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FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number | 811-21308 |
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Alger Global Focus Fund |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) |
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360 Park Avenue South New York, New York | | 10010 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip code) |
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Mr. Hal Liebes Fred Alger Management, Inc. 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 |
(Name and address of agent for service) |
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: | 212-806-8800 | |
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Date of fiscal year end: | October 31 | |
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Date of reporting period: | October 31, 2018 | |
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Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
Table of Contents
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND | |
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Shareholders’ Letter (Unaudited) | 1 |
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Fund Highlights (Unaudited) | 9 |
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Portfolio Summary (Unaudited) | 11 |
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Schedule of Investments | 12 |
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 16 |
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Statement of Operations | 18 |
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Statements of Changes in Net Assets | 19 |
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Financial Highlights | 20 |
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Notes to Financial Statements | 24 |
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | 39 |
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Additional Information (Unaudited) | 41 |
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Shareholders’ Letter (Unaudited) | October 31, 2018 |
Dear Shareholders,
Investors Grow Cautious Despite Strong Corporate Fundamentals
Volatility during the final weeks of the 12-month reporting period ended October 31, 2018, illustrated investors’ increased focus on climbing interest rates, growing global trade tension and expectations of moderating earnings growth. In the process, investors shifted their focus from strong corporate fundamentals and a vibrant U.S. economy that has continued to surprise to the upside in terms of both revenues and earnings during another strong earnings season in the third quarter of 2018. The rapidity of this market selloff reminds us at Alger of past “bouts of doubt” that in recent years have proven to be excellent buying opportunities in U.S. equities.
With that in mind, I provide the following perspective on recent market volatility and I suggest that investors may be well served by taking a long-term approach to equities.
· First, we maintain that corporate earnings and economic growth can potentially support equity markets in the near term despite ongoing concerns regarding interest rates, trade tension and earnings growth. It is important to note that both the level of earnings and cash flow from U.S. companies continue to be impressive. The growth rates of earnings and cash flow clearly and even mechanically had to slow from the one-time boost in 2018 caused by the change in corporate tax rates versus 2017. However, these growth rates will not, in our view, be a sign of impending recession in 2019. By historical standards, 2018’s third quarter earnings and revenues growth (e.g., in the S&P 500 constituents) was, in fact, very impressive.
· As of the end of the reporting period, S&P 500 third quarter earnings increased 24.9%, which is the second fastest growth rate since the third quarter of 2010 and only slightly below the 25.2% growth rate of the second quarter of this year, according to FactSet Research. Analysts are projecting a 15.0% earnings growth rate for the final three months of 2018 and a 9.4% rate for calendar year 2019.
· While some signs of weakness appeared, often related to trade tensions and slow growth in other regions of the world, they were in many cases confined to specific industries. Innovation in the U.S. remains high and the growth drivers of the continuing digital and internet revolution, medical advances and breakthroughs to meet the demands of our large and aging population, as well as other trends in our society, are likely to continue to support an extended economic expansion into 2019.
· Another concern for many investors is that rising interest rates could curtail economic growth and hurt equity valuations. The U.S. economy, however, has been shrugging off higher interest rates and showing signs of continued strength such as a healthy labor market and GDP growth that increased to 3.5% on an annualized basis during the third quarter. By some estimates, the U.S. economy is expected to grow 3.0% this year, its strongest showing
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since 2005. We also believe that current equity valuations can potentially withstand higher interest rates. The earnings per share (EPS) yields of market benchmarks, such as the S&P 500, have historically been comparable to Treasury bonds. As Treasury yields change, equity valuations may also change to maintain an EPS yield that is comparable to that of bonds. As of the end of October, however, the S&P 500 EPS yield was approximately 300 basis points higher than that of Treasury bonds, which implies equity valuations may not be significantly impacted when interest rates increase. In sum, while the Fed is tightening, U.S. real interest rates are still very supportive of continued growth. Globally, the interest rate picture remains highly stimulative and “easy” as real rates, or interest rates minus inflation, in Europe, the United Kingdom and Japan are below 0%. China, meanwhile, is providing monetary stimulus. We also note that equity markets have traditionally generated gains as the Fed raises rates, as illustrated by tightening cycles starting in 1994, 1999 and 2004.
· Finally, we address the “time” element. In the view of some, because the U.S. economy has expanded for 10 years since 2009, it is simply too “old” a bull market to persist. From a fundamental perspective, the real question is not “time” but whether the economy has grown too much, i.e., whether economic output has reached levels that are unsustainable. The current period of expansion has generated cumulative economic growth of only 18% but various past economic recoveries of comparable length have advanced beyond 30% and some even above 50%. Viewed from that perspective, the current economic recovery likely still has a bright future. Recoveries have also been increasing in length, a result of improved inventory management, fiscal and monetary intervention and structural changes in the economy. (See chart below).
Long Runway to Catch Up?
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and Alger as of October 2018. Dates indicate beginning of measurement periods.
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· Assuming the S&P 500 Index’s price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) based on forward earnings estimates remains constant next year and earnings for 2020 are expected to increase at a mid-to-upper single digit rate, the index price would increase by approximately the same amount. The potential price increase combined with the index’s 2% dividend yield would then result in a return in the upper single digit range. Most importantly, we believe that, as a result of the October selloff, the S&P 500’s P/E multiple of 15.7 has corrected more than is appropriate for the fundamental outlook. This P/E is currently at the long-term historical average for the S&P 500, yet we note many positive potential events including positive resolution of the trade tensions between the U.S. and China, improvement in European economies, Brexit becoming an economic “non-event” rather than the “catastrophe” some pundits predict, which is beginning to remind us of the “Y2K” doomsday predictions, and of course continuing U.S. growth, especially from a much strengthened yet still cautious U.S. consumer. If the P/E were to increase even to the level that existed at the end of the third quarter of 2018, the market return would be in the mid-teens.
· We acknowledge that the issues that have driven volatility may strengthen and drive additional market declines in the near future. We note that some of the rapid selling in October appears to have been driven by quantitative trading and also the closure of hedge funds with poor performance. We see this trend continuing into November and perhaps year-end. However, we believe that, as in the past, the best long-term investment strategy is to approach such market volatility, if it continues to the downside, as an opportunity to add to or initiate new investments in high quality growth companies, especially those that are either innovation or disruption leaders in their industries or have proven management with durable business models that have established their resiliency in past cycles. We strongly advise against “timing the market” by attempting to sell out near term and buy back in “when it’s all clear.” Time and time again academic research and common knowledge have shown that investors are very poor at making two such dramatic decisions. Investors who sold out in 2008, by and large, did not get back into the market in February 2009. But that was the ideal buying opportunity of the last decade. We have talked to countless investors who, up until September 30th of this year, bemoaned that they had “missed” the many opportunities to buy the leading growth stocks of this time, e.g., the “FAANG” stocks. We are specifically not advising that today is the time to buy any individual member of that group (or the many other stocks our Alger team identifies as high quality growth franchises). However, we firmly believe the recent selloff has likely already created a buying opportunity in these types of companies if one holds the long-term view and, whatever further short-term volatility or decline may occur, one holds through the cycle to the next leg of growth for these companies and the market.
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Earnings, Markets and Optimism
Strong corporate earnings, record high levels of innovation and optimism about U.S. tax reform supported equities during the first 11 months of the reporting period, during which the S&P 500 Index generated an impressive 15.22% gain. Optimism, however, quickly plummeted in October when the 10-year Treasury bond yield reached 3.23%, its highest level since early 2011. For the reasons we’ve reviewed above, a broad selloff in equities occurred with the S&P 500 declining 9.27% from October 1 to October 29.
Growth Equities Dominate
Despite exhibiting weakness in October, growth stocks outperformed during the reporting period with the Russell 1000 Growth Index’s 10.71% return exceeding the benchmark’s value-focused counterpart by 7.67 percentage points. The broad market also performed strongly as depicted by the 7.35% return of the S&P 500 Index. Looking beyond the U.S., the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index declined 7.80% and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index declined 12.19% as investors grew increasingly concerned about trade conflicts while global economic growth appeared to be slowing.
Looking Ahead
As the economic recovery continues, we urge investors to focus on the long-term outlook for the U.S. economy and the world, and on a long-term strategy for investing. In closing, we remain optimistic regarding the outlook for equities, although we acknowledge that additional declines may occur in the near future. Our firm was started in 1964 and we have considerable experience in dealing with different phases of economic cycles. We believe that investing in high quality innovative companies with attractive products and maintaining a long-term, patient approach is the best way to weather the ebb and flow of economic cycles.
Portfolio Matters
Alger Global Focus Fund
The Alger Global Focus Fund returned -8.03% for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, compared to the flat return of the MSCI ACWI Index. Prior to August 15, 2018, the Fund followed its current investment strategy, with the same portfolio managers, under the name Alger Global Growth Fund. The Fund’s current portfolio managers, Gregory Jones, CFA, and Pragna Shere, CFA, who are both Alger senior vice presidents and portfolio managers, assumed portfolio management of the Fund on March 28, 2018, and have since transitioned the Fund into a portfolio that generally holds fewer than 50 positions.
Contributors to Performance
During the reporting period, the largest portfolio sector weightings were Information Technology and Financials. The largest sector overweight was Consumer Discretionary and the largest underweight was Utilities. The Industrials and Materials sectors provided the greatest contributions to relative performance. From a country perspective, France, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates provided the greatest contributions to relative performance.
Regarding individual positions, Amazon.com, Inc.; Lululemon Athletica, Inc.; Illumina, Inc.; Microsoft Corp.; and salesforce.com, Inc. were the greatest contributors to performance. Shares of Amazon.com performed strongly in response to the company continuing to take market share from brick and mortar retailers. Strong growth of the company’s web hosting and digital advertising services also supported the performance of Amazon.com shares.
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Detractors from Performance
The Information Technology and Consumer Staples were among sectors that detracted from results. From a country perspective, China, the United States, Hong Kong, India, and Argentina were the largest detractors from relative performance.
Among individual holdings, Grupo Financiero Galicia SA; LARGAN Precision Co., Ltd.; Keyence Corp.; Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd. Cl. A; and Mindtree Ltd. were the top detractors from performance. Grupo Financiero Galicia is one of Argentina’s leading financial institutions and in recent years has generated top ranked growth and profitability among global banks. At the same time, it has maintained a strong capital base and moderate credit costs. A macroeconomic storm, including inflation that substantially exceeded expectations, weakening foreign exchange reserves and declining values of the Argentina peso, have overshadowed the bank’s strength, causing its shares and shares of other Argentina banks to underperform.
I thank you for putting your trust in Alger.
Sincerely,
Daniel C. Chung, CFA
Chief Investment Officer
Fred Alger Management, Inc.
Investors cannot invest directly in an index. Index performance does not reflect the deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes.
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of shareholders of the Fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus for the Fund. Fund performance returns represent the 12-month period return of Class A shares prior to the deduction of any sales charges and include the reinvestment of any dividends or distributions.
The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is not an indication or guarantee of future results.
Standardized performance results can be found on the following pages. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, visit us at www.alger.com or call us at (800) 992-3863.
The views and opinions of the Fund’s management in this report are as of the date of the Shareholders’ Letter and are subject to change at any time subsequent to this date. There is no guarantee that any of the assumptions that formed the basis for the opinions stated herein are accurate or that they will materialize. Moreover, the information forming the basis for such assumptions is from sources believed to be reliable; however, there is no guarantee that such information is accurate. Any securities mentioned, whether owned in a
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fund or otherwise, are considered in the context of the construction of an overall portfolio of securities and therefore reference to them should not be construed as a recommendation or offer to purchase or sell any such security. Inclusion of such securities in the Fund and transactions in such securities, if any, may be for a variety of reasons, including, without limitation, in response to cash flows, inclusion in a benchmark, and risk control. The reference to a specific security should also be understood in such context and not viewed as a statement that the security is a significant holding in the Fund. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for the Fund which is included in this report for a complete list of Fund holdings as of October 31, 2018. Securities mentioned in the Shareholders’ Letter, if not found in the Schedule of Investments, may have been held by the Fund during the fiscal period ended October 31, 2018.
