ) | | | (571,232 | ) | | | (631,045 | ) | | | - | | | | (383,505 | ) | | | (9,922 | ) | | | (1,039,736 | ) | | | (860,270 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Fund Share Transactions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 20,401,204 | | | | 12,347,790 | | | | 11,238,244 | | | | 38,997,763 | | | | 12,417,351 | | | | 3,515,872 | | | | 34,039,868 | | | | 27,207,600 | |
Class C | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 10 | | | | - | |
Class A | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 10 | | | | - | | | | 10 | | | | - | |
Reinvested dividends and distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 1,207,851 | | | | 567,022 | | | | 623,163 | | | | - | | | | 379,975 | | | | 9,724 | | | | 961,442 | | | | 799,139 | |
Shares repurchased | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | (30,836,480 | ) | | | (35,918,904 | ) | | | (56,960,109 | ) | | | (86,361,728 | ) | | | (11,080,889 | ) | | | (15,582,817 | ) | | | (51,775,985 | ) | | | (39,231,148 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase/(decrease) from fund share transactions | | | (9,227,405 | ) | | | (23,004,092 | ) | | | (45,098,682 | ) | | | (47,363,965 | ) | | | 1,716,457 | | | | (12,057,221 | ) | | | (16,774,655 | ) | | | (11,224,409 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | 1,071,583 | | | | (54,751,089 | ) | | | (41,980,420 | ) | | | (59,200,893 | ) | | | 4,566,397 | | | | (16,065,490 | ) | | | (7,172,194 | ) | | | (23,494,641 | ) |
Net Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 70,535,244 | | | | 125,286,333 | | | | 119,249,595 | | | | 178,450,488 | | | | 26,073,741 | | | | 42,139,231 | | | | 95,027,778 | | | | 118,522,419 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
End of year | | $ | 71,606,827 | | | $ | 70,535,244 | | | $ | 77,269,175 | | | $ | 119,249,595 | | | $ | 30,640,138 | | | $ | 26,073,741 | | | $ | 87,855,584 | | | $ | 95,027,778 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Transactions in Fund Shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 2,856,226 | | | | 2,275,832 | | | | 1,388,002 | | | | 6,873,275 | | | | 1,605,672 | | | | 590,330 | | | | 3,610,598 | | | | 3,904,527 | |
Class C | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | |
Class A | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | | | | 1 | | | | - | |
Reinvested dividends and distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 180,008 | | | | 102,149 | | | | 76,839 | | | | - | | | | 49,931 | | | | 1,818 | | | | 103,381 | | | | 119,632 | |
Shares repurchased | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | (4,504,290 | ) | | | (6,690,467 | ) | | | (7,172,818 | ) | | | (14,283,008 | ) | | | (1,426,850 | ) | | | (2,747,313 | ) | | | (5,619,157 | ) | | | (5,464,404 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) | | | (1,468,054 | ) | | | (4,312,486 | ) | | | (5,707,975 | ) | | | (7,409,733 | ) | | | 228,755 | | | | (2,155,165 | ) | | | (1,905,176 | ) | | | (1,440,245 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares outstanding, beginning of year | | | 11,048,506 | | | | 15,360,992 | | | | 15,302,047 | | | | 22,711,780 | | | | 3,563,599 | | | | 5,718,764 | | | | 10,640,210 | | | | 12,080,455 | |
Shares outstanding, end of year | | | 9,580,452 | | | | 11,048,506 | | | | 9,594,072 | | | | 15,302,047 | | | | 3,792,354 | | | | 3,563,599 | | | | 8,735,034 | | | | 10,640,210 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accumulated undistributed net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 478,549 | | | $ | 1,217,934 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 630,936 | | | $ | 315,201 | | | $ | 383,497 | | | $ | 478,024 | | | $ | 1,039,703 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements. |
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73
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
| | | | | | | | |
| | ICON Telecommunication &
| |
| | Utilities Fund | |
| | Year Ended
| | | Year Ended
| |
| | September 30,
| | | September 30,
| |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Operations | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 867,140 | | | $ | 652,026 | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on investment transactions and foreign currency transactions | | | (482,505 | ) | | | (4,189,899 | ) |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments and foreign currency transactions | | | 2,392,792 | | | | 1,530,224 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 2,777,427 | | | | (2,007,649 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | (595,082 | ) | | | (1,742,486 | ) |
Net realized gains | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net decrease from dividends and distributions | | | (595,082 | ) | | | (1,742,486 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Fund Share Transactions | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 18,118,349 | | | | 8,474,316 | |
Class C | | | 10 | | | | - | |
Class A | | | 10 | | | | - | |
Reinvested dividends and distributions | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 581,406 | | | | 1,682,883 | |
Shares repurchased | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | (11,393,241 | ) | | | (14,195,858 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Increase/(decrease) from fund share transactions | | | 7,306,534 | | | | (4,038,659 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total net increase/(decrease) in net assets | | | 9,488,879 | | | | (7,788,794 | ) |
Net Assets | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of year | | | 22,546,649 | | | | 30,335,443 | |
| | | | | | | | |
End of year | | $ | 32,035,528 | | | $ | 22,546,649 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Transactions in Fund Shares | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 3,124,533 | | | | 1,578,252 | |
Class C | | | 2 | | | | - | |
Class A | | | 2 | | | | - | |
Reinvested dividends and distributions | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | 98,710 | | | | 315,147 | |
Shares repurchased | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | (1,991,136 | ) | | | (2,695,138 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase/(decrease) | | | 1,232,111 | | | | (801,739 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Shares outstanding, beginning of year | | | 3,980,145 | | | | 4,781,884 | |
Shares outstanding, end of year | | | 5,212,256 | | | | 3,980,145 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Accumulated undistributed net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 779,136 | | | $ | 507,167 | |
| | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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Financial Highlights
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Income from investment operations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Less dividends and | | | distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ratio of
| | | | |
| | Net asset
| | | Net
| | | Net realized
| | | | | | Dividends
| | | Distributions
| | | | | | | | | | | | Net assets,
| | | Ratio of
| | | net investment
| | | | |
| | value,
| | | investment
| | | and unrealized
| | | Total from
| | | from net
| | | from net
| | | Total
| | | Net asset
| | | | | | end of
| | | expenses to
| | | income/(loss)
| | | Portfolio
| |
| | beginning
| | | income/
| | | gains/(losses)
| | | investment
| | | investment
| | | realized
| | | dividends and
| | | value, end
| | | Total
| | | period (in
| | | average
| | | to average
| | | turnover
| |
| | of period | | | (loss)(x) | | | on investments | | | operations | | | income | | | gains | | | distributions | | | of period | | | return | | | thousands) | | | net assets | | | net assets | | | rate | |
|
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund* |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | $ | 6.83 | | | $ | (0.05 | ) | | $ | 1.42 | | | $ | 1.37 | | | $ | (0.28 | ) | | $ | - | | | $ | (0.28 | ) | | $ | 7.92 | | | | 20.61 | % | | $ | 17,750 | | | | 2.02 | % | | | (0.62 | )% | | | 194.84 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 7.19 | | | | 0.01 | | | | (0.37 | ) | | | (0.36 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 6.83 | | | | (5.01 | )% | | | 14,205 | | | | 1.63 | % | | | 0.14 | % | | | 200.23 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 12.79 | | | | - | (a) | | | (2.61 | ) | | | (2.61 | ) | | | - | | | | (2.99 | ) | | | (2.99 | ) | | | 7.19 | | | | (24.21 | )% | | | 72,242 | | | | 1.38 | % | | | (0.04 | )% | | | 218.32 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 12.11 | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | 0.72 | | | | 0.68 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 12.79 | | | | 5.62 | % | | | 94,477 | | | | 1.30 | % | | | (0.31 | )% | | | 144.89 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 13.61 | | | | (0.06 | ) | | | 0.79 | | | | 0.73 | | | | - | | | | (2.23 | ) | | | (2.23 | ) | | | 12.11 | | | | 6.20 | % | | | 110,792 | | | | 1.32 | % | | | (0.46 | )% | | | 173.83 | % |
ICON Energy Fund* | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 16.92 | | | | 0.21 | | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.21 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.21 | ) | | | 16.69 | | | | (0.17 | )% | | | 510,181 | | | | 1.24 | % | | | 1.26 | % | | | 169.86 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 27.06 | | | | 0.21 | | | | (2.41 | ) | | | (2.20 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (7.82 | ) | | | (7.94 | ) | | | 16.92 | | | | (1.73 | )% | | | 560,555 | | | | 1.24 | % | | | 1.39 | % | | | 186.47 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 41.46 | | | | 0.20 | | | | (4.82 | ) | | | (4.62 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) | | | (9.67 | ) | | | (9.78 | ) | | | 27.06 | | | | (14.62 | )% | | | 492,637 | | | | 1.16 | % | | | 0.59 | % | | | 119.87 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 31.88 | | | | 0.08 | | | | 12.86 | | | | 12.94 | | | | - | | | | (3.36 | ) | | | (3.36 | ) | | | 41.46 | | | | 43.64 | % | | | 816,075 | | | | 1.17 | %(b) | | | 0.24 | %(b) | | | 54.75 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 33.76 | | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.89 | ) | | | (0.95 | ) | | | (0.08 | ) | | | (0.85 | ) | | | (0.93 | ) | | | 31.88 | | | | (2.81 | )% | | | 788,366 | | | | 1.17 | % | | | (0.16 | )% | | | 22.86 | % |
ICON Financial Fund* | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 5.97 | | | | 0.02 | | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | 5.55 | | | | (5.11 | )% | | | 58,750 | | | | 1.43 | % | | | 0.36 | % | | | 143.36 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 8.55 | | | | 0.09 | | | | (2.43 | ) | | | (2.34 | ) | | | (0.24 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.24 | ) | | | 5.97 | | | | (26.80 | )% | | | 82,067 | | | | 1.42 | % | | | 1.70 | % | | | 194.00 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 14.30 | | | | 0.21 | | | | (4.29 | ) | | | (4.08 | ) | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (1.53 | ) | | | (1.67 | ) | | | 8.55 | | | | (31.93 | )% | | | 128,175 | | | | 1.22 | % | | | 1.94 | % | | | 220.83 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 14.47 | | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.45 | | | | 0.58 | | | | (0.15 | ) | | | (0.60 | ) | | | (0.75 | ) | | | 14.30 | | | | 3.84 | % | | | 200,089 | | | | 1.21 | % | | | 0.86 | % | | | 93.04 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 13.43 | | | | 0.15 | | | | 1.84 | | | | 1.99 | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.86 | ) | | | (0.95 | ) | | | 14.47 | | | | 15.53 | % | | | 368,614 | | | | 1.20 | % | | | 1.10 | % | | | 153.47 | % |
