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 811-07458
Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
One Station Place, 5th Floor
Stamford, CT 06902
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Elise M. Dolan
Tweedy, Browne Company LLC
One Station Place, 5th Floor
Stamford, CT 06902
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 203-703-0600
Date of fiscal year end: March 31
Date of reporting period: September 30, 2020
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.
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Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund
Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged
Tweedy, Browne Value Fund
Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
September 30, 2020
II-1
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658tblogo540.jpg)
Expense Information (Unaudited)
A shareholder of the Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund or Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund (collectively, the “Funds”) incurs two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees and other Fund expenses. The Example below is intended to help a shareholder understand the ongoing costs (in U.S. dollars) of investing in the Funds 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 of April 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020.
Actual Expenses. The first part of the table presented below, under the heading “Actual Expenses,” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. The information in this line may be used with the amount a shareholder invested to estimate the expenses that were paid by the shareholder over the period. Simply divide the shareholder’s 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 paid during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes. The second part of the table presented below, under the heading “Hypothetical Expenses,” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on each Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not each Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses paid by the shareholder of the Funds for the period. This information may be used to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Funds to other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table below are meant to highlight a shareholder’s ongoing costs only. There are no transactional expenses associated with the purchase and sale of shares charged by any of the Funds, such as commissions, sales loads and/or redemption fees. Other mutual funds may have such transactional charges. Therefore, the second part of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help a shareholder determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | Actual Expenses | | | | Hypothetical Expenses (5% Return before Expenses) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning Account Value 4/1/20 | | Ending Account Value 9/30/20 | | | Expenses Paid During Period* 4/1/20 – 9/30/20 | | | | Beginning Account Value 4/1/20 | | Ending Account Value 9/30/20 | | Expenses Paid During Period* 4/1/20 – 9/30/20 | | Annualized Expense Ratio |
Global Value Fund | | $1,000.00 | | | $1,100.00 | | | $7.26 | | | | $1,000.00 | | $1,018.15 | | $6.98 | | 1.38% |
Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged | | $1,000.00 | | | $1,138.70 | | | $7.35 | | | | $1,000.00 | | $1,018.20 | | $6.93 | | 1.37% |
Value Fund | | $1,000.00 | | | $1,110.20 | | | $7.30 | | | | $1,000.00 | | $1,018.15 | | $6.98 | | 1.38% |
Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund | | $1,000.00 | | | $1,116.70 | | | $7.32 | | | | $1,000.00 | | $1,018.15 | | $6.98 | | 1.38% |
| * | Expenses are equal to each Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period (183), divided by 365 (to reflect the one-half year period). | |
II-2
Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund
Portfolio of Investments
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Value* | |
| |
| COMMON STOCKS—95.8% | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Canada—2.0% | | | | |
| 89,692 | | | E-L Financial Corp., Ltd. | | | $44,179,563 | |
| 1,489,895 | | | National Bank of Canada | | | 73,772,529 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 117,952,092 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | China—2.3% | | | | |
| 812,797 | | | Baidu Inc., Sponsored ADR(a) | | | 102,891,972 | |
| 7,801,470 | | | Shanghai Mechanical and Electrical Industry Co., Ltd., Class A | | | 19,067,440 | |
| 6,463,000 | | | Shanghai Mechanical and Electrical Industry Co., Ltd., Class B | | | 7,923,638 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 129,883,050 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Czech Republic—0.0%(b) | | | | |
| 2,800 | | | Philip Morris CR a.s. | | | 1,660,588 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | France—13.3% | | | | |
| 12,044,020 | | | Bollore SA | | | 45,025,430 | |
| 865,012 | | | Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin | | | 93,036,693 | |
| 6,011,377 | | | CNP Assurances(a) | | | 75,285,841 | |
| 1,996,733 | | | Safran SA(a) | | | 197,713,492 | |
| 5,957,840 | | | SCOR SE(a) | | | 165,299,547 | |
| 2,927,083 | | | Tarkett SA(a) | | | 39,473,075 | |