Risk Disclosures
Investing in the stock market involves gains and losses and may not be suitable for all investors. The value of an investment may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, and may be worth more or less than what you invested. Stocks tend to be more volatile than other investments such as bonds. Growth stocks tend to be more volatile than other stocks as the prices of growth stocks tend to be higher in relation to their companies’ earnings and may be more sensitive to market, political, and economic developments. Foreign investing involves special risks including currency risk and risks related to political, social, or economic conditions. Investing in companies of all capitalizations involves the risk that smaller issuers may have limited product lines or financial resources, lack management depth, or have more limited liquidity. The cost of borrowing money to leverage may exceed the returns for the securities purchased or the securities purchased may actually go down in value more quickly than if the Fund had not borrowed. Active trading of portfolio securities may incur increased transaction costs and brokerage commissions, and potentially increase taxes that a shareholder may pay, which can lower the actual return on an investment.
For a more detailed discussion of the risks associated with the Fund, please see the prospectus.
Before investing, carefully consider the Fund’s investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses.
For a prospectus or a summary prospectus containing this and other information about the Alger Global Focus Fund call us at (800) 992-3863 or visit us at www.alger. com. Read it carefully before investing.
Fred Alger & Company, Incorporated, Distributor. Member NYSE Euronext, SIPC. NOT FDIC INSURED. NOT BANK GUARANTEED. MAY LOSE VALUE.
Definitions:
· S&P 500 Index: An index of large company stocks considered to be representative of the U.S. stock market.
· Russell 1000 Value Index: An index that measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with lower price/book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.
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· Russell 1000 Growth Index: An unmanaged index designed to measure the performance of the largest 1000 capitalization companies in the Russell 3000 Index with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.
· Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) is an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index designed to provide a broad measure of equity market performance throughout the world, including both developed and emerging markets.
· Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Index (ACWI) ex USA is an unmanaged, market capitalization-weighted index designed to provide a broad measure of equity market performance throughout the world, including both developing and emerging markets, but excluding the United States.
· MSCI Emerging Markets Index: A free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets.
· FactSet Research Systems: A firm that provides data and research for investment managers, hedge funds investment bankers and other financial professionals.
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FUND PERFORMANCE AS OF 9/30/18 (Unaudited)
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
| | 1 | | 5 | | 10 | | SINCE | |
| | YEAR | | YEARS | | YEARS | | INCEPTION | |
Alger Global Focus Class A (Inception 11/3/03) | | 3.75 | % | 7.02 | % | 6.78 | % | 8.88 | % |
Alger Global Focus Class C (Inception 3/3/08)* | | 7.71 | % | 7.37 | % | 6.56 | % | 8.48 | % |
Alger Global Focus Class I (Inception 5/31/13) | | 9.89 | % | 8.45 | % | n/a | | 9.35 | % |
Alger Global Focus Class Z (Inception 5/31/13) | | 9.97 | % | 8.69 | % | n/a | | 9.58 | % |
The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is not an indication or a guarantee of future results. The Fund’s average annual total returns include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Class A returns reflect the maximum initial sales charge and Class C returns reflect the applicable contingent deferred sales charge. Alger Global Focus Fund prior to March 28, 2018, followed different investment strategies and was managed by different portfolio managers. Prior to May 31, 2013, the Fund was named “Alger China-U.S. Growth Fund”, and from May 31, 2013 to August 15, 2018, the Fund was named “Alger Global Growth Fund”. Performance prior to March 28, 2018, reflects these prior management styles and does not reflect the Fund’s current investment strategies and investment personnel.
* Since inception performance is calculated since the inception of the Class A shares. Historical performance prior to March 3, 2008, inception of the class, is that of the Fund’s Class A shares, reduced to reflect the current maximum sales charge and the higher operating expenses of Class C shares.
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ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Fund Highlights Through October 31, 2018 (Unaudited)
HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT IN CLASS A SHARES
— 10 years ended 10/31/18
The chart above illustrates the growth in value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment made in the Alger Global Focus Fund Class A shares, with an initial maximum sales charge of 5.25%, and the MSCI ACWI Index (an unmanaged index of common stocks) for the ten years ended October 31, 2018. Alger Global Focus Fund prior to March 28, 2018, followed different investment strategies and was managed by different portfolio managers. Prior to May 31, 2013, the Fund was named “Alger China-U.S. Growth Fund”, and from May 31, 2018 to August 15, 2018, the Fund was named “Alger Global Growth Fund”. Performance prior to March 28, 2018, reflects these prior management styles and does not reflect the Fund’s current investment strategies and investment personnel. Figures for the Alger Global Focus Fund Class A shares, and the MSCI ACWI Index include reinvestment of dividends. Alger Global Focus Fund Class A shares also include reinvestment of capital gains. Performance for the Alger Global Focus Fund Class C, Class I and Class Z shares will vary from the results shown above due to differences in expenses and sales charges that each class bears. Investors cannot invest directly in any index. Index performance does not reflect deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes.
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ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Fund Highlights Through October 31, 2018 (Unaudited) (Continued)
PERFORMANCE COMPARISON AS OF 10/31/18
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
| | | | | | | | Since | |
| | 1 YEAR | | 5 YEARS | | 10 YEARS | | 11/3/2003 | |
Class A (Inception 11/3/03) | | (12.85 | )% | 3.04 | % | 7.96 | % | 7.74 | % |
Class C (Inception 3/3/08)* | | (9.58 | )% | 3.39 | % | 7.74 | % | 7.35 | % |
MSCI ACWI Index | | 0.00 | % | 6.72 | % | 10.34 | % | 7.68 | % |
| | | | | | | | Since | |
| | 1 YEAR | | 5 YEARS | | 10 YEARS | | 5/31/2013 | |
Class I (Inception 5/31/13) | | (7.77 | )% | 4.42 | % | n/a | | 6.20 | % |
Class Z (Inception 5/31/13) | | (7.67 | )% | 4.64 | % | n/a | | 6.44 | % |
MSCI ACWI Index | | 0.00 | % | 6.72 | % | n/a | | 7.92 | % |
The performance data quoted represents past performance, which is not an indication or a guarantee of future results. The Fund’s average annual total returns include changes in share price and reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Class A returns reflect the maximum initial sales charge and Class C returns reflect the applicable contingent deferred sales charge. The chart and table above do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would have paid on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. Investment return and principal will fluctuate and the Fund’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. For updated performance, visit us at www.alger.com or call us at (800) 992-3863.
* Since inception performance is calculated since the inception of the Class A shares. Historical performance prior to March 3, 2008, inception of the class, is that of the Fund’s Class A shares, reduced to reflect the current maximum sales charge and the higher operating expenses of Class C shares.
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PORTFOLIO SUMMARY†
October 31, 2018 (Unaudited)
COUNTRY | | Alger Global Focus
Fund | |
Argentina | | 2.4 | % |
Australia | | 1.8 | |
Brazil | | 7.6 | |
China | | 2.8 | |
Denmark | | 1.3 | |
France | | 7.9 | |
Germany | | 2.5 | |
Hong Kong | | 5.8 | |
India | | 2.9 | |
Ireland | | 3.9 | |
Italy | | 3.6 | |
Japan | | 10.1 | |
Peru | | 1.3 | |
Poland | | 0.0 | |
Spain | | 2.4 | |
Switzerland | | 4.3 | |
United Kingdom | | 4.9 | |
United States | | 29.2 | |
Cash and Net Other Assets | | 5.3 | |
| | 100.0 | % |
† Based on net assets for the Fund.
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ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Schedule of Investments October 31, 2018
COMMON STOCKS—94.0% | | SHARES | | VALUE | |
ARGENTINA—2.4% | | | | | |
APPLICATION SOFTWARE—2.4% | | | | | |
Globant SA* | | 11,037 | | $ | 568,185 | |
(Cost $604,191) | | | | | |
| | | | | |
AUSTRALIA—1.8% | | | | | |
CASINOS & GAMING—1.8% | | | | | |
Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. | | 22,561 | | 425,078 | |
(Cost $433,926) | | | | | |
| | | | | |
BRAZIL—7.6% | | | | | |
DATA PROCESSING & OUTSOURCED SERVICES—1.4% | | | | | |
StoneCo Ltd., Cl. A* | | 11,940 | | 342,559 | |
| | | | | |
DEPARTMENT STORES—2.3% | | | | | |
Lojas Renner SA | | 55,000 | | 555,742 | |
| | | | | |
EDUCATION SERVICES—2.3% | | | | | |
Arco Platform Ltd., Cl. A* | | 25,703 | | 547,731 | |
| | | | | |
MANAGED HEALTH CARE—1.6% | | | | | |
Notre Dame Intermedica Participacoes SA* | | 60,000 | | 389,073 | |
TOTAL BRAZIL
(Cost $1,838,918) | | | | 1,835,105 | |
| | | | | |
CHINA—2.8% | | | | | |
DISTILLERS & VINTNERS—1.3% | | | | | |
Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd., Cl. A | | 3,800 | | 300,857 | |
| | | | | |
FOOTWEAR—1.5% | | | | | |
ANTA Sports Products Ltd. | | 89,690 | | 370,275 | |
TOTAL CHINA
(Cost $859,861) | | | | 671,132 | |
| | | | | |
DENMARK—1.3% | | | | | |
APPLICATION SOFTWARE—1.3% | | | | | |
Netcompany Group AS* | | 9,500 | | 313,758 | |
(Cost $318,146) | | | | | |
| | | | | |
FRANCE—7.9% | | | | | |
APPAREL ACCESSORIES & LUXURY GOODS—1.3% | | | | | |
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE | | 1,058 | | 320,989 | |
| | | | | |
INTERACTIVE HOME ENTERTAINMENT—1.7% | | | | | |
Ubisoft Entertainment SA* | | 4,470 | | 400,953 | |
| | | | | |
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES—4.9% | | | | | |
Eurofins Scientific SE | | 2,333 | | 1,175,646 | |
TOTAL FRANCE
(Cost $1,929,964) | | | | 1,897,588 | |
| | | | | |
GERMANY—2.5% | | | | | |
FOOTWEAR—2.5% | | | | | |
Puma SE | | 1,163 | | 598,010 | |
(Cost $572,547) | | | | | |
| | | | | |
HONG KONG—5.8% | | | | | |
APPAREL ACCESSORIES & LUXURY GOODS—2.1% | | | | | |
Samsonite International SA | | 177,000 | | 510,445 | |
| | | | | | |
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ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Schedule of Investments October 31, 2018 (Continued)
COMMON STOCKS—94.0% (CONT.) | | SHARES | | VALUE | |
HONG KONG—5.8% (CONT.) | | | | | |
HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES—1.6% | | | | | |
Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd. | | 80,000 | | $ | 376,687 | |
| | | | | |
LIFE & HEALTH INSURANCE—2.1% | | | | | |
AIA Group Ltd. | | 67,302 | | 511,950 | |
TOTAL HONG KONG
(Cost $1,675,194) | | | | 1,399,082 | |
| | | | | |
INDIA—2.9% | | | | | |
IT CONSULTING & OTHER SERVICES—1.2% | | | | | |
Mindtree Ltd. | | 26,000 | | 301,009 | |
| | | | | |
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE—1.7% | | | | | |
Cyient Ltd. | | 48,100 | | 403,003 | |
TOTAL INDIA
(Cost $872,762) | | | | 704,012 | |
| | | | | |
IRELAND—3.9% | | | | | |
PACKAGED FOODS & MEATS—3.9% | | | | | |
Kerry Group PLC., Cl. A | | 9,100 | | 932,753 | |
(Cost $946,154) | | | | | |
| | | | | |
ITALY—3.6% | | | | | |
APPAREL ACCESSORIES & LUXURY GOODS—1.3% | | | | | |