ICON Healthcare Fund* | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 12.29 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.63 | | | | 0.67 | | | | (0.18 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.18 | ) | | | 12.78 | | | | 5.39 | % | | | 72,554 | | | | 1.36 | % | | | 0.31 | % | | | 102.42 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 13.49 | | | | 0.08 | | | | (1.28 | ) | | | (1.20 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 12.29 | | | | (8.90 | )% | | | 110,605 | | | | 1.37 | % | | | 0.74 | % | | | 105.75 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 17.68 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (2.65 | ) | | | (2.67 | ) | | | - | | | | (1.52 | ) | | | (1.52 | ) | | | 13.49 | | | | (16.43 | )% | | | 160,083 | | | | 1.25 | % | | | (0.12 | )% | | | 61.44 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 17.95 | | | | - | (a) | | | 1.19 | | | | 1.19 | | | | - | | | | (1.46 | ) | | | (1.46 | ) | | | 17.68 | | | | 7.17 | % | | | 473,287 | | | | 1.20 | %(b) | | | 0.01 | %(b) | | | 24.56 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 17.94 | | | | (0.10 | ) | | | 0.38 | | | | 0.28 | | | | - | | | | (0.27 | ) | | | (0.27 | ) | | | 17.95 | | | | 1.56 | % | | | 646,202 | | | | 1.19 | % | | | (0.55 | )% | | | 61.37 | % |
ICON Industrials Fund* | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 6.38 | | | | 0.05 | | | | 1.17 | | | | 1.22 | | | | (0.13 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.13 | ) | | | 7.47 | | | | 19.40 | % | | | 71,607 | | | | 1.40 | % | | | 0.73 | % | | | 54.34 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 8.16 | | | | 0.08 | | | | (1.82 | ) | | | (1.74 | ) | | | (0.04 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | 6.38 | | | | (21.25 | )% | | | 70,535 | | | | 1.37 | % | | | 1.39 | % | | | 96.24 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 10.77 | | | | 0.05 | | | | (2.32 | ) | | | (2.27 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.33 | ) | | | (0.34 | ) | | | 8.16 | | | | (21.72 | )% | | | 125,286 | | | | 1.25 | % | | | 0.55 | % | | | 143.40 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 13.22 | | | | 0.02 | | | | 2.63 | | | | 2.65 | | | | - | (a) | | | (5.10 | ) | | | (5.10 | ) | | | 10.77 | | | | 28.73 | % | | | 155,739 | | | | 1.27 | %(b) | | | 0.16 | %(b) | | | 125.44 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 12.70 | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | 0.97 | | | | 0.93 | | | | - | | | | (0.41 | ) | | | (0.41 | ) | | | 13.22 | | | | 7.49 | % | | | 106,015 | | | | 1.24 | % | | | (0.30 | )% | | | 89.38 | % |
ICON Information Technology Fund* | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 7.79 | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | 0.35 | | | | 0.30 | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | 8.05 | | | | 3.91 | % | | | 77,269 | | | | 1.37 | % | | | (0.58 | )% | | | 68.32 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 7.86 | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 7.79 | | | | (0.89 | )% | | | 119,250 | | | | 1.38 | % | | | (0.09 | )% | | | 89.87 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 11.02 | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (3.12 | ) | | | (3.16 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 7.86 | | | | (28.68 | )% | | | 178,450 | | | | 1.24 | % | | | (0.41 | )% | | | 171.22 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 8.72 | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | 2.35 | | | | 2.30 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 11.02 | | | | 26.38 | % | | | 266,965 | | | | 1.23 | % | | | (0.49 | )% | | | 78.66 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 8.70 | | | | (0.05 | ) | | | 0.07 | | | | 0.02 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 8.72 | | | | 0.23 | % | | | 241,988 | | | | 1.25 | % | | | (0.61 | )% | | | 155.39 | % |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
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77
Financial Highlights (continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Income from investment operations | | | Less dividends and | | | distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ratio of
| | | | |
| | Net asset
| | | Net
| | | Net realized
| | | | | | Dividends
| | | Distributions
| | | | | | | | | | | | Net assets,
| | | Ratio of
| | | net investment
| | | | |
| | value,
| | | investment
| | | and unrealized
| | | Total from
| | | from net
| | | from net
| | | Total
| | | Net asset
| | | | | | end of
| | | expenses to
| | | income/(loss)
| | | Portfolio
| |
| | beginning
| | | income/
| | | gains/(losses) on
| | | investment
| | | investment
| | | realized
| | | dividends and
| | | value, end
| | | Total
| | | period (in
| | | average
| | | to average
| | | turnover
| |
| | of period | | | (loss)(x) | | | investments | | | operations | | | income | | | gains | | | distributions | | | of period | | | return | | | thousands) | | | net assets | | | net assets | | | rate | |
|
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund* |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | $ | 7.32 | | | $ | 0.08 | | | $ | 0.76 | | | $ | 0.84 | | | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | - | | | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | 8.08 | | | | 11.56 | % | | $ | 30,640 | | | | 1.54 | % | | | 0.98 | % | | | 86.31 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 7.37 | | | | 0.04 | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) | | | - | | | | - | (a) | | | - | (a) | | | 7.32 | | | | (0.64 | )% | | | 26,074 | | | | 1.58 | % | | | 0.72 | % | | | 134.29 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 10.62 | | | | 0.03 | | | | (1.60 | ) | | | (1.57 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (1.55 | ) | | | (1.68 | ) | | | 7.37 | | | | (17.40 | )% | | | 42,139 | | | | 1.46 | % | | | 0.31 | % | | | 132.40 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 9.21 | | | | 0.10 | | | | 1.33 | | | | 1.43 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | - | (a) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | 10.62 | | | | 15.61 | % | | | 31,571 | | | | 1.41 | % | | | 1.02 | % | | | 150.72 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 11.96 | | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | | (0.08 | ) | | | - | | | | (2.67 | ) | | | (2.67 | ) | | | 9.21 | | | | 0.11 | % | | | 68,136 | | | | 1.54 | % | | | (0.70 | )% | | | 215.75 | % |
ICON Materials Fund* | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 8.93 | | | | 0.05 | | | | 1.18 | | | | 1.23 | | | | (0.10 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.10 | ) | | | 10.06 | | | | 13.92 | % | | | 87,856 | | | | 1.38 | % | | | 0.54 | % | | | 70.80 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 9.81 | | | | 0.11 | | | | (0.91 | ) | | | (0.80 | ) | | | (0.08 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | 8.93 | | | | (7.87 | )% | | | 95,028 | | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 134.88 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 15.39 | | | | 0.08 | | | | (3.23 | ) | | | (3.15 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (2.37 | ) | | | (2.43 | ) | | | 9.81 | | | | (23.79 | )% | | | 118,522 | | | | 1.26 | % | | | 0.60 | % | | | 111.26 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 11.67 | | | | 0.08 | | | | 5.10 | | | | 5.18 | | | | (0.15 | ) | | | (1.31 | ) | | | (1.46 | ) | | | 15.39 | | | | 48.63 | % | | | 131,321 | | | | 1.33 | % | | | 0.59 | % | | | 109.10 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 11.30 | | | | 0.09 | | | | 1.09 | | | | 1.18 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.79 | ) | | | (0.81 | ) | | | 11.67 | | | | 11.17 | % | | | 135,097 | | | | 1.30 | % | | | 0.74 | % | | | 176.89 | % |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund* |
Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended September 30, 2010 | | | 5.66 | | | | 0.19 | | | | 0.44 | | | | 0.63 | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | 6.15 | | | | 11.16 | % | | | 32,036 | | | | 1.67 | % | | | 3.28 | % | | | 84.45 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2009 | | | 6.34 | | | | 0.14 | | | | (0.44 | ) | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.38 | ) | | | - | | | | (0.38 | ) | | | 5.66 | | | | (4.39 | )% | | | 22,547 | | | | 1.70 | % | | | 2.70 | % | | | 90.27 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2008 | | | 9.20 | | | | 0.14 | | | | (2.03 | ) | | | (1.89 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.91 | ) | | | (0.97 | ) | | | 6.34 | | | | (23.01 | )% | | | 30,335 | | | | 1.35 | % | | | 1.74 | % | | | 102.65 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2007 | | | 7.66 | | | | 0.10 | | | | 2.18 | | | | 2.28 | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | (0.63 | ) | | | (0.74 | ) | | | 9.20 | | | | 31.60 | % | | | 109,509 | | | | 1.33 | % | | | 1.20 | % | | | 154.99 | % |
Year Ended September 30, 2006 | | | 8.28 | | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.37 | | | | 0.50 | | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.94 | ) | | | (1.12 | ) | | | 7.66 | | | | 7.56 | % | | | 119,762 | | | | 1.38 | % | | | 1.71 | % | | | 209.50 | % |
| |
* | Class C and Class A commenced operations on September 30, 2010. |
(x) | Calculated using the average shares method. |
(a) | Amount less than $0.005. |
(b) | Ratios include transfer agent earnings credits received. These earnings credits reduced the net expense ratio and increased the net income ratio by 0.01%. |
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79
Notes to Financial Statements
September 30, 2010
1. Organization
The ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund, ICON Energy Fund, ICON Financial Fund, ICON Healthcare Fund, ICON Industrials Fund, ICON Information Technology Fund, ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund, ICON Materials Fund, and ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund are series funds (individually a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The Funds are part of the ICON Funds (the “Trust”), a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) as an open-end investment management company. As of September 30, 2010, each Fund has three classes of shares: Class S, Class C and Class A. Class A and Class C shares commenced operations on September 30, 2010. All classes have equal rights as to earnings, assets, and voting privileges except that each Class may bear different distribution fees, registration costs, legal costs, mailing and printing costs and shareholder servicing costs and each Class has exclusive voting rights with respect to its distribution plan. There are currently eight other active Funds within the Trust. Those Funds are covered by separate prospectuses and shareholder reports.
