UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act File Number 811-4946
THOMPSON PLUMB FUNDS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
918 Deming Way
Madison, Wisconsin 53717
(Address of principal executive offices)--(Zip code)
John W. Thompson
Chief Executive Officer and President
Thompson Plumb Funds, Inc.
918 Deming Way
Madison, Wisconsin 53717
(Name and address of agent for service)
With a copy to:
Fredrick G. Lautz, Esq.
Quarles & Brady LLP
411 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (608) 827-5700
Date of fiscal year end: November 30, 2011
Date of reporting period: November 30, 2011
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, N.W., Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
Item 1. Report to Stockholders.
THOMPSON PLUMB FUNDS, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The matters discussed in this report may constitute forward-looking statements. These include any Advisor or portfolio manager predictions, assessments, analyses or outlooks for individual securities, industries, investment styles, market sectors, interest rates, economic trends and/or markets. These statements involve risks and uncertainties. In addition to the general risks described for each Fund in its current Prospectus, other factors bearing on these reports include the accuracy of the Advisor’s or portfolio manager’s forecasts and predictions, the appropriateness of the investment strategies designed by the Advisor or portfolio manager and the ability of the Advisor or portfolio manager to implement its strategies efficiently and successfully. Any one or more of these factors, as well as other risks affecting the securities markets generally, could cause the actual results of any Fund to differ materially as compared to its benchmarks.
2
THOMPSON PLUMB FUNDS, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
November 30, 2011
CONTENTS
Page(s) | ||
GROWTH FUND | ||
Investment review | 4-6 | |
Schedule of investments | 7-8 | |
MIDCAP FUND | ||
Investment review | 9-11 | |
Schedule of investments | 12-13 | |
BOND FUND | ||
Investment review | 14-16 | |
Schedule of investments | 17-27 | |
FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES | 28 | |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | ||
Statements of assets and liabilities | 29 | |
Statements of operations | 30 | |
Statements of changes in net assets | 31 | |
Notes to financial statements | 32-39 | |
Financial highlights | 40-42 | |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 43 | |
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS | 44-45 | |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 46-49 |
This report contains information for existing shareholders of Thompson Plumb Funds, Inc. It
does not constitute an offer to sell. This Annual Report is authorized for distribution to prospective investors
only when preceded or accompanied by a Fund Prospectus, which contains information about
the Funds’ objectives and policies, risks, management, expenses and other information.
A Prospectus can be obtained by calling 1-800-999-0887.
Please read your Prospectus carefully.
3
GROWTH FUND INVESTMENT REVIEW (Unaudited) |
November 30, 2011 |
Portfolio Managers
James T. Evans, CFA
Jason L. Stephens, CFA
John W. Thompson, CFA
Performance
The Growth Fund produced a total return of 3.02% for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011, as compared to its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, which returned 7.83%.
Comparison of Change in Value of a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment
Average Annual Total Returns | ||||||||
Through 11/30/11 | ||||||||
1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | 10 Year | |||||
Thompson Plumb Growth Fund | 3.02% | 15.67% | -5.61% | -0.59% | ||||
S&P 500 Index | 7.83% | 14.13% | -0.18% | 2.91% |
Gross Expense Ratio as of 03/31/11 was 1.36%.*
* The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses incurred by the Growth Fund through March 31, 2012 so that the annual operating expenses of the Fund do not exceed 1.40% of its average daily net assets.
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling 1-800-999-0887 or visiting www.thompsonplumb.com.
Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Investment performance reflects all fee waivers that may be in effect. In the absence of such waivers, total return would be reduced. The performance information reflected in the graph and the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares, nor does it imply future performance. The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index commonly used to measure the performance of U.S. stocks. You cannot directly invest in an index.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
4
GROWTH FUND INVESTMENT REVIEW (Unaudited) (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Management Commentary
After roughly matching the performance of the S&P 500 from the beginning of the Fund’s fiscal year through July, the Fund underperformed for the fiscal year after global investors fled the equity markets in August and September. This retreat appears to have been caused by a combination of macroeconomic concerns, including the debate over the U.S. debt ceiling and continued worries over sovereign debt in Europe. In our view, the recency of the 2008 financial crisis exacerbated these concerns, as some investors who experienced sharp losses that “last time” sold aggressively in an effort to avoid what they perceived as a pending market calamity. The primary beneficiaries of this flight to safety were the 10- and 30-year Treasury bonds, which saw their yields decline 124 and 146 basis points, respectively, to levels well below their bottom in 2010.
In the equity market, sectors like Utilities, Consumer Staples and Telecom have, in the past, been treated as “bond substitutes” because of their higher dividend yields and more stable earnings. This means these sectors have generally performed their best in a declining interest rate environment. We had expected interest rates to remain flattish or even slightly increase over the next several years, and had deliberately underweighted these sectors while overweighting more cyclical sectors such as Technology and Industrials. The overweighted sectors, however, lagged their more defensive peers, which contributed to the Fund’s underperformance. With the unprecedented degree of stimulus by the Federal Reserve over the past several years we believe the risk of higher rates has actually increased, as that stimulus will presumably need to be withdrawn at the “right” time to avoid long-term inflationary pressures. In our opinion, the probability of a further drop in interest rates from here seems even less likely to occur. As a result, we believe that a continued underweight of the “bond substitute” sectors is even more compelling than it was before.
Whether the U.S. economy is destined for another recession is impossible to predict. Our bottom-up research on the Fund’s holdings suggests that while growth is slow, companies are not seeing the sharp declines in activity that usually coincide with the onset of a recession. This of course could change, but supports the notion that the sharp decline in equity markets since July is not a guarantee of a subsequent recession. Since 1950 there have been 12 instances when the market corrected between 12-18% downward from its high without a follow-on recession or full-blown “bear market” ensuing.1 The most recent example of such an instance was the summer dip in 2010. The market’s rally since September gives us hope that the current environment may turn out to be the 13th such instance.
Despite the uncertainty over future economic growth, we believe the market has not been waiting for clarity but rather is already pricing in a recession. Over the last 50 years the market as measured by the S&P 500 has traded at an average earnings multiple of 15x, with the lowest multiples coinciding with high interest rates in the late 1970s and early 1980s.2 With a 12 month forward P/E ratio of only 12.2x despite very low interest rates, we believe the market is already anticipating a substantial decline in earnings by discounting share price accordingly. But the profits of the S&P 500 are increasingly dependent on global growth, which per market consensus, should average 3.5-4%, instead of only U.S. growth, which will likely be slower. Margin compression associated with operating leverage usually accounts for the majority of cyclical earnings declines. To the extent companies never aggressively hired after the last recession there is less “fat” that would cause the kind of sharp drop the market seems to expect.
If we are right, as investors begin to gain clarity into the future path of macroeconomic activity and begin to rule out drastic earnings declines, the market should continue to recover. We are continuing to position for this scenario, while continuing to monitor holdings to make sure companies in which we have a position are posting solid earnings growth results. We believe this will lead to continued stock price appreciation and solid relative performance over the next fiscal year.
Opinions expressed are subject to change, are not guaranteed and should not be considered investment advice.
Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Investments in smaller companies involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility.
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments on page 7 of this report for holdings information. The management commentary above as well as Fund holdings and asset/sector allocations should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. In addition, please note that Fund holdings and asset/sector allocations are subject to change.
Basis point is a unit that is equal to 1/100th of 1%, and is used to denote the change in a financial instrument.
Earnings Growth is a measure of growth in a company’s net income over a specific period, often one year.
P/E Ratio is a valuation ratio of a company’s current share price compared to its per-share earnings. Divide market value of a share by the earnings per share.
Forward P/E is a price/earnings ratio, using earnings estimates for the next four quarters.
____________________
1 Source: The Leuthold Group. A “bear market” is defined as a decline of 20% or more from a prior market peak.
2 Source: Bloomberg
See Notes to Financial Statements.
5
GROWTH FUND INVESTMENT REVIEW (Unaudited) (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Top 10 Equity Holdings at 11/30/11 | |||
% of Fund’s | |||
Company | Industry | Net Assets | |
Exxon Mobil Corp. | Oil & Gas Producers | 3.62% | |
Microsoft Corp. | Software & Computer Services | 2.86% | |
General Electric Co. | General Industrials | 2.22% | |
Medco Health Solutions, Inc. | Health Care Equipment & Services | 2.08% | |
Intel Corp. | Technology Hardware & Equipment | 2.07% | |
Chevron Corp. | Oil & Gas Producers | 2.05% | |
Cisco Systems, Inc. | Technology Hardware & Equipment | 2.02% | |
Qualcomm, Inc. | Technology Hardware & Equipment | 2.01% | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Banks | 1.93% | |
Walgreen Co. | Food & Drug Retailers | 1.90% |
As of November 30, 2011, 99.9% of the Fund’s net assets were in equity, cash and short-term instruments.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
6
GROWTH FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS |
November 30, 2011 |
Shares | Value | |||
COMMON STOCKS - 99.9% | ||||
Consumer Discretionary - 11.2% | ||||
Automobiles & Parts - 1.6% | ||||
Johnson Controls, Inc. | 34,300 | $ | 1,079,764 | |
LKQ Corp. (a) | 18,525 | 565,568 | ||
1,645,332 | ||||
General Retailers - 4.2% | ||||
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (a) | 12,525 | 757,888 | ||
Best Buy Co., Inc. | 58,390 | 1,581,785 | ||
Kohl’s Corp. | 14,460 | 777,948 | ||
Target Corp. | 24,510 | 1,291,677 | ||
4,409,298 | ||||
Household Products - 1.3% | ||||
D.R. Horton, Inc. | 49,650 | 591,332 | ||
Jarden Corp. | 26,590 | 828,013 | ||
1,419,345 | ||||
Leisure Goods - 0.6% | ||||
Brunswick Corp. | 32,750 | 609,805 | ||
Media - 2.8% | ||||
The Walt Disney Co. | 30,050 | 1,077,292 | ||
Time Warner Inc. | 30,400 | 1,058,528 | ||
Viacom Inc. Class B | 17,200 | 769,872 | ||
2,905,692 | ||||
Personal Goods - 0.7% | ||||
Hanesbrands, Inc. (a) | 28,750 | 708,113 | ||
Consumer Staples - 6.0% | ||||
Beverages - 1.2% | ||||
PepsiCo, Inc. | 19,500 | 1,248,000 | ||
Food & Drug Retailers - 3.9% | ||||
Sysco Corp. | 27,245 | 777,572 | ||
Walgreen Co. | 58,775 | 1,981,893 | ||
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | 21,775 | 1,282,547 | ||
4,042,012 | ||||
Household Goods & | ||||
Home Construction - 0.9% | ||||
The Procter & Gamble Co. | 14,550 | 939,494 | ||
Energy - 15.0% | ||||
Oil & Gas Producers - 10.1% | ||||
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. | 13,860 | 1,126,402 | ||
Chevron Corp. | 20,795 | 2,138,142 | ||
Devon Energy Corp. | 11,000 | 720,060 | ||
Exxon Mobil Corp. | 46,795 | 3,764,190 | ||
Forest Oil Corp. (a) | 72,400 | 1,161,296 | ||
Hess Corp. | 26,270 | 1,581,979 | ||
10,492,069 | ||||
Oil Equipment, Services & | ||||
Distribution - 4.9% | ||||
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | 14,075 | 801,712 | ||
Schlumberger Ltd. | 21,969 | 1,654,925 | ||
Seadrill Ltd. | 32,715 | 1,141,099 | ||
Weatherford International Ltd. (a) | 102,275 | 1,550,489 | ||
5,148,225 | ||||
Financials - 16.2% | ||||
Banks - 8.6% | ||||
Associated Banc-Corp | 119,340 | 1,241,136 | ||
Bank of America Corp. | 343,400 | 1,868,096 | ||
Citigroup Inc. | 46,350 | 1,273,698 | ||
First Horizon National Corp. | 151,710 | 1,168,167 | ||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 65,000 | 2,013,050 | ||
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. | 16,330 | 885,249 | ||
Zions Bancorporation | 31,900 | 513,271 | ||
8,962,667 | ||||
Financial Services - 5.4% | ||||
American Express Co. | 16,450 | 790,258 | ||
Discover Financial Services | 42,795 | 1,019,377 | ||
MSCI Inc. Class A (a) | 32,500 | 1,096,875 | ||
Northern Trust Corp. | 34,220 | 1,287,699 | ||
State Street Corp. | 35,225 | 1,396,671 | ||
5,590,880 | ||||
Insurance - 1.0% | ||||
Aflac, Inc. | 25,160 | 1,092,950 | ||
Real Estate Investment | ||||
Trusts - 1.2% | ||||
DiamondRock Hospitality Co. | 67,000 | 588,260 | ||
Host Hotels & Resorts Inc. | 44,100 | 624,015 | ||
1,212,275 | ||||
Health Care - 11.5% | ||||
Health Care Equipment & | ||||
Services - 7.6% | ||||
Baxter International Inc. | 13,150 | 679,329 | ||
Henry Schein, Inc. (a) | 11,965 | 769,828 | ||
Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (a) | 38,230 | 2,166,494 | ||
Medtronic, Inc. | 22,450 | 817,854 | ||
Patterson Cos., Inc. | 26,505 | 799,656 | ||
ResMed Inc. (a) | 17,050 | 444,153 | ||
St. Jude Medical, Inc. | 38,565 | 1,482,439 | ||
Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (a) | 14,195 | 717,557 | ||
7,877,310 | ||||
Health Care Services - 1.1% | ||||
McKesson Corp. | 13,575 | 1,103,783 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
7
GROWTH FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Shares | Value | ||||||
COMMON STOCKS (continued) | |||||||
Health Care (continued) | |||||||
Pharmaceuticals & | |||||||
Biotechnology - 2.8% | |||||||
Amgen Inc. | 13,590 | $ | 786,997 | ||||
Johnson & Johnson | 22,610 | 1,463,319 | |||||
Novartis AG ADR | 13,050 | 706,266 | |||||
2,956,582 | |||||||
Industrials - 15.2% | |||||||
Aerospace & Defense - 0.7% | |||||||
Lockheed Martin Corp. | 10,050 | 785,408 | |||||
Construction & Materials - 1.4% | |||||||
Masco Corp. | 151,975 | 1,455,920 | |||||
Electronic & Electrical | |||||||
Equipment - 1.1% | |||||||
Emerson Electric Co. | 21,500 | 1,123,375 | |||||
General Industrials - 3.7% | |||||||
General Electric Co. | 145,250 | 2,310,927 | |||||
3M Co. | 19,320 | 1,565,693 | |||||
3,876,620 | |||||||
Industrial Engineering - 4.1% | |||||||
ABB Ltd. ADR | 77,675 | 1,473,495 | |||||
Illinois Tool Works Inc. | 22,875 | 1,039,440 | |||||
Ingersoll-Rand PLC | 17,000 | 563,040 | |||||
Rockwell Automation, Inc. | 15,225 | 1,142,332 | |||||
4,218,307 | |||||||
Industrial Transportation - 1.5% | |||||||
FedEx Corp. | 19,425 | 1,613,829 | |||||
Support Services - 2.7% | |||||||
EnergySolutions (a) | 374,125 | 1,182,235 | |||||
Mobile Mini, Inc. (a) | 42,775 | 771,233 | |||||
W.W. Grainger, Inc. | 4,335 | 810,212 | |||||
2,763,680 | |||||||
Information Technology - 23.4% | |||||||
Computer Programs - 1.3% | |||||||
Electronic Arts Inc. (a) | 32,660 | 757,385 | |||||
Take-Two Interactive | |||||||
Software, Inc. (a) | 40,175 | 560,441 | |||||
1,317,826 | |||||||
Internet Programs & | |||||||
Services - 1.1% | |||||||
eBay Inc. (a) | 38,555 | 1,140,842 | |||||
IT Services - 1.8% | |||||||
Alliance Data Systems Corp. (a) | 7,850 | 803,919 | |||||
Visa Inc. Class A | 10,745 | 1,041,943 | |||||
1,845,862 | |||||||
Software & Computer | |||||||
Services - 5.4% | |||||||
Adobe Systems Inc. (a) | 46,625 | 1,278,457 | |||||
Google Inc. Class A (a) | 2,260 | 1,354,621 | |||||
Microsoft Corp. | 116,251 | 2,973,701 | |||||
5,606,779 | |||||||
Technology Hardware & | |||||||
Equipment - 13.8% | |||||||
Altera Corp. | 14,600 | 549,982 | |||||
Broadcom Corp. Class A (a) | 36,840 | 1,117,910 | |||||
Cisco Systems, Inc. | 112,635 | 2,099,516 | |||||
EMC Corp. (a) | 46,325 | 1,065,938 | |||||
Hewlett-Packard Co. | 39,875 | 1,114,506 | |||||
Intel Corp. | 86,500 | 2,154,715 | |||||
JDS Uniphase Corp. (a) | 140,610 | 1,543,898 | |||||
Linear Technology Corp. | 25,370 | 777,083 | |||||
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. | 31,630 | 811,310 | |||||
Qualcomm, Inc. | 38,180 | 2,092,264 | |||||
Xilinx, Inc. | 33,700 | 1,102,327 | |||||
14,429,449 | |||||||
Materials - 1.4% | |||||||
Industrial Metals & Mining - 1.4% | |||||||
Freeport-McMoRan Copper | |||||||
& Gold Inc. | 35,825 | 1,418,670 | |||||
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | |||||||
(COST $102,150,740) | 103,960,399 | ||||||
Principal | |||||||
Amount | |||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.0% | |||||||
Variable-Rate Demand Notes - 0.0% | |||||||
American Family Financial | |||||||
Services, 0.100% (b) | $ | 60,156 | 60,156 | ||||
Total Variable-Rate Demand Notes | 60,156 | ||||||
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS | |||||||
(COST $60,156) | 60,156 | ||||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.9% | |||||||
(COST $102,210,896) | 104,020,555 | ||||||
NET OTHER ASSETS AND | |||||||
LIABILITIES - 0.1% | 65,587 | ||||||
NET ASSETS - 100.0% | $ | 104,086,142 |
(a) | Non-income producing security. | |
(b) | Interest rate shown represents the current coupon rate at November 30, 2011. |
ADR: American Depository Receipt
PLC: Public Limited Company
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8
MIDCAP FUND INVESTMENT REVIEW (Unaudited) |
November 30, 2011 |
Portfolio Managers
James T. Evans, CFA
Jason L. Stephens, CFA
John W. Thompson, CFA
Performance
The MidCap Fund produced a total return of 3.69% for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011, as compared to its benchmark, the Russell Midcap Index, which returned 5.39%.