Moncler SpA | | 9,116 | | 316,565 | |
| | | | | |
INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY—2.3% | | | | | |
Interpump Group SpA | | 19,000 | | 548,127 | |
TOTAL ITALY
(Cost $904,709) | | | | 864,692 | |
| | | | | |
JAPAN—10.1% | | | | | |
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT & INSTRUMENTS—2.0% | | | | | |
Keyence Corp. | | 1,000 | | 488,477 | |
| | | | | |
HUMAN RESOURCE & EMPLOYMENT SERVICES—3.5% | | | | | |
Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. | | 17,000 | | 456,233 | |
UT Group Co., Ltd.* | | 12,600 | | 380,013 | |
| | | | 836,246 | |
PERSONAL PRODUCTS—2.0% | | | | | |
Shiseido Co., Ltd. | | 7,700 | | 485,792 | |
| | | | | |
PHARMACEUTICALS—2.6% | | | | | |
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | | 15,000 | | 621,838 | |
TOTAL JAPAN
(Cost $2,567,782) | | | | 2,432,353 | |
| | | | | |
PERU—1.3% | | | | | |
DIVERSIFIED BANKS—1.3% | | | | | |
Credicorp Ltd. | | 1,400 | | 315,994 | |
(Cost $315,595) | | | | | |
| | | | | |
SPAIN—2.4% | | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY—2.4% | | | | | |
Grifols SA # | | 28,000 | | 571,760 | |
(Cost $581,504) | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
13
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Schedule of Investments October 31, 2018 (Continued)
COMMON STOCKS—94.0% (CONT.) | | SHARES | | VALUE | |
SWITZERLAND—4.3% | | | | | |
ASSET MANAGEMENT & CUSTODY BANKS—2.8% | | | | | |
Partners Group Holding AG | | 942 | | $ | 670,595 | |
| | | | | |
SPECIALTY CHEMICALS—1.5% | | | | | |
Sika AG | | 2,880 | | 369,244 | |
TOTAL SWITZERLAND
(Cost $1,089,532) | | | | 1,039,839 | |
| | | | | |
UNITED KINGDOM—4.9% | | | | | |
PACKAGED FOODS & MEATS—3.0% | | | | | |
Nomad Foods Ltd.* | | 38,570 | | 736,687 | |
| | | | | |
SOFT DRINKS—1.9% | | | | | |
Coca-Cola HBC AG* | | 15,840 | | 467,800 | |
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM
(Cost $1,308,918) | | | | 1,204,487 | |
| | | | | |
UNITED STATES—28.5% | | | | | |
APPAREL ACCESSORIES & LUXURY GOODS—2.3% | | | | | |
Lululemon Athletica, Inc.* | | 3,900 | | 548,847 | |
| | | | | |
APPLICATION SOFTWARE—3.6% | | | | | |
Adobe, Inc.* | | 1,743 | | 428,360 | |
Palantir Technologies, Inc., Cl. A*,@,(a) | | 3,176 | | 18,262 | |
salesforce.com, Inc.* | | 2,961 | | 406,367 | |
| | | | 852,989 | |
DATA PROCESSING & OUTSOURCED SERVICES—2.2% | | | | | |
Mastercard, Inc., Cl. A | | 2,709 | | 535,488 | |
| | | | | |
FINANCIAL EXCHANGES & DATA—2.1% | | | | | |
MSCI, Inc., Cl. A | | 3,396 | | 510,690 | |
| | | | | |
INTERACTIVE MEDIA & SERVICES—2.0% | | | | | |
Alphabet, Inc., Cl. C* | | 448 | | 482,393 | |
| | | | | |
INTERNET & DIRECT MARKETING RETAIL—2.6% | | | | | |
Amazon.com, Inc.* | | 386 | | 616,832 | |
| | | | | |
LIFE SCIENCES TOOLS & SERVICES—2.2% | | | | | |
Illumina, Inc.* | | 1,717 | | 534,245 | |
| | | | | |
OIL & GAS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION—3.7% | | | | | |
Diamondback Energy, Inc. | | 7,992 | | 897,981 | |
| | | | | |
REGIONAL BANKS—1.7% | | | | | |
SVB Financial Group* | | 1,765 | | 418,711 | |
| | | | | |
SPECIALTY STORES—2.4% | | | | | |
Tiffany & Co. | | 5,300 | | 589,890 | |
| | | | | |
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE—3.7% | | | | | |
Microsoft Corp. | | 8,269 | | 883,212 | |
TOTAL UNITED STATES
(Cost $6,610,978) | | | | 6,871,278 | |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $23,430,681) | | | | 22,645,106 | |
| | | | | | |
14
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Schedule of Investments October 31, 2018 (Continued)
PREFERRED STOCKS—0.7% | | SHARES | | VALUE | |
UNITED STATES—0.7% | | | | | |
APPLICATION SOFTWARE—0.3% | | | | | |
Palantir Technologies, Inc., Cl. B*,@,(a) | | 12,951 | | $ | 74,469 | |
| | | | | |
BIOTECHNOLOGY—0.4% | | | | | |
Prosetta Biosciences, Inc., Series D*,@,(a),(b) | | 33,858 | | 106,314 | |
TOTAL UNITED STATES
(Cost $237,882) | | | | 180,783 | |
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
(Cost $237,882) | | | | 180,783 | |
| | | | | | |
SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE—0.0% | | SHARES | | VALUE | |
POLAND—0.0% | | | | | |
CONSUMER FINANCE—0.0% | | | | | |
JS Kred SPV I, LLC.*,@,(a) | | 55,986 | | — | |
(Cost $55,986) | | | | | |
Total Investments
(Cost $23,724,549) | | 94.7 | % | $ | 22,825,889 | |
Affiliated Securities (Cost $152,361) | | | | 106,314 | |
Unaffiliated Securities (Cost $23,572,188) | | | | 22,719,575 | |
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities | | 5.3 | % | 1,268,787 | |
NET ASSETS | | 100.0 | % | $ | 24,094,676 | |
# | American Depositary Receipts. |
(a) | Security is valued in good faith at fair value determined using significant unobservable inputs pursuant to procedures established by the Board. |
(b) | Deemed an affiliate of the Alger fund complex in accordance with Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. See Note 11 - Affiliated Securities. |
* | Non-income producing security. |
@ | Restricted security - Investment in security not registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The investment is deemed to not be liquid and may be sold only to qualified buyers. |
| | | | | | % of net assets | | | | % of net assets | |
| | Acquisition | | Acquisition | | (Acquisition | | Market | | as of | |
Security | | Date(s) | | Cost | | Date) | | Value | | 10/31/2018 | |
JS Kred SPV I, LLC. | | 06/26/15 | | $ | 55,986 | | 0.15 | % | $ | 0 | | 0.00 | % |
Palantir Technologies, Inc., Cl. A | | 10/07/14 | | 20,666 | | 0.05 | % | 18,262 | | 0.08 | % |
Palantir Technologies, Inc., Cl. B | | 10/07/14 | | 85,521 | | 0.22 | % | 74,469 | | 0.31 | % |
Prosetta Biosciences, Inc., Series D | | 02/06/15 | | 152,361 | | 0.40 | % | 106,314 | | 0.44 | % |
Total | | | | | | | | $ | 199,045 | | 0.83 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
15
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities October 31, 2018
| | Alger Global Focus
Fund | |
| | | |
ASSETS: | | | |
Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (Identified cost below)* see accompanying schedule of investments | | $ | 22,719,575 | |
Investments in affiliated securities, at value (Identified cost below)** see accompanying schedule of investments | | 106,314 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | 1,154,077 | |
Foreign cash † | | 1,524 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | 775,803 | |
Receivable for shares of beneficial interest sold | | 291 | |
Dividends and interest receivable | | 39,998 | |
Receivable from Investment Manager | | 28,447 | |
Prepaid expenses | | 68,725 | |
Total Assets | | 24,894,754 | |
| | | |
LIABILITIES: | | | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | 640,968 | |
Payable for shares of beneficial interest redeemed | | 25,231 | |
Accrued investment advisory fees | | 18,741 | |
Accrued transfer agent fees | | 13,117 | |
Accrued distribution fees | | 6,738 | |
Accrued administrative fees | | 644 | |
Accrued shareholder administrative fees | | 351 | |
Accrued trustee fees | | 79 | |
Accrued other expenses | | 94,209 | |
Total Liabilities | | 800,078 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 24,094,676 | |
| | | |
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: | | | |
Paid in capital (par value of $.001 per share) | | 23,228,236 | |
Distributable earnings | | 866,440 | |
NET ASSETS | | $ | 24,094,676 | |
* Identified cost | | $ | 23,572,188 | (a) |
** Identified cost | | $ | 152,361 | (a) |
† Cost of foreign cash | | $ | 1,515 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
16
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Statement of Assets and Liabilities October 31, 2018 (Continued)
| | Alger Global Focus
Fund | |
| | | |
NET ASSETS BY CLASS: | | | |
Class A | | $ | 15,679,473 | |
Class C | | $ | 2,843,953 | |
Class I | | $ | 713,854 | |
Class Z | | $ | 4,857,396 | |
| | | |
SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING — NOTE 6: | | | |
Class A | | 716,470 | |
Class C | | 137,732 | |
Class I | | 33,555 | |
Class Z | | 217,091 | |
| | | |
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE: | | | |
Class A — Net Asset Value Per Share Class A | | $ | 21.88 | |
Class A — Offering Price Per Share
(includes a 5.25% sales charge) | | $ | 23.10 | |
Class C — Net Asset Value Per Share Class C | | $ | 20.65 | |
Class I — Net Asset Value Per Share Class I | | $ | 21.27 | |
Class Z — Net Asset Value Per Share Class Z | | $ | 22.37 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
(a) At October 31, 2018, the net unrealized depreciation on investments, based on cost for federal income tax purposes of $23,801,158, amounted to $975,269 which consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation of $698,279 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation of $1,673,548.
17
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2018
| | Alger Global Focus
Fund | |
| | | |
INCOME: | | | |
Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes*) | | $ | 369,274 | |
Interest from unaffiliated securities | | 7,506 | |
Total Income | | 376,780 | |
EXPENSES: | | | |
Advisory fees — Note 3(a) | | 228,890 | |
Distribution fees — Note 3(c) | | | |
Class A | | 48,870 | |
Class C | | 34,008 | |
Class I | | 1,260 | |
Shareholder administrative fees — Note 3(f) | | 4,353 | |
Administration fees — Note 3(b) | | 7,868 | |
Custodian fees | | 62,985 | |
Interest expenses | | 212 | |
Transfer agent fees and expenses — Note 3(f) | | 33,132 | |
Printing fees | | 58,300 | |
Professional fees | | 63,115 | |
Registration fees | | 58,589 | |
Trustee fees — Note 3(g) | | 1,011 | |
Fund accounting fees | | 11,683 | |
Miscellaneous | | 29,141 | |
Total Expenses | | 643,417 | |
Less, expense reimbursements/waivers — Note 3(a) | | (210,686 | ) |
Net Expenses | | 432,731 | |
NET INVESTMENT LOSS | | (55,951 | ) |
| | | |
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY: | | | |
Net realized gain on unaffiliated investments | | 2,832,678 | |
Net realized (loss) on affiliated investments | | (40,759 | ) |
Net realized gain on forward foreign currency contracts | | 681 | |
Net realized (loss) on foreign currency transactions | | (20,215 | ) |
Net change in unrealized (depreciation) on unaffiliated investments | | (4,812,035 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on affiliated investments | | 41,436 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on foreign currency | | 96 | |
Net realized and unrealized (loss) on investments, forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currency | | (1,998,118 | ) |
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | $ | (2,054,069 | ) |
* Foreign withholding taxes | | $ | 28,089 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
18
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | Alger Global Focus Fund | |
| | For the Year
Ended October
31, 2018 | | For the Year
Ended October
31, 2017 | |
Net investment income (loss) | | $ | (55,951 | ) | $ | 27,123 | |
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency | | 2,772,385 | | 3,060,663 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency | | (4,770,503 | ) | 2,955,652 | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | (2,054,069 | ) | 6,043,438 | |
| | | | | |
Dividends and distributions to shareholders:* | | | | | |
Class A | | (780,333 | ) | (197,660 | ) |
Class C | | (115,311 | ) | (14,615 | ) |
Class I | | (12,216 | ) | (10,440 | ) |
Class Z | | (207,829 | ) | (42,673 | ) |
Total dividends and distributions to shareholders | | (1,115,689 | ) | (265,388 | ) |
| | | | | |
Increase (decrease) from shares of beneficial interest transactions: | | | | | |
Class A | | (2,282,162 | ) | (3,876,572 | ) |
Class C | | (459,151 | ) | (1,891,470 | ) |
Class I | | 551,760 | | (140,661 | ) |
Class Z | | 587,463 | | 524,863 | |
Net decrease from shares of beneficial interest transactions — Note 6 | | (1,602,090 | ) | (5,383,840 | ) |
Total increase (decrease) | | (4,771,848 | ) | 394,210 | |
| | | | | |
Net Assets: | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | 28,866,524 | | 28,472,314 | |
END OF PERIOD** | | $ | 24,094,676 | | $ | 28,866,524 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
* For the year ended October 31, 2017, the source of distributions was from net investment income.