Each Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of no par shares. The Funds invest primarily in securities of companies whose principal business activities fall within specific sectors and industries. The investment objective of each Fund is to provide long-term capital appreciation.
The Funds may have elements of risk, including the risk of loss of principal. There is no assurance that the investment process will consistently lead to successful results. An investment in a non-diversified sector fund may involve greater risk and volatility than a more diversified fund. Investments in foreign securities and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar-denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower government supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability. Financial statements of foreign companies are governed by different accounting, auditing, and financial standards than U.S. companies and may be less transparent and uniform than in the United States. Many corporate governance standards, which help ensure the integrity of public information in the United States, may not exist in some foreign countries. In general, there may be less governmental supervision of foreign stock exchanges and securities brokers and issuers. There are also risks associated with small-and mid-cap investing, including limited product lines, less liquidity and small market share.
80 Notes to Financial Statements
In the normal course of business, the Funds may enter into various agreements that provide for general indemnifications. Each Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as any potential exposure involving future claims that may be made against each Fund is unknown. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be minimal.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Investment Valuation
The Funds’ securities and other assets, excluding options on securities indexes, are valued as of the closing price at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) (normally 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) each day the NYSE is open, except that securities traded primarily on the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) are normally valued by the Funds at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price provided by NASDAQ each business day. Options on securities indexes are valued at the close of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (normally 4:15 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
The Funds use pricing services to obtain the market value of securities in their portfolios; if a pricing service is not able to provide a price, or the pricing service’s valuation quote is considered inaccurate or does not reflect the market value of the security, prices may be obtained through market quotations from independent broker/dealers. If market quotations from these sources are not readily available, the Funds’ securities or other assets are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Funds’ Board of Trustees (“Board”) or pursuant to procedures approved by the Board.
Lacking any sales that day, a security is valued at the current closing bid price (or yield equivalent thereof) or based on quotes obtained from dealers making a market for the security. Options are valued at their closing
Notes to Financial Statements 81
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
mid-price on the market with the most volume. Mid-price is the average of the closing bid and closing ask prices. Debt securities with a remaining maturity of greater than 60 days are valued in accordance with the evaluated bid price supplied by the pricing service. The evaluated bid price supplied by the pricing service is based upon a matrix valuation system which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities and ratings. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are generally valued at amortized cost or original cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value. Currency rates as of the close of the NYSE are used to convert foreign security values into U.S. dollars.
The Funds’ securities traded in countries outside of the Western Hemisphere are fair valued daily by utilizing the quotations of an independent pricing service, unless the Board determines that use of another valuation methodology is appropriate. The purposes of daily fair valuation are to avoid stale prices and to take into account, among other things, any significant events occurring after the close of foreign markets. The pricing service uses statistical analyses and quantitative models to adjust local market prices using factors such as subsequent movements and changes in the prices of indexes, securities and exchange rates in other markets to determine fair value as of the time a Fund calculates its net asset value (“NAV”). The valuation assigned to fair-value securities for purposes of calculating a Fund’s NAV may differ from the security’s most recent closing market price and from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their NAVs.
Investments in other open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value.
Various inputs are used to determine the value of the Funds’ investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 — significant observable inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk).
Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs.
Observable inputs are those based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Funds, and unobservable inputs reflect the Funds’ own assumptions based on the best information available. The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investments at that level. For example, non-U.S. equity securities actively
82 Notes to Financial Statements
traded in foreign markets generally are reflected in Level 2 despite the availability of closing prices, because the Funds evaluate and determine whether those closing prices reflect fair value at the close of the NYSE or require adjustment, as described above. The following table summarizes the Funds’ investments, based on the inputs used to determine their values on September 30, 2010:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | |
| | Investments
| | | Investments
| |
Fund Name | | in Securities | | | in Securities | |
| |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 17,782,281 | | | $ | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | 5,122,939 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | 428,882 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 17,782,281 | | | $ | 5,551,821 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ICON Energy Fund | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 507,737,329 | | | $ | - | |
Call Option Purchased | | | 571,500 | | | | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | 30,355,309 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | 1,233,459 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 508,308,829 | | | $ | 31,588,768 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ICON Financial Fund | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 58,227,394 | | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 58,227,394 | | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
ICON Healthcare Fund | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 72,260,481 | | | $ | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | 20,038,637 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | 300,072 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 72,260,481 | | | $ | 20,338,709 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ICON Industrials Fund | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 70,861,713 | | | $ | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | 20,221,364 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | 398,973 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 70,861,713 | | | $ | 20,620,337 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ICON Information Technology Fund | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 75,774,377 | | | $ | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | 11,073,651 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | 1,604,001 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 75,774,377 | | | $ | 12,677,652 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Notes to Financial Statements 83
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
| | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | |
| | Investments
| | | Investments
| |
Fund Name | | in Securities | | | in Securities | |
| |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 30,414,235 | | | $ | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | 8,843,118 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | 907,197 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 30,414,235 | | | $ | 9,750,315 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ICON Materials Fund | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 87,319,250 | | | $ | - | |
Collateral for Securities on Loan | | | - | | | | 25,274,995 | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | 115,585 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 87,319,250 | | | $ | 25,390,580 | |
| | | | | | | | |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 31,694,947 | | | $ | - | |
Short-Term Investments | | | - | | | | 191,132 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 31,694,947 | | | $ | 191,132 | |
| | | | | | | | |
There were no Level 3 securities held in any of the Funds at September 30, 2010.
For the year ended September 30, 2010, there was no significant security transfer activity between Level 1 and Level 2.
Foreign Currency Translation
The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated daily into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange. Income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the respective dates of the transactions. Purchases and sales of securities are translated into U.S. dollars at the contractual currency exchange rates established at the time of each trade.
The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments and foreign currency translations arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, resulting from changes in the exchange rates and changes in market prices of securities held.
84 Notes to Financial Statements
Options Transactions
The Funds’ use of derivatives for the year ended September 30, 2010 was limited to purchased call options.
Each Fund may purchase and/or write (sell) call and put options on any security in which it may invest. The Funds utilize options to hedge against changes in market conditions and to provide market exposure while trying to reduce transaction costs.
Option contracts involve market risk and can be highly volatile. Should prices of securities or securities indexes move in an unexpected manner, the Funds may not achieve the desired benefits and may realize losses and thus be in a worse position than if such strategies had not been utilized.
When a Fund writes a put or call option, an amount equal to the premium received is included on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option. If an option expires on its stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, a gain or loss is realized. If a written call option on an individual security is exercised, a gain or loss is realized for the sale of the underlying security, and the proceeds from the sale are increased by the premium originally received. If a written call option on a securities index is exercised, a gain or loss is realized as determined by the premium originally received, the exercise price and the market value of the index. If a written put option on an individual security is exercised, the cost of the security acquired is decreased by the premium originally received. As a writer of an option, a Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the individual security or securities index underlying the written option. Additionally, written call options may involve the risk of limited gains, lack of liquidity for the option and lack of liquidity for the security or securities index.