Comparison of Change in Value of a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment
Average Annual Total Returns | ||||||
Through 11/30/11 | ||||||
Since | ||||||
Inception | ||||||
1 Year | 3 Year | (03/31/08) | ||||
Thompson Plumb MidCap Fund | 3.69% | 24.53% | 4.94% | |||
Russell Midcap Index | 5.39% | 21.91% | 3.38% |
Gross Expense Ratio as of 03/31/11 was 2.34%.
Net Expense Ratio after reimbursement was 1.30%.*
* The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses incurred by the MidCap Fund through March 31, 2012 so that the annual operating expenses of the Fund do not exceed 1.30% of its average daily net assets.
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling 1-800-999-0887 or visiting www.thompsonplumb.com.
Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Investment performance reflects all fee waivers that may be in effect. In the absence of such waivers, total return would be reduced. The performance information reflected in the graph and the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares, nor does it imply future performance. The Russell Midcap Index measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000 Index based on total market capitalization. You cannot directly invest in an index.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
9
MIDCAP FUND INVESTMENT REVIEW (Unaudited) (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Management Commentary
The relative performance of the Fund during the annual period was largely driven by individual stock selection. Stock selection in Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary sectors was strongest, together contributing 2.16% to performance. Electronic Arts and CBS Corp. were two of the major positive contributors to performance, but for different reasons. CBS Corp. has simply benefited from a steady improvement in its valuation over the last few years, as investors seem to have become more comfortable with exposure to certain types of advertising revenue. There was a significant concern regarding CBS’ reliance on auto advertising that we believe has waned to a large degree. We feel Electronic Arts is just beginning to see the benefits from changing the way it invests in and treats its designers and engineers, and its focusing more on quality. A key benchmark will be the success of its “Star Wars: the Old Republic” massively multiplayer online game, the release of which is imminent.
Stock selection in the Health Care and Financials sectors led to a lag of approximately 2.4% to performance on a combined basis. Custody banks like Northern Trust, for example, were hurt by the impact that continued low interest rates had on their money market fees. Investors do not have many opportunities to buy an apparently high-quality financial like Northern Trust at such a low valuation, so we believe that remaining patient should benefit shareholders.
There is always something to worry about in investing, and we have had no shortages of issues to ponder during the last fiscal year. From the downgrade of U.S. debt by Standard & Poor’s to fiscal and liquidity crises in Greece and Italy, each issue has been perceived by investors as the “next big shoe to drop.” We suspect that this is more indicative of the trauma caused to investors’ psyche by the U.S. liquidity freeze of 2008 than it is a thoughtful assessment of macroeconomic impacts on corporate earnings growth. The market declines of 2001 and 2008 were much worse than average because there were bubbles in the U.S. economy that needed to deflate. Specifically, technology stocks and real estate were overvalued. It appears that it was the ripple effects from their correction that caused the drop in equity markets at the beginning of the past decade and the financial crisis a few years ago. We do not see a similar bubble that needs deflating in the U.S. economy today given the lack of a major expansion from the last recession. In other words, there does not seem to have been the opportunity for a new bubble to develop.
In this environment of fear, it is important to maintain focus on the things that matter most – the potential for earnings growth of U.S. mid-cap companies into the future. We think that such potential in the market is great, and have populated the Fund portfolio with a group of companies that we believe have attractive valuations and the opportunity to grow their earnings at compelling rates. It is this strategy that we have sought to employ since the launch of the Fund on March 31, 2008, and which we will continue to embrace going forward. From inception through the end of the most recent fiscal year the Fund has produced an average annual return of 4.94% per year versus the 3.38% per year return of the Fund’s benchmark, the Russell Midcap Index.
Opinions expressed are subject to change, are not guaranteed and should not be considered investment advice.
Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Midcap companies tend to have limited liquidity and greater volatility than large-capitalization companies.
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments on page 12 of this report for holdings information. The management commentary above as well as Fund holdings and asset/sector allocations should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. In addition, please note that Fund holdings and asset/sector allocations are subject to change.
Earnings Growth is a measure of growth in a company’s net income over a specific period, often one year.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
10
MIDCAP FUND INVESTMENT REVIEW (Unaudited) (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Top 10 Equity Holdings at 11/30/11 | ||
% of Fund’s | ||
Company | Industry | Net Assets |
First Horizon National Corp. | Banks | 2.29% |
JDS Uniphase Corp. | Technology Hardware & Equipment | 2.01% |
Jarden Corp. | Household Products | 1.99% |
Nalco Holding Co. | Industrial Materials | 1.99% |
Associated Banc-Corp | Banks | 1.99% |
EnergySolutions | Support Services | 1.87% |
Hanesbrands, Inc. | Personal Goods | 1.78% |
Weatherford International Ltd. | Oil Equipment, Services & Distribution | 1.77% |
SPX Corp. | Industrial Engineering | 1.73% |
Discover Financial Services | Financial Services | 1.72% |
As of November 30, 2011, 100.1% of the Fund’s net assets were in equity, cash and short-term instruments.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
11
MIDCAP FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS |
November 30, 2011 |
Shares | Value | ||||
COMMON STOCKS - 100.1% | |||||
Consumer Discretionary - 15.5% | |||||
Automobiles & Parts - 1.1% | |||||
LKQ Corp. (a) | 6,560 | $ | 200,277 | ||
General Retailers - 4.9% | |||||
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (a) | 3,575 | 216,323 | |||
Best Buy Co., Inc. | 5,150 | 139,514 | |||
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. (a) | 3,500 | 172,480 | |||
Kohl's Corp. | 2,500 | 134,500 | |||
Nordstrom, Inc. | 4,290 | 194,251 | |||
857,068 | |||||
Household Products - 2.6% | |||||
D.R. Horton, Inc. | 8,375 | 99,746 | |||
Jarden Corp. | 11,260 | 350,636 | |||
450,382 | |||||
Leisure Goods - 1.1% | |||||
Brunswick Corp. | 10,750 | 200,165 | |||
Media - 1.1% | |||||
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (a) | 21,821 | 191,807 | |||
Personal Goods - 3.0% | |||||
Coach, Inc. | 3,578 | 223,947 | |||
Hanesbrands, Inc. (a) | 12,708 | 312,998 | |||
536,945 | |||||
Travel & Leisure - 1.7% | |||||
Darden Restaurants, Inc. | 6,256 | 298,474 | |||
Consumer Staples - 1.6% | |||||
Food Producers - 1.6% | |||||
McCormick & Co., Inc. | 3,413 | 166,213 | |||
The J. M. Smucker Co. | 1,612 | 122,480 | |||
288,693 | |||||
Energy - 13.0% | |||||
Mining - 0.3% | |||||
CONSOL Energy Inc. | 1,200 | 49,968 | |||
Oil & Gas Producers - 8.6% | |||||
ATP Oil & Gas Corp. (a) | 10,885 | 79,896 | |||
Bill Barrett Corp. (a) | 3,215 | 125,385 | |||
Chesapeake Energy Corp. | 6,045 | 153,180 | |||
Denbury Resources Inc. (a) | 2,635 | 44,532 | |||
Forest Oil Corp. (a) | 10,400 | 166,816 | |||
Lone Pine Resources Inc. (a) | 5,542 | 41,510 | |||
Murphy Oil Corp. | 2,576 | 144,050 | |||
Noble Energy, Inc. | 2,973 | 292,513 | |||
Quicksilver Resources Inc. (a) | 10,430 | 84,483 | |||
Range Resources Corp. | 4,030 | 288,991 | |||
Swift Energy Co. (a) | 1,575 | 46,289 | |||
Ultra Petroleum Corp. (a) | 1,450 | 51,055 | |||
1,518,700 | |||||
Oil Equipment, Services & | |||||
Distribution - 4.1% | |||||
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | 3,670 | 209,043 | |||
Seadrill Ltd. | 5,585 | 194,805 | |||
Weatherford International Ltd. (a) | 20,605 | 312,372 | |||
716,220 | |||||
Financials - 18.1% | |||||
Banks - 5.8% | |||||
Associated Banc-Corp | 33,634 | 349,794 | |||
First Horizon National Corp. | 52,420 | 403,634 | |||
Regions Financial Corp. | 23,435 | 96,318 | |||
SunTrust Banks, Inc. | 4,570 | 82,854 | |||
Zions Bancorporation | 5,280 | 84,955 | |||
1,017,555 | |||||
Financial Services - 6.8% | |||||
Discover Financial Services | 12,754 | 303,800 | |||
Eaton Vance Corp. | 7,420 | 178,303 | |||
Investment Technology | |||||
Group, Inc. (a) | 22,730 | 242,075 | |||
MSCI Inc. Class A (a) | 5,400 | 182,250 | |||
Northern Trust Corp. | 7,875 | 296,336 | |||
1,202,764 | |||||
Insurance - 2.1% | |||||
Cincinnati Financial Corp. | 6,445 | 191,094 | |||
Unum Group | 7,560 | 170,176 | |||
361,270 | |||||
Real Estate Investment | |||||
Trusts - 3.4% | |||||
DiamondRock Hospitality Co. | 22,200 | 194,916 | |||
Host Hotels & Resorts Inc. | 14,500 | 205,175 | |||
LaSalle Hotel Properties | 8,650 | 202,497 | |||
602,588 | |||||
Health Care - 11.5% | |||||
Health Care Equipment & | |||||
Services - 10.5% | |||||
Henry Schein, Inc. (a) | 4,619 | 297,186 | |||
Lincare Holdings Inc. | 5,729 | 135,777 | |||
MedAssets Inc. (a) | 26,840 | 256,590 | |||
Natus Medical Inc. (a) | 25,175 | 210,715 | |||
Patterson Cos., Inc. | 10,055 | 303,359 | |||
ResMed Inc. (a) | 8,525 | 222,076 | |||
St. Jude Medical, Inc. | 3,275 | 125,891 | |||
Waters Corp. (a) | 1,689 | 135,120 | |||
Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (a) | 3,150 | 159,233 | |||
1,845,947 | |||||
Health Care Services - 1.0% | |||||
McKesson Corp. | 2,205 | 179,289 | |||
Industrials - 14.2% | |||||
Aerospace & Defense - 1.2% | |||||
Alliant Techsystems Inc. | 3,619 | 212,942 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12
MIDCAP FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Shares | Value | ||||||
COMMON STOCKS (continued) | |||||||
Industrials (continued) | |||||||
Construction & | |||||||
Materials - 2.7% | |||||||
Masco Corp. | 31,500 | $ | 301,770 | ||||
Mueller Water Products, Inc. | |||||||
Class A | 35,400 | 79,296 | |||||
USG Corp. (a) | 10,475 | 102,550 | |||||
483,616 | |||||||
Industrial Engineering - 4.6% | |||||||
Ingersoll-Rand PLC | 8,600 | 284,832 | |||||
Rockwell Automation, Inc. | 2,850 | 213,836 | |||||
SPX Corp. | 4,800 | 304,320 | |||||
802,988 | |||||||
Support Services - 5.7% | |||||||
Cintas Corp. | 5,745 | 174,648 | |||||
EnergySolutions (a) | 104,035 | 328,751 | |||||
Mobile Mini, Inc. (a) | 11,995 | 216,270 | |||||
W.W. Grainger, Inc. | 1,518 | 283,714 | |||||
1,003,383 | |||||||
Information Technology - 19.1% | |||||||
Computer Programs - 3.3% | |||||||
Activision Blizzard, Inc. | 10,220 | 126,932 | |||||
Electronic Arts Inc. (a) | 7,595 | 176,128 | |||||
Take-Two Interactive | |||||||
Software, Inc. (a) | 19,860 | 277,047 | |||||
580,107 | |||||||
Electronic & Electrical | |||||||
Equipment - 3.3% | |||||||
Celestica Inc. (a) | 10,581 | 88,351 | |||||
Flextronics International Ltd. (a) | 35,617 | 212,633 | |||||
Molex Inc. Class A | 13,960 | 292,322 | |||||
593,306 | |||||||
IT Services - 2.6% | |||||||
Alliance Data Systems Corp. (a) | 2,740 | 280,603 | |||||
Fiserv, Inc. (a) | 3,122 | 180,015 | |||||
460,618 | |||||||
Technology Hardware & | |||||||
Equipment - 9.9% | |||||||
Altera Corp. | 4,725 | 177,991 | |||||
Broadcom Corp. Class A (a) | 9,975 | 302,691 | |||||
Cavium Inc. (a) | 7,000 | 228,480 | |||||
JDS Uniphase Corp. (a) | 32,181 | 353,347 | |||||
Linear Technology Corp. | 7,422 | 227,336 | |||||
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. | 10,526 | 269,992 | |||||
Xilinx, Inc. | 5,496 | 179,774 | |||||
1,739,611 | |||||||
Materials - 4.4% | |||||||
Chemicals - 1.5% | |||||||
International Flavors & | |||||||
Fragrances Inc. | 4,763 | 258,440 | |||||
Household Materials - 0.9% | |||||||
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. | |||||||
Class A | 3,636 | 160,311 | |||||
Industrial Materials - 2.0% | |||||||
Nalco Holding Co. | 9,043 | 350,416 | |||||
Utilities - 2.7% | |||||||
Electricity - 0.5% | |||||||
Pepco Holdings, Inc. | 4,210 | 83,274 | |||||
Gas, Water & Multiutilities - 2.2% | |||||||
MDU Resources Group, Inc. | 12,247 | 262,943 | |||||
SCANA Corp. | 2,964 | 129,290 | |||||
392,233 | |||||||
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | |||||||
(COST $16,291,285) | 17,639,357 | ||||||
Principal | |||||||
Amount | |||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.0% | |||||||
Variable-Rate Demand Notes - 0.0% | |||||||
American Family Financial | |||||||
Services, 0.100% (b) | $ | 1,480 | 1,480 | ||||
Total Variable-Rate Demand Notes | 1,480 | ||||||
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS | |||||||
(COST $1,480) | 1,480 | ||||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 100.1% | |||||||
(COST $16,292,765) | 17,640,837 | ||||||
NET OTHER ASSETS AND | |||||||
LIABILITIES - (0.1%) | (20,687 | ) | |||||
NET ASSETS - 100.0% | $ | 17,620,150 | |||||
(a) Non-income producing security. | |
(b) Interest rate shown represents the current coupon rate at November 30, 2011. | |
PLC: Public Limited Company |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
13
BOND FUND INVESTMENT REVIEW (Unaudited) |
November 30, 2011 |
Portfolio Managers
James T. Evans, CFA
Jason L. Stephens, CFA
John W. Thompson, CFA
Performance
The Bond Fund produced a total return of 2.16% for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011, as compared to its benchmark, the Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Credit 1-5 Year Index, which returned 2.24%, and as compared to the Barclays Capital Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit 1-10 Year Index, which returned 3.67%.
Comparison of Change in Value of a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment
Average Annual Total Returns | |||||||
Through 11/30/11 | |||||||
1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | 10 Year | ||||
Thompson Plumb Bond Fund | 2.16% | 12.56% | 7.29% | 5.92% | |||
Barclays Capital U.S. Gov’t/Credit 1-5 Year Index | 2.24% | 4.43% | 4.75% | 4.25% | |||
Barclays Capital Intermediate U.S. Gov’t/Credit 1-10 Year Index | 3.67% | 6.39% | 5.63% | 5.06% |
Gross Expense Ratio as of 03/31/11 was 0.87%. | 30-Day SEC Yield as of 11/30/11 was 3.81%. |
Net Expense Ratio after reimbursement was 0.80%.* | 30-Day SEC Yield (without reimbursement) as of 11/30/11 was 3.81%. |
* The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses incurred by the Bond Fund through March 31, 2012 so that the annual operating expenses of the Fund do not exceed 0.80% of its average daily net assets.
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by calling 1-800-999-0887 or visiting www.thompsonplumb.com.
Results include the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains distributions. Investment performance reflects all fee waivers that may be in effect. In the absence of such waivers, total return would be reduced. The performance information reflected in the graph and the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares, nor does it imply future performance. The Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Credit 1-5 Year Index is a market-value-weighted index of all investment-grade bonds with maturities of more than one year and less than 5 years. The Barclays Capital Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit 1-10 Year Index is a market-value-weighted index of all investment-grade bonds with maturities of more than one year and less than 10 years. You cannot directly invest in an index.