** For the year ended October 31, 2017, the undistributed net investment income was $280,909.
19
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Financial Highlights for a share outstanding throughout the period
Alger Global Focus Fund
| | Class A | |
| | Year ended | | Year ended | | Year ended | | Year ended | | Year ended | |
| | 10/31/2018 | | 10/31/2017 | | 10/31/2016 | | 10/31/2015 | | 10/31/2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 24.76 | | $ | 20.20 | | $ | 20.65 | | $ | 20.79 | | $ | 18.76 | |
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)(i) | | (0.04 | ) | 0.03 | | 0.10 | | (0.01 | ) | (0.02 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | (1.86 | ) | 4.74 | | (0.55 | ) | (0.13 | ) | 2.05 | |
Total from investment operations | | (1.90 | ) | 4.77 | | (0.45 | ) | (0.14 | ) | 2.03 | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (0.98 | ) | (0.21 | ) | — | | — | | — | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 21.88 | | $ | 24.76 | | $ | 20.20 | | $ | 20.65 | | $ | 20.79 | |
Total return(ii) | | (8.03 | )% | 23.80 | % | (2.18 | )% | (0.67 | )% | 10.82 | % |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $ | 15,679 | | $ | 19,962 | | $ | 19,805 | | $ | 24,269 | | $ | 30,542 | |
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets | | 2.19 | % | 2.48 | % | 2.37 | % | 2.03 | % | 1.98 | % |
Ratio of expense reimbursements to average net assets | | (0.69 | )% | (0.98 | )% | (0.87 | )% | (0.53 | )% | (0.48 | )% |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.50 | % |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | (0.18 | )% | 0.14 | % | 0.52 | % | (0.07 | )% | (0.08 | )% |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 217.51 | % | 134.76 | % | 138.05 | % | 143.87 | % | 81.13 | % |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
(i) Amount was computed based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(ii) Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if applicable.
20
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Financial Highlights for a share outstanding throughout the period
Alger Global Focus Fund
| | Class C | |
| | Year ended
10/31/2018 | | Year ended
10/31/2017 | | Year ended
10/31/2016 | | Year ended
10/31/2015 | | Year ended
10/31/2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 23.41 | | $ | 19.11 | | $ | 19.69 | | $ | 19.97 | | $ | 18.15 | |
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss(i) | | (0.22 | ) | (0.12 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.17 | ) | (0.16 | ) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | (1.74 | ) | 4.48 | | (0.54 | ) | (0.11 | ) | 1.98 | |
Total from investment operations | | (1.96 | ) | 4.36 | | (0.58 | ) | (0.28 | ) | 1.82 | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (0.80 | ) | (0.06 | ) | — | | — | | — | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 20.65 | | $ | 23.41 | | $ | 19.11 | | $ | 19.69 | | $ | 19.97 | |
Total return(ii) | | (8.70 | )% | 22.88 | % | (2.95 | )% | (1.40 | )% | 10.03 | % |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $ | 2,844 | | $ | 3,673 | | $ | 4,720 | | $ | 4,730 | | $ | 5,392 | |
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets | | 2.94 | % | 3.24 | % | 3.13 | % | 2.80 | % | 2.75 | % |
Ratio of expense reimbursements to average net assets | | (0.69 | )% | (0.99 | )% | (0.88 | )% | (0.55 | )% | (0.50 | )% |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | | 2.25 | % | 2.25 | % | 2.25 | % | 2.25 | % | 2.25 | % |
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets | | (0.94 | )% | (0.59 | )% | (0.23 | )% | (0.82 | )% | (0.83 | )% |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 217.51 | % | 134.76 | % | 138.05 | % | 143.87 | % | 81.13 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
(i) Amount was computed based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(ii) Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if applicable.
21
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Financial Highlights for a share outstanding throughout the period
Alger Global Focus Fund
| | Class I | |
| | Year ended | | Year ended | | Year ended | | Year ended | | Year ended | |
| | 10/31/2018 | | 10/31/2017 | | 10/31/2016 | | 10/31/2015 | | 10/31/2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 24.05 | | $ | 20.36 | | $ | 20.78 | | $ | 20.87 | | $ | 18.78 | |
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)(i) | | (0.01 | ) | 0.08 | | 0.17 | | 0.04 | | 0.03 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | (1.77 | ) | 4.64 | | (0.59 | ) | (0.13 | ) | 2.06 | |
Total from investment operations | | (1.78 | ) | 4.72 | | (0.42 | ) | (0.09 | ) | 2.09 | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (1.00 | ) | (1.03 | ) | — | | — | | — | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 21.27 | | $ | 24.05 | | $ | 20.36 | | $ | 20.78 | | $ | 20.87 | |
Total return(ii) | | (7.77 | )% | 24.15 | % | (2.02 | )% | (0.43 | )% | 11.13 | % |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $ | 714 | | $ | 286 | | $ | 384 | | $ | 1,914 | | $ | 1,646 | |
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets | | 2.19 | % | 2.63 | % | 2.33 | % | 2.02 | % | 1.94 | % |
Ratio of expense reimbursements to average net assets | | (0.94 | )% | (1.38 | )% | (1.08 | )% | (0.77 | )% | (0.69 | )% |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | | 1.25 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.25 | % |
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets | | (0.04 | )% | 0.37 | % | 0.86 | % | 0.17 | % | 0.17 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 217.51 | % | 134.76 | % | 138.05 | % | 143.87 | % | 81.13 | % |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
(i) Amount was computed based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(ii) Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if applicable.
22
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
Financial Highlights for a share outstanding throughout the period
Alger Global Focus Fund
| | Class Z | |
| | Year ended | | Year ended | | Year ended | | Year ended | | Year ended | |
| | 10/31/2018 | | 10/31/2017 | | 10/31/2016 | | 10/31/2015 | | 10/31/2014 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | $ | 25.26 | | $ | 20.55 | | $ | 20.92 | | $ | 20.95 | | $ | 18.80 | |
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income(i) | | 0.05 | | 0.12 | | 0.19 | | 0.09 | | 0.06 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | (1.90 | ) | 4.83 | | (0.56 | ) | (0.12 | ) | 2.09 | |
Total from investment operations | | (1.85 | ) | 4.95 | | (0.37 | ) | (0.03 | ) | 2.15 | |
Dividends from net investment income | | (1.04 | ) | (0.24 | ) | — | | — | | — | |
Net asset value, end of period | | $ | 22.37 | | $ | 25.26 | | $ | 20.55 | | $ | 20.92 | | $ | 20.95 | |
Total return(ii) | | (7.67 | )% | 24.33 | % | 1.77 | % | (0.14 | )% | 11.44 | % |
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted) | | $ | 4,857 | | $ | 4,946 | | $ | 3,563 | | $ | 2,243 | | $ | 1,308 | |
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets | | 2.01 | % | 2.35 | % | 2.36 | % | 2.20 | % | 3.72 | % |
Ratio of expense reimbursements to average net assets | | (0.92 | )% | (1.26 | )% | (1.31 | )% | (1.21 | )% | (2.73 | )% |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | | 1.09 | % | 1.09 | % | 1.05 | % | 0.99 | % | 0.99 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | 0.21 | % | 0.53 | % | 0.92 | % | 0.44 | % | 0.30 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | 217.51 | % | 134.76 | % | 138.05 | % | 143.87 | % | 81.13 | % |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
(i) Amount was computed based on average shares outstanding during the period.
(ii) Does not reflect the effect of sales charges, if applicable.
23
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 — General:
Alger Global Focus Fund (formerly Alger Global Growth Fund) (the “Fund”) is an open-end registered investment company organized as a business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Fund qualifies as an investment company as defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 946-Financial Services — Investment Companies. The Fund’s investment objective is long-term capital appreciation. It seeks to achieve its objective by investing in equity securities in the United States and foreign countries. The Fund’s foreign investments will include securities of companies in both developed and emerging market countries. The Fund offers Class A, C, I and Z shares. Class A shares are generally subject to an initial sales charge while Class C shares are generally subject to a deferred sales charge. Class I and Z shares are sold to institutional investors without an initial or deferred sales charge. Each class has identical rights to assets and earnings except that each share class bears the pro rata allocation of the Fund’s expenses other than a class expense (not including advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the Fund’s assets).
Alger Global Growth Fund changed its name to Alger Global Focus Fund effective August 15, 2018.
Effective August 1, 2018, Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares on the fifth business day of the month following the tenth anniversary of the purchase.
NOTE 2 — Significant Accounting Policies:
(a) Investment Valuation: The Fund values its financial instruments at fair value using independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (“Board”). Investments are valued on each day the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open, as of the close of the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time).
Equity securities, including traded rights, warrants and option contracts for which valuation information is readily available are valued at the last quoted sales price or official closing price as reported by an independent pricing service on the primary market or exchange on which they are traded. In the absence of quoted sales, such securities are valued at the bid price or, in the absence of a recent bid price, the equivalent as obtained from one or more of the major market makers for the securities to be valued.
Debt securities generally trade in the over-the-counter market. Debt securities with remaining maturities of more than sixty days at the time of acquisition are valued on the basis of last available bid prices or current market quotations provided by dealers or pricing services. In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing services may use certain information with respect to transactions in such investments, quotations from dealers, pricing matrixes, market transactions in comparable investments, various relationships observed in the market between investments and calculated yield measures based on valuation technology commonly employed in the market for such investments. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are valued by independent pricing services using models that consider estimated cash flows of each tranche of the security, establish a benchmark yield and develop an estimated tranche-specific spread to the benchmark yield
24
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
based on the unique attributes of the tranche. Debt securities with a remaining maturity of sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost which approximates market value.
Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value, as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures established by the Board.
Securities in which the Fund invests may be traded in foreign markets that close before the close of the NYSE. Developments that occur between the close of the foreign markets and the close of the NYSE may result in adjustments to the foreign closing prices to reflect what the investment adviser, pursuant to policies established by the Board, believes to be the fair value of these securities as of the close of the NYSE. The Fund may also fair value securities in other situations, for example, when a particular foreign market is closed but the Fund is open.
Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 820 — Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) defines fair value as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. ASC 820 established a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Fund. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Fund’s own assumptions based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below.
· Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
· Level 2 — significant other observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
· Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The Fund’s valuation techniques are generally consistent with either the market or the income approach to fair value. The market approach considers prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets to measure fair value. The income approach converts future amounts to a current, or discounted, single amount. These fair value measurements are determined on the basis of the value indicated by current market expectations about such future events. Inputs for Level 1 include exchange-listed prices and broker quotes in an active market. Inputs for Level 2 include the last trade price in the case of a halted security, an exchange-listed price which has been adjusted for fair value factors, and prices of closely related securities. Additional Level 2 inputs include an evaluated price which is based upon a compilation of observable market information such as spreads for fixed income and preferred securities. Inputs for Level 3 include, but are not limited to, revenue multiples, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) multiples, discount rates, and the probabilities
25
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
of success of certain outcomes. Such unobservable market information may be obtained from a company’s financial statements and from industry studies, market data, and market indicators such as benchmarks and indexes. Because of the inherent uncertainty and often limited markets for restricted securities, the values may significantly differ from values if there was an active market.
Valuation processes are determined by a Valuation Committee (“Committee”) established by the Board and comprised of representatives of the Fund’s investment adviser. The Committee reports its fair valuation determinations to the Board which is responsible for approving valuation policy and procedures.