Each Fund may also purchase put and call options. When a Fund purchases a put or call option, an amount equal to the premium paid is included on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an investment, and is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option. If an option expires on the stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction, a gain or loss is realized. If the Fund exercises a call option on an individual security, the cost of the security acquired is increased by the premium paid for the call. If the Fund exercises a put option on an individual security, a gain or loss is realized from the sale
Notes to Financial Statements 85
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
of the underlying security, and the proceeds from such a sale are decreased by the premium originally paid. If the Fund exercises a put or a call option on a security index, a gain or loss is realized as determined by the premium originally paid or received, the exercise price and the market value of the index. Written and purchased options are non-income producing securities.
As of September 30, 2010, no Funds engaged in any written options transactions. As disclosed below, the Financial, Energy, and Materials Fund engaged in purchased call options during the year. All open options contracts are included on the Fund’s Schedule of Investments.
The following is a summary of how these derivatives are treated in the financial statements and their impact on the Funds:
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments as of September 30, 2010
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | | Liability Derivatives | |
| | Statement of
| | | | | Statement of
| | | |
| | Assets and
| | | | | Assets and
| | | |
Derivatives not accounted for as
| | Liabilities
| | Fair
| | | Liabilities
| | Fair
| |
hedging instruments | | Location | | Value | | | Location | | Value | |
| |
Purchased option contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equity risk | | | | | | | | | | | | |
ICON Energy Fund | | Investments, at value | | $ | 571,500 | | | Investments, at value | | $ | - | |
Amount of Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Operations
| | | | | | |
| | Location of Gain/(Loss)
| | | |
Derivatives not accounted for as
| | on Derivatives
| | | |
hedging instruments | | Recognized in Operations | | Amount | |
| |
Purchased option contracts | | | | | | |
Equity risk | | | | | | |
ICON Energy Fund | | Net realized gain/(loss) from | | $ | 2,944,353 | |
ICON Financial Fund | | investment transactions | | | (135,560 | ) |
ICON Materials Fund | | | | | (21 | ) |
86 Notes to Financial Statements
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation on Derivatives Recognized in Operations
| | | | | | |
| | Location of Gain/(Loss)
| | | |
Derivatives not accounted for as
| | on Derivatives
| | | |
hedging instruments | | Recognized in Operations | | Amount | |
| |
Purchased option contracts | | | | | | |
Equity risk | | | | | | |
ICON Energy Fund | | Change in unrealized net appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | | $ | (4,644 | ) |
Information about derivative instruments reflected as of the date of this report is generally indicative of the type and volume of derivative activity for the year ended September 30, 2010.
The Funds value derivatives at fair value, as described below, and recognize changes in fair value currently in the results of operations. Accordingly, the Funds do not follow hedge accounting, even for derivatives employed as economic hedges.
Securities Lending
Under procedures adopted by the Board, the Funds may lend securities to non-affiliated qualified parties. The Funds seek to earn additional income through securities lending. There is the risk of delay in recovering a loaned security. The Funds do not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan; however, the Funds may attempt to call back the loan and vote the proxy.
All loans will be continuously secured by collateral which consists of cash. The cash collateral is invested in the State Street Navigator Prime Portfolio and is disclosed on the Schedule of Investments. The lending fees received and the Funds’ portion of the interest income earned on cash collateral are included on the Statement of Operations, if applicable.
Notes to Financial Statements 87
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
As of September 30, 2010, the following Funds had securities with the following values on loan:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Value of
| | | Value of
| |
Fund | | Loaned Securities | | | Collateral | |
| |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund | | $ | 4,981,086 | | | $ | 5,122,939 | |
ICON Energy Fund | | | 29,433,693 | | | | 30,355,309 | |
ICON Healthcare Fund | | | 19,489,480 | | | | 20,038,637 | |
ICON Industrials Fund | | | 19,759,377 | | | | 20,221,364 | |
ICON Information Technology Fund | | | 10,735,032 | | | | 11,073,651 | |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund | | | 8,616,245 | | | | 8,843,118 | |
ICON Materials Fund | | | 24,602,150 | | | | 25,274,995 | |
The value of the collateral above could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before September 30, 2010. It may also include collateral received from the prefunding of loans.
Income Taxes
The Funds intend to qualify as regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and, accordingly, the Funds will generally not be subject to federal and state income taxes or federal excise taxes to the extent that they intend to make sufficient distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains.
Dividends paid by the Funds from net investment income and distributions of net realized short-term gains are, for federal income tax purposes, taxable as ordinary income to shareholders.
Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded by the Funds on the ex-dividend/distribution date. The Funds distribute income and net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders at least annually, if not offset by capital loss carryforwards. The Funds may utilize equalization accounting for tax purposes and designate earnings and profits, including net realized gains distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares, as part of the dividends paid deduction for income tax purposes. Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements.
The Funds file U.S. tax returns. While the statute of limitations remains open to examine the Funds’ U.S. tax returns filed for the past four years, no
88 Notes to Financial Statements
examinations are in progress or anticipated at this time. The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
Investment Income
Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Interest income is accrued as earned. Certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the Funds are informed of the dividend if such information is obtained subsequent to the ex-dividend date. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are amortized over the life of the respective securities.
Investment Transactions
Security transactions are accounted for no later than one business day after the trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.
Allocation of Expenses
Each class of a Fund’s shares bears expenses incurred specifically on its behalf and, in addition, each class bears a portion of general expenses, based upon relative net assets of each class. Expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a specific Fund in the Trust are apportioned between all Funds in the Trust based upon relative net assets. In calculating the net asset value per share of each class, investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses and expenses other than class-specific expenses are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the proportion of net assets.
3. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Investment Advisory Fees
ICON Advisers, Inc. (“ICON Advisers”) serves as investment adviser to the Funds and is responsible for managing the Funds’ portfolios of securities. Each Fund is obligated to pay ICON Advisers management fees computed daily at an annual rate of 1.00% on the first $500 million of average daily net assets, 0.95% on the next $250 million, 0.925% on the next $750 million,
Notes to Financial Statements 89
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
0.90% on the next $3.5 billion, and 0.875% on average daily net assets over $5 billion.
Accounting, Custody and Transfer Agent Fees
As of March 1, 2010, State Street Bank and Trust Company, (“State Street”) became the fund accounting agent for the funds. For its services, the Trust pays State Street a fee that is calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on the aggregate average daily assets of the Trust. Prior to March 1, 2010, the fund accounting agent for the funds was Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi”). The Trust paid Citi fees that were calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on aggregate average daily assets of the Trust.
As of March 29, 2010, State Street became the custodian of the Trust’s investments. For its services, the Trust pays State Street asset-based fees that vary according to the number of positions and transactions, plus out-of-pocket expenses. Prior to March 29, 2010, Brown Brothers Harriman (“BBH”) was the custodian of the Trust’s investments. For its custodial services, the Trust paid BBH asset-based fees that varied according to the number of positions and transactions, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (“BFDS”) is the Trust’s transfer agent. For these services, the Trust pays an account fee of $13.25 per open account, $7.00 per networked account, $1.80 per closed account, plus certain other transaction and cusip charges.
Administrative Services
The Trust has entered into an administrative services agreement with ICON Advisers pursuant to which ICON Advisers oversees the administration of the Trust’s business and affairs. This agreement provides for an annual fee of 0.05% on the Funds’ first $1.5 billion of average daily net assets, 0.045% on the next $1.5 billion of average daily net assets, 0.040% on the next $2 billion of average daily net assets and 0.030% on average daily net assets over $5 billion. For the year ended September 30, 2010, the Funds’ payment for administrative services to ICON Advisers is included on the Statement of Operations. The administrative services agreement provides that ICON Advisers will not be liable for any error of judgment, mistake of law, or any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with matters to which the administrative services agreement relates, except for a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence by ICON Advisers in the performance of its duties.
90 Notes to Financial Statements
As of March 1, 2010, ICON Advisers entered into a sub-administration agreement with State Street to which State Street assists ICON Advisers with the administration and business affairs of the Trust. For its services, ICON Advisers pays State Street a fee that is calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on the aggregate average daily assets of the Trust. Prior to March 1, 2010, Citi assisted ICON Advisers with the administration and business affairs of the Trust. ICON Advisers paid Citi a fee that was calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate based on the average daily assets of the Trust.
Distribution Fees
The Funds have adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (“12b-1 Plan”) under which the Funds are authorized to compensate the Funds’ distributor, ICON Distributors, Inc. (“IDI”) (an affiliate of the adviser) for the sale and distribution of shares. Under the 12b-1 Plan, Class A shareholders pay an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25% of average daily net assets. The Class C shareholders pay an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00% of average daily net assets. The total amount paid under the 12b-1 plans, if any, by the Funds is shown on the Statement of Operations.
Other Related Parties
Certain Officers and Directors of ICON Advisers are also Officers and Trustees of the Funds; however, such Officers and Trustees (with the exception of the Chief Compliance Officer, “CCO”) receive no compensation from the Funds. The CCO’s salary is paid 100% by the Funds.
Some of the distribution amounts received by IDI, discussed in the Distribution Fees section above, will be used to offset various shareholder servicing costs incurred by ICON Advisers.