The Funds determined to change the Bond Fund’s benchmark to the Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Credit 1-5 Year Index because they believe this index is generally composed of bonds that more closely resemble the typical range of maturities of bonds held in the Fund than did the Barclays Capital Intermediate U.S. Government/Credit 1-10 year Index.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14
BOND FUND INVESTMENT REVIEW (Unaudited) (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Management Commentary
The fiscal year was a tale of two halves for shareholders, as the Fund was solidly outperforming its benchmark at the end of the semi-annual period; then, in the second half of the fiscal year, a variety of macroeconomic concerns, including the U.S. debt ceiling debate and sovereign debt crisis in Europe, touched off a sharp “flight to quality” starting in August, leading to relative underperformance against the Fund’s benchmark for the fiscal year. Selling nearly every other asset class, investors piled into the U.S. Treasury market, driving the yield on the 10- and 30-year Treasury bonds down 99 and 116 basis points to 2.07% and 3.06%, respectively. There was compression on the short end of the yield curve as well, as yields on 5-year Treasuries came down 75 basis points to a shockingly low 0.95%. Agency debt followed Treasury bonds closely. With a near- 75% allocation to Treasuries and Agency debt, our benchmark benefited tremendously from price appreciation in these bonds. Unlike the Fund, many of our competitors also had healthy allocations to this debt. However, going forward, we believe the real return on 5-year Treasury bonds purchased today will actually turn out to be negative depending on the future path of inflation. As a result, we have reduced our already modest exposure to the sector to near zero.
Corporate bonds took a different track during the second half of the annual period. It appears the same concerns that caused a “flight to safety” resulted in investors demanding a higher spread with regard to corporate bonds. This was especially true in the 2014-16 maturity range. By the summer, many of the Fund’s holdings in bonds maturing in that period had seen price appreciation to the point where they were no longer the most attractive bonds to purchase with new money. The “hump” in corporate bond yields instead moved out to the 2017-18 timeframe, and as a result it was this maturity range where the majority of bonds purchased by the Fund since the end of semi-annual period lay. When spreads widened starting in August it was the 2014-16 bonds that were hit the hardest. Most bonds with these maturity dates in the Fund’s portfolio still show price appreciation from their original purchase price, and they just gave back some of the previously recorded capital appreciation during the flight to higher-quality bonds. The flip side is that the Fund has begun to find attractive bonds to purchase in this shorter maturity range again, as shareholders could potentially be rewarded with higher yields without having to take the extra interest rate risks associated with longer-maturity bonds. Additionally, if Treasury rates increase, we believe there should be cushion to absorb in current spreads. Thus a rising Treasury yield curve would probably not create equivalent declines in corporate bond prices.
Looking ahead, we believe the Fund is ideally positioned. The 30-day SEC yield at the end of the fiscal year was 3.81% and the duration was only 2.83 years. The yield to maturity was even higher. This is a higher yield and lower duration than the 5-year Treasury. In fact, the 30-day SEC yield of the Fund is higher than the yield on a 30-Year Treasury, despite the obvious difference in maturity and interest-rate risk. Shareholders have been rewarded richly for their willingness to tolerate credit risk and changes in corporate spreads. In any given period spreads can change quickly enough that Treasury bonds may outperform the Fund’s holdings. But absent actual defaults among the Fund’s holdings, their high current yields should be an advantage, based on the larger corporate bond allocation of the Fund. We believe it just takes the passage of time to “earn” this higher yield.
Opinions expressed are subject to change, are not guaranteed and should not be considered investment advice.
Mutual fund investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. Investments in debt securities typically decrease in value when interest rates rise. This risk is usually greater for longer-term debt securities. Investments in bonds of foreign issuers involve greater volatility, political and economic risks and differences in accounting methods.
Please refer to the Schedule of Investments on page 17 of this report for holdings information. The management commentary above as well as Fund holdings should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. In addition, please note that Fund holdings are subject to change.
The federal government guarantees interest payments from government securities while corporate bond interest payments carry no such guarantee. Government securities, if held to maturity, guarantee the timely payment of principal and interest.
Duration is a commonly used measure of the potential volatility of the price of a debt security, or the aggregate market value of a portfolio of debt securities, prior to maturity. Securities with a longer duration generally have more volatile prices than securities of comparable quality with a shorter duration.
SEC Yield is a standardized yield computed by dividing the net investment income per share earned during the 30-day period prior to quarter-end and was created to allow for fairer comparisons among bond funds.
Basis point is a unit that is equal to 1/100th of 1%, and is used to denote the change in a financial instrument.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
15
BOND FUND INVESTMENT REVIEW (Unaudited) (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Portfolio Concentration at 11/30/11 | ||
(Includes cash and cash equivalents) | ||
% Total Investments | ||
Quality | ||
U.S. Government and Agency Issues | 0.77% | |
AAA | 0.45% | |
AA | 2.48% | |
A | 15.97% | |
BBB | 74.99% | |
BB and Below | 4.82% | |
Not Rated | 0.08% | |
Short-Term Investments | 0.35% | |
Common Stocks | 0.09% | |
100.00% | ||
Effective Maturity | ||
Under 1 year | 11.70% | |
1 to 3 years | 33.47% | |
3 to 5 years | 28.01% | |
5 to 10 years | 26.72% | |
Over 10 years | 0.01% | |
Common Stocks | 0.09% | |
100.00% | ||
Asset Allocation | ||
Corporate Bonds | 94.76% | |
Asset-Backed Securities | 1.62% | |
Convertible Bonds | 2.41% | |
U.S. Government and Agency Issues | 0.47% | |
Federal Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities | 0.30% | |
Short-Term Investments | 0.35% | |
Common Stocks | 0.09% | |
100.00% | ||
See Notes to Financial Statements.
16
BOND FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS |
November 30, 2011 |
Shares or | ||||||
Principal | ||||||
Amount | Value | |||||
COMMON STOCKS - 0.1% | ||||||
Financials - 0.1% | ||||||
Financial Services - 0.1% | ||||||
CIT Group Inc. (a) | 17,450 | $ | 590,857 | |||
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS | ||||||
(COST $501,587) | 590,857 | |||||
BONDS - 98.7% | ||||||
Asset-Backed Securities - 1.6% | ||||||
Federal Express Corp. 1993 Trust | ||||||
7.150% due 9/28/2012 | $ | 6,075 | 6,323 | |||
Federal Express Corp. 1997 Trust | ||||||
7.500% due 1/15/2018 | 3,446,144 | 3,476,298 | ||||
7.520% due 1/15/2018 | 226,946 | 237,726 | ||||
General American Railcar 1997-1 | ||||||
6.690% due 9/20/2016 (e) | 464,670 | 484,158 | ||||
General American Railcar II | ||||||
6.210% due 9/20/2017 | 4,658,400 | 4,823,620 | ||||
General American Railcar III | ||||||
7.760% due 8/20/2018 (e) | 1,437,475 | 1,530,580 | ||||
Total Asset-Backed Securities | 10,558,705 | |||||
Convertible Bonds - 2.4% | ||||||
Amgen Inc. | ||||||
0.375% due 2/1/2013 | 782,000 | 772,225 | ||||
EMC Corp. | ||||||
1.750% due 12/1/2013 | 1,000,000 | 1,517,500 | ||||
Medtronic, Inc. | ||||||
1.625% due 4/15/2013 | 4,073,000 | 4,073,000 | ||||
Transocean Inc. | ||||||
1.500% due 12/15/2037 | 9,500,000 | 9,286,250 | ||||
Total Convertible Bonds | 15,648,975 | |||||
Corporate Bonds - 93.9% | ||||||
Allied Waste N.A., Inc. | ||||||
6.875% due 6/1/2017 | 2,146,000 | 2,288,173 | ||||
American Express | ||||||
6.650% due 9/15/2015 | 90,000 | 97,772 | ||||
6.900% due 9/15/2015 | 277,000 | 302,913 | ||||
American General Finance | ||||||
6.000% due 10/15/2014 | 1,000,000 | 751,280 | ||||
6.000% due 12/15/2014 | 1,000,000 | 740,323 | ||||
American Standard Inc. | ||||||
5.500% due 4/1/2015 | 25,000 | 27,684 | ||||
Amphenol Corp. | ||||||
4.750% due 11/15/2014 | 1,698,000 | 1,816,361 | ||||
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. | ||||||
6.125% due 3/15/2012 | 26,000 | 26,315 | ||||
Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. | ||||||
7.500% due 3/15/2012 | 119,000 | 121,055 | ||||
Aquila, Inc. | ||||||
11.875% due 7/1/2012 | 1,926,000 | 2,038,174 | ||||
Arden Realty LP | ||||||
5.250% due 3/1/2015 | 3,019,000 | 3,241,132 | ||||
Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd. | ||||||
6.000% due 8/15/2014 | 4,116,000 | 4,370,739 | ||||
Avnet, Inc. | ||||||
6.625% due 9/15/2016 | 551,000 | 614,460 | ||||
Axis Capital Holdings | ||||||
5.750% due 12/1/2014 | 5,622,000 | 5,898,490 | ||||
Bank of America Corp. | ||||||
7.375% due 5/15/2014 | 866,000 | 872,396 | ||||
5.375% due 6/15/2014 | 50,000 | 49,290 | ||||
5.650% due 9/15/2014 | 25,000 | 24,282 | ||||
5.000% due 5/15/2015 | 30,000 | 28,789 | ||||
5.150% due 8/15/2015 | 60,000 | 57,062 | ||||
5.350% due 9/15/2015 | 549,000 | 525,194 | ||||
5.350% due 11/15/2015 | 35,000 | 33,409 | ||||
5.250% due 12/1/2015 | 333,000 | 318,396 | ||||
5.600% due 2/15/2016 | 25,000 | 24,082 | ||||
5.625% due 10/14/2016 | 835,000 | 771,922 | ||||
6.000% due 8/15/2017 | 65,000 | 63,274 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
17
BOND FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Principal | ||||||
Amount | Value | |||||
BONDS (continued) | ||||||
Corporate Bonds (continued) | ||||||
Bank of America Corp. (continued) | ||||||
6.050% due 8/15/2017 | $ | 948,000 | $ | 925,046 | ||
5.750% due 12/1/2017 | 455,000 | 415,010 | ||||
5.350% due 3/15/2018 | 81,000 | 73,772 | ||||
BB&T Corp. | ||||||
5.200% due 12/23/2015 | 769,000 | 826,550 | ||||
Bear Stearns Cos. LLC | ||||||
5.320% due 3/10/2014 (b) | 270,000 | 270,024 | ||||
5.270% due 4/10/2014 (b) | 100,000 | 101,474 | ||||
Best Buy Co., Inc. | ||||||
6.750% due 7/15/2013 | 570,000 | 604,703 | ||||
3.750% due 3/15/2016 | 1,000,000 | 982,345 | ||||
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. | ||||||
8.000% due 9/15/2016 | 12,909,000 | 14,135,355 | ||||
Black Hills Corp. | ||||||
9.000% due 5/15/2014 | 2,442,000 | 2,791,755 | ||||
Boston Properties LP | ||||||
5.625% due 4/15/2015 | 331,000 | 362,858 | ||||
Boston Scientific Corp. | ||||||
5.450% due 6/15/2014 | 1,392,000 | 1,488,862 | ||||
4.500% due 1/15/2015 | 4,197,000 | 4,388,400 | ||||
6.250% due 11/15/2015 | 3,358,000 | 3,707,890 | ||||
Brinker International | ||||||
5.750% due 6/1/2014 | 7,967,000 | 8,471,295 | ||||
Brocade Communications | ||||||
Systems, Inc. | ||||||
6.625% due 1/15/2018 | 12,503,000 | 13,003,120 | ||||
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. | ||||||
7.125% due 6/15/2012 | 1,306,000 | 1,341,472 | ||||
Capital One Bank | ||||||
6.500% due 6/13/2013 | 423,000 | 445,034 | ||||
Carpenter Technology Corp. | ||||||
7.030% due 5/22/2018 | 8,000 | 8,631 | ||||
CBS Corp. | ||||||
8.200% due 5/15/2014 | 967,000 | 1,100,052 | ||||
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. | ||||||
6.850% due 6/1/2015 | 192,000 | 218,676 | ||||
Chesapeake & Potomac | ||||||
Telephone Co. | ||||||
7.150% due 5/1/2023 | 158,000 | 169,095 | ||||
CIT Group Inc. | ||||||
7.000% due 5/4/2015 (e) | 304,000 | 302,100 | ||||
7.000% due 5/2/2016 (e) | 506,000 | 499,675 | ||||
7.000% due 5/2/2017 (e) | 709,000 | 698,365 | ||||
Citigroup, Inc. | ||||||
2.875% due 12/9/2011 | 45,000 | 45,014 | ||||
5.250% due 2/27/2012 | 1,303,000 | 1,311,481 | ||||
5.625% due 8/27/2012 | 10,883,000 | 11,005,303 | ||||
5.300% due 10/17/2012 | 2,051,000 | 2,088,181 | ||||
5.000% due 9/15/2014 | 3,085,000 | 3,086,506 | ||||
4.875% due 5/7/2015 | 115,000 | 113,823 | ||||
5.500% due 2/15/2017 | 180,000 | 180,354 | ||||
CNA Financial Corp. | ||||||
5.850% due 12/15/2014 | 1,552,000 | 1,626,414 | ||||
6.500% due 8/15/2016 | 1,250,000 | 1,340,213 | ||||
6.950% due 1/15/2018 | 411,000 | 434,996 | ||||
Commercial Net Lease Realty, Inc. | ||||||
6.250% due 6/15/2014 | 1,060,000 | 1,126,275 | ||||
6.150% due 12/15/2015 | 443,000 | 474,630 | ||||
Computer Sciences Corp. | ||||||
6.500% due 3/15/2018 | 12,673,000 | 13,153,041 | ||||
Continental Corp. | ||||||
8.375% due 8/15/2012 | 411,000 | 426,253 | ||||
Con-way Inc. | ||||||
7.250% due 1/15/2018 | 12,089,000 | 13,764,221 | ||||
Countrywide Financial Corp. | ||||||
5.750% due 6/24/2015 (c) | 438,000 | 410,948 | ||||
6.500% due 7/28/2015 (c) | 109,000 | 106,476 | ||||
6.250% due 5/15/2016 | 927,000 | 862,228 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
18
BOND FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Principal | ||||||
Amount | Value | |||||
BONDS (continued) | ||||||
Corporate Bonds (continued) | ||||||
Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. | ||||||
6.730% due 4/17/2013 | $ | 93,000 | $ | 91,611 | ||
6.000% due 1/24/2018 | 684,000 | 618,653 | ||||
5.500% due 5/16/2018 | 25,000 | 21,862 | ||||
Coventry Health Care, Inc. | ||||||
5.875% due 1/15/2012 | 380,000 | 381,575 | ||||
6.300% due 8/15/2014 | 8,184,000 | 8,902,441 | ||||
6.125% due 1/15/2015 | 1,136,000 | 1,242,283 | ||||
5.950% due 3/15/2017 | 854,000 | 953,804 | ||||
Darden Restaurants | ||||||
7.125% due 2/1/2016 | 75,000 | 86,729 | ||||
Discover Financial Services | ||||||
6.450% due 6/12/2017 | 590,000 | 609,456 | ||||
Domtar Corp. | ||||||
10.750% due 6/1/2017 | 3,605,000 | 4,533,288 | ||||
Dow Chemical Co. | ||||||
6.000% due 10/1/2012 | 681,000 | 709,723 | ||||
7.600% due 5/15/2014 | 1,688,000 | 1,908,578 | ||||
5.900% due 2/15/2015 | 650,000 | 719,445 | ||||