While the Committee meets on an as-needed basis, the Committee generally meets quarterly to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the procedures for making fair value determinations. The Committee considers, among other things, the results of quarterly back testing of the fair value model for foreign securities, pricing comparisons between primary and secondary price sources, the outcome of price challenges put to the Fund’s pricing vendor, and variances between transactional prices and the previous day’s price.
The Fund will record a change to a security’s fair value level if new inputs are available or it becomes evident that inputs previously considered for leveling have changed or are no longer relevant. Transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 are recognized at the end of the reporting period.
(b) Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include U.S. dollars, foreign cash and overnight time deposits.
(c) Securities Transactions and Investment Income: Securities transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recognized on the accrual basis.
Premiums and discounts on debt securities purchased are amortized or accreted over the lives of the respective securities.
(d) Foreign Currency Translations: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, investments and other assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange on the valuation date. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions.
Net realized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses from the disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains and losses realized between the trade dates and settlement dates of security transactions, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. The effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments in securities are included in realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
26
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(e) Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts: The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risk on their non-U.S. dollar denominated securities or to facilitate settlement of foreign currency denominated portfolio transactions. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. Realized gains or losses equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed are recorded upon delivery or receipt of the currency.
These contracts may involve market risk in excess of the unrealized gain or loss reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. In addition, the Fund could be exposed to risk if the counterparties are unable to meet the terms of the contracts or if the value of the currency changes unfavorably to the base currency.
(f) Dividends to Shareholders: Dividends and distributions payable to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund declares and pays dividends from net investment income, if available, annually. Dividends from net realized gains, offset by any loss carryforward, are declared and paid annually after the end of the fiscal year in which earned.
Each class is treated separately in determining the amounts of dividends from net investment income payable to holders of its shares.
The characterization of distributions to shareholders for financial reporting purposes is determined in accordance with federal income tax rules. Therefore, the source of the Fund’s distributions may be shown in the accompanying financial statements as either from, or in excess of, net investment income, net realized gain on investment transactions or return of capital, depending on the type of book/tax differences that may exist. Capital accounts within the financial statements are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences. Reclassifications result primarily from the difference in tax treatment of net operating losses, passive foreign investment companies, and foreign currency transactions. The reclassifications are done annually at fiscal year-end and have no impact on the net asset value of the Fund and are designed to present the Fund’s capital accounts on a tax basis.
(g) Lending of Fund Securities: The Fund may lend its securities to financial institutions, provided that the market value of the securities loaned will not at any time exceed one third of the Fund’s total assets, as defined in its prospectuses. The Fund earns fees on the securities loaned, which are included in interest income in the accompanying Statement of Operations. In order to protect against the risk of failure by the borrower to return the securities loaned or any delay in the delivery of such securities, the loan is collateralized by cash or securities that are maintained with Brown Brothers Harriman & Company, the Fund’s Custodian (“BBH” or the “Custodian”), in an amount equal to at least 102 percent of the current market value of U.S. loaned securities or 105 percent for non-U.S. loaned securities. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of business of the Fund. Any required additional collateral is delivered to the Custodian and any excess collateral is returned to the borrower on the next business day. In the event the borrower fails to return the loaned securities when due, the Fund may take the collateral to replace the securities. If the value of the collateral is less than the purchase cost of replacement
27
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
securities, the Custodian shall be responsible for any shortfall, but only to the extent that the shortfall is not due to any diminution in collateral value, as defined in the securities lending agreement. The Fund is required to maintain the collateral in a segregated account and determine its value each day until the loaned securities are returned. Cash collateral may be invested as determined by the Fund. Collateral is returned to the borrower upon settlement of the loan. There were no securities loaned as of October 31, 2018.
(h) Federal Income Taxes: It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code Subchapter M applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Provided that the Fund maintains such compliance, no federal income tax provision is required.
Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 740 — Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) requires the Fund to measure and recognize in its financial statements the benefit of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) on an income tax return if such position will more likely than not be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position. No tax years are currently under investigation. The Fund files income tax returns in the U.S., as well as New York State and New York City. The statute of limitations on the Fund’s tax returns remains open for the tax years 2015-2018. Management does not believe there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.
(i) Allocation Methods: Income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and expenses of the Fund are allocated among the Fund’s classes based on relative net assets, with the exception of distribution fees, transfer agency fees, and shareholder servicing and related fees.
(j) Estimates: These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require using estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts therein. Actual results may differ from those estimates. All such estimates are of normal recurring nature.
(k) Recent Accounting Pronouncement: On August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-13 “Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2018-13”) which modifies disclosure requirements for fair value measurements principally for Level 3 securities and transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within those fiscal years.
Management is currently evaluating the application of ASU 2018-13 and its impact, if any, on the Fund’s financial statements.
NOTE 3 — Investment Advisory Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
(a) Investment Advisory Fees: Fees incurred by the Fund, pursuant to the provisions of the Fund’s Investment Advisory Agreement with Fred Alger Management, Inc. (“Alger Management” or the “Investment Manager”), are payable monthly and computed based on the following rates. The actual rate paid as a percentage of average daily net assets, for the year ended October 31, 2018, is set forth below under the heading “Actual Rate”:
28
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
| | Tier 1 | | Tier 2 | | Actual Rate | |
Alger Global Focus Fund(a) | | 0.80 | % | 0.70 | % | 0.80 | % |
(a) Tier 1 rate is paid on assets up to 1500 million, Tier 2 rate is paid on assets in excess of 1500 million.
Alger Management has established expense caps for the share classes, through February 28, 2019, whereby it reimburses the share classes if annualized operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage and extraordinary expenses) exceed the rates, based on average daily net assets, listed below:
| | | | | | | | | | FEES WAIVED /
REIMBURSED FOR | |
| | | | | | | | | | THE YEAR ENDED | |
| | CLASS | | OCTOBER 31, | |
| | A | | C | | I | | Z | | 2018 | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | 1.50 | % | 2.25 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.09 | % | $ | 210,686 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Alger Management may, during the one-year term of the expense reimbursement contract, recoup any expenses waived or reimbursed pursuant to the expense reimbursement contract to the extent that such recoupment would not cause the expense ratio to exceed the lesser of the stated limitation in effect at the time of (i) the waiver or reimbursement and (ii) the recoupment. For the year ended October 31, 2018, there were no recoupments made by the Fund to the Investment Manager. As of October 31, 2018, the total repayments that may potentially be made by the Fund to the Investment Manager is $210,686 which will expire by February 28, 2019.
(b) Administration Fees: Fees incurred by the Fund, pursuant to the provisions of the Fund’s Administration Agreement with Alger Management, are payable monthly and computed based on the average daily net assets of the Fund at the annual rate of 0.0275%.
(c) Distribution/Shareholder Servicing Fees: The Fund has adopted a distribution plan pursuant to which the Fund pays Fred Alger & Company, Incorporated, the Fund’s distributor (“Alger Inc.”) a fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class A and Class I shares and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Class C shares to compensate Alger Inc. for its activities and expenses incurred in distributing the Fund’s shares and shareholder servicing. Fees paid may be more or less than the expenses incurred by Alger Inc.
(d) Sales Charges: Purchases and sales of shares of the Fund may be subject to initial sales charges or contingent deferred sales charges. For the year ended October 31, 2018, the initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges imposed, all of which were retained by Alger Inc., were approximately $3,518 and $601, respectively. The initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges are used by Alger Inc. to offset distribution expenses previously incurred. Sales charges do not represent expenses of the Fund.
(e) Brokerage Commissions: During the year ended October 31, 2018, the Fund paid Alger Inc., $7,338 in connection with securities transactions.
29
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(f) Shareholder Administrative Fees: The Fund has entered into a shareholder administrative services agreement with Alger Management to compensate Alger Management for its liaison and administrative oversight of DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc., the Fund’s transfer agent, and for other related services. The Fund compensates Alger Management at the annual rate of 0.0165% of the respective average daily net assets of Class A and Class C shares and 0.01% of the respective average daily net assets of the Class I and Class Z shares for these services.
Alger Management makes payments to intermediaries that provide sub-accounting services to omnibus accounts invested in the Fund. A portion of the fees paid by Alger Management to intermediaries that provide sub-accounting services are charged back to the Fund, subject to certain limitations, as approved by the Board. For the year ended October 31, 2018, Alger Management charged back $10,953 to the Fund for these services, which are included in transfer agent fees and expenses in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
(g) Trustee Fees: From November 1, 2017 through February 28, 2018, each Independent Trustee received a fee of $27,250 for each board meeting attended, to a maximum of $109,000 per annum, paid pro rata by each fund in the Alger Fund Complex, plus travel expenses incurred for attending the meeting. The term “Alger Fund Complex” refers to the Fund, The Alger Institutional Funds, The Alger Funds, The Alger Funds II and The Alger Portfolios, each of which is a registered investment company managed by Alger Management. The Independent Trustee appointed as Chairman of the Board of Trustees receives additional compensation of $26,000 per annum paid pro rata by each fund in the Alger Fund Complex. Additionally, each member of the Audit Committee receives a fee of $2,500 for each Audit Committee meeting attended to a maximum of $10,000 per annum, paid pro rata by each fund in the Alger Fund Complex.
Effective March 1, 2018, each Independent Trustee receives a fee of $112,000 per annum, paid pro rata by each fund in the Alger Fund Complex, plus travel expenses incurred for attending the meetings. The Independent Trustee appointed as Chairman of the Board of Trustees receives additional compensation of $30,000 per annum paid pro rata by each fund in the Alger Fund Complex. Additionally, each member of the Audit Committee receives a fee of $11,000 per annum, paid pro rata by each fund in the Alger Fund Complex.
(h) Interfund Loans: The Fund, along with other funds advised by Alger Management, may borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes. To the extent permitted under its investment restrictions, each fund may lend uninvested cash in an amount up to 15% of its net assets to other funds. If a fund has borrowed from other funds and has aggregate borrowings from all sources that exceed 10% of the fund’s total assets, such fund will secure all of its loans from other funds. The interest rate charged on interfund loans is equal to the average of the overnight time deposit rate and bank loan rate available to the funds. There were no interfund loans as of October 31, 2018.
During the year ended October 31, 2018, the Fund incurred interfund loan interest expense of $130.
30
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(i) Other Transactions with Affiliates: Certain officers of the Fund are directors and officers of Alger Management and Alger Inc. At October 31, 2018, Alger Management and its affiliated entities owned the following shares of the Fund:
| | SHARE CLASS | |
| | A | | C | | I | | Z | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | — | | — | | — | | 14,769 | |
NOTE 4 — Securities Transactions:
The following summarizes the securities transactions by the Fund for the year ended October 31, 2018:
| | PURCHASES | | SALES | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | $ | 60,109,391 | | $ | 63,204,928 | |
| | | | | | | |
Transactions in foreign securities may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. companies because of, among other factors, the level of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign security markets, and the possibility of political or economic instability. Additional risks associated with investing in the emerging markets include increased volatility, limited liquidity, and less stringent regulatory and legal systems.