4. Borrowings
As of March 29, 2010, the Trust has entered into Lines of Credit agreements with State Street to provide temporary funding for redemption requests. The maximum borrowing is limited to $150 million. Interest on domestic borrowings is charged at the higher of the Federal Funds Rate effective on that day and the Overnight LIBOR Rate effective on that day plus 1.25%. The average interest rate charged for the year ended September 30, 2010 was 1.60%.
Notes to Financial Statements 91
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Prior to March 29, 2010, the Funds entered into Lines of Credit agreements with BBH to provide temporary funding for redemption requests. At BBH, the maximum borrowing was limited to the lesser of $50 million or 25% of the net asset value in the Fund subject to a maximum borrowing limit by the Trust of $150 million.
| | | | |
| | Average Borrowing
| |
Fund | | (10/1/09-9/30/10) | |
| |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund | | $ | 399,912 | |
ICON Energy Fund | | | 1,682,893 | |
ICON Financial Fund* | | | 495,724 | |
ICON Healthcare Fund | | | 3,006,023 | |
ICON Industrials Fund | | | 591,606 | |
ICON Information Technology Fund | | | 973,511 | |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund | | | 116,692 | |
ICON Materials Fund | | | 815,009 | |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund | | | 167,086 | |
| | |
* | | Fund had outstanding borrowings under this agreement as of September 30, 2010. |
Average borrowing is calculated using only the days there was a borrowing. It is not an annualized number.
5. Purchases and Sales of Investment Securities
For the year ended September 30, 2010, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities (excluding short-term securities) was as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Purchases of
| | | Proceeds from Sales
| |
Fund | | Securities | | | of Securities | |
| |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund | | $ | 30,572,158 | | | $ | 26,695,305 | |
ICON Energy Fund | | | 912,363,944 | | | | 921,355,795 | |
ICON Financial Fund | | | 87,835,280 | | | | 105,933,403 | |
ICON Healthcare Fund | | | 116,011,760 | | | | 157,718,141 | |
ICON Industrials Fund | | | 34,967,891 | | | | 44,935,454 | |
ICON Information Technology Fund | | | 63,376,521 | | | | 103,717,835 | |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund | | | 28,204,818 | | | | 26,689,629 | |
ICON Materials Fund | | | 60,616,530 | | | | 75,294,160 | |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund | | | 30,145,978 | | | | 21,800,646 | |
6. Federal Income Tax
Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations that may differ from accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences are
92 Notes to Financial Statements
due to differing treatments for items such as net short-term gains, deferrals of wash sale losses, foreign currency transactions, net investment losses, and capital loss carryforwards.
The tax components of capital shown in the following tables represent losses or deductions the Funds may be able to offset against income and gains recognized in future years and post October loss deferrals. The accumulated losses noted represent net capital loss carryforwards as of September 30, 2010 that may be available to offset future realized capital gains and thereby reduce future taxable income distributions.
For the year ended September 30, 2010 the following Funds had capital loss carryforwards:
| | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Amounts | | | Expires | |
| |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund | | $ | 15,163,406 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 8,355,189 | | | | 2018 | |
ICON Energy Fund | | | 63,688,945 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 4,133,614 | | | | 2018 | |
ICON Financial Fund | | | 1,846,560 | | | | 2016 | |
| | | 61,494,166 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 43,718,160 | | | | 2018 | |
ICON Healthcare Fund | | | 2,434,522 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 19,106,236 | | | | 2018 | |
ICON Industrials Fund | | | 694,762 | | | | 2016 | |
| | | 15,694,559 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 28,045,106 | | | | 2018 | |
ICON Information Technology Fund | | | 29,035,041 | | | | 2011 | |
| | | 21,080 | | | | 2016 | |
| | | 22,796,772 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 6,573,259 | | | | 2018 | |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund | | | 7,763,380 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 1,888,341 | | | | 2018 | |
ICON Materials Fund | | | 26,752,256 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 7,349,690 | | | | 2018 | |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund | | | 8,194,590 | | | | 2017 | |
| | | 3,844,832 | | | | 2018 | |
Future capital loss carryover utilization in any given year may be limited if there are substantial shareholder redemptions or contributions. During the year ended September 30, 2010 the Funds did not utilize any available capital loss carryforwards.
Notes to Financial Statements 93
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
For the year ended September 30, 2010, the Funds will elect to defer post October losses of:
| | | | |
| | Post October
| |
Fund | | Losses | |
| |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund | | $ | 779,179 | |
The tax characteristics of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Distributions
| | | | |
| | Paid From
| | | Total
| |
| | Ordinary
| | | Distributions
| |
Fund | | Income | | | Paid | |
| |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund | | $ | 376,917 | | | $ | 376,917 | |
ICON Energy Fund | | | 7,077,474 | | | | 7,077,474 | |
ICON Financial Fund | | | 1,136,088 | | | | 1,136,088 | |
ICON Healthcare Fund | | | 1,948,725 | | | | 1,948,725 | |
ICON Industrials Fund | | | 1,217,973 | | | | 1,217,973 | |
ICON Information Technology Fund | | | 631,045 | | | | 631,045 | |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund | | | 383,505 | | | | 383,505 | |
ICON Materials Fund | | | 1,039,736 | | | | 1,039,736 | |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund | | | 595,082 | | | | 595,082 | |
The tax characteristics of distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Distributions Paid From | | | Total
| | | | |
| | Ordinary
| | | Net Long-
| | | Distributions
| | | | |
Fund | | Income | | | Term Gains | | | Paid | | | | |
| |
ICON Energy Fund | | $ | 9,294,719 | | | $ | 126,882,028 | | | $ | 136,176,747 | | | | | |
ICON Financial Fund | | | 3,381,427 | | | | - | | | | 3,381,427 | | | | | |
ICON Industrials Fund | | | 571,232 | | | | - | | | | 571,232 | | | | | |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund | | | - | | | | 9,922 | | | | 9,922 | | | | | |
ICON Materials Fund | | | 860,270 | | | | - | | | | 860,270 | | | | | |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund | | | 1,742,486 | | | | - | | | | 1,742,486 | | | | | |
94 Notes to Financial Statements
As of September 30, 2010, the components of accumulated earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Accumulated
| | | | | | Total
| | | | |
| | Undistributed
| | | | | | Capital
| | | Unrealized
| | | Accumulated
| | | | |
| | Ordinary
| | | Accumulated
| | | and Other
| | | Appreciation/
| | | Earnings/
| | | | |
Fund | | Income | | | Earnings | | | Losses | | | (Depreciation)* | | | (Deficit) | | | | |
| |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | (23,518,595 | ) | | $ | 1,184,408 | | | $ | (22,334,187 | ) | | | | |
ICON Energy Fund | | | 6,516,706 | | | | 6,516,706 | | | | (67,822,559 | ) | | | 20,647,826 | | | | (40,658,027 | ) | | | | |
ICON Financial Fund | | | 214,041 | | | | 214,041 | | | | (107,058,886 | ) | | | 1,963,710 | | | | (104,881,135 | ) | | | | |
ICON Healthcare Fund | | | 368,439 | | | | 368,439 | | | | (21,540,758 | ) | | | 9,683,367 | | | | (11,488,952 | ) | | | | |
ICON Industrials Fund | | | 478,549 | | | | 478,549 | | | | (44,434,427 | ) | | | 7,034,090 | | | | (36,921,788 | ) | | | | |
ICON Information Technology Fund | | | - | | | | - | | | | (58,426,152 | ) | | | 9,603,247 | | | | (48,822,905 | ) | | | | |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund | | | 315,201 | | | | 315,201 | | | | (9,652,171 | ) | | | 3,657,719 | | | | (5,679,251 | ) | | | | |
ICON Materials Fund | | | 478,024 | | | | 478,024 | | | | (34,101,946 | ) | | | 14,035,632 | | | | (19,588,290 | ) | | | | |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund | | | 779,136 | | | | 779,136 | | | | (12,818,601 | ) | | | 2,159,625 | | | | (9,879,840 | ) | | | | |
| | |
* | | Differences between the book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) are attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
As of September 30, 2010, cost for federal income tax purposes and net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Net
| |
| | | | | Unrealized
| | | Unrealized
| | | Appreciation/
| |
Fund | | Cost | | | Appreciation | | | (Depreciation) | | | (Depreciation) | |
| |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund | | $ | 22,149,694 | | | $ | 1,413,646 | | | $ | (229,238 | ) | | $ | 1,184,408 | |
ICON Energy Fund | | | 519,249,882 | | | | 29,652,382 | | | | (9,004,667 | ) | | | 20,647,715 | |
ICON Financial Fund | | | 56,263,838 | | | | 4,495,687 | | | | (2,532,131 | ) | | | 1,963,556 | |
ICON Healthcare Fund | | | 82,915,823 | | | | 10,729,511 | | | | (1,046,144 | ) | | | 9,683,367 | |
ICON Industrials Fund | | | 84,447,993 | | | | 10,720,276 | | | | (3,686,219 | ) | | | 7,034,057 | |
ICON Information Technology Fund | | | 78,848,782 | | | | 11,185,814 | | | | (1,582,567 | ) | | | 9,603,247 | |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund | | | 36,506,831 | | | | 4,084,708 | | | | (426,989 | ) | | | 3,657,719 | |
ICON Materials Fund | | | 98,674,198 | | | | 15,898,282 | | | | (1,862,650 | ) | | | 14,035,632 | |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund | | | 29,726,494 | | | | 2,467,009 | | | | (307,424 | ) | | | 2,159,585 | |
Notes to Financial Statements 95
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
7. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events and determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Funds’ financial statements.