Duke Realty LP | ||||||
5.875% due 8/15/2012 | 200,000 | 204,814 | ||||
Duquesne Light Holdings Inc. | ||||||
5.500% due 8/15/2015 | 6,782,000 | 7,044,131 | ||||
Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. | ||||||
6.150% due 10/15/2015 | 5,990,000 | 6,344,165 | ||||
Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. | ||||||
8.250% due 10/1/2015 | 1,904,000 | 2,122,688 | ||||
7.750% due 6/15/2017 | 84,000 | 87,993 | ||||
7.375% due 4/15/2018 | 3,414,000 | 3,640,297 | ||||
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. | ||||||
5.250% due 3/15/2013 | 191,000 | 195,386 | ||||
6.600% due 5/15/2017 | 7,268,000 | 7,665,988 | ||||
Fifth Third Bancorp | ||||||
6.250% due 5/1/2013 | 1,356,000 | 1,425,686 | ||||
First Horizon National Corp. | ||||||
5.375% due 12/15/2015 | 850,000 | 846,070 | ||||
First Tennessee Bank | ||||||
4.500% due 5/15/2013 | 1,780,000 | 1,772,243 | ||||
4.625% due 5/15/2013 | 4,501,000 | 4,507,797 | ||||
5.050% due 1/15/2015 | 2,602,000 | 2,572,137 | ||||
5.650% due 4/1/2016 | 2,941,000 | 2,940,288 | ||||
Fortune Brands, Inc. | ||||||
6.375% due 6/15/2014 | 370,000 | 405,020 | ||||
5.375% due 1/15/2016 | 10,000 | 10,870 | ||||
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & | ||||||
Gold Inc. | ||||||
8.375% due 4/1/2017 | 12,811,000 | 13,627,701 | ||||
General Electric Capital Corp. | ||||||
4.000% due 2/15/2012 | 435,000 | 437,565 | ||||
4.000% due 2/15/2012 | 66,000 | 66,284 | ||||
4.150% due 5/15/2012 | 95,000 | 95,863 | ||||
8.125% due 5/15/2012 | 423,000 | 435,528 | ||||
4.750% due 6/15/2012 | 10,000 | 10,129 | ||||
5.000% due 9/15/2012 | 79,000 | 80,815 | ||||
6.000% due 10/15/2012 | 68,000 | 70,279 | ||||
6.600% due 10/15/2012 | 148,000 | 153,714 | ||||
6.700% due 10/15/2012 | 126,000 | 131,032 | ||||
5.000% due 12/15/2012 | 12,000 | 12,368 | ||||
5.000% due 12/15/2012 | 45,000 | 46,385 | ||||
5.100% due 12/15/2012 | 55,000 | 56,742 | ||||
5.900% due 5/13/2014 | 450,000 | 491,588 | ||||
5.600% due 7/15/2014 | 500,000 | 529,195 | ||||
4.500% due 5/15/2015 | 66,000 | 66,046 | ||||
4.750% due 5/15/2015 | 80,000 | 80,026 | ||||
4.125% due 6/15/2015 | 92,000 | 92,040 | ||||
4.300% due 6/15/2015 | 103,000 | 103,040 | ||||
5.250% due 6/15/2015 | 25,000 | 25,931 | ||||
5.400% due 6/15/2015 | 59,000 | 61,375 | ||||
5.500% due 8/15/2015 | 30,000 | 31,423 | ||||
5.600% due 12/15/2015 | 159,000 | 160,012 | ||||
5.250% due 1/15/2016 | 384,000 | 375,762 | ||||
5.000% due 4/15/2016 | 220,000 | 216,892 | ||||
5.000% due 4/15/2016 | 45,000 | 45,363 | ||||
5.000% due 5/15/2016 | 45,000 | 44,358 | ||||
4.750% due 3/15/2017 | 55,000 | 53,956 | ||||
4.500% due 5/15/2017 | 56,000 | 55,613 | ||||
4.500% due 7/15/2017 | 177,000 | 173,059 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
19
BOND FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Principal | ||||||
Amount | Value | |||||
BONDS (continued) | ||||||
Corporate Bonds (continued) | ||||||
General Electric Capital Corp. (continued) | ||||||
5.375% due 8/15/2017 | $ | 28,000 | $ | 28,011 | ||
5.500% due 10/6/2017 | 141,000 | 141,626 | ||||
5.625% due 12/15/2017 | 586,000 | 576,247 | ||||
5.625% due 12/15/2017 | 129,000 | 125,608 | ||||
5.000% due 3/15/2018 | 38,000 | 37,224 | ||||
5.000% due 3/15/2018 | 29,000 | 28,408 | ||||
5.100% due 4/15/2018 | 37,000 | 35,849 | ||||
5.250% due 4/15/2018 | 68,000 | 66,425 | ||||
6.750% due 4/15/2018 | 373,000 | 408,307 | ||||
4.750% due 5/15/2018 | 40,000 | 39,111 | ||||
5.000% due 5/15/2018 | 55,000 | 54,533 | ||||
6.300% due 5/15/2018 | 1,790,000 | 1,904,023 | ||||
4.500% due 6/15/2018 | 83,000 | 81,526 | ||||
4.500% due 6/15/2018 | 20,000 | 19,280 | ||||
5.000% due 6/27/2018 (c) | 80,000 | 79,985 | ||||
6.000% due 7/15/2018 | 57,000 | 59,388 | ||||
6.000% due 7/15/2018 | 39,000 | 40,634 | ||||
5.250% due 12/15/2021 | 30,000 | 28,726 | ||||
Genworth Life Insurance Co. | ||||||
5.875% due 5/3/2013 (e) | 2,865,000 | 2,911,324 | ||||
Georgia-Pacific LLC | ||||||
7.125% due 1/15/2017 (e) | 2,000,000 | 2,080,770 | ||||
GMAC LLC | ||||||
7.250% due 8/15/2012 | 100,000 | 99,646 | ||||
7.000% due 11/15/2012 | 50,000 | 49,659 | ||||
7.100% due 1/15/2013 | 32,000 | 31,891 | ||||
6.000% due 7/15/2013 | 60,000 | 58,728 | ||||
0.000% due 6/15/2015 (d) | 1,250,000 | 881,250 | ||||
6.350% due 2/15/2016 (c) | 75,000 | 69,090 | ||||
6.500% due 2/15/2016 (c) | 100,000 | 92,639 | ||||
6.500% due 9/15/2016 (c) | 87,000 | 80,164 | ||||
7.250% due 9/15/2017 | 259,000 | 241,418 | ||||
Golden West Financial Corp. | ||||||
4.750% due 10/1/2012 | 526,000 | 541,627 | ||||
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | ||||||
3.625% due 8/1/2012 | 286,000 | 288,115 | ||||
5.700% due 9/1/2012 | 526,000 | 537,559 | ||||
5.450% due 11/1/2012 | 860,000 | 878,736 | ||||
5.625% due 1/15/2017 | 565,000 | 548,414 | ||||
5.950% due 1/18/2018 | 10,000 | 9,939 | ||||
Great Plains Energy Inc. | ||||||
6.875% due 9/15/2017 | 30,000 | 35,418 | ||||
Harley-Davidson | ||||||
5.250% due 12/15/2012 (e) | 1,675,000 | 1,727,422 | ||||
15.000% due 2/1/2014 | 500,000 | 614,731 | ||||
5.750% due 12/15/2014 (e) | 3,800,000 | 4,107,367 | ||||
Harleysville Group Inc. | ||||||
5.750% due 7/15/2013 | 114,000 | 117,882 | ||||
Hartford Financial Services | ||||||
4.625% due 7/15/2013 | 750,000 | 764,096 | ||||
4.750% due 3/1/2014 | 825,000 | 842,549 | ||||
6.300% due 3/15/2018 | 4,226,000 | 4,333,167 | ||||
Hartford Life Insurance Co. | ||||||
5.400% due 6/15/2012 | 25,000 | 25,058 | ||||
5.400% due 6/15/2012 | 55,000 | 55,127 | ||||
5.050% due 7/15/2013 | 35,000 | 35,292 | ||||
Hasbro, Inc. | ||||||
6.125% due 5/15/2014 | 1,000,000 | 1,093,300 | ||||
HCP, Inc. | ||||||
5.650% due 12/15/2013 | 1,455,000 | 1,522,860 | ||||
6.000% due 3/1/2015 | 5,879,000 | 6,298,167 | ||||
7.072% due 6/8/2015 | 703,000 | 764,544 | ||||
Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. | ||||||
8.500% due 12/1/2011 | 72,000 | 72,000 | ||||
Horace Mann Educators Corp. | ||||||
6.850% due 4/15/2016 | 8,050,000 | 8,641,417 | ||||
Hospitality Properties Trust | ||||||
6.750% due 2/15/2013 | 2,812,000 | 2,862,009 | ||||
7.875% due 8/15/2014 | 4,804,000 | 5,218,508 | ||||
5.125% due 2/15/2015 | 1,598,000 | 1,613,379 | ||||
6.300% due 6/15/2016 | 261,000 | 272,509 | ||||
5.625% due 3/15/2017 | 2,651,000 | 2,660,459 | ||||
HRPT Properties Trust | ||||||
6.950% due 4/1/2012 | 2,704,000 | 2,728,125 | ||||
5.750% due 11/1/2015 | 3,318,000 | 3,448,742 | ||||
6.250% due 8/15/2016 | 2,520,000 | 2,671,306 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
20
BOND FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Principal | ||||||
Amount | Value | |||||
BONDS (continued) | ||||||
Corporate Bonds (continued) | ||||||
HRPT Properties Trust (continued) | ||||||
6.250% due 6/15/2017 | $ | 1,850,000 | $ | 1,945,514 | ||
6.650% due 1/15/2018 | 100,000 | 106,479 | ||||
HSBC Finance Corp. | ||||||
4.850% due 12/15/2011 | 20,000 | 20,010 | ||||
5.000% due 12/15/2011 | 20,000 | 20,005 | ||||
5.000% due 12/15/2011 | 456,000 | 456,112 | ||||
5.250% due 12/15/2011 | 210,000 | 210,083 | ||||
7.100% due 12/15/2011 | 173,000 | 173,140 | ||||
4.500% due 2/15/2012 | 72,000 | 72,093 | ||||
5.500% due 3/15/2012 | 31,000 | 31,122 | ||||
6.000% due 4/15/2012 | 171,000 | 172,254 | ||||
5.300% due 6/15/2012 | 160,000 | 160,812 | ||||
5.350% due 6/15/2012 | 15,000 | 15,081 | ||||
4.700% due 7/15/2012 | 698,000 | 699,682 | ||||
5.700% due 7/15/2012 | 215,000 | 216,791 | ||||
4.000% due 8/15/2012 | 151,000 | 150,683 | ||||
5.750% due 8/15/2012 | 100,000 | 100,985 | ||||
3.500% due 9/15/2012 | 350,000 | 347,841 | ||||
3.750% due 9/15/2012 | 120,000 | 119,486 | ||||
3.800% due 9/15/2012 | 201,000 | 200,352 | ||||
3.850% due 9/15/2012 | 269,000 | 268,051 | ||||
5.400% due 9/15/2012 | 337,000 | 339,759 | ||||
5.600% due 9/15/2012 | 143,000 | 144,409 | ||||
5.650% due 9/15/2012 | 173,000 | 174,743 | ||||
5.350% due 10/15/2012 | 400,000 | 404,536 | ||||
6.375% due 11/27/2012 | 767,000 | 787,582 | ||||
5.350% due 12/15/2012 | 40,000 | 40,287 | ||||
6.000% due 4/15/2013 | 621,000 | 639,533 | ||||
6.080% due 9/15/2013 (b) | 366,000 | 372,830 | ||||
6.210% due 10/10/2013 (b) | 331,000 | 334,423 | ||||
5.990% due 1/10/2014 (b) | 335,000 | 340,762 | ||||
5.600% due 4/15/2014 | 75,000 | 77,049 | ||||
5.500% due 7/15/2014 | 30,000 | 30,739 | ||||
6.000% due 8/15/2014 | 553,000 | 574,072 | ||||
6.000% due 8/15/2014 | 67,000 | 69,526 | ||||
5.800% due 9/15/2014 | 153,000 | 158,533 | ||||
5.850% due 9/15/2014 | 325,000 | 337,049 | ||||
5.650% due 10/15/2014 | 30,000 | 30,994 | ||||
5.750% due 10/15/2014 | 274,000 | 283,806 | ||||
5.350% due 11/15/2014 | 30,000 | 30,760 | ||||
HSBC Holdings PLC | ||||||
5.250% due 12/12/2012 | 134,000 | 137,139 | ||||
Hyatt Hotels Corp. | ||||||
5.750% due 8/15/2015 (e) | 100,000 | 106,820 | ||||
Ingersoll-Rand | ||||||
9.500% due 4/15/2014 | 1,026,000 | 1,197,669 | ||||
Ingram Micro Inc. | ||||||
5.250% due 9/1/2017 | 1,000,000 | 1,029,641 | ||||
Int’l. Bank for Reconstruction | ||||||
and Dev. (IBRD) | ||||||
0.000% due 2/15/2012 (d) | 59,000 | 58,934 | ||||
0.000% due 2/15/2012 (d) | 297,000 | 296,669 | ||||
0.000% due 8/15/2012 (d) | 131,000 | 130,421 | ||||
Intuit Inc. | ||||||
5.400% due 3/15/2012 | 425,000 | 429,735 | ||||
ITT Hartford Group | ||||||
7.300% due 11/1/2015 | 910,000 | 973,916 | ||||
Jefferson-Pilot Corp. | ||||||
4.750% due 1/30/2014 | 3,739,000 | 3,892,235 | ||||
John Hancock Life Ins. Co. | ||||||
4.000% due 11/15/2012 | 5,000 | 5,081 | ||||
4.900% due 11/15/2012 | 65,000 | 66,457 | ||||
5.450% due 9/15/2015 | 201,000 | 216,580 | ||||
5.450% due 10/15/2015 | 29,000 | 30,837 | ||||
5.500% due 11/15/2015 | 75,000 | 82,259 | ||||
5.250% due 12/15/2015 | 25,000 | 27,039 | ||||
5.500% due 12/15/2015 | 25,000 | 27,274 | ||||
5.000% due 4/15/2016 | 60,000 | 65,130 | ||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | ||||||
2.200% due 6/15/2012 | 104,000 | 105,206 | ||||
2.125% due 6/22/2012 | 54,000 | 54,627 | ||||
5.250% due 5/15/2018 | 55,000 | 55,085 | ||||
Kemper Corp. | ||||||
6.000% due 11/30/2015 | 9,753,000 | 10,053,646 | ||||
6.000% due 5/15/2017 | 3,095,000 | 3,211,876 | ||||
LaSalle Funding LLC | ||||||
5.250% due 9/15/2017 | 25,000 | 23,540 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
21
BOND FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Principal | ||||||
Amount | Value | |||||
BONDS (continued) | ||||||
Corporate Bonds (continued) | ||||||
Lexmark International, Inc. | ||||||
5.900% due 6/1/2013 | $ | 2,556,000 | $ | 2,697,868 | ||
6.650% due 6/1/2018 | 3,370,000 | 3,757,766 | ||||
Liberty Property LP | ||||||
5.650% due 8/15/2014 | 36,000 | 38,413 | ||||
Lincoln National Corp. | ||||||
4.750% due 2/15/2014 | 1,638,000 | 1,698,968 | ||||
Macy’s Retail Holdings, Inc. | ||||||
8.000% due 7/15/2012 | 375,000 | 389,919 | ||||
Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. | ||||||
5.585% due 12/28/2020 (b) | 347,000 | 336,682 | ||||
Marriott International, Inc. | ||||||
4.625% due 6/15/2012 | 371,000 | 376,877 | ||||
5.810% due 11/10/2015 | 373,000 | 418,285 | ||||
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc. | ||||||
6.250% due 3/15/2012 | 1,562,000 | 1,582,923 | ||||
Marshall & Ilsley Bank | ||||||
5.150% due 2/22/2012 | 667,000 | 664,774 | ||||
5.500% due 7/15/2012 | 10,000 | 9,973 | ||||
5.250% due 9/4/2012 | 4,153,000 | 4,283,774 | ||||
Masco Corp. | ||||||
7.125% due 8/15/2013 | 5,117,000 | 5,337,231 | ||||
4.800% due 6/15/2015 | 1,456,000 | 1,432,646 | ||||
6.125% due 10/3/2016 | 3,017,000 | 3,056,975 | ||||
5.850% due 3/15/2017 | 1,318,000 | 1,302,944 | ||||
6.625% due 4/15/2018 | 2,980,000 | 2,965,213 | ||||
Maytag Corp. | ||||||
5.000% due 5/15/2015 | 50,000 | 51,505 | ||||
MBNA America Bank | ||||||
6.625% due 6/15/2012 | 75,000 | 75,517 | ||||
MBNA Corp. | ||||||
7.500% due 3/15/2012 | 115,000 | 115,752 | ||||
5.000% due 6/15/2015 | 800,000 | 786,463 | ||||
Merrill Lynch & Co. | ||||||
4.300% due 2/14/2012 | 23,000 | 22,898 | ||||
5.450% due 2/5/2013 | 500,000 | 498,599 | ||||
6.150% due 4/25/2013 | 455,000 | 455,839 | ||||
0.000% due 8/30/2013 (d) | 65,000 | 60,664 | ||||
5.000% due 2/3/2014 | 138,000 | 134,855 | ||||
5.450% due 7/15/2014 | 1,082,000 | 1,069,325 | ||||
5.000% due 1/15/2015 | 343,000 | 327,478 | ||||
5.300% due 9/30/2015 | 1,712,000 | 1,577,298 | ||||
6.050% due 5/16/2016 | 3,000,000 | 2,814,879 | ||||
6.400% due 8/28/2017 | 2,538,000 | 2,431,754 | ||||
6.500% due 7/15/2018 | 1,248,000 | 1,176,317 | ||||
6.875% due 11/15/2018 | 375,000 | 352,448 | ||||
MetLife, Inc. | ||||||
6.125% due 12/1/2011 | 41,000 | 41,000 | ||||
Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. | ||||||
6.125% due 8/15/2013 | 11,776,000 | 12,009,824 | ||||
Morgan Stanley | ||||||
6.600% due 4/1/2012 | 123,000 | 123,798 | ||||
4.750% due 4/1/2014 | 4,268,000 | 4,096,815 | ||||
6.000% due 5/13/2014 | 695,000 | 691,029 | ||||
6.000% due 4/28/2015 | 3,753,000 | 3,651,493 | ||||
4.000% due 7/24/2015 | 200,000 | 183,091 | ||||
5.375% due 10/15/2015 | 1,000,000 | 950,471 | ||||
5.750% due 10/18/2016 | 2,178,000 | 2,015,970 | ||||
5.550% due 4/27/2017 | 2,712,000 | 2,508,473 | ||||
5.950% due 12/28/2017 | 2,683,000 | 2,517,373 | ||||
6.625% due 4/1/2018 | 4,266,000 | 4,014,861 | ||||
Motorola Solutions, Inc. | ||||||
5.375% due 11/15/2012 | 110,000 | 113,398 | ||||
Nabisco, Inc. | ||||||
7.550% due 6/15/2015 | 50,000 | 59,155 | ||||
National City Bank of Indiana | ||||||
4.250% due 7/1/2018 | 200,000 | 194,733 | ||||
National City Preferred | ||||||
Capital Trust I | ||||||
12.000% due 12/31/2049 (b) | 7,807,000 | 8,122,793 | ||||
National Retail Properties Inc. | ||||||
6.875% due 10/15/2017 | 2,273,000 | 2,510,815 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
22
BOND FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Principal | ||||||
Amount | Value | |||||
BONDS (continued) | ||||||
Corporate Bonds (continued) | ||||||
National Rural Utilities | ||||||
5.450% due 7/15/2012 | $ | 29,000 | $ | 29,607 | ||
5.500% due 7/15/2012 | 20,000 | 20,424 | ||||
7.200% due 10/1/2015 | 30,000 | 35,343 | ||||
National Semiconductor Corp. | ||||||
6.150% due 6/15/2012 | 196,000 | 201,666 | ||||
NationsBank Corp. | ||||||
0.000% due 8/15/2013 (d) | 91,000 | 84,175 | ||||
7.750% due 8/15/2015 | 2,251,000 | 2,242,478 | ||||
Navigators Group, Inc. | ||||||