NOTE 5 — Borrowings:
The Fund may borrow from the Custodian on an uncommitted basis. The Fund pays the Custodian a market rate of interest, generally based upon the London Interbank Offered Rate. The Fund may also borrow from other funds advised by Alger Management, as discussed in Note 3(h). For the year ended October 31, 2018, the Fund had the following borrowings:
| | AVERAGE DAILY | | WEIGHTED AVERAGE | |
| | BORROWING | | INTEREST RATE | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | $ | 7,293 | | 2.90 | % |
| | | | | | |
The highest amount borrowed from the Custodian and other funds during the year ended October 31, 2018, for the Fund was as follows:
| | HIGHEST BORROWING | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | $ | 473,729 | |
| | | | |
NOTE 6 — Share Capital:
The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares of beneficial interest of $.001 par value. Transactions of shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
31
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
| | FOR THE YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 2018 | | FOR THE YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 2017 | |
| | SHARES | | AMOUNT | | SHARES | | AMOUNT | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | | | | | | | | |
Class A: | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 32,269 | | $ | 802,013 | | 20,858 | | $ | 457,310 | |
Shares converted from Class C | | 1,354 | | 34,349 | | — | | — | |
Dividends reinvested | | 29,809 | | 716,610 | | 8,728 | | 181,187 | |
Shares redeemed | | (153,090 | ) | (3,835,134 | ) | (204,004 | ) | (4,515,069 | ) |
Net decrease | | (89,658 | ) | $ | (2,282,162 | ) | (174,418 | ) | $ | (3,876,572 | ) |
Class C: | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 12,499 | | $ | 294,789 | | 11,783 | | $ | 248,858 | |
Shares converted to Class A | | (1,433 | ) | (34,349 | ) | — | | — | |
Dividends reinvested | | 4,594 | | 104,874 | | 684 | | 13,517 | |
Shares redeemed | | (34,829 | ) | (824,465 | ) | (102,587 | ) | (2,153,845 | ) |
Net decrease | | (19,169 | ) | $ | (459,151 | ) | (90,120 | ) | $ | (1,891,470 | ) |
Class I: | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 38,537 | | $ | 953,093 | | 2,988 | | $ | 66,074 | |
Dividends reinvested | | 524 | | 12,216 | | 505 | | 10,157 | |
Shares redeemed | | (17,389 | ) | (413,549 | ) | (10,453 | ) | (216,892 | ) |
Net increase (decrease) | | 21,672 | | $ | 551,760 | | (6,960 | ) | $ | (140,661 | ) |
Class Z: | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | 86,387 | | $ | 2,240,938 | | 69,230 | | $ | 1,579,384 | |
Dividends reinvested | | 5,153 | | 126,194 | | 1,159 | | 24,451 | |
Shares redeemed | | (70,272 | ) | (1,779,669 | ) | (47,995 | ) | (1,078,972 | ) |
Net increase | | 21,268 | | $ | 587,463 | | 22,394 | | $ | 524,863 | |
NOTE 7 — Income Tax Information:
The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended October 31, 2018 and the year ended October 31, 2017, were as follows:
| | FOR THE YEAR ENDED | | FOR THE YEAR ENDED | |
| | OCTOBER 31, 2018 | | OCTOBER 31, 2017 | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | | | | |
Distributions paid from: | | | | | |
Ordinary Income | | $ | 1,115,689 | | $ | 265,388 | |
Long-term capital gain | | 78,069 | | — | |
Total distributions paid | | $ | 1,193,758 | | $ | 265,388 | |
32
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As of October 31, 2018, the components of accumulated gains(losses) on a tax basis were as follows:
Alger Global Focus Fund | | | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 99,851 | |
Undistributed long-term gains | | 1,743,009 | |
Net accumulated earnings | | 1,842,860 | |
Capital loss carryforwards | | — | |
Net unrealized depreciation | | (976,420 | ) |
Total accumulated earnings | | $ | 866,440 | |
At October 31, 2018, the Fund, for federal income tax purposes, had no capital loss carryforwards.
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, capital losses incurred by the Fund on or after January 1, 2011 (Post Act) will not be subject to expiration.
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is determined annually and is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 988 currency transactions, the realization of unrealized appreciation of passive foreign investment companies, and partnership basis adjustments.
Permanent differences, primarily from net operating losses and real estate investment trusts and partnership investments sold by the Fund, resulted in the following reclassifications among the Fund’s components of net assets at October 31, 2018:
Alger Global Focus Fund | | | |
Distributable earnings | | $ | (78,070 | ) |
Paid-in Capital | | $ | 78,070 | |
NOTE 8 — Fair Value Measurements
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2018, in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value on a recurring basis. Based upon the nature, characteristics, and risks associated with its investments, the Fund has determined that presenting them by security type and sector is appropriate.
33
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Alger Global Focus Fund | | TOTAL FUND | | LEVEL 1 | | LEVEL 2 | | LEVEL 3 | |
COMMON STOCKS | | | | | | | | | |
Communication Services | | $ | 883,346 | | $ | 482,393 | | $ | 400,953 | | — | |
Consumer Discretionary | | 5,777,091 | | 2,859,042 | | 2,918,049 | | — | |
Consumer Staples | | 2,923,889 | | 1,669,440 | | 1,254,449 | | — | |
Energy | | 897,981 | | 897,981 | | — | | — | |
Financials | | 2,427,940 | | 1,245,395 | | 1,182,545 | | — | |
Health Care | | 3,292,562 | | 1,495,078 | | 1,797,484 | | — | |
Industrials | | 1,384,373 | | — | | 1,384,373 | | — | |
Information Technology | | 4,688,680 | | 3,164,171 | | 1,506,247 | | $ | 18,262 | |
Materials | | 369,244 | | — | | 369,244 | | — | |
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | | $ | 22,645,106 | | $ | 11,813,500 | | $ | 10,813,344 | | $ | 18,262 | |
PREFERRED STOCKS | | | | | | | | | |
Health Care | | 106,314 | | — | | — | | 106,314 | |
Information Technology | | 74,469 | | — | | — | | 74,469 | |
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS | | $ | 180,783 | | — | | — | | $ | 180,783 | |
SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE | | | | | | | | | |
Financials | | — | * | — | | — | | — | * |
TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES | | $ | 22,825,889 | | $ | 11,813,500 | | $ | 10,813,344 | | $ | 199,045 | |
*Alger Global Focus Fund’s holdings of JS Kred SPV I, LLC. shares are classified as a Level 3 investment and are fair valued at zero as of October 31, 2018.
| | FAIR VALUE
MEASUREMENTS
USING SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS (LEVEL 3) | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | Common Stocks | |
Opening balance at November 1, 2017 | | $ | 18,262 | * |
Transfers into Level 3 | | — | |
Transfers out of Level 3 | | — | |
Total gains or losses | | | |
Included in net realized gain (loss) on investments | | (571 | ) |
Included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | 571 | |
Purchases and sales | | | |
Purchases | | — | |
Sales | | — | |
Closing balance at October 31, 2018 | | $ | 18,262 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) attributable to investments still held at October 31, 2018 | | — | |
34
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
| | FAIR VALUE
MEASUREMENTS
USING SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS (LEVEL 3) | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | Corporate Bonds | |
Opening balance at November 1, 2017 | | $ | 0 | * |
Transfers into Level 3 | | — | |
Transfers out of Level 3 | | — | |
Total gains or losses | | | |
Included in net realized gain (loss) on investments | | (5 | ) |
Included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | 5 | |
Purchases and sales | | | |
Purchases | | — | |
Sales | | — | |
Closing balance at October 31, 2018 | | — | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) attributable to investments still held at October 31, 2018 | | $ | — | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | Preferred Stocks | |
Opening balance at November 1, 2017 | | $ | 189,806 | * |
Transfers into Level 3 | | — | |
Transfers out of Level 3 | | — | |
Total gains or losses | | | |
Included in net realized gain (loss) on investments | | (37,410 | ) |
Included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | 37,666 | |
Purchases and sales | | | |
Purchases | | — | |
Sales | | (9,279 | ) |
Closing balance at October 31, 2018 | | 180,783 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) attributable to investments still held at October 31, 2018 | | $ | 677 | |
| | Special Purpose | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | Vehicle | |
Opening balance at November 1, 2017 | | $ | 67,586 | |
Transfers into Level 3 | | — | |
Transfers out of Level 3 | | — | |
Total gains or losses | | | |
Included in net realized gain (loss) on investments | | — | |
Included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | (67,586 | ) |
Purchases and sales | | | |
Purchases | | — | |
Sales | | — | |
Closing balance at October 31, 2018 | | $ | 0 | * |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) attributable to investments still held at October 31, 2018 | | (67,586 | ) |
35
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
| | FAIR VALUE
MEASUREMENTS
USING SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS (LEVEL 3) | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | Warrants | |
Opening balance at November 1, 2017 | | $ | 0 | * |
Transfers into Level 3 | | — | |
Transfers out of Level 3 | | — | |
Total gains or losses | | | |
Included in net realized gain (loss) on investments | | (4,633 | ) |
Included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | 4,633 | |
Purchases and sales | | | |
Purchases | | — | |
Sales | | — | |
Closing balance at October 31, 2018 | | — | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) attributable to investments still held at October 31, 2018 | | $ | — | |
*Includes securities that are fair valued at zero.
The following table provides quantitative information about our Level 3 fair value measurements of our investments as of October 31, 2018. In addition to the techniques and inputs noted in the table below, according to our valuation policy we may also use other valuation techniques and methodologies when determining our fair value measurements. The table below is not intended to be all-inclusive, but rather provides information on the Level 3 inputs as they relate to our fair value measurements.
| | Fair Value | | Valuation | | Unobservable | | | | Weighted | |
| | October 31, 2018 | | Methodology | | Input | | Range/Input | | Average Inputs | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock | | $ | 18,262 | | Market Approach | | Transaction Price | | N/A* | | N/A | |
Preferred Stocks | | 106,314 | | Income Approach | | Discount Rate | | 46.5-51.5% | | N/A | |
Preferred Stocks | | 74,469 | | Market Approach | | Market Quotation | | N/A* | | N/A | |
Special Purpose Vehicle | | 0 | | Market Approach | | Revenue Multiple | | 4.55x-5.05x | | N/A | |
*The Fund utilized a market approach to fair value this security. The significant unobservable input used in the valuation model was a private sale available to the Fund at October 31, 2018.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s securities are revenue and EBITDA multiples, discount rates, and the probabilities of success of certain outcomes. Significant increases and decreases in these inputs in isolation and interrelationships between those inputs could result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements than those noted in the table above. Generally, increases in revenue and EBITDA multiples, decreases in discount rates, and increases in the probabilities of success results in higher fair value measurements, whereas decreases in revenues and EBITDA
36
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
multiples, increases in discount rates, and decreases in the probabilities of success results in lower fair value measurements.
As of October 31, 2018, there were no transfers of securities between Level 1 and Level 2.
Certain of the Fund’s assets and liabilities are held at carrying amount or face value, which approximates fair value for financial statement purposes. As of October 31, 2018, such assets are categorized within the ASC 820 disclosure hierarchy as follows:
| | TOTAL FUND | | LEVEL 1 | | LEVEL 2 | | LEVEL 3 | |
Cash, Foreign cash and Cash equivalents | | $ | 1,155,601 | | $ | 1,524 | | $ | 1,154,077 | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
NOTE 9 — Derivatives:
Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 815 — Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”) requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements.
Forward foreign currency contracts - In connection with portfolio purchases and sales of securities denominated in foreign currencies, the Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts. Additionally, the Fund may enter into such contracts to economically hedge certain other foreign currency denominated investments. These contracts are valued at the current cost of covering or offsetting such contracts and the related realized and unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses are included in the Statement of Operations. In the event that counterparties fail to settle these currency contracts or the related foreign security trades, the Fund could be exposed to foreign currency fluctuation.
For the year ended October 31, 2018, the average notional amount of forward foreign currency contracts outstanding for Alger Global Focus Fund was $604,835. Forward foreign currency contracts were held during 1 month of the year. The effect of derivative instruments on the accompanying Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2018, is as follows:
NET REALIZED GAIN ON DERIVATIVES
Alger Global Focus Fund | | | |
Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments | | | |
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts | | $ | 681 | |
Total | | $ | 681 | |
There were no open derivative instruments as of October 31, 2018.
NOTE 10 — Principal Risks:
Investing in the stock market involves certain risks, and may not be suitable for all investors. Growth stocks tend to be more volatile than other stocks as their prices tend to be higher in relation to their companies’ earnings and may be more sensitive to market, political, and
37
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
economic developments. Assets may be focused in a small number of holdings, making them susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory event than a more diversified portfolio. Foreign securities involve special risks including currency risk and risks related to political, social, or economic conditions. Emerging Markets securities involves special risks including currency fluctuations, less liquidity, inefficient trading, political instability, and increased volatility. Active trading may increase transaction costs, brokerage commissions, and taxes, which can lower the return on investment.