96 Notes to Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of the ICON Funds:
In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund, ICON Energy Fund, ICON Financial Fund, ICON Healthcare Fund, ICON Industrials Fund, ICON Information Technology Fund, ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund, ICON Materials Fund, and ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund (nine of the portfolios constituting ICON Funds, hereafter referred to as the “Funds”) at September 30, 2010, and the results of each of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in each of their 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, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Funds’ management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at September 30, 2010 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
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Denver, Colorado
November 19, 2010
Report of Accounting Firm 97
Six Month Hypothetical Expense Example
September 30, 2010 (unaudited)
Example
As a shareholder of a Fund you may pay two types of fees: transaction fees and fund-related fees. Certain funds charge transaction fees, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, or other distributions; redemption fees; and exchange fees. Funds also incur various ongoing expenses, including management fees, distribution and/or service fees, and other fund expenses, which are indirectly paid by shareholders.
This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the various ICON Funds and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. This Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the six-month period (4/1/10-9/30/10).
Actual Expenses
The first line in the table for each Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. The Example includes, but is not limited to, management fees, 12b-1 fees, fund accounting, custody and transfer agent fees. However, the Example does not include client specific fees, such as the $15 fee charged to IRA accounts, or the $15 fee charged for wire redemptions. You may use this information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line for each Fund under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line in the table for each Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your
ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees that may be charged by other funds. Therefore, this information is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning
| | | Ending
| | | | | | | |
| | Account
| | | Account
| | | Expenses Paid
| | | Annualized
| |
| | Value
| | | Value
| | | During Period
| | | Expense Ratio
| |
| | 4/1/10 | | | 9/30/10 | | | 4/1/10-9/30/10* | | | 4/1/10-9/30/10 | |
| |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund - Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,025.90 | | | $ | 9.96 | | | | 1.96% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,015.24 | | | | 9.91 | | | | | |
ICON Energy Fund - Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 986.40 | | | | 6.35 | | | | 1.28% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,018.68 | | | | 6.45 | | | | | |
ICON Financial Fund - Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 898.10 | | | | 7.01 | | | | 1.47% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.69 | | | | 7.45 | | | | | |
ICON Healthcare Fund - Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 943.90 | | | | 7.04 | | | | 1.44% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.83 | | | | 7.30 | | | | | |
ICON Industrials Fund - Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,013.60 | | | | 7.18 | | | | 1.42% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.93 | | | | 7.20 | | | | | |
ICON Information Technology Fund - Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 954.90 | | | | 7.07 | | | | 1.44% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.83 | | | | 7.30 | | | | | |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund - Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,001.20 | | | | 8.17 | | | | 1.63% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.91 | | | | 8.23 | | | | | |
ICON Materials Fund - Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,046.80 | | | | 7.15 | | | | 1.39% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,018.08 | | | | 7.05 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning
| | | Ending
| | | | | | | |
| | Account
| | | Account
| | | Expenses Paid
| | | Annualized
| |
| | Value
| | | Value
| | | During Period
| | | Expense Ratio
| |
| | 4/1/10 | | | 9/30/10 | | | 4/1/10-9/30/10* | | | 4/1/10-9/30/10 | |
| |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund - Class S | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actual Expenses | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,078.90 | | | $ | 8.70 | | | | 1.67% | |
Hypothetical Example (5% return before expenses) | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.69 | | | | 8.44 | | | | | |
| |
* | Expenses are equal to the Fund’s six month expense ratio annualized, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period. |
Total returns exclude applicable sales charges. If sales charges were included (maximum 5.75%), returns would be lower.
Board of Trustees and Fund Officers (unaudited)
The ICON Funds Board of Trustees (“Board”) consists of five Trustees who oversee the 17 ICON Funds (the “Funds”). The Board is responsible for general oversight of the Funds’ business and for assuring that the Funds are managed in the best interest of the Funds’ shareholders. The Trustees, and their ages, and principal occupations are set forth below. The address of the Trustees is 5299 DTC Blvd., Suite 1200, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Trustees have no official term of office and generally serve until they resign or are not re-elected.
Interested Trustee
Craig T. Callahan, 59, Chairman of the Board. Dr. Callahan has been a Trustee of the Funds since their inception. Dr. Callahan also serves as President (1998 to present) and Chairman of the Investment Committee (2005 to present) and served as the Chief Investment Officer (1991 to 2004) of ICON Advisers. Dr. Callahan is also Executive Vice President (2005 to present); Director (1991 to present); and was previously President (1998 to 2005) and Chief Compliance Officer (2005) of IDI. Dr. Callahan also serves as the President (1998 to present) and Chairman of the Board of Directors (1994 to present) of ICON Management & Research Corporation (“IM&R”), the parent company of ICON Advisers and IDI.
Independent Trustees
Glen F. Bergert, 60. Mr. Bergert has been a Trustee of the Funds since 1999. Mr. Bergert is President of Venture Capital Management LLC (1997 to present); General Partner of SOGNO Partners LP, a venture capital company (2001 to present); General Partner of Bergert Properties, LLP, a real estate holding company (1997 to present); and General Partner of Pyramid Real Estate Partnership, a real estate development company (1998 to present); General Partner of Chamois Partners, LP, a venture capital company (2004 to present); and was previously a General Partner with KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP (1979 to 1997). Mr. Bergert is also a Director of Herre Bros, Inc., a contracting company (1998 to present). Delta Dental of California, an insurance company (2006 to present), Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, an insurance company (1998 to 2009 and 2010 to present) and Dentegra Group, Inc, an insurance holding company (2010 to present). Mr. Bergert was a Director of Delta Reinsurance Corporation (2000 to 2009).
John C. Pomeroy, Jr., 63. Mr. Pomeroy has been a Trustee of the Funds since November 2002. Mr. Pomeroy is Chief Investment Officer and Director of Investments, Pennsylvania State University (2001 to present) and was
Trustees and Officers 101
Portfolio Manager and Product Manager, Trinity Investment Management Corporation (1989 to 2001).
Gregory Kellam Scott, 62. Mr. Scott has been a Trustee of the Funds since November 2002. Mr. Scott currently is employed as a member of the Executive Staff of the President of Ivy Tech Community College, recently appointed as Assistant to the President for Diversity and Community Relations (April 2008 to present). Prior to his current employment, he served as Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (2005 to 2008). Mr. Scott was Senior Vice President-Law, General Counsel and Secretary of GenCorp, Inc., a multinational technology-based manufacturing company (2002 to 2004); Vice President and General Counsel of Kaiser-Hill Company, LLC, a nuclear clean-up and environmental remediation company (2000 to 2002) and served as a Justice on the Colorado Supreme Court (1993 to 2000). Mr. Scott was also a member of the faculty of the University Of Denver College Of Law (1980 to 2000).
R. Michael Sentel, 62. Mr. Sentel has been a Trustee of the Funds since their inception. Mr. Sentel is a Senior Attorney with the U.S. Department of Education (1996 to present). Mr. Sentel also provides legal representation as a sole practitioner with an emphasis on corporate and transactional law. He served as general counsel to numerous public companies and served on the board of directors of one of these clients. Mr. Sentel began his legal career with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement and served as a Branch Chief (1980 to 1981). Later he served as the Section Chief for the Professional Liability Section of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. with responsibility for the Rocky Mountain Region (1991 to 1994).
The Officers of the Funds are:
Craig T. Callahan, 59. Chairman of the Board. Dr. Callahan has been a Trustee of the Funds since their inception. Dr. Callahan also serves as President (1998 to present) and Chairman of the Investment Committee (2005 to present) and served as the Chief Investment Officer (1991 to 2004) of ICON Advisers. Dr. Callahan is also Executive Vice President (2005 to present); Director (1991 to present); and was previously President (1998 to 2005) and Chief Compliance Officer (2005) of IDI. Dr. Callahan also serves as the President (1998 to present) and Chairman of the Board of Directors (1994 to present) of IM&R, the parent company of ICON Advisers and IDI.
Erik L. Jonson, 61. Mr. Jonson has been a Vice President and Principal Financial Officer/Treasurer of the Funds since their inception in 1996. Mr. Jonson is also Chief Financial Officer (1996 to present) and Executive Vice President (2004 to present) and was previously Vice President (1998 to
102 Trustees and Officers
2004) and Secretary (2005 and 1998 to 2002) of ICON Advisers; Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director (1998 to present) of IM&R; and Executive Vice and Treasurer/Financial Principal (1996 to present) of IDI.
Jessica Seidlitz, 32. Ms. Seidlitz serves as Assistant Treasurer of the Funds (2007 to present). She also serves as Mutual Fund Controller of ICON Advisers, Inc. (2005 to present). Previously, she was a Senior Associate/Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, (2001 to 2004).