7.000% due 5/1/2016 | 11,287,000 | 11,601,625 | ||||
NIPSCO Capital Markets, Inc. | ||||||
7.860% due 3/27/2017 | 38,000 | 44,647 | ||||
NiSource Finance Corp. | ||||||
5.400% due 7/15/2014 | 215,000 | 232,999 | ||||
Northern Indiana Public | ||||||
Service Co. | ||||||
7.590% due 6/12/2017 | 182,000 | 218,015 | ||||
Northern Rock Asset | ||||||
Management PLC | ||||||
5.625% due 6/22/2017 (e) | 2,500,000 | 2,637,940 | ||||
Ohio Casualty Corp. | ||||||
7.300% due 6/15/2014 | 351,000 | 375,545 | ||||
Owens Corning | ||||||
6.500% due 12/1/2016 | 12,351,000 | 13,129,817 | ||||
Paine Webber Group Inc. | ||||||
7.625% due 2/15/2014 | 50,000 | 54,844 | ||||
Pitney Bowes Inc. | ||||||
4.625% due 10/1/2012 | 199,000 | 204,554 | ||||
Platinum Underwriters | ||||||
Finance, Inc. | ||||||
7.500% due 6/1/2017 | 9,548,000 | 10,393,189 | ||||
PNC Funding Corp. | ||||||
5.250% due 11/15/2015 | 352,000 | 379,970 | ||||
PPL Energy Supply, LLC | ||||||
6.500% due 5/1/2018 | 1,000,000 | 1,138,784 | ||||
Principal Financial Group | ||||||
7.875% due 5/15/2014 | 2,750,000 | 3,105,856 | ||||
5.651% due 4/1/2016 (b) | 50,000 | 50,826 | ||||
Progressive Corp. | ||||||
7.000% due 10/1/2013 | 25,000 | 27,152 | ||||
Protective Life Corp. | ||||||
4.300% due 6/1/2013 | 350,000 | 359,648 | ||||
4.875% due 11/1/2014 | 820,000 | 872,147 | ||||
Prudential Financial, Inc. | ||||||
5.100% due 12/14/2011 | 143,000 | 143,091 | ||||
5.100% due 2/15/2012 | 20,000 | 19,920 | ||||
5.800% due 6/15/2012 | 222,000 | 225,826 | ||||
5.600% due 7/15/2012 | 20,000 | 19,793 | ||||
5.000% due 7/16/2012 | 31,000 | 31,099 | ||||
5.150% due 7/16/2012 | 13,000 | 12,841 | ||||
3.625% due 9/17/2012 | 290,000 | 294,252 | ||||
5.000% due 6/15/2013 | 75,000 | 73,510 | ||||
4.750% due 4/1/2014 | 5,000 | 5,242 | ||||
5.100% due 9/20/2014 | 225,000 | 241,124 | ||||
6.200% due 1/15/2015 | 1,100,000 | 1,197,064 | ||||
5.000% due 3/16/2015 | 140,000 | 146,053 | ||||
5.250% due 12/15/2016 | 50,000 | 50,169 | ||||
5.500% due 3/15/2017 | 13,000 | 12,798 | ||||
5.500% due 9/15/2017 | 22,000 | 22,065 | ||||
5.500% due 9/15/2017 | 18,000 | 18,053 | ||||
6.000% due 10/15/2018 | 20,000 | 20,108 | ||||
6.000% due 10/15/2018 | 24,000 | 24,130 | ||||
6.050% due 10/15/2018 | 44,000 | 44,244 | ||||
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. | ||||||
4.950% due 4/1/2014 | 5,404,000 | 5,295,920 | ||||
5.500% due 5/15/2015 | 3,314,000 | 3,148,300 | ||||
8.600% due 8/15/2016 | 327,000 | 327,000 | ||||
6.125% due 1/15/2017 | 2,791,000 | 2,581,675 | ||||
Regions Financial Corp. | ||||||
4.875% due 4/26/2013 | 1,875,000 | 1,828,125 | ||||
7.750% due 11/10/2014 | 1,170,000 | 1,184,625 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
23
BOND FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Principal | ||||||
Amount | Value | |||||
BONDS (continued) | ||||||
Corporate Bonds (continued) | ||||||
RJ Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc. | ||||||
7.250% due 6/1/2012 | $ | 594,000 | $ | 611,342 | ||
Rock-Tenn Co. | ||||||
9.250% due 3/15/2016 | 1,845,000 | 1,955,700 | ||||
Security Benefit Life Insurance | ||||||
8.750% due 5/15/2016 (e) | 2,000,000 | 2,065,540 | ||||
Silicon Valley Bank | ||||||
5.700% due 6/1/2012 | 23,000 | 23,405 | ||||
Simon Property Group, LP | ||||||
5.750% due 12/1/2015 | 1,089,000 | 1,208,406 | ||||
6.100% due 5/1/2016 | 1,000,000 | 1,122,443 | ||||
SL Green Realty Corp. | ||||||
5.000% due 8/15/2018 | 14,800,000 | 14,050,143 | ||||
SLM Corp. | ||||||
5.251% due 3/15/2012 (b) | 145,000 | 144,490 | ||||
5.421% due 6/15/2012 (b) | 66,000 | 65,176 | ||||
5.150% due 8/15/2012 | 10,000 | 9,898 | ||||
4.500% due 12/15/2012 | 25,000 | 24,025 | ||||
4.500% due 12/15/2012 | 87,000 | 83,519 | ||||
5.321% due 12/15/2012 (b) | 140,000 | 138,253 | ||||
4.500% due 3/15/2013 | 54,000 | 51,353 | ||||
4.700% due 6/15/2013 | 20,000 | 18,898 | ||||
4.750% due 6/15/2013 | 24,000 | 22,695 | ||||
4.800% due 6/15/2013 | 25,000 | 23,658 | ||||
6.221% due 9/15/2013 (b) | 91,000 | 89,387 | ||||
5.000% due 10/1/2013 | 2,444,000 | 2,443,658 | ||||
4.300% due 12/15/2013 | 2,000 | 1,842 | ||||
5.150% due 12/15/2013 | 60,000 | 56,195 | ||||
5.250% due 12/15/2013 | 30,000 | 28,152 | ||||
5.891% due 1/31/2014 (b) | 127,000 | 121,285 | ||||
4.700% due 3/15/2014 | 25,000 | 22,987 | ||||
4.950% due 3/15/2014 | 15,000 | 13,868 | ||||
5.150% due 3/15/2014 | 10,000 | 9,286 | ||||
5.571% due 4/1/2014 (b) | 155,000 | 147,560 | ||||
5.375% due 5/15/2014 | 1,043,000 | 1,037,951 | ||||
6.151% due 6/2/2014 (b) | 70,000 | 67,726 | ||||
5.050% due 11/14/2014 | 142,000 | 139,911 | ||||
5.521% due 12/15/2014 (b) | 444,000 | 413,320 | ||||
5.000% due 4/15/2015 | 425,000 | 405,047 | ||||
5.000% due 9/15/2015 | 55,000 | 48,843 | ||||
5.000% due 9/15/2015 | 90,000 | 79,846 | ||||
5.000% due 9/15/2015 | 46,000 | 40,810 | ||||
5.250% due 9/15/2015 | 65,000 | 58,239 | ||||
5.721% due 9/15/2015 (b) | 90,000 | 83,913 | ||||
5.821% due 12/15/2015 (b) | 128,000 | 119,292 | ||||
6.250% due 1/25/2016 | 2,844,000 | 2,704,271 | ||||
5.150% due 3/15/2017 | 2,925,000 | 2,512,964 | ||||
5.600% due 6/15/2018 | 25,000 | 21,162 | ||||
8.450% due 6/15/2018 | 2,613,000 | 2,605,114 | ||||
6.021% due 5/3/2019 (b) | 217,000 | 180,205 | ||||
7.000% due 6/15/2021 (c) | 84,000 | 74,823 | ||||
5.400% due 4/25/2023 (c) | 50,000 | 41,680 | ||||
Springleaf Finance Corp. | ||||||
6.900% due 12/15/2017 | 1,000,000 | 672,500 | ||||
StanCorp Financial Group | ||||||
6.875% due 10/1/2012 | 3,540,000 | 3,662,027 | ||||
Staples, Inc. | ||||||
7.375% due 10/1/2012 | 151,000 | 158,103 | ||||
9.750% due 1/15/2014 | 750,000 | 856,955 | ||||
Sunoco, Inc. | ||||||
4.875% due 10/15/2014 | 2,147,000 | 2,163,227 | ||||
9.625% due 4/15/2015 | 6,369,000 | 7,134,624 | ||||
SunTrust Bank | ||||||
5.000% due 9/1/2015 | 690,000 | 734,559 | ||||
5.450% due 12/1/2017 | 50,000 | 52,997 | ||||
Susa Partnership L.P. | ||||||
8.200% due 6/1/2017 | 16,000 | 19,148 | ||||
7.450% due 7/1/2018 | 130,000 | 148,617 | ||||
Telecom Italia | ||||||
6.175% due 6/18/2014 | 669,000 | 641,618 | ||||
4.950% due 9/30/2014 | 1,334,000 | 1,236,479 | ||||
5.250% due 10/1/2015 | 5,523,000 | 4,996,172 | ||||
6.999% due 6/4/2018 | 7,990,000 | 7,245,284 | ||||
Textron Financial Corp. | ||||||
6.500% due 6/1/2012 | 881,000 | 901,595 | ||||
5.400% due 4/28/2013 | 635,000 | 650,084 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
24
BOND FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Principal | ||||||
Amount | Value | |||||
BONDS (continued) | ||||||
Corporate Bonds (continued) | ||||||
Torchmark Corp. | ||||||
7.375% due 8/1/2013 | $ | 1,320,000 | $ | 1,379,627 | ||
6.375% due 6/15/2016 | 1,056,000 | 1,136,544 | ||||
Transamerica Finance Corp. | ||||||
0.000% due 9/1/2012 (d) | 100,000 | 98,456 | ||||
Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. | ||||||
5.750% due 12/14/2015 | 2,590,000 | 2,761,497 | ||||
Tyco Electronics Group | ||||||
6.000% due 10/1/2012 | 873,000 | 908,835 | ||||
5.950% due 1/15/2014 | 792,000 | 848,027 | ||||
UDR, Inc. | ||||||
6.050% due 6/1/2013 | 10,000 | 10,425 | ||||
5.500% due 4/1/2014 | 2,386,000 | 2,524,021 | ||||
5.250% due 1/15/2015 | 690,000 | 732,559 | ||||
Unum Group | ||||||
7.125% due 9/30/2016 | 3,200,000 | 3,671,296 | ||||
UnumProvident Group | ||||||
6.850% due 11/15/2015 (e) | 1,900,000 | 2,135,984 | ||||
Ventas Realty LP | ||||||
6.500% due 6/1/2016 | 10,248,000 | 10,523,743 | ||||
6.750% due 4/1/2017 | 1,253,000 | 1,301,650 | ||||
Viacom, Inc. | ||||||
5.625% due 8/15/2012 | 791,000 | 814,647 | ||||
Wachovia Bank | ||||||
4.800% due 11/1/2014 | 1,550,000 | 1,642,656 | ||||
4.875% due 2/1/2015 | 500,000 | 524,560 | ||||
5.000% due 8/15/2015 | 1,750,000 | 1,853,595 | ||||
5.600% due 3/15/2016 | 50,000 | 54,688 | ||||
5.625% due 10/15/2016 | 200,000 | 213,544 | ||||
Wells Fargo & Co. | ||||||
6.125% due 4/18/2012 | 133,000 | 135,033 | ||||
5.125% due 9/1/2012 | 70,000 | 71,993 | ||||
5.250% due 10/23/2012 | 101,000 | 105,239 | ||||
5.750% due 5/16/2016 | 200,000 | 217,315 | ||||
Westinghouse Credit | ||||||
8.875% due 6/14/2014 | 47,000 | 53,801 | ||||
Weyerhaeuser Co. | ||||||
6.950% due 8/1/2017 | 195,000 | 212,174 | ||||
White Mountains Re Group, Ltd. | ||||||
6.375% due 3/20/2017 (e) | 1,960,000 | 2,055,560 | ||||
Willis N.A. Inc. | ||||||
6.200% due 3/28/2017 | 1,801,000 | 1,971,366 | ||||
Wilmington Trust Corp. | ||||||
4.875% due 4/15/2013 | 25,000 | 25,467 | ||||
Wyndham Worldwide | ||||||
9.875% due 5/1/2014 | 7,743,000 | 8,795,932 | ||||
6.000% due 12/1/2016 | 2,615,000 | 2,842,756 | ||||
5.750% due 2/1/2018 | 2,020,000 | 2,129,886 | ||||
Wynn Las Vegas LLC | ||||||
7.875% due 11/1/2017 | 13,169,000 | 14,255,443 | ||||
XL Capital | ||||||
6.500% due 1/15/2012 | 367,000 | 369,031 | ||||
5.250% due 9/15/2014 | 4,220,000 | 4,443,609 | ||||
Yum! Brands, Inc. | ||||||
7.700% due 7/1/2012 | 25,000 | 25,884 | ||||
6.250% due 4/15/2016 | 791,000 | 895,183 | ||||
Zions Bancorporation | ||||||
7.750% due 9/23/2014 | 10,072,000 | 10,689,011 | ||||
5.500% due 5/10/2016 | 1,643,000 | 1,647,788 | ||||
5.000% due 8/1/2016 | 1,500,000 | 1,474,032 | ||||
5.250% due 11/7/2016 | 249,000 | 245,662 | ||||
Total Corporate Bonds | 615,780,067 | |||||
Federal Agency Mortgage- | ||||||
Backed Securities - 0.3% | ||||||
Fannie Mae | ||||||
�� 6.000% due 8/1/2014, | ||||||
Pool #25-5434F | 18,560 | 19,399 | ||||
7.000% due 7/1/2015, | ||||||
Pool #53-5461F | 9,840 | 10,626 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
25
BOND FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Principal | ||||||
Amount | Value | |||||
BONDS (continued) | ||||||
Federal Agency Mortgage- | ||||||
Backed Securities (continued) | ||||||
Fannie Mae (continued) | ||||||
8.000% due 9/1/2015, | ||||||
Pool #53-5460F | $ | 23,569 | $ | 25,271 | ||
6.000% due 10/1/2037, | ||||||
Pool #88-8736F | 318,305 | 347,556 | ||||
6.000% due 3/1/2038, | ||||||
Pool #25-7134F | 629,976 | 687,869 | ||||
Freddie Mac | ||||||
4.500% due 5/1/2018, | ||||||
Pool #P1-0032 | 64,552 | 67,532 | ||||
6.500% due 12/1/2018, | ||||||
Pool #C9-0241 | 66,970 | 74,328 | ||||
6.000% due 11/1/2021, | ||||||
Pool #G1-2449 | 147,467 | 160,887 | ||||
6.000% due 2/1/2022, | ||||||
Pool #G1-2758 | 218,079 | 239,016 | ||||
Ginnie Mae | ||||||
5.500% due 6/15/2017, | ||||||
Pool #58-4476X | 4,220 | 4,585 | ||||
5.500% due 7/20/2018, | ||||||
Pool #00-3411M | 19,907 | 21,578 | ||||
7.000% due 5/15/2033, | ||||||
Pool #78-2071X | 70,652 | 81,442 | ||||
5.500% due 6/20/2038, | ||||||
Pool #00-4163M | 193,180 | 210,651 | ||||
Total Federal Agency Mortgage- | ||||||
Backed Securities | 1,950,740 | |||||
United States Government and | ||||||
Agency Issues - 0.5% | ||||||
Fannie Mae | ||||||
0.000% due 2/1/2012 (d) | 126,000 | 125,800 | ||||
0.000% due 5/15/2012 (d) | 21,000 | 20,936 | ||||
0.000% due 5/18/2012 (d) | 67,000 | 66,793 | ||||
0.000% due 7/15/2012 (d) | 131,000 | 130,431 | ||||
Federal Farm Credit Banks | ||||||
5.230% due 2/14/2012 | 25,000 | 25,259 | ||||
2.125% due 6/18/2012 | 50,000 | 50,518 | ||||
4.400% due 7/3/2012 | 50,000 | 51,226 | ||||
4.550% due 8/10/2012 | 70,000 | 72,082 | ||||
Federal Home Loan Banks | ||||||
4.375% due 6/8/2012 | 20,000 | 20,434 | ||||
Financing Corp. | ||||||
0.000% due 12/6/2011 | ||||||
Series 19 (d) | 162,000 | 161,988 | ||||
0.000% due 12/27/2011 | ||||||
Series 13 (d) | 198,000 | 197,923 | ||||
0.000% due 3/7/2012 | ||||||
Series 15 (d) | 114,000 | 113,836 | ||||
0.000% due 4/6/2012 | ||||||
Series 4 (d) | 54,000 | 53,897 | ||||
0.000% due 4/6/2012 | ||||||
Series 9 (d) | 63,000 | 62,880 | ||||
0.000% due 5/2/2012 | ||||||
Series E (d) | 165,000 | 164,613 | ||||
0.000% due 5/30/2012 | ||||||
Series C (d) | 147,000 | 146,581 | ||||
0.000% due 5/30/2012 | ||||||
Series 2 (d) | 37,000 | 36,895 | ||||
0.000% due 5/30/2012 | ||||||
Series 10 (d) | 82,000 | 81,767 | ||||
0.000% due 6/6/2012 | ||||||
Series 12 (d) | 208,000 | 207,384 | ||||
0.000% due 6/6/2012 | ||||||
Series 19 (d) | 159,000 | 158,529 | ||||
0.000% due 6/27/2012 | ||||||
Series 13 (d) | 141,000 | 140,525 | ||||
0.000% due 8/3/2012 | ||||||
Series D (d) | 84,000 | 83,656 | ||||
0.000% due 8/3/2012 | ||||||
Series 6 (d) | 82,000 | 81,664 | ||||
0.000% due 8/3/2012 | ||||||
Series 7 (d) | 57,000 | 56,766 | ||||
0.000% due 8/3/2012 | ||||||
Series 8 (d) | 116,000 | 115,525 | ||||
Freddie Mac | ||||||
0.000% due 2/7/2012 (d) | 58,000 | 57,998 | ||||
Resolution Funding Corp. | ||||||
0.000% due 7/15/2012 (d) | 103,000 | 102,674 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
26
BOND FUND SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Principal | ||||||
Amount | Value | |||||
BONDS (continued) | ||||||
United States Government and | ||||||
Agency Issues (continued) | ||||||
Tennessee Valley Authority | ||||||
0.000% due 4/15/2012 (d) | $ | 420,000 | $ | 418,793 | ||
0.000% due 5/1/2012 (d) | 20,000 | 19,935 | ||||
0.000% due 6/15/2012 (d) | 15,000 | 14,935 | ||||
Total United States Government | ||||||
and Agency Issues | 3,042,243 | |||||
TOTAL BONDS | ||||||
(COST $650,114,844) | 646,980,730 | |||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.3% | ||||||
Commercial Paper - 0.3% | ||||||
Intesa Funding LLC | ||||||
0.180% due 12/1/2011 (b) | 2,117,000 | 2,117,000 | ||||
Total Commercial Paper | 2,117,000 | |||||
Variable-Rate Demand Notes - 0.0% | ||||||
American Family Financial | ||||||
Services, 0.100% (b) | 152,273 | 152,273 | ||||
Total Variable-Rate Demand Notes | 152,273 | |||||
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS | ||||||
(COST $2,269,273) | 2,269,273 | |||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.1% | ||||||
(COST $652,885,704) | 649,840,860 | |||||
NET OTHER ASSETS AND | ||||||
LIABILITIES - 0.9% | 6,188,769 | |||||
NET ASSETS - 100.0% | $ | 656,029,629 | ||||
(a) | Non-income producing security. | |
(b) | Interest rate shown represents the current coupon rate at November 30, 2011. | |
(c) | Security is a “step-up” bond where the coupon increases or steps up at a predetermined date. | |
(d) | Zero-coupon security. | |
(e) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
27
FUND EXPENSE EXAMPLES (Unaudited) |
November 30, 2011 |
Example
A Fund shareholder may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs such as redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from June 1, 2011 to November 30, 2011.