NOTE 11 — Affiliated Securities:
The issuers of the securities listed below are deemed to be affiliates of the Fund because the Fund or its affiliates owned 5% or more of the issuer’s voting securities during all or part of the year ended October 31, 2018. Purchase and sale transactions and interest income earned during the year were as follows:
Security | | Shares/
Par at
October 31,
2017 | | Purchases/
Conversion | | Sales/
Conversion | | Shares/
Par at
October 31,
2018 | | Interest
Income | | Realized
Gain (Loss) | | Net Increase
(Decrease)
in
Unrealized
App(Dep) | | Value at
October 31,
2018 | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Choicestream, Inc.* | | 1,969 | | — | | (1,969 | )* | — | | — | | $ | (571 | ) | $ | 571 | | — | |
Preferred Stocks | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Choicestream, Inc., Series A and B* | | 53,598 | | — | | (53,598 | )* | — | | — | | (35,550 | ) | 35,550 | | — | |
Prosetta Biosciences, Inc., Series D | | 33,858 | | — | | — | | 33,858 | | — | | — | | 677 | | $ | 106,314 | |
Corporate Bonds | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Choicestream, Inc., 11.0%, 8/05/18* | | 4,637 | | — | | (4,637 | )* | — | | — | | (5 | ) | 5 | | — | |
Warrants | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Choicestream, Inc. 6/22/26* | | 4,637 | | — | | (4,637 | )* | — | | — | | (4,633 | ) | 4,633 | | — | |
Total | | | | | | | | | | — | | $ | (40,759 | ) | $ | 41,436 | | $ | 106,314 | |
* The position was deemed worthless and written off due to the company being dissolved on December 20, 2017.
NOTE 12 — Subsequent Events:
Management of the Fund has evaluated events that have occurred subsequent to October 31, 2018, through the issuance date of the Financial Statements. No such events have been identified which require recognition and/or disclosure.
38
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees of The Alger Global Focus Fund (formerly Alger Global Growth Fund):
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The Alger Global Focus Fund (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 31, 2018, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its 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.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
39
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
December 21, 2018
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies within the group of investment companies since 2009.
40
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
Shareholder Expense Example
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: transaction costs, if applicable, including sales charges (loads) and redemption fees; and ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, if applicable, and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The example below is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period starting May 1, 2018 and ending October 31, 2018.
Actual Expenses
The first line for each class of shares in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you would have 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 under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Six Months Ended October 31, 2018” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line for each class of shares in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratios for each class of shares 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 other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges (loads) and redemption fees. Therefore, the second line under each class of shares in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
41
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
| | Beginning
Account
Value
May 1, 2018 | | Ending
Account
Value
October 31, 2018 | | Expenses
Paid During
the Six Months
Ended October 31,
2018(a) | | Annualized
Expense Ratio
For the
Six Months
Ended
October 31,
2018(b) | |
Alger Global Focus Fund | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | Actual | | $ | 1,000.00 | | $ | 839.60 | | $ | 6.96 | | 1.50 | % |
| Hypothetical(c) | | 1,000.00 | | 1,017.64 | | 7.63 | | 1.50 | |
Class C | Actual | | 1,000.00 | | 874.00 | | 10.63 | | 2.25 | |
| Hypothetical(c) | | 1,000.00 | | 1,013.86 | | 11.42 | | 2.25 | |
Class I | Actual | | 1,000.00 | | 887.40 | | 5.95 | | 1.25 | |
| Hypothetical(c) | | 1,000.00 | | 1,018.90 | | 6.36 | | 1.25 | |
Class Z | Actual | | 1,000.00 | | 888.10 | | 5.19 | | 1.09 | |
| Hypothetical(c) | | 1,000.00 | | 1,019.71 | | 5.55 | | 1.09 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio of the respective share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
(b) Annualized.
(c) 5% annual return before expenses.
42
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Tax Information
In accordance with subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for the year ended October 31, 2018, 16.72% of Alger Global Focus Fund’s dividends qualified for the dividends deduction for corporations. For the year ended October 31, 2018, certain dividends paid by the Fund may be subject to a maximum rate of 15%, as provided by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. Of the distributions paid during the fiscal year, 100% of the Fund’s dividends may be considered qualified dividend income.
Shareholders should not use the above information to prepare their tax returns. Since the Fund’s fiscal year is not calendar year, another notification will be sent with respect to calendar year 2018. Such notification, which will reflect the amount to be used by tax payers on their federal income returns, will be made in conjunction with Form 1099 DIV and will be mailed in January 2019. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the consequences of their investment in the Fund.
43
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Trustees and Officers of the Trust
Information about the trustees and officers of the Trust is set forth below. In the table the term “Alger Fund Complex” refers to the Fund, The Alger Portfolios, The Alger Institutional Funds, The Alger Funds and The Alger Funds II, each of which is a registered investment company managed by Fred Alger Management, Inc. (“Alger Management”). Each Trustee serves until an event of termination, such as death or resignation, or until his or her successor is duly elected; each officer’s term of office is one year. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person named below is 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010.
Additional information regarding the Trustees and Officers of the Trust is available in the Trust’s Statement of Additional Information.
44
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Name, Age, Position with the
Fund | | Principal Occupations | | Since | | Number of
Funds in the
Alger Fund
Trustee
Complex and/or
which are
Officer Overseen
by Trustee | |
INTERESTED TRUSTEE | | | | | | | |
Hilary M. Alger (57) | | Director of Development, Pennsylvania Ballet 2004-2013; Associate Director of Development, College of Arts and Science and Graduate School, University of Virginia 1999-2003. | | 2003 | | 26 | |
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES | | | | | | | |
Charles F. Baird, Jr. (65) | | Managing Director of North Castle Partners, a private equity securities group; Chairman of Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas and Barry’s Bootcamp, former Chairman of Cascade Helmets, gloProfessional (makeup and skincare business), Contigo (manufacturer of mugs and water bottles), and International Fitness. | | 2000 | | 26 | |
Roger P. Cheever (73) | | Associate Vice President for Principal Gifts and Senior Associate Dean for Development in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University; Formerly Deputy Director of the Harvard College Fund. | | 2000 | | 26 | |
Stephen E. O’Neil (85) | | Attorney. Private Investor since 1981. Formerly of Counsel to the law firm of Kohler & Barnes. | | 1986 | | 26 | |
David Rosenberg (56) | | Associate Professor of Law since January 2006 (Assistant Professor 2000-2005), Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, City University of New York. | | 2007 | | 26 | |
Nathan E. Saint-Amand M.D. (80) | | Medical doctor in private practice; Member of the Board of the Manhattan Institute (non-profit policy research) since 1988; Formerly Co-Chairman, Special Projects Committee, Memorial Sloan Kettering. | | 1986 | | 26 | |
Ms. Alger is an “interested person” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of the Trust because of her affiliations with Alger Management. No Trustee is a director of any public company except as indicated under “Principal Occupations”.
45
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Name, Age, Position with the
Fund | | Principal Occupations | | Trustee
and/or
Officer
Since | | Number
of Funds
in the
Alger Fund
Complex
which are
Overseen
by Trustee | |
OFFICERS | | | | | | | |
Hal Liebes (54)
President | | Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of Alger Management and Alger Inc.; Director since 2006 of Alger Management, Alger Inc. and Analyst Resources, Inc. | | 2005 | | N/A | |
Tina Payne (44)
Secretary, Chief Compliance Officer | | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Alger Management since 2017. Formerly, Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Cohen & Steers Capital Management, from 2007 to 2017 | | 2017 | | N/A | |
Christopher E. Ullman (33)
Assistant Secretary | | Associate Counsel of Alger Management since 2016. Formerly, Associate, Legal and Compliance, BlackRock from 2015 to 2016; Compliance Associate, Bridgewater Associates, from 2013 to 2014; and full-time student from 2010 to 2013. | | 2016 | | N/A | |
Michael D. Martins (53)
Treasurer | | Senior Vice President of Alger Management. | | 2005 | | N/A | |
Anthony S. Caputo (63)
Assistant Treasurer | | Vice President of Alger Management. | | 2007 | | N/A | |
Sergio M. Pavone (57)
Assistant Treasurer | | Vice President of Alger Management. | | 2007 | | N/A | |
46
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Investment Management Agreement Renewal and Approval
At an in-person meeting held on September 17, 2018 (Meeting), the Board of Trustees (Board) of the Fund, including a majority of the trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the Fund (Independent Trustees), reviewed and approved the continuance of the investment advisory agreement between Fred Alger Management, Inc. (Fred Alger Management) and the Fund (the Management Agreement) for an additional one-year period. The Independent Trustees received advice from, and met separately with, Independent Trustee counsel in considering whether to approve the continuation of the Management Agreement.
In considering the continuation of the Management Agreement, the Board reviewed and considered information provided by the Manager at the Meeting and throughout the year at meetings of the Board and its committees. The Board also reviewed and considered information provided in response to a detailed request for information submitted to the Manager by Independent Trustee counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees in connection with the annual contract renewal process. The materials for the Meeting included a presentation and analysis of the Fund and the Manager’s services by FUSE Research Network LLC (FUSE), an independent consulting firm that has no material relationship with the Trustees, the Manager or any of its affiliates. In addition, prior to the Meeting, the Independent Trustees held a telephonic contract renewal meeting at which the Independent Trustees conferred among themselves and Independent Trustee counsel about contract renewal matters. The Board reviewed and considered all of the factors it deemed relevant in approving the continuance of the Management Agreement, including, but not limited to: (i) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Manager; (ii) the investment performance of the Fund; (iii) the costs of the services provided and profits realized; (iv) the extent to which economies of scale are realized as the Fund grows; and (v) whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund investors.
In approving the continuance of the Management Agreement, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, determined that the terms of the Management Agreement are fair and reasonable and that the continuance of the Management Agreement is in the interests of the Fund and its shareholders. While attention was given to all information furnished, the following discusses some primary factors relevant to the Board’s determination.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
The Board reviewed and considered information regarding the nature, extent and quality of investment management services provided by the Manager to the Fund and its shareholders. This information included, among other things, the qualifications, background and experience of the professional personnel who perform services for the Fund; the structure of investment professional compensation; oversight of third-party service providers; investment performance reports and related financial information for the Fund; reports on fees and payments to intermediaries for transfer agency or shareholder services; legal and compliance matters; risk controls; pricing and other services provided by the Manager and its affiliates; and the range of management fees charged by the Manager and its affiliates
47
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
to other funds and accounts, including management’s explanation of differences among accounts where relevant. The Board noted Fred Alger Management’s history of expertise in the “growth” style of investment management and management’s ongoing efforts to develop strategies and adjust portfolios to express conviction in portfolio investments, and to address areas of heightened concern in the mutual fund industry, such as liquidity risk as well as market conditions. The Board noted the length of time the Manager had provided services as an investment adviser to each Fund and also noted FUSE’s analysis that successful flagship offerings should sustain growth and maintain interest in the Manager’s investment capabilities.
The Board also reviewed and considered the benefits provided to Fund shareholders of investing in a Fund that is part of the Alger family of funds. The Board noted the financial position of the Manager and its commitment to the mutual fund business as evidenced by its work to increase the number of offerings in focused strategies. The Board also noted that certain administrative, compliance, reporting and accounting services necessary for the conduct of the Fund’s affairs are provided separately under a Fund Administration Agreement and a Shareholder Administrative Services Agreement with Fred Alger Management.
Following consideration of such information, the Board was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager and its affiliates to the Fund and its shareholders.
Fund Performance
The Board reviewed and considered the performance results of the Fund over various time periods. The Board considered the performance returns for the Fund in comparison to the performance returns of a universe of mutual funds deemed comparable to the Fund based on various investment, operational, and pricing characteristics (Peer Universe), a group of mutual funds from within such Peer Universe deemed comparable to the Fund based primarily on investment strategy similarity (Peer Group), each as selected by FUSE, as well as the Fund’s benchmark index. Class A shares were used as the representative share class for the Fund’s performance results. It was noted that each class of the Fund would have substantially similar returns because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities and the returns would differ only to the extent that the classes do not have the same expenses. The Board received a description of the methodology FUSE used to select the mutual funds included in the Peer Universe and Peer Group.