Donald Salcito, 57. Mr. Salcito serves as Vice President and Secretary of the Funds since November 15, 2006. Mr. Salcito is also Executive Vice President and General Counsel (September 2005 to present) of ICON Advisers; Director of IM&R (2005 to present); Executive Vice President, Secretary, General Counsel, for IDI (2005 to present); Chief Compliance Officer of IDI (2005 to 2007). Previously he was a Partner in the law firm of Perkins Coie, LLP. (2000 to 2005).
Brian Harding, 31. Mr. Harding serves as Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds (2008 to present). Mr. Harding also serves as Anti-Money Laundering Officer of the Funds (2008 to present). Previously he was a Manager (2007 to 2008) and Senior Associate/Associate (2001 to 2007) at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
Trustees and Officers 103
Notice to Shareholders (unaudited)
Notice to Shareholders of the ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund and the ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund
On November 15, 2010, upon a recommendation from its Investment Adviser, the Board of Trustees of the ICON Funds determined to include the leisure sector as part of the consumer discretionary sector, as it is classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard. Effective January 24, 2011, the ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund will no longer invest in leisure stocks, and the fund will be renamed the ICON Consumer Staples Fund. Effective January 24, 2010, the ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund will include the leisure sector as part of the Consumer Discretionary investable sector.
104 Notice to Shareholders
Other Information (unaudited)
Renewal of Investment Advisory Agreements
On August 9, 2010, the Board of Trustees, including all of the Trustees that are not “interested persons” of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”), approved continuation of the advisory agreements between ICON Funds (the “Trust”) and ICON Advisers, Inc. (“ICON” or the “Adviser”) - the Trust’s Investment Advisory Agreement dated October 9, 1996, as amended (related to the Sector, International and Core Equity Funds) and under the Trust’s Investment Advisory Agreement dated July 9, 2002 and effective October 1, 2002, as amended (related to the U.S. Diversified Funds - Bond, Risk-Managed Equity, Equity Income and Long/Short Funds) (collectively, the “Advisory Agreements”), for an additional one-year term commencing October 1, 2010.
In determining to renew the Advisory Agreements the Board requested, was provided with and reviewed data with respect to ICON, its personnel, and the services to be provided to each Fund by ICON. . The data included information concerning advisory, distribution and administrative services provided to the Funds by ICON and its related companies; information concerning other businesses of those companies; comparative data related to exchange traded funds versus the Sector Funds; and comparative data obtained from Lipper Analytical Services related to Fund performance and Fund expenses (the “Lipper report”). Management also provided an AthenaInvest investment style analysis relating to the Funds. Management personnel discussed the data for and with those present. Included in the discussion was a briefing on the sales and marketing initiatives, the different classes of shares being offered by the Trust and efficiencies in connection with administering services to the Funds/various classes of shares.
The Independent Trustees were represented by independent legal counsel throughout the process. Prior to acting on the matter, the Independent Trustees met separately as a group in private sessions with their independent legal counsel to review and discuss the foregoing information. Based on these discussions, independent legal counsel and/or the Lead Independent Trustee also contacted management to request additional information and to discuss responses to questions raised during the process. In addition, the Independent Trustees received materials from their independent legal counsel discussing the legal standards applicable to their consideration of the agreement.
In considering the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser, the Board reviewed information relating to ICON’s operations and personnel. Among other things, the Adviser provided biographical
information on its professional staff and descriptions of its organizational and management structure. In the course of their deliberations the Board evaluated, among other things, information relating to the investment philosophy, strategies and techniques used in managing each Fund, the qualifications and experience of ICON’s investment personnel, ICON’s compliance programs, ICON’s brokerage practices, including the extent to which the Adviser obtains research through “soft dollar” arrangements with the Funds’ brokerage, and the financial and non-financial resources available to provide services required under the Advisory Agreements.
During the discussion, the Lipper report was discussed and management personnel showed performance for each fund and discussed the factors affecting performance. Management noted that ICON modified the valuation methodology at the end of 2008 to better account for systemic risk. ICON implemented the modified valuation methodology in February 2009. During the discussion, management personnel noted that the markets over the past year have been very volatile; that when the market is volatile, relative strength readings are also volatile; that volatility has affected ICON’s performance; and that this had been the case for much of the last year for the Funds. It was also noted that poor quality stocks with low relative strength lead the market whereas higher quality stocks with higher relative strength have not performed as well; and that the market volatility and the relative strength component to our methodology have produced mixed results. In this regard it was noted that many other value managers have had challenges in this market. In the discussion, the Adviser advised that it continues to believe the adjustments to its system have been functioning as intended, and as this period of volatility stabilizes the funds will benefit; and that the Adviser is constantly evaluating the system and will modify it as needed.
In connection with reviewing data bearing upon the nature, quality, and extent of services furnished by ICON to each Fund, the Board assessed data concerning ICON’s staffing, systems and facilities. The Board also assessed ICON’s non-Trust business to see if there are any initiatives that would dilute service to the Trust. The Board noted:
A. That the breadth and the quality of investment advisory and other services being provided to each Fund is satisfactory, as evidenced in part by efforts to address and improve the performance record of each Fund when compared with the performance records of a peer group of comparable funds and markets in general;
B. That ICON has made significant expenditures in the past year and in prior years to ensure that it has the sophisticated systems and the highly trained personnel necessary for it to be able to continue to provide
quality service to the Funds’ shareholders, including the dedication of substantial resources to ICON’s investment and trading departments;
C. That the Board is satisfied with the research, portfolio management, and trading services, among others, being provided by ICON to the Funds; and
D. The risks assumed by ICON in providing investment advisory services to each Fund including the capital commitments which have been made in the past and which continue to be made by ICON to ensure the continuation of the highest quality of service to the Trust is made with the recognition that the Trust’s advisory relationship with ICON be terminated at any time and must be renewed on an annual basis.
In considering the reasonableness of the fee payable to the Adviser for managing each Fund, the Board reviewed, among other things, data concerning other funds from the Lipper report, financial statements of the Adviser and an analysis of the profitability to the Adviser and its affiliates of their relationship with each Fund over various time periods, which analysis identified all revenues and other benefits received by the Adviser and its affiliates from managing each Fund, the costs associated with providing such services and the resulting profitability to the Adviser and its affiliates.
The Board considered the current and anticipated asset levels of each Fund and the willingness of the Adviser to reimburse expenses of the Funds from time to time, in connection with the contractual expense limitation agreement, to limit the total expenses of the Funds. In this regard the Board discussed significantly reduced asset levels in each fund covered by the Advisory Agreements due to the tumultuous markets during the past two and a half years, to relative poor Fund performance (prior to the adjustment to the Advisers system in early 2009), and to industry wide net-redemptions in reaction to the tumultuous markets. ICON’s ability to provide the services called for under the Advisory Agreements was assessed in light of current and projected asset levels. Fund expenses and expense ratios were also assessed in light of current and projected asset levels. The Board concluded that the Adviser has the resources necessary to provide the services called for under the Advisory Agreements; that profitability to the Adviser and its affiliates from their relationship with the Funds is not excessive; and that the Adviser is not realizing material benefits from economies of scale that would warrant adjustments to the fees for any Fund at this time. The Board of Trustees concluded that, in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser and the levels of profitability associated with providing these services, the fees charged by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreements to each Fund are reasonable.
In connection with assessing data bearing the fairness of fee arrangements, the Board used data from Lipper Analytical Services concerning funds of similar size and funds of larger size, as well as data concerning ICON’s other clients and noted that:
A. the advisory fee structures of the Funds were considered in comparison with advisory fees and expense ratios of other similarly managed funds as set forth in the comparative data;
B. contractual advisory fees of the Sector Funds were higher than fees for similar funds; but that the Sector Funds’ expense ratios were competitive and consistent with those of similarly managed Funds;
C. contractual advisory fees for the International Funds were above the average fees for similar funds; and that the Funds’ expense ratios were competitive in light of their size;
D. ICON has contractually agreed to impose expense limitations on certain Funds at a cost to ICON;
E. the advisory and other fees payable by the Funds to ICON are essentially fees which would be similar to those which would have resulted solely from “arm’s-length” bargaining, and may well be lower than fees arrived at solely from such arm’s-length negotiation;
F. the fees paid to ICON for managing other institutional accounts (such as pension plans) are not lower than the fees paid by similarly-managed funds; and to the extent such fees of those accounts are lower, the reasons why such accounts are less costly for ICON to manage; and
G. ICON has contractually committed to break points in it fees of the Sector Funds so that economies of scale could be realized as a Fund grows in assets, for the benefit of Fund shareholders.
In connection with the direct and indirect benefits to ICON from serving as the Funds’ adviser, the Board discussed and noted that:
A. ICON benefits from serving directly or through affiliates as the principal underwriter and administrative agent for the Funds; that services provided by ICON and its affiliates to the Funds are satisfactory, and that profits derived from providing the services are competitive and reasonable; and
B. ICON receives research assistance (primarily in the form of data) from the use of soft dollars generated from Fund portfolio transactions; that such research assists ICON in providing quality advisory services; and that the Board concluded that the arrangements are consistent with Fund brokerage practices and benefit the Funds and their shareholders
Based on these considerations, among others, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, concluded that: 1) the continuation of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of each Fund and its shareholders, 2) the services to be performed under the Advisory Agreement were required for the operation of the Funds, 3) the advisory services were satisfactory to the Funds in the past, and 4) the fees for the advisory services and other benefits from the relationship with the Trust received by ICON were consistent with fees paid by similar funds, other clients of ICON, reasonable in light of the comparative data, and within the range of what would have been negotiated at arm’s length in light of all the circumstances.