Actual Expenses
The first line of the table below under each Fund provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for such Fund. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The second line of the table below under each Fund provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on such Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in each Fund and other funds. To do so, compare the 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Beginning | Ending | Expenses Paid During | ||||||||||
Account Value | Account Value | Period* | ||||||||||
06/01/11 | 11/30/11 | 06/01/11-11/30/11 | ||||||||||
Thompson Plumb Growth Fund | ||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 887.98 | $ | 6.34 | ||||||
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,018.28 | $ | 6.78 | ||||||
Thompson Plumb MidCap Fund | ||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 867.98 | $ | 6.09 | ||||||
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,018.48 | $ | 6.58 | ||||||
Thompson Plumb Bond Fund | ||||||||||||
Actual | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 983.09 | $ | 3.98 | ||||||
Hypothetical (5% return before expenses) | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,020.99 | $ | 4.05 |
* | Expenses are equal to the annualized [net] expense ratio for each Fund (Growth Fund: 1.34%; MidCap Fund: 1.30%; and Bond Fund: 0.80%), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). |
For more information, please refer to the Funds’ Prospectus. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
28
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
November 30, 2011 (In thousands, except per share amounts) |
GROWTH | MIDCAP | BOND | |||||||||
FUND | FUND | FUND | |||||||||
ASSETS | |||||||||||
Total investments in securities, at value (Cost $102,211, $16,293 and | |||||||||||
$652,886, respectively) | $ | 104,021 | $ | 17,641 | $ | 649,841 | |||||
Cash | 71 | – | – | ||||||||
Due from sale of securities | 94 | 3 | – | ||||||||
Receivable from fund shares sold | 2 | – | 4,084 | ||||||||
Dividends and interest receivable | 221 | 14 | 10,017 | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses | 14 | 5 | 47 | ||||||||
Total Assets | 104,423 | 17,663 | 663,989 | ||||||||
LIABILITIES | |||||||||||
Due on purchase of securities | 130 | – | 6,232 | ||||||||
Payable for fund shares redeemed | 82 | 10 | 1,302 | ||||||||
Accrued expenses payable | 33 | 25 | 56 | ||||||||
Due to Advisor | 92 | 8 | 369 | ||||||||
Total Liabilities | 337 | 43 | 7,959 | ||||||||
NET ASSETS | $ | 104,086 | $ | 17,620 | $ | 656,030 | |||||
Net Assets consist of: | |||||||||||
Capital stock ($.001 par value) | $ | 197,439 | $ | 14,800 | $ | 650,861 | |||||
Undistributed net investment income | 246 | – | 6,689 | ||||||||
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and options | (95,409 | ) | 1,472 | 1,525 | |||||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | 1,810 | 1,348 | (3,045 | ) | |||||||
Net Assets | $ | 104,086 | $ | 17,620 | $ | 656,030 | |||||
Shares of capital stock outstanding (unlimited shares authorized) | 3,462 | 1,580 | 57,887 | ||||||||
Offering and redemption price/Net asset value per share | $ | 30.07 | $ | 11.15 | $ | 11.33 | |||||
29
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS |
Year Ended November 30, 2011 (In thousands) |
GROWTH | MIDCAP | BOND | ||||||||||
FUND | FUND | FUND | ||||||||||
Investment income | ||||||||||||
Dividends(1) | $ | 1,853 | $ | 197 | $ | – | ||||||
Interest | 3 | – | 25,627 | |||||||||
1,856 | 197 | 25,627 | ||||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||
Investment advisory fees | 1,124 | 178 | 3,303 | |||||||||
Shareholder servicing costs | 152 | 33 | 409 | |||||||||
Administrative and accounting services fees | 120 | 30 | 227 | |||||||||
Federal & state registration | – | 30 | 111 | |||||||||
Professional fees | 56 | 45 | 89 | |||||||||
Custody fees | 22 | 8 | 72 | |||||||||
Directors fees | 26 | 14 | 64 | |||||||||
Other expenses | 69 | 10 | 288 | |||||||||
Total expenses | 1,569 | 348 | 4,563 | |||||||||
Less expenses reimbursed by Advisor | – | (117 | ) | (193 | ) | |||||||
Net expenses | 1,569 | 231 | 4,370 | |||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | 287 | (34 | ) | 21,257 | ||||||||
Net realized gain on: | ||||||||||||
Investments | 20,028 | 2,142 | 1,619 | |||||||||
Written options | 96 | – | – | |||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation): | ||||||||||||
Investments | (15,465 | ) | (1,576 | ) | (14,257 | ) | ||||||
Written options | 9 | – | – | |||||||||
Net gain (loss) on investments and options | 4,668 | 566 | (12,638 | ) | ||||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 4,955 | $ | 532 | $ | 8,619 | ||||||
(1)Net of foreign withholding taxes | $ | 8 | $ | – | $ | – |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
30
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS |
(In thousands) |
GROWTH | MIDCAP | BOND | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
FUND | FUND | FUND | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
November 30, | November 30, | November 30, | November 30, | November 30, | November 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | $ | 287 | $ | 62 | $ | (34 | ) | $ | (12 | ) | $ | 21,257 | $ | 10,527 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized gain on investments and | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
options | 20,124 | 15,680 | 2,142 | 1,025 | 1,619 | 2,166 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
on investments and options | (15,456 | ) | (5,341 | ) | (1,576 | ) | 1,407 | (14,257 | ) | 7,583 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
from operations | 4,955 | 10,401 | 532 | 2,420 | 8,619 | 20,276 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Shareholders | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions from net investment income | (47 | ) | (243 | ) | – | (4 | ) | (18,237 | ) | (8,114 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions from net realized gains on | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
securities transactions | – | – | (903 | ) | (56 | ) | (2,180 | ) | (1,011 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total distributions to shareholders | (47 | ) | (243 | ) | (903 | ) | (60 | ) | (20,417 | ) | (9,125 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fund Share Transactions (See Note 4) | (26,651 | ) | (28,460 | ) | 2,320 | 3,673 | 230,354 | 292,144 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | (21,743 | ) | (18,302 | ) | 1,949 | 6,033 | 218,556 | 303,295 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning of period | 125,829 | 144,131 | 15,671 | 9,638 | 437,474 | 134,179 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End of period | $ | 104,086 | $ | 125,829 | $ | 17,620 | $ | 15,671 | $ | 656,030 | $ | 437,474 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Undistributed net investment income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
included in net assets at end of period | $ | 246 | $ | – | $ | – | $ | – | $ | 6,689 | $ | 3,610 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
31
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
November 30, 2011 |
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION
Thompson Plumb Funds, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Wisconsin corporation registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company.
The Company consists of separate mutual funds series (each, a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”): Thompson Plumb Growth Fund (the “Growth Fund”), Thompson Plumb MidCap Fund (the “MidCap Fund”) and Thompson Plumb Bond Fund (the “Bond Fund”). The assets and liabilities of each Fund are segregated and a shareholder’s interest is limited to the Fund in which the shareholder owns shares. The objectives and strategies of each Fund are described in the Funds’ Prospectus.
NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements.
SECURITY VALUATION - Each Fund’s investments are valued at their market prices (generally the last reported sales price on the exchange where the securities are primarily traded or, for Nasdaq-listed securities, at their Nasdaq Official Closing Prices) or, where market quotations are not readily available or are unreliable, at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures established by the Funds’ Board of Directors (the “Funds’ Board”). Market quotations for the common stocks in which the Funds invest are nearly always readily available; however, market quotations for debt securities are often not readily available. Fair values of debt securities are typically based on valuations published by an independent pricing service, which uses various valuation methodologies such as matrix pricing and other analytical pricing models as well as market transactions and dealer quotations. Debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost basis. Exchange-traded options are valued at the last reported sale price on an exchange on which the option is traded. If no sales are reported on a particular day, the mean between the highest bid and lowest asked quotations at the close of the exchanges will be used.
When a security is “fair valued,” consideration is given to the facts and circumstances relevant to the particular situation, including a review of various factors set forth in the Pricing Policies and Procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board, which includes factors such as fundamental analytical data relating to the investment, which may include consideration of yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon rate, maturity and type of issue, nature and duration of any restrictions on disposition of the security and an evaluation of forces that influence the market in which the securities are purchased or sold. Fair value pricing is an inherently subjective process, and no single standard exists for determining fair value. Different funds could reasonably arrive at different values for the same security. No securities in any of the Funds were fair valued as of November 30, 2011.
In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. GAAP 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.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of each Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2 – Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, 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).
32
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
Inputs may include price information, specific and broad credit data, liquidity statistics, and other factors. The Fund considers observable data to be that market data which is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market. The determination of what constitutes “observable” requires significant judgment by the Fund. The categorization of a financial instrument within the hierarchy is based upon the pricing transparency of the instrument and does not necessarily correspond to the Fund’s perceived risk of that instrument. Investments whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets, and which are therefore classified as level-1 securities, include active listed equities and certain U.S. government obligations.
Investments that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, but are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources supported by observable inputs, are classified as level-2 securities. These include certain U.S. government obligations, most government agency securities, investment-grade corporate bonds, and less liquid listed equities. Level-2 investments include positions that are not traded in active markets.
Investments classified as level-3 securities have significant unobservable inputs, as they trade infrequently or not at all. Level-3 instruments include private-placement and less liquid corporate debt securities. When observable prices are not available for these securities, the Fund uses one or more valuation techniques (e.g., the market approach, the income approach, or the cost approach) for which sufficient and reliable data is available. Within level 3, the use of the market approach generally consists of using comparable market transactions, while the use of the income approach generally consists of using the net present value of estimated future cash flows, adjusted as appropriate for liquidity, credit, market and/or other risk factors. The inputs used by the Fund in estimating the value of level-3 investments include the original transaction price and recent transactions in the same or similar instruments.
The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds’ investments as of November 30, 2011:
Growth Fund | ||||||||||||
Assets | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||
Investment Securities: | ||||||||||||
Common Stocks | $ | 103,960,399 | – | $ | – | $ | 103,960,399 | |||||
Short-term securities | – | $ | 60,156 | – | 60,156 | |||||||
Total Assets | $ | 103,960,399 | $ | 60,156 | $ | – | $ | 104,020,555 | ||||
MidCap Fund | ||||||||||||
Assets | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||
Investment Securities: | ||||||||||||
Common Stocks | $ | 17,639,357 | – | $ | – | $ | 17,639,357 | |||||
Short-term securities | – | $ | 1,480 | – | 1,480 | |||||||
Total Assets | $ | 17,639,357 | $ | 1,480 | $ | – | $ | 17,640,837 | ||||
Bond Fund | ||||||||||||
Assets | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||
Investment Securities: | ||||||||||||
Common Stocks | $ | 590,857 | – | $ | – | $ | 590,857 | |||||
Bonds | – | $ | 646,980,730 | – | 646,980,730 | |||||||
Short-term securities | – | 2,269,273 | – | 2,269,273 | ||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 590,857 | $ | 649,250,003 | $ | – | $ | 649,840,860 | ||||
There were no significant transfers between level-1 and level-2 securities and the Funds did not invest in any level-3 investments as of and during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011. It is the Funds’ policy to record transfers at the end of the reporting period. Refer to each Funds’ Schedule of Investments for additional information regarding security types and industry classifications.
33
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME - Investment securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Gains or losses realized on sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds. Discounts/premiums on debt securities purchased are accreted/amortized over the life of the respective securities on the same basis for book and tax purposes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded as earned. Income and capital gains on some foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, which are accrued as applicable, and have been provided for in accordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.
OPTIONS - Each Fund may enter into options transactions for hedging purposes and will not use these instruments for speculation. Each Fund may use options to hedge against anticipated declines in the market value of portfolio securities and increases in the market value of securities it intends to purchase and protect against exposure to interest rate changes. Each Fund may also use options to enhance total return or invest in eligible asset classes with greater efficiency and lower cost than is believed to be possible through direct investment. The use of options for hedging purposes involves certain risks and may result in a loss if changes in the value of the option move in a direction different than anticipated, rendering the hedging strategy unsuccessful.
Each Fund may write covered call/put options for which premiums received are recorded as liabilities and are subsequently adjusted to the current fair value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options which are either exercised or closed are offset against the proceeds received or amount paid on the transaction to determine realized gains or losses.
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS - The Funds had the following transactions in written covered call and put options during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011:
Growth Fund | |||||||
Number of | |||||||
Contracts | Premiums | ||||||
Balance at November 30, 2010 | 1,948 | $ | 82,392 | ||||
Options written | 1,852 | 87,556 | |||||
Options closed | (150 | ) | (7,553 | ) | |||
Options exercised | (634 | ) | (26,997 | ) | |||
Options expired | (3,016 | ) | (135,398 | ) | |||
Balance at November 30, 2011 | – | $ | – | ||||
The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011:
Realized | Change in Unrealized | |||||||||||
Gain | Gain | |||||||||||
Derivatives not | on Derivatives | on Derivatives | ||||||||||
accounted | Location of Gain On | Recognized in | Recognized in | |||||||||
for as hedging | Derivatives Recognized in | Income | Income | |||||||||
instruments | Income | (In Thousands) | (In Thousands) | |||||||||
Growth Fund | ||||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Net realized gains on: | |||||||||||
Written options/Net Unrealized | ||||||||||||
appreciation on: Written | ||||||||||||
options | $ | 96 | $ | 9 | ||||||||
34
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
SECURITIES PURCHASED ON A WHEN-ISSUED OR DELAYED-DELIVERY BASIS - Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis. When-issued securities are securities purchased with delivery to occur at a later date at a stated price and/or yield, thereby involving the risk that the price and/or yield obtained may be more or less than those available in the market when delivery takes place. At the time a Fund makes a commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, the Fund records the transaction and reflects the value of the security in determining net asset value. Each Fund designates and maintains cash and marketable securities at least equal in value to commitments for when-issued securities.
VARIABLE-RATE DEMAND NOTES - The Funds invest in short-term variable-rate demand notes, which are unsecured instruments. The Funds may be susceptible to credit risk with respect to these instruments to the extent the issuer defaults on its payment obligation.
PERMANENT BOOK AND TAX DIFFERENCES - Generally accepted accounting principles require that permanent financial reporting and tax differences relating to shareholder distributions be reclassified in the capital accounts.