The Board also reviewed and considered Fund performance reports provided and discussions that occurred with investment personnel at Board meetings throughout the year. As had been the practice at every quarterly meeting of Trustees throughout the year, representatives of the Manager discussed with the Trustees the recent performance of the Fund and the measures that the firm was in the process of instituting, or had instituted, to improve the performance of funds within the Alger Funds’ complex that had consistently underperformed. In expanding orally on the written materials they had provided to the Trustees, the FUSE representatives commented further on the performance of the Fund.
48
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
The Peer Group for the Fund consisted of the Fund and 16 other world large stock funds. The Peer Universe for this Fund included the Fund, the other funds of the Peer Group, and other world large stock funds. The Board noted that the Fund’s annualized total return for the one- and five-year periods outperformed the median of its Peer Group and the 50th percentile of its Peer Universe, but for the three- and 10-year periods underperformed the median of its Peer Group and the 50th percentile of its Peer Universe. The Board noted that the Fund’s rank within its Peer Universe for the three-year period was 52/94. FUSE noted that the Fund had been highly competitive versus its peers and its benchmark over the last two years and reported that the Fund’s shift to a more focused portfolio benefitted the Fund’s performance. The Board concluded that the Fund’s performance was acceptable, noting the addition of two new co-portfolio managers in March 2018 and a change in the Fund’s name and investment strategy from “Alger Global Growth Fund” to “Alger Global Focus Fund.”
Comparative Fees and Expenses
The Board reviewed and considered information regarding the Fund’s total expense ratio and its various components, including, as applicable, management fees, operating expenses, and Rule 12b-1 fees. The Board considered the total net expense ratio and, separately, the contractual management fee rate without the effect of fee waivers or expense reimbursements, if any (Management Rate), of the Fund in comparison to the median expense ratio and median Management Rate, respectively, of the Fund’s Peer Group. FUSE fee data is based upon information taken from each Peer Group fund’s most recent annual report, which reflects historical asset levels that may be quite different from those currently existing, particularly in a period of market volatility. While recognizing such inherent limitation and the fact that expense ratios and Management Rates generally increase as assets decline and decrease as assets grow, the Board believed the independent analysis conducted by FUSE to be an appropriate measure of comparative fees and expenses. The FUSE Management Rate includes administrative charges, and the total net expense ratio, for comparative consistency, was shown for Class A shares for funds with multiple classes of shares. The Board received a description of the methodology used by FUSE to select the mutual funds included in a Peer Group.
The Board noted that the Management Rate for the Fund was below the median of its Peer Group and the total net expense ratio for the Fund was above the median of its Peer Group. The Board also noted that the Fund’s total net expense ratio reflected a fee waiver from management. The Board concluded that the Management Rate charged to the Fund is reasonable.
Profitability
The Board reviewed and considered information regarding the profits realized by Fred Alger Management and its affiliates in connection with the operation of the Fund. In this respect, the Board considered the Fund profitability analysis that addresses the overall profitability, as well as the profits, of Fred Alger Management and its affiliates in providing investment management and other services to the Fund during the year ended June 30, 2018. The
49
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Board also reviewed the profitability methodology and the changes thereto, noting that management attempts to apply its methods consistently from year to year.
The Board noted management’s belief that costs incurred in establishing the infrastructure necessary for the type of mutual fund operations conducted by the Manager and its affiliates may not be fully reflected in the expenses allocated to the Fund in determining its profitability, as well as the fact that the level of profits, to a certain extent, reflected operational cost savings and efficiencies initiated by management. The Board also noted management’s expenditures related to additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from recent SEC and other regulatory developments.
The Board also considered the extent to which the Manager and its affiliates might derive ancillary benefits from fund operations. Based upon its consideration of all these factors, the Board concluded that the level of profits realized by the Manager and its affiliates from providing services to the Fund was not excessive in view of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.
Economies of Scale
The Board reviewed and considered the extent to which the Manager may realize economies of scale, if any, as the Fund grows larger and whether the Fund’s management fee structure reflects any economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders. The Board noted the existence of management fee breakpoints for the Fund, which operate to share economies of scale with the Fund’s shareholders by reducing the Fund’s effective management fees as the Fund grows in size. The Board considered the Manager’s view that the overall size of Fred Alger Management allows it to realize other economies of scale, such as with office space, purchases of technology, and other general business expenses. The Board concluded that for each Fund, to the extent economies of scale may be realized by Fred Alger Management and its affiliates, the benefits of such economies of scale would be shared with the Fund and its shareholders as the Fund grows.
Conclusion
Based on its review, consideration and evaluation of all factors it believed relevant, including the above-described factors and conclusions, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Management Agreement for an additional one-year period.
50
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Privacy Policy
U.S. Consumer Privacy Notice | Rev. 12/20/16 |
FACTS | | WHAT DOES ALGER 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:
· Social Security number and
· Account balances and
· Transaction history and
· Purchase history and
· Assets
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 personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share personal information; the reasons Alger chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing. |
Reasons we can share your personal
information | | Does
Alger 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 | | Yes | | No |
For joint marketing with other financial companies | | No | | We don’t share |
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your transactions and experiences | | Yes | | No |
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 1-800-342-2186 | | | | |
51
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Who we are | | |
Who is providing this notice? | | Alger includes Fred Alger Management, Inc. and Fred Alger & Company, Incorporated as well as the following funds: The Alger Funds, The Alger Funds II, The Alger Institutional Funds, The Alger Portfolios, and Alger Global Focus Fund. |
What we do | | |
How does Alger
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. |
How does Alger
collect my personal
information? | | We collect your personal information, for example, when you:
· Open an account or
· Make deposits or withdrawals from your account or
· Give us your contact information or
· Provide account information or
· Pay us by check. |
Why can’t I limit all sharing? | | Federal law gives you the right to limit only
· sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your credit worthiness
· affiliates from using your information to market to you
· 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.
· Our affiliates include Fred Alger Management, Inc. and Fred Alger & Company, Incorporated as well as the following funds: The Alger Funds, The Alger Funds II, The Alger Institutional Funds, The Alger Portfolios, and Alger Global Focus Fund. |
Nonaffiliates | | Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies. |
Joint marketing | | A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. |
52
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Proxy Voting Policies
A description of the policies and procedures the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available, without charge, by calling (800) 992-3863 or online on the Fund’s website at www.alger.com or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Fund Holdings
The Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures relating to disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities. These policies and procedures recognize that there may be legitimate business reasons for holdings to be disclosed and seek to balance those interests to protect the proprietary nature of the trading strategies and implementation thereof by the Fund.
Generally, the policies prohibit the release of information concerning portfolio holdings which have not previously been made public to individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries that distribute the Fund’s shares and other parties which are not employed by the Investment Manager or its affiliates except when the legitimate business purposes for selective disclosure and other conditions (designed to protect the Fund) are acceptable.
The Fund makes its full holdings available semi-annually in shareholder reports filed on Form N-CSR and after the first and third fiscal quarters in regulatory filings on Form N-Q. These shareholder reports and regulatory filings are filed with the SEC, as required by federal securities laws, and are generally available within sixty (60) days of the end of the Fund’s fiscal quarter. The Fund’s Forms N-CSR and N-Q are available online on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
In addition, the Fund makes publicly available its month-end top 10 holdings with a 10 day lag and its month-end full portfolio with a 60 day lag on its website www.alger.com and through other marketing communications (including printed advertising/sales literature and/or shareholder telephone customer service centers). No compensation or other consideration is received for the non-public disclosure of portfolio holdings information.
In accordance with the foregoing, the Fund provides portfolio holdings information to service providers who provide necessary or beneficial services when such service providers need access to this information in the performance of their services and are subject to duties of confidentiality (1) imposed by law, including a duty not to trade on non-public information, and/or (2) pursuant to an agreement that confidential information is not to be disclosed or used (including trading on such information) other than as required by law. From time to time, the Fund will communicate with these service providers to confirm that they understand the Fund’s policies and procedures regarding such disclosure. This agreement must be approved by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, President, Secretary or Assistant Secretary.
The Board of Trustees periodically reviews a report disclosing the third parties to whom the Fund’s holdings information has been disclosed and the purpose for such disclosure,
53
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
and it considers whether or not the release of information to such third parties is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.
In addition to material the Fund routinely provides to shareholders, the Investment Manager may, upon request, make additional statistical information available regarding the Fund. Such information will include, but not be limited to, relative weightings and characteristics of the Fund’s portfolio versus its peers or an index (such as P/E ratio, alpha, beta, capture ratio, maximum drawdown, standard deviation, EPS forecasts, Sharpe ratio, information ratio, R-squared, and market cap analysis), security specific impact on overall portfolio performance, month-end top ten contributors to and detractors from performance, breakdown of High Unit Volume Growth holdings vs. Positive Lifecycle Change holdings, portfolio turnover, and requests of a similar nature. Please contact the Fund at (800) 9923863 to obtain such information.
54
ALGER GLOBAL FOCUS FUND
360 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
(800) 992-3863
www.alger.com
Investment Manager
Fred Alger Management, Inc.
360 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
Distributor
Fred Alger & Company, Incorporated
360 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent
DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
P.O. Box 219432
Kansas City, MO 64121-9432
Custodian
Brown Brothers Harriman & Company
50 Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02110
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of Alger Global Focus Fund. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied by an effective prospectus for the Fund, which contains information concerning the Fund’s investment policies, fees and expenses as well as other pertinent information.
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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
(a) The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) The Registrant has not amended its Code of Ethics during the period covered by the shareholder report presented in Item 1 hereto.
(d) The Registrant has not granted a waiver or an implicit waiver from a provision of its Code of Ethics during the period covered by the shareholder report presented in Item 1 hereto.
(e) Not applicable.
(f) The Registrant’s Code of Ethics is attached as an Exhibit hereto.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
The Board of Trustees of the Registrant determined that Stephen E. O’Neil is an audit committee financial expert (within the meaning of that phrase specified in the instructions to Form N-CSR) on the Registrant’s audit committee. Mr. O’Neil is an “independent” trustee — i.e., he is not an interested person of the Registrant as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, nor has he accepted directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from the Registrant, other than in his capacity as Trustee.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
a) Audit Fees:
October 31, 2018 $37,800
October 31, 2017 $37,200
b) Audit-Related Fees: NONE
c) Tax Fees for tax advice, tax compliance and tax planning:
October 31, 2018 $9,700
October 31, 2017 $9,900
d) All Other Fees:
October 31, 2018 $1,972
October 31, 2017 $1,952
Other fees include a review and consent for Registrants registration statement filing and a review of the semi-annual financial statements.
e) 1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies And Procedures:
Audit and non-audit services provided by the Registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm (the “Auditors”) on behalf the Registrant must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Non-audit services provided by the Auditors on behalf of the Registrant’s Investment Adviser or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Adviser must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee if such non-audit services directly relate to the operations or financial reporting of the Registrant.
2) All fees in item 4(b) through 4(d) above were approved by the Registrants’ Audit Committee.
f) Not Applicable
g) Non-Audit Fees:
October 31, 2018 $232,868, €94,474
October 31, 2017 $224,414, €94,197
h) The audit committee of the board of trustees has considered whether the provision of the non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control, with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not approved pursuant to (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principle accountant’s independence.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
Not applicable
ITEM 6. INVESTMENTS.
(a) A Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
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.
None
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this document.
(b) No changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the Registrant’s second fiscal half-year that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS.
(a) (1) Code of Ethics as Exhibit 99.CODE ETH
(a) (2) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are attached as Exhibit 99.CERT
(a) (3) Not applicable
(a) (4) Not applicable
(b) Certifications of principal executive officer and principal financial officer as required by rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are attached as Exhibit 99.906CERT
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.
Alger Global Focus Fund | |
| |
By: | /s/Hal Liebes | |
| Hal Liebes | |
| President | |
| |
Date: December 20, 2018 | |
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: | /s/Hal Liebes | |
| Hal Liebes | |
| President | |
| |
Date: December 20, 2018 | |
By: | /s/Michael D. Martins | |
| Michael D. Martins | |
| Treasurer | |
| |
Date: December 20, 2018 | |