| 4,310,260 | | | Total SA | | | 147,589,141 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 763,423,219 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Germany—7.1% | | | | |
| 1,300,155 | | | BASF SE | | | 79,250,040 | |
| 1,747,030 | | | Henkel AG & Co., KGaA | | | 163,687,392 | |
| 888,159 | | | Krones AG | | | 55,147,366 | |
| 42,354 | | | KSB SE & Co., KGaA | | | 14,601,916 | |
| 377,440 | | | Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG | | | 95,868,175 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 408,554,889 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Hong Kong—2.3% | | | | |
| 7,165,000 | | | CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd. | | | 43,082,452 | |
| 26,265,000 | | | Emperor Entertainment Hotel, Ltd. | | | 3,863,497 | |
| 5,639,882 | | | Great Eagle Holdings, Ltd. | | | 12,822,545 | |
| 15,995,508 | | | Hang Lung Group, Ltd. | | | 36,366,561 | |
| 1,308,600 | | | Jardine Strategic Holdings, Ltd. | | | 25,923,366 | |
| 1,555,000 | | | Kingboard Holdings Ltd. | | | 5,116,452 | |
| 59,000 | | | Miramar Hotel & Investment | | | 98,815 | |
| 10,820,000 | | | Tai Cheung Holdings, Ltd. | | | 6,464,077 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 133,737,765 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Italy—1.1% | | | | |
| 4,499,311 | | | SOL SpA | | | 62,521,941 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Japan—4.3% | | | | |
| 93,500 | | | ADEKA Corp. | | | 1,338,752 | |
| 3,819,000 | | | Astellas Pharma, Inc. | | | 56,707,789 | |
| 2,111,900 | | | Ebara Corp. | | | 56,895,022 | |
| 1,001,300 | | | Fuji Seal International, Inc. | | | 19,194,825 | |
| 57,600 | | | Konishi Co., Ltd. | | | 840,557 | |
| 2,824,800 | | | Kuraray Co., Ltd. | | | 27,249,563 | |
| 1,433,800 | | | NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. | | | 24,863,584 | |
| 164,400 | | | Nippon Kanzai Co., Ltd. | | | 3,103,239 | |
| 7,800 | | | Okamoto Industries, Inc. | | | 303,411 | |
| 193,700 | | | Shizuoka Gas Co., Ltd. | | | 1,714,354 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Value* | |
| | |
| | | | Japan (continued) | | | | |
| 2,568,000 | | | Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. | | $ | 37,036,824 | |
| 1,801,700 | | | Zeon Corp. | | | 18,797,230 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 248,045,150 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Mexico—1.1% | | | | |
| 1,533,895 | | | Coca-Cola FEMSA SA de CV, Sponsored ADR (c) | | | 62,460,204 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Netherlands—5.4% | | | | |
| 2,901,271 | | | Heineken Holding NV | | | 226,074,390 | |
| 1,369,620 | | | Unilever NV | | | 82,713,311 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 308,787,701 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Philippines—0.0%(b) | | | | |
| 11,354,920 | | | Alliance Global Group, Inc.(a) | | | 1,639,531 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Singapore—5.1% | | | | |
| 11,470,201 | | | DBS Group Holdings, Ltd. | | | 167,293,020 | |
| 9,208,541 | | | United Overseas Bank, Ltd. | | | 128,370,475 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 295,663,495 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | South Korea—2.0% | | | | |
| 293,099 | | | Chokwang Paint, Ltd. | | | 1,298,207 | |
| 232,215 | | | Dongsuh Companies Inc. | | | 5,887,281 | |
| 144,547 | | | Hankook Technology Group Co., Ltd. | | | 2,070,254 | |
| 210,000 | | | Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd. | | | 41,299,701 | |
| 131,339 | | | Kangnam Jevisco Co., Ltd. | | | 1,718,244 | |
| 815,800 | | | LG Corp. | | | 51,689,423 | |
| 132,553 | | | Samchully Co., Ltd. | | | 8,874,647 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 112,837,757 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Spain—0.1% | | | | |
| 800,000 | | | Mediaset España Comunicacion SA(a) | | | 2,973,838 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Sweden—2.1% | | | | |
| 661,300 | | | Autoliv, Inc. | | | 48,195,544 | |
| 4,155,999 | | | Trelleborg AB, Class B(a) | | | 73,948,921 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 122,144,465 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Switzerland—18.3% | | | | |
| 218,165 | | | Coltene Holding AG | | | 16,550,858 | |
| 3,145,174 | | | Nestlé SA, Registered | | | 374,305,660 | |
| 80 | | | Neue Zuercher Zeitung(a) | | | 462,585 | |
| 1,797,041 | | | Novartis AG, Registered | | | 156,301,003 | |
| 68,178 | | | Phoenix Mecano AG(d) | | | 27,530,926 | |
| 813,945 | | | Roche Holding AG | | | 279,199,746 | |
| 429,703 | | | TX Group AG | | | 31,102,312 | |
| 485,809 | | | Zurich Insurance Group AG | | | 169,577,084 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1,055,030,174 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Thailand—0.7% | | | | |
| 14,171,579 | | | Bangkok Bank Public Co., Ltd., NVDR | | | 42,934,014 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | United Kingdom—17.2% | | | | |
| 12,053,675 | | | Babcock International Group plc | | | 39,020,054 | |
| 18,154,406 | | | BAE Systems plc | | | 113,126,187 | |
| 17,133,469 | | | CNH Industrial NV(a) | | | 133,568,608 | |
| 7,801,388 | | | Diageo plc | | | 267,270,988 | |
| 9,290,881 | | | GlaxoSmithKline plc | