independent pricing services or brokers or are generally valued at the last reported evaluated prices.
• Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued based on that day’s prevailing forward exchange rate for the underlying currencies. The rates are obtained from independent pricing services in accordance with the valuation policy and procedures approved by the Board.
In the event prices or quotations are not readily available or that the application of these valuation methods results in a price for an investment that is deemed to be not representative of the fair value of such investment, fair value will be determined in good faith by the Committee, in accordance with the valuation policy and procedures approved by the Board.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds' investments.
The Funds value their assets and liabilities at fair value using a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels that prioritize the inputs to valuation techniques giving the highest priority to readily available unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements) when market prices are not readily available or reliable. The categorization of a value determined for an investment within the hierarchy is based upon the pricing transparency of the investment and is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in it.
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
• Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for an identical asset or liability;
• Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not considered to be active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as exchange rates, financing terms, interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs; and
• Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including the Committee’s assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments.
The value of each Fund’s investments according to the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2020 is disclosed in each Fund’s respective Schedule of Investments.
Investment Transactions and Income Recognition
Investment transactions are accounted for on trade date for financial reporting purposes. Realized gains and losses from the sale or disposition of investments and foreign exchange transactions, if any, are determined using the identified cost method.
Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recognized on the ex-dividend date, or when the information becomes available, net of any foreign taxes withheld at source, if any. Non-cash dividends, if any, received in the form of stock are recorded as dividend income at fair value. Distributions received by the Funds may include a return of capital that is estimated by management. Such amounts are recorded as a reduction of the cost of investments or reclassified to capital gains.
Expenses
Certain expenses, which are directly identifiable to a specific Fund, are applied to that Fund within the Trust. Other expenses which cannot be attributed to a specific Fund are allocated in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the nature and type of expense and the relative net assets of the Funds within the Trust.
Foreign Currency Translation
The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies as well as investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated to U.S. dollars using exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of securities, income receipts and expense payments denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the respective dates of the transactions.