EXPENSES - Each Fund is charged for those expenses that are directly attributed to it. Expenses that are not readily identifiable to a specific Fund are generally allocated among the Funds in proportion to the relative sizes of the Funds.
USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS - Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and realized gains on securities for the Growth Fund and MidCap Fund normally are declared at least annually. Bond Fund distributions to shareholders from net investment income normally are declared on a quarterly basis, and distributions to shareholders from realized gains on securities normally are declared at least annually. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES - No provision has been made for federal income taxes since the Funds have elected to be taxed as regulated investment companies and intend to distribute substantially all income to shareholders and otherwise comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies.
LINE OF CREDIT - The Funds have established an unsecured line of credit (“LOC”) with U.S. Bank N.A. which expires November 15, 2012 used primarily to finance redemption payments. Each of the individual Fund’s borrowing under the LOC is limited to either 5% of the value of that Fund’s total assets or any explicit borrowing limits imposed by the Funds’ Board, whatever is less. As of November 30, 2011, the limits established by the Funds’ Board are: Growth Fund - $5,000,000, MidCap Fund - $750,000 and Bond Fund - $30,000,000. The LOC was drawn upon during the year; however, as of November 30, 2011, there were no borrowings by the Funds outstanding under the LOC. The following table shows the average balance, average interest rate and interest expense incurred by the Funds on borrowings under the LOC for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011.
Average | Average | Interest | ||||||||||
Fund | Balance | Interest Rate | Expense | |||||||||
Growth Fund | $ | 270,745 | 3.250% | $ | 8,921 | |||||||
MidCap Fund | $ | 15,540 | 3.250% | $ | 512 | |||||||
Bond Fund | $ | 621,030 | 3.250% | $ | 20,464 |
GUARANTEES AND INDEMNIFICATIONS - Under the Funds’ organizational documents, each Director, officer, employee or other agent of the Funds (including the Funds’ investment manager) is indemnified, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Funds. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, the Funds have not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and believe the risk of loss to be remote.
35
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES - As of and during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011, the Funds did not have a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the fiscal year, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties. Generally, each of the tax years in the year period ended November 30, 2011 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities. The Funds are also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS - The Funds have evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the Funds’ financial statements and have determined that such subsequent events do not have an impact on the Funds’ financial statements.
NOTE 3 - INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICES AGREEMENTS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Investment Advisory Agreement pursuant to which Thompson Investment Management, Inc. (“TIM” or “Advisor”) is retained by the Funds provides for compensation to TIM (computed daily and paid monthly) at the following annual rates: for the Growth Fund and MidCap Fund - 1.00% of the first $50 million of average daily net assets and 0.90% of average daily net assets in excess of $50 million; and for the Bond Fund - 0.65% of the first $50 million of average daily net assets and 0.60% of average daily net assets in excess of $50 million.
The Advisor is contractually bound to waive management fees and/or reimburse expenses incurred by the Funds through March 31, 2012 so that the annual operating expenses of the Funds do not exceed the following percentages of their respective average daily net assets: Growth Fund-1.40%, MidCap Fund-1.30% and Bond Fund-0.80%. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011, the Advisor reimbursed expenses incurred by the MidCap Fund and the Bond Fund in the amounts of $117,018 and $193,019, respectively. The Funds are not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for any fees or expenses waived in previous fiscal years.
Pursuant to an Administrative and Accounting Services Agreement, TIM maintains the Funds’ financial records in accordance with the 1940 Act, prepares all necessary financial statements of the Funds and calculates the net asset value per share of the Funds on a daily basis. As compensation for its services, each Fund pays TIM a fee computed daily and payable monthly at the annual rate of 0.15% of average daily net assets up to $30 million, 0.10% of the next $70 million of average daily net assets and 0.025% of average daily net assets in excess of $100 million, with an annual minimum fee of $30,000 per Fund. The calculations of daily net asset value are subcontracted to U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, resulting in fees paid by TIM for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011 in the amounts of $33,996, $31,413 and $100,043 for the Growth Fund, MidCap Fund and Bond Fund, respectively.
The Funds reimburse the Advisor for a portion of amounts paid by the Advisor out of the Advisor’s own resources under various shareholder, account maintenance, networking and other services provided to the Funds by broker-dealers and other intermediaries. The amount reimbursed by the Funds is equal to (1) for those accounts maintained through a shareholder servicing arrangement, an annual rate of no more than 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the omnibus accounts in the Funds for which all broker-dealers and other intermediaries, in the aggregate, are responsible, and (2) for those accounts maintained through a networking arrangement, no more than $6 per year per account in the Funds for which the broker-dealers and other intermediaries are responsible; provided however, in all cases only one of these fees shall be applicable to the assets in an account. This amount has been determined by the Funds’ Board to approximate the transfer agency fees that would otherwise have been payable by the Funds if such broker-dealers and intermediaries did not maintain these accounts. For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011, the amounts reimbursed by the Funds to the Advisor were $29,368, $1,176 and $241,969 for the Growth Fund, MidCap Fund and Bond Fund, respectively.
36
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
NOTE 4 - FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS (in thousands)
Transactions in shares of the Funds were as follows:
Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
November 30, 2011 | November 30, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||
Shares | Dollars | Shares | Dollars | |||||||||||||||
Growth Fund | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 133 | $ | 4,195 | 214 | $ | 6,008 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 2 | 44 | 9 | 232 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of realized gains | – | – | – | – | ||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (982 | ) | (30,890 | ) | (1,245 | ) | (34,700 | ) | ||||||||||
Net decrease | (847 | ) | $ | (26,651 | ) | (1,022 | ) | $ | (28,460 | ) | ||||||||
MidCap Fund | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 261 | $ | 3,089 | 439 | $ | 4,574 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | – | – | – | 4 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of realized gains | 79 | 902 | 6 | 56 | ||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (139 | ) | (1,671 | ) | (92 | ) | (961 | ) | ||||||||||
Net increase | 201 | $ | 2,320 | 353 | $ | 3,673 | ||||||||||||
Bond Fund | ||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 41,159 | $ | 473,454 | 37,678 | $ | 426,672 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends | 1,531 | 17,428 | 688 | 7,767 | ||||||||||||||
Shares issued in reinvestment of realized gains | 189 | 2,127 | 89 | 982 | ||||||||||||||
Shares redeemed | (22,894 | ) | (262,655 | ) | (12,578 | ) | (143,277 | ) | ||||||||||
Net increase | 19,985 | $ | 230,354 | 25,877 | $ | 292,144 | ||||||||||||
NOTE 5 - PURCHASE AND SALE OF SECURITIES
Investment transactions for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011 were as follows:
Securities other than U.S. | ||||||||||||
Government and Short-term | ||||||||||||
Investments | U.S. Government Securities | |||||||||||
Purchases | Sales | Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
Growth Fund | $ | 48,239,024 | $ | 74,307,597 | $ | – | $ | – | ||||
MidCap Fund | $ | 9,865,323 | $ | 8,464,528 | $ | – | $ | – | ||||
Bond Fund | $ | 345,062,015 | $ | 13,100,509 | $ | 17,350,070 | $ | 10,573,259 |
37
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
NOTE 6 - INCOME TAX INFORMATION
At November 30, 2011, the investment cost and aggregate unrealized appreciation and depreciation on investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:
Net unrealized | Distributable | Distributable | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized | Unrealized | appreciation | ordinary | long-term | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Federal tax cost | appreciation | depreciation | (depreciation) | income | capital gains | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Growth Fund | $ | 103,426,438 | $ | 11,859,241 | $ | (11,265,124 | ) | $ | 594,117 | $ | 246,130 | $ | – | |||||||||||||||
MidCap Fund | $ | 16,775,531 | $ | 2,886,723 | $ | (2,021,417 | ) | $ | 865,306 | $ | 163,921 | $ | 1,790,194 | |||||||||||||||
Bond Fund | $ | 652,885,704 | $ | 10,028,620 | $ | (13,073,464 | ) | $ | (3,044,844 | ) | $ | 6,773,991 | $ | 1,439,658 |
The tax basis of investments for tax and financial reporting purposes differ principally due to wash sales and straddles.
The tax components of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011, capital loss carryforward as of November 30, 2011 and tax basis post-October losses as of November 30, 2011, which are not being recognized for tax purposes until the first day of the following fiscal year are:
Ordinary | Long-term | ||||||||||||||
income | capital gains | Net capital loss | Post-October | ||||||||||||
distributions | distributions | carryforward* | losses | ||||||||||||
Growth Fund | $ | 46,532 | $ | – | $ | 94,193,195 | $– | ||||||||
MidCap Fund | $ | 313,728 | $ | 589,640 | $ | – | $– | ||||||||
Bond Fund | $ | 18,537,863 | $ | 1,879,115 | $ | – | $– |
* The Growth Fund has capital losses in the amount of $46,437,912 and $47,755,283 which expire on November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2017, respectively.
The tax components of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2010 are:
Ordinary | Long-term | |||||||||
income | capital gains | |||||||||
distributions | distributions | |||||||||
Growth Fund | $ | 243,395 | $ | – | ||||||
MidCap Fund | $ | 3,505 | $ | 56,758 | ||||||
Bond Fund | $ | 8,714,312 | $ | 411,245 |
The following distributions were declared on December 19, 2011, payable to shareholders on December 20, 2011 (Unaudited):
Ordinary income | Long-term capital gains | |||||||||||||||||
distributions | distributions | |||||||||||||||||
Amount | Per share | Amount | Per share | |||||||||||||||
Growth Fund | $ | 358,796 | $ | 0.11 | $ | – | $ | – | ||||||||||
MidCap Fund | $ | 165,439 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 1,791,599 | $ | 1.14 | ||||||||||
Bond Fund | $ | 8,751,650 | $ | 0.15 | $ | 1,478,319 | $ | 0.03 |
38
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) |
November 30, 2011 |
NOTE 7 - RESULTS OF SHAREHOLDERS MEETING (Unaudited)
A special meeting of the shareholders of the Funds was held on October 31, 2011. At the meeting, shareholders elected six nominees, four of whom were already serving as directors at the time of the special meeting. Each nominee was elected by a plurality of the votes cast to serve as a director, to hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. The shares were voted as indicated below.
% of Total | ||||||||||||
Director Nominee | Shares Voted | % Voted | Shares Voted | |||||||||
George E. Austin | For | 47,594,419.890 | 96.404 | % | 81.347 | % | ||||||
Withheld | 1,775,826.760 | 3.596 | % | 3.035 | % | |||||||
John W. Feldt | For | 47,672,347.123 | 96.561 | % | 81.480 | % | ||||||
Withheld | 1,697,899.527 | 3.439 | % | 2.902 | % | |||||||
Patricia Lipton | For | 47,701,069.664 | 96.620 | % | 81.530 | % | ||||||
Withheld | 1,669,176.986 | 3.380 | % | 2.852 | % | |||||||
Donald A. Nichols | For | 47,570,136.909 | 96.354 | % | 81.306 | % | ||||||
Withheld | 1,800,109.741 | 3.646 | % | 3.076 | % | |||||||
Jason L. Stephens | For | 47,898,270.382 | 97.019 | % | 81.867 | % | ||||||
Withheld | 1,471,976.268 | 2.981 | % | 2.515 | % | |||||||
John W. Thompson | For | 48,024,366.005 | 97.274 | % | 82.082 | % | ||||||
Withheld | 1,345,880.645 | 2.726 | % | 2.300 | % |
39
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following table presents information relating to a share of capital stock outstanding for the entire period.
Year Ended November 30, | |||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||
GROWTH FUND | |||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $29.20 | $27.04 | $19.75 | $45.86 | $49.95 | ||||||||||
Income from Investment Operations | |||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 0.08 | 0.01 | 0.07 | 0.29 | 0.36 | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | |||||||||||||||
on investments and options | 0.80 | 2.20 | 7.51 | (19.59 | ) | (2.49 | ) | ||||||||
Total from Investment Operations | 0.88 | 2.21 | 7.58 | (19.30 | ) | (2.13 | ) | ||||||||
Less Distributions | |||||||||||||||
Distributions from net investment income | (0.01 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.29 | ) | (0.41 | ) | (0.34 | ) | |||||
Distributions from net realized gains | – | – | – | (6.40 | ) | (1.62 | ) | ||||||||
Total Distributions | (0.01 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.29 | ) | (6.81 | ) | (1.96 | ) | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $30.07 | $29.20 | $27.04 | $19.75 | $45.86 | ||||||||||
Total Return | 3.02% | 8.17% | 38.88% | (49.29% | ) | (4.52% | ) | ||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (millions) | $104.1 | $125.8 | $144.1 | $133.9 | $533.9 | ||||||||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses | 1.31% | 1.36% | 1.54% | 1.27% | 1.13% | ||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income | 0.24% | 0.05% | 0.32% | 0.56% | 0.62% | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 40% | 37% | 63% | 43% | 29% |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
40
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)
The following table presents information relating to a share of capital stock outstanding for the entire period.
March 31, 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(inception) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended November 30, | through | ||||||||||||||||||||
November 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||
MIDCAP FUND | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $11.36 | $9.39 | $6.18 | $10.00 | |||||||||||||||||
Income from Investment Operations | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | – | – | 0.01 | 0.04 | |||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | |||||||||||||||||||||
on investments | 0.44 | 2.02 | 3.25 | (3.86 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
�� Total from Investment Operations | 0.44 | 2.02 | 3.26 | (3.82 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Less Distributions | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions from net investment income | – | – | (c) | (0.05 | ) | – | |||||||||||||||
Distributions from net realized gains | (0.65 | ) | (0.05 | ) | – | – | |||||||||||||||
Total Distributions | (0.65 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.05 | ) | – | ||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $11.15 | $11.36 | $9.39 | $6.18 | |||||||||||||||||
Total Return | 3.69% | 21.71% | 53.04% | (38.20%) | (a) | ||||||||||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (millions) | $17.6 | $15.7 | $9.6 | $2.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses | 1.30% | 1.30% | 1.30% | 1.30%(b) | |||||||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses without reimbursement | 1.96% | 2.34% | 4.21% | 8.40%(b) | |||||||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income (loss) | (0.19% | ) | (0.09% | ) | 0.12% | 0.79%(b) | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of net investment loss | |||||||||||||||||||||
without reimbursement | (0.85% | ) | (1.14% | ) | (2.79% | ) | (6.30%)(b) | ||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 47% | 39% | 61% | 50%(a) |
(a) | Calculated on a non-annualized basis. |
(b) | Calculated on an annualized basis. |
(c) | Less than .005 per share. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
41
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Continued)
The following table presents information relating to a share of capital stock outstanding for the entire period.
Year Ended November 30, | |||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||
BOND FUND | |||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $11.54 | $11.16 | $9.24 | $10.34 | $10.26 | ||||||||||
Income from Investment Operations | |||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 0.42 | 0.34 | 0.63 | 0.62 | 0.48 | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | |||||||||||||||
on investments | (0.17 | )(a) | 0.46 | (a) | 2.01 | (1.17 | ) | 0.08 | |||||||
Total from Investment Operations | 0.25 | 0.80 | 2.64 | (0.55 | ) | 0.56 | |||||||||
Less Distributions | |||||||||||||||
Distributions from net investment income | (0.40 | ) | (0.34 | ) | (0.72 | ) | (0.55 | ) | (0.48 | ) | |||||
Distributions from net realized gains | (0.06 | ) | (0.08 | ) | – | – | – | ||||||||
Total Distributions | (0.46 | ) | (0.42 | ) | (0.72 | ) | (0.55 | ) | (0.48 | ) | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $11.33 | $11.54 | $11.16 | $9.24 | $10.34 | ||||||||||
Total Return | 2.16% | 7.33% | 30.05% | (5.63% | ) | 5.64% | |||||||||
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |||||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (millions) | $656.0 | $437.5 | $134.2 | $44.0 | $44.5 | ||||||||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||||||||
Ratio of expenses | 0.80% | 0.80% | 0.75% | 0.59% | 0.59% | ||||||||||
Ratio of expenses without reimbursement | 0.84% | 0.87% | 1.20% | 1.18% | 1.24% | ||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income | 3.89% | 3.52% | 6.40% | 6.38% | 4.92% | ||||||||||
Ratio of net investment income | |||||||||||||||
without reimbursement | 3.86% | 3.44% | 5.95% | 5.78% | 4.26% | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 14% | 10% | 85% | 110% | 86% |
(a) | Realized and unrealized gains and losses per share are balancing amounts necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share in the period. It does not agree to the aggregate gains and losses in the Statement of Operations due to the fluctuation in share transactions. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
42
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Thompson Plumb Funds, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of Thompson Plumb Funds, Inc., comprising the Thompson Plumb Growth Fund, the Thompson Plumb MidCap Fund and the Thompson Plumb Bond Fund (the “Funds”) as of November 30, 2011, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, and the statements of changes in net assets and the financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights for the periods indicated prior the year ended November 30, 2010, were audited by another independent registered public accounting firm, who expressed unqualified opinions on those highlights.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2011 by correspondence with the Funds’ custodian and brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the funds constituting Thompson Plumb Funds, Inc. as of November 30, 2011, the results of their operations for the year then ended, and the changes in their net assets and financial highlights for each of the two years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Westlake, Ohio
January 19, 2012
43
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)
(Information as of 12/31/11) |
Position(s) | Number of | |||||||
Held with | Thompson | Other | ||||||
Thompson Plumb | Plumb Funds | Directorships | ||||||
Name, | Funds, Inc. and | Principal Occupation(s) | Overseen | Held | ||||
and Age | Length of Time Served(1) | During Past Five Years | by Director | by Director | ||||
Independent Directors: | ||||||||
Donald A. Nichols Birth date: 12/20/40 | Chairman since January 2009 Director since 1987 |
| 3 | None | ||||
John W. Feldt Birth date: 5/2/42 | Director since 1987 |
| 3 | Baird Funds, Inc. (7 funds) | ||||
Patricia Lipton Birth date: 12/9/42 | Director since 2007 |
| 3 | None | ||||
George E. Austin Birth date: 9/15/52 | Director since 2011 |
| 3 | None | ||||
Interested Directors and Officers: | ||||||||
John W. Thompson(2) Birth date: 7/26/43 | Director since 1987 Chairman from 1987 to January 2009 Chief Executive Officer since 2005 President since January 2009 |
| 3 | None |
44
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS (Unaudited) (Continued)
(Information as of 12/31/11) |
Position(s) | Number of | |||||||
Held with | Thompson | Other | ||||||
Thompson Plumb | Plumb Funds | Directorships | ||||||
Name, | Funds, Inc. and | Principal Occupation(s) | Overseen | Held | ||||
and Age | Length of Time Served(1) | During Past Five Years | by Director | by Director | ||||
Jason L. Stephens(2) | Director since 2011 Vice President since Secretary from 2005 to Chief Compliance |
| 3 | None | ||||
James T. Evans Birth date: 6/6/75 | Vice President since March 2009 |
| N/A | N/A | ||||
Penny M. Hubbard Birth date: 6/2/61 | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2005 |
| N/A | N/A | ||||
Nedra S. Pierce Birth date: 10/2/61 | Chief Compliance Officer since 2006 |
| N/A | N/A | ||||
Lesley T. Bailey Birth date: 9/30/78 | Secretary since 2010 |
| N/A | N/A |
The address of each Director and officer as it relates to the Company’s business is 918 Deming Way, Madison WI 53717.