Supplemental Tax Information
For corporate shareholders, the following percentage of the total ordinary income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction for the following Funds:
| | | | |
| | Dividends
| |
| | Received
| |
Fund | | Deduction | |
| |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund | | | 69 | % |
ICON Energy Fund | | | 85 | % |
ICON Financial Fund | | | 100 | % |
ICON Healthcare Fund | | | 93 | % |
ICON Industrials Fund | | | 87 | % |
ICON Information Technology Fund | | | 100 | % |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund | | | 100 | % |
ICON Materials Fund | | | 88 | % |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund | | | 100 | % |
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the following funds paid qualified dividend income:
| | | | |
Fund | | Amount | |
| |
ICON Consumer Discretionary Fund | | | 65% | |
ICON Energy Fund | | | 93% | |
ICON Financial Fund | | | 100% | |
ICON Healthcare Fund | | | 100% | |
ICON Industrials Fund | | | 83% | |
ICON Information Technology Fund | | | 100% | |
ICON Leisure and Consumer Staples Fund | | | 97% | |
ICON Materials Fund | | | 89% | |
ICON Telecommunication & Utilities Fund | | | 100% | |
The Funds had no long-term capital gain distributions qualifying for the maximum 15% income tax rate for individuals.
Portfolio Holdings
Information related to the 10 largest portfolio holdings of each Fund is made available at www.iconfunds.com within approximately 10 business days after month-end. Additionally, a complete list of each Fund’s holdings is made available approximately 30 days after month-end. Each ICON Fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of its fiscal year with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on Form N-Q. The ICON Funds’ Forms N-Q are available at www.sec.gov or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
Proxy Voting
A summarized description of the policies and procedures the ICON Funds use to vote proxies is available free of charge at www.iconfunds.com or by calling 1-800-764-0442.
Information about how the ICON Funds voted proxies related to each Fund’s portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 is available free of charge at www.iconfunds.com or on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.
For More Information
This report is for the general information of the Funds’ shareholders and is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus. You may obtain a copy of the prospectus, which contains information about the investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and share classes of each ICON Fund, by visiting www.iconfunds.com or by calling 1-800-764-0442. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
ICON Distributors, Inc., Distributor
ICON Funds Privacy Information
| | | |
FACTS | | | WHAT DOES ICON DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION? |
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Why? | | | Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do. |
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| | | |
What? | | | The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include: |
| | | n Social Security number and account balances |
| | | n income and transaction history |
| | | n checking account information and wire transfer instructions |
| | | When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice. |
| | | |
| | | |
How? | | | All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons ICON chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. |
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Reasons we can share your personal information | | | Does ICON share? | | | Can you limit this sharing? |
|
For our everyday business purposes — such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus | | | Yes | | | No |
| | | | | | |
For our marketing purposes — to offer our products and services to you | | | No | | | We don’t share |
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For joint marketing with other financial companies | | | No | | | We don’t share |
| | | | | | |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your transactions and experiences | | | No | | | We don’t share |
| | | | | | |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness | | | No | | | We don’t share |
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For nonaffiliates to market to you | | | No | | | We don’t share |
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Questions? | | | Call 1-800-764-0442 for the ICON Funds and 1-800-828-4881 for ICON Advisers, Inc. and ICON Distributors, Inc. |
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Funds Privacy Information 111
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Who we are | | | |
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Who is providing this notice? | | | ICON Funds, ICON Advisers, Inc., and ICON Distributors, Inc. (collectively “ICON”) |
| | | |
| | | |
What we do | | | |
| | | |
How does ICON protect my personal information? | | | To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. |
| | | Contracts with our service providers require them to restrict access to your non-public personal information, and to maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards against unintended disclosure. |
| | | |
How does ICON collect my personal information? | | | We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or enter into an investment advisory contract
n provide account information or give us your contact information
n make a wire transfer |
| | | We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies. |
| | | |
Why can’t I limit all sharing? | | | Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness |
| | | n affiliates from using your information to market to you |
| | | n sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you |
| | | State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. |
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| | | |
Definitions | | | |
| | | |
Affiliates | | | Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. |
| | | n Our affiliates include financial companies such as ICON Funds, ICON Advisers, Inc., and ICON Distributors, Inc. |
| | | |
Nonaffiliates | | | Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. |
| | | n Nonaffiliates we share with can include financial companies such as custodians, transfer agents, registered representatives, financial advisers and nonfinancial companies such as fulfillment, proxy voting, and class action service providers |
| | | |
Joint marketing | | | A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. |
| | | n ICON doesn’t jointly market |
| | | |
112 Funds Privacy Information
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|
For more information about the ICON Funds, contact us: |
| | |
By Telephone | | 1-800-764-0442 |
| | |
By Mail | | ICON Funds P.O. Box 55452 Boston, MA 02205-8165 |
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In Person | | ICON Funds 5299 DTC Boulevard, 12th Floor Greenwood Village, CO 80111 |
| | |
On the Internet | | www.iconfunds.com |
| | |
By E-Mail | | info@iconadvisers.com |
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
(a) The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. This code of ethics is included as an Exhibit.
(b) Not used.
(c) There were no amendments, during the period covered by this report, to a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Registrant or a third party, and that relates to any element of the code of ethics description.
(d) The registrant has not granted any waivers, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Registrant or a third party, that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions.
(e) Not applicable.
(f) See the attached Exhibit.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
3(a)(1) The Registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.
3(a)(2) The audit committee financial experts are Glen F. Bergert and R. Michael Sentel, who are “independent” for purposes of this Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
3(a)(3) Not applicable.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
(a) Audit Fees
In each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, the aggregate Audit Fees billed (or to be billed) by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) for professional services rendered for the audits of the financial statements, or services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements as well as reimbursable expenses are listed below. All of the below fees were paid by the Registrant.
| | |
2010 | | 2009 |
$338,650 | | $310,400 |
(b) Audit-Related Fees
In each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, the aggregate Audit-Related Fees billed (or to be billed) by PwC for services rendered for assurance and related services to each fund that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the fund’s financial statements, but not reported as Audit Fees, are shown in the table below.
| | |
2010 | | 2009 |
$24,100* | | $12,500** |
| | |
* | | This fee was related to procedures performed when the Registrant changed service providers. |
|
** | | This fee was paid for by ICON Advisers, Inc. the investment adviser and administrator to the Registrant. The fee was incurred from agreed-upon procedures performed on the Registrant’s semi-annual report. |
(c) Tax Fees
In each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009 the aggregate Tax Fees billed (or to be billed) by PwC for professional services rendered for tax return preparation, tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning are shown in the table below. In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, PwC also rendered professional services for service provider conversion procedures. All of the below fees were paid by the Registrant.
| | |
2010 | | 2009 |
$127,370 | | $101,700 |
(d) All Other Fees
In each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009 the aggregate Other Fees billed (or to be billed) by PwC for all other non-audit services rendered are shown in the table below. All of the below fees were paid by the Registrant.
| | |
*** | | This fee was related to multi-class matters. |
(e)(1) The audit committee of the Registrant’s Board of Trustees is required to pre-approve all services to be provided by the independent accountants to the Registrant or the Registrant’s investment adviser and to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides on-going services to the Registrant to determine whether the services performed by the independent accountants impair their independence from the Registrant. The audit committee has delegated authority to the Chairman of the audit committee, subject to review and ratification by the full audit committee.
(e)(2) 100% of the fees were approved by the Registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) if Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) According to PwC, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, the percentage of hours spent on the audit of the Registrant’s financial statements that were attributed to work performed by persons who are not full-time, permanent employees of PwC was 0%.
(g) See Item 4(d) above.
(h) All non-audit services that were provided by PwC in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009 to the investment adviser and to any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser and that provides on-going services to the Registrant were pre-approved. There were no non-audit fees provided by PwC in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 to the investment adviser or to any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides on-going services to the Registrant.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
(a) The schedule of investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers is included in Item 1.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that these disclosure controls and procedures are adequately designed and are operating effectively to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
(b)There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a)(1) The code of ethics is attached.
(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) are attached.
(a)(3) Not applicable.
(b) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) are furnished herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| | | | |
|
(Registrant) ICON Funds | | |
| | | | |
By (Signature and Title)* | | /s/ Craig T. Callahan | | |
| | | | |
| | Craig T. Callahan, |
| | President and Chief Executive Officer |
| | (Principal Executive Officer) |
Date December 3, 2010
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | | | |
|
By (Signature and Title)* | | /s/ Craig T. Callahan | | |
| | | | |
| | Craig T. Callahan, |
| | President and Chief Executive Officer |
| | (Principal Executive Officer) |
Date December 3, 2010
| | | | |
|
By (Signature and Title)* | | /s/ Erik L. Jonson | | |
| | | | |
| | Erik L. Jonson, |
| | Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
| | (Principal Financial Officer and |
| | Principal Accounting Officer) |
Date December 3, 2010
| | |
* | | Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature. |