(1) Officers of the Investment Company serve one-year terms, subject to annual reappointment by the Board of Directors. Directors of the Investment Company serve a term of indefinite length until their resignation or removal, and stand for re-election by shareholders as and when required under the 1940 Act.
(2) John W. Thompson and Jason L. Stephens are “interested persons” of the Investment Company by virtue of their position with the Investment Company and TIM.
45
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
THOMPSON PLUMB FUNDS
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Thompson Investment Management, Inc.
918 Deming Way
Madison, Wisconsin 53717
DISTRIBUTOR
Quasar Distributors, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
TRANSFER AGENT
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd.
800 Westpoint Parkway, Suite 1100
Westlake, OH 44145
LEGAL COUNSEL
Quarles & Brady LLP
411 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
The Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the directors and officers of Thompson Plumb Funds, Inc. and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-999-0887.
Proxy Voting Policy
A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information regarding how the Funds actually voted proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-999-0887, through the Funds’ website at www.thompsonplumb.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Information About Portfolio Securities
The Funds file complete schedules of their portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Funds’ first and third quarters of its fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Forms N-Q are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy those documents by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Funds’ Forms N-Q are also available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-999-0887.
46
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
Board Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
The Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”) requires that the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) for Thompson Plumb Funds, Inc. (the “Funds”) be approved annually by a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Directors who are not parties to the Agreement or “interested persons” of the Funds as that term is defined in the Act (the “Independent Directors”). At its meeting on November 14, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Funds, including all of the Independent Directors, voted unanimously to renew the existing Agreement between the Funds and Thompson Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) for each of the Growth Fund, the MidCap Fund and the Bond Fund (each of these series of the Funds is sometimes referred to as a “Fund” in this section).
The Board’s approval was based on its consideration and evaluation of a variety of factors, including: (1) the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided by the Advisor; (2) the performance of each of the Funds in comparison to its benchmark index and to a peer group of mutual funds; (3) the management fees and total operating expenses of each Fund, including comparative information with respect to a peer group of mutual funds and with fees charged by the Advisor to other clients whose assets are managed under similar objectives and strategies; (4) the extent to which economies of scale may be realized as a Fund grows; and (5) whether fee levels reflect any potential economies of scale for the benefit of shareholders.
In connection with the renewal process, both the Independent Directors as well as the full Board met separately on November 14, 2011, to consider information relevant to the renewal process. The Independent Directors and the full Board are referred to collectively as the “Board” in this section.
To facilitate evaluation of the Agreement, the Board received and reviewed information prepared or compiled by the Advisor as well as an independent analysis of each Fund’s performance, expenses, and profitability prepared by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”). Information reviewed included a memorandum from Fund counsel discussing the fiduciary duty of Directors under Section 15(c) of the Act; a memorandum from Fund management providing its recommendation for renewal of the Agreement; the Advisor’s analysis of profitability of the Agreement to the Advisor and the profitability of related service contracts with the Advisor; a separate profitability comparison prepared by Lipper; a detailed statistical report from Lipper comparing each Fund’s respective performance and expenses with both a comparison “group” and a comparison “universe” of other funds; information regarding the composition of and fees charged for standardized investment products offered to separately managed account clients of the Advisor; the Advisor’s Form ADV which, among other things, showed fees charged by the Advisor to manage the investments of other clients with objectives and programs similar to the Funds; the Agreement and other service agreements with the Advisor; and background information on the Funds’ portfolio managers and reports from the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer. In addition, the Board had received and considered detailed information on the Funds’ investment performance and expenses at each of its quarterly meetings during the year as well as in-person reports from the Fund’s portfolio managers and reports from the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer. Throughout the review and approval process, the Independent Directors were represented by independent legal counsel.
The Board considered the nature, extent, and quality of services provided by the Advisor, including services required to be provided under the Agreement, services required to be provided under other agreements with the Advisor and with affiliates of the Advisor, and additional services provided by the Advisor that were not required under any of those agreements. The Board considered the background and experience of the Funds’ portfolio managers, other advisory personnel, compliance personnel, and other support personnel. It noted that in addition to considering these factors at this meeting, it had also considered many of these factors during the course of its quarterly meetings over the past year. The Board noted that, in addition to investment management and broker-selection services, the Advisor prepares compliance and other materials for each of the Board’s meetings; provides office space, equipment, information technology and administrative services necessary for operation of the Funds; and performs regular compliance and risk analysis functions for the Funds. The Board believed that the nature, extent, and quality of services provided by the Advisor were comparable to those provided by advisors to comparable funds and that such services were adequate for the Funds’ needs.
In reviewing the investment performance of each of the Funds, the Board reviewed the one-, two-, three-, four-, five- and ten-year and life-of-fund performances of the Bond Fund and Growth Fund and the one-, two- and three-year and life-of-fund performances of the MidCap Fund. The MidCap Fund commenced operations on March 31, 2008, so only approximately three years of performance information was available for that Fund.
The Board noted that the performance of the Bond Fund ranked in the top 40 percent of its comparison universe over the one-year period, and in the top 20 percent of its comparison universe for the two-, three-, four-, five- and ten-year periods. Within its Lipper comparison group, the Bond Fund ranked in the top 40 percent for the one- and two-year periods, and in the top 20 percent for the three-, four-, five-, and ten-year periods. The Board further noted that the Bond Fund had outperformed its benchmark index for the one-, three-, five-, and ten-year periods, as well as the life-of-fund period.
47
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
The Board observed that the Growth Fund had matched the median investment performance of its comparison group for the one-year period, though the investment performance of the Growth Fund during most of the periods being compared lagged the median performance of its comparison group and comparison universe. The Board also observed that the Growth Fund had underperformed its benchmark index for each of the comparison periods. The Board noted that steps taken by the Fund’s portfolio managers over the past three years had brought the security and sector weightings in the Fund more closely in line with the Fund’s benchmark. The Board observed that this effort was continuing to achieve its intended effect of reducing volatility, thereby reducing the risk of substantial underperformance relative to the Fund’s benchmark, and of increasing the likelihood of improving total return, and cited the competitive results over the one-year period as evidence of this improvement. The Board observed that it appeared from the most recent one-year period that the effort was working to improve the Growth Fund’s relative performance.
The performance of the MidCap Fund ranked in the top 20 percent of the Fund’s Lipper comparison group for the three-year period, in the top 40 percent of that group for the two-year period, and in the top 60 percent of that group for the one-year and life-of-fund periods. With relation to the Fund’s Lipper comparison universe, it ranked in the top 20 percent for the three-year and life-of-fund periods, and in the top 60 percent for the one- and two-year periods. The Board further noted that the Fund had outperformed the performance group median for all measured periods. The Board also noted that the MidCap Fund had outperformed its benchmark index for the three-year and life-of-fund periods, though it underperformed that benchmark for the one-year period.
After considering the performances of the Bond Fund, Growth Fund and MidCap Fund, the Board determined that relative to the performances of comparable funds and to each Fund’s benchmark index, the performance of the Bond Fund was exceptional and that the performance of the MidCap Fund and Growth Fund was acceptable.
In reviewing the cost of services provided to the Funds and profits realized by the Advisor from these relationships, the Board compared information relating to the various management fees charged to separately managed accounts of the Advisor that have relatively analogous investment objectives as those of a Fund. Among the information reviewed by the Board was information relating to standardized investment products offered to separately managed account clients of the Advisor. The Board determined that these standardized products in most instances had investment objectives and styles that were sufficiently different from the investment objectives and styles of any of the Funds so as to make the comparison inapt. With respect to those standardized products available to separately managed account clients of the Advisor that the Board determined to be sufficiently similar in investment objective and strategy to a Fund to be relevant for comparative purposes, the Board determined that in light of the significantly different level of services and resources required for the management of these products and the Funds, the management fees charged by the Advisor with respect to each of the Funds were reasonable relative to the management fees charged by the Advisor with respect to the relevant standardized separately managed account product.
The Board noted that the Bond Fund’s management fee, after waiver of a portion thereof by the Advisor, was one of the highest of its Lipper comparison group and comparison universe. The Board also noted, however, that the Fund’s total expense ratio, after a waiver of certain fees by the Advisor, was in the top 40 percent of its Lipper comparison group and the top 60 percent of its Lipper comparison universe, which the Board determined was reasonable.
The information provided by Lipper indicated that the advisory fees and total expense ratio of the Growth Fund were among the highest in the Fund’s Lipper comparison group and its comparison universe. The Board, however, observed that the Fund’s total expense ratio had continued to decrease during the previous year. The Board discussed why the Growth Fund’s advisory fees and total expense ratios, though trending down from the previous year, continued to appear relatively high in comparison to the total expense ratios of its Lipper peer group and its Lipper universe. The Board noted that the non-management expense ratio for the Fund was materially higher than those ratios for many of the funds in the Fund’s comparison group. The Board observed that most of the funds in the Lipper peer expense group were part of very large fund families or complexes which had much greater leverage to negotiate more favorable non-management fees with third-party providers. The Board also considered that unlike some of the funds in the Fund’s comparison group, the Fund does not have a Rule 12b-1 fee, which it believed mitigated to some degree the difference in the total expense ratio for the Growth Fund relative to that ratio for other funds in its comparison group that did charge a Rule 12b-1 fee. After taking into account all of these considerations, the Board determined that the management fee and total expense ratio of the Growth Fund were reasonable.
The Board noted that the MidCap Fund’s management fee, after waiver of a portion thereof by the Advisor, ranked in the top 20 percent of management fees of funds in the MidCap Fund’s Lipper comparison group and comparison universe. The Board considered the reasons why the non-management expense ratio of the Fund continued to be one of the highest in the Fund’s Lipper comparison group and comparison universe. The Board observed that, consistent with its expectations, the non-management expense ratio had declined materially during the previous fiscal year as the MidCap Fund, which commenced operations in March of 2008, had attracted additional assets. Furthermore, the Board expected that this trend toward declining non-management expenses was likely to continue so long as the MidCap Fund continued to grow in assets, and that as a result these non-management expenses were likely to have a decreasing impact on the Fund’s total expenses. The Board observed that the actual total expense ratio of the Fund, despite the Fund’s relatively
48
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
high non-management expenses, was lower than the median actual total expense ratio for funds in the Fund’s comparison group and only slightly higher than the median actual total expense ratio for funds in the Fund’s comparison universe, which the Board believed was reasonable.
With regard to profitability, the Board noted that the Advisor’s pre-tax profitability, both before and after accounting for marketing fees borne by the Advisor, ranked below the median for comparable firms, and that the operating margins of the Advisor were reasonable. After reviewing information provided by Lipper and reviewing the Advisor’s own analysis, the Board concluded that the cost of services provided by the Advisor and its affiliates to the Funds and the profits realized with respect thereto were reasonable.
The Board also considered whether economies of scale might be realized as the Funds’ assets increase. It noted that the Agreement provides for a fee breakpoint at $50 million of assets. This breakpoint is equal to ten basis points for the Growth Fund and MidCap Fund and five basis points for the Bond Fund. The Board considered that an increase in assets could provide economies of scale in the Funds’ operations. However, it noted that the level of assets of the Growth Fund presented no opportunity for such economies. The Board noted that assets of the MidCap Fund had grown over the past year but that the Fund continued to lack scale in comparison to other funds having similar investment objectives. The Board noted that the Bond Fund had continued to grow significantly over the past year and that opportunity for economies of scale were becoming more likely. However, the Board concluded that neither the MidCap Fund nor the Bond Fund was likely to realize material economies of scale until its assets grew significantly.
49
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
As of the end of the period covered by this report on Form N-CSR, the Registrant has adopted a Code of Ethics (as defined in Item 2(b) of Form N-CSR) that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. The Registrant’s Code of Ethics (as defined in Item 2(b) of Form N-CSR) and any amendments or waivers thereto are available on the Registrant’s website at www.thompsonplumb.com.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The Registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that the Registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. John Feldt, a director of the Registrant since 1987, has been determined to be an audit committee financial expert and is “independent” within the meaning of Item 3(a)(2) of Form N-CSR. Mr. Feldt, currently retired, was the Senior Vice President-Finance for the University of Wisconsin Foundation from 1984 through 2006. In such capacity, he oversaw the investment and accounting functions for the Foundation. These duties required Mr. Feldt to supervise the Foundation’s controller and approve the Foundation’s accounting and audit information.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
The following table sets forth information as to the fees billed to the Registrant for each of the last two fiscal years for audit-related, tax and other services and products provided by Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd, the Registrant’s principal accountant.
Fiscal Year Ended November 30, | |||||||||
2010 | 2011 | ||||||||
Audit Fees(1) | $ | 34,500.00 | $ | 34,500.00 | |||||
Audit-Related Fees(2) | $ | 2,346.00 | $ | 0.00 | |||||
Tax Fees(3) | $ | 9,000.00 | $ | 9,000.00 | |||||
All Other Fees(4) | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | |||||
TOTAL | $ | 45,846.00 | $ | 43,500.00 |
____________________
(1) | This category relates to professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the Registrant's annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years. | |
(2) | This category relates to assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant's financial statements and are not reported under "Audit Fees" above. This amount includes amounts billed by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Funds’ previous independent registered public accounting firm, with respect to time incurred by it during the successor auditor workpaper review and out-of-pocket expenses relating to its audit for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2009. | |
(3) | This category relates to professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. For 2010 and 2011, the tax services provided by the Registrant’s principal accountant specifically related to the preparation of the Registrant’s federal and state income and excise tax returns and a review of the Registrant’s distributions of capital gains and dividend and interest income. | |
(4) | This category relates to products and services provided by the principal accountant other than those reported under "Audit Fees," "Audit-Related Fees," and "Tax Fees" above. |
2
Cohen Fund Audit Services, Ltd. did not bill any amounts over the last two fiscal years for services or products provided to Thompson Investment Management, Inc., the Registrant's investment advisor, or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with such advisor that provides ongoing services for the Registrant.
The audit committee of the Registrant’s Board of Directors has not adopted any pre-approval policies and procedures (as described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X) regarding the provision of audit or non-audit services to the Registrant.
No services described in paragraphs (b)-(d) of this Item were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable to this Registrant because it is not a “listed issuer” within the meaning of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments.
The required Schedules of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers is included as part of the Registrant’s Annual Report to shareholders dated as of November 30, 2011 provided 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 to this Registrant because it is not a closed-end management investment company.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable to this Registrant because it is not a closed-end management investment company.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable to this Registrant because it is not a closed-end management investment company.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Securities Holders.
The Registrant has not made any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant's Board of Directors after the Registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K or this Item.
3
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) | Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Based on an evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Registrant’s management, including its principal executive and financial officers, within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report on Form N-CSR, the Registrant’s principal executive and financial officers have concluded that the design and operation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the applicable time periods. | ||
(b) | Change in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the Registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this Form N-CSR that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Item 12. Exhibits
The following exhibits are attached to this Form N-CSR:
Exhibit No. | Description of Exhibit | |||
12(a)(1) | The Code of Ethics for the Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer referred to in Item 2 was filed as Exhibit 12(a)(1) to the Registrant’s Certified Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR filed on January 28, 2005, and is incorporated herein by reference | |||
12(a)(2)-1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |||
12(a)(2)-2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |||
12(b) | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
4
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, on this 19th day of January, 2012.
THOMPSON PLUMB FUNDS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ John W. Thompson | |
John W. Thompson, Chief Executive | ||
Officer and President |
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 indicated on this 19th day of January, 2012.
By: | /s/ John W. Thompson | |
John W. Thompson, Chief Executive | ||
Officer and President (Principal | ||
Executive Officer) | ||
By: | /s/ Penny Hubbard | |
Penny Hubbard, Chief Financial | ||
Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
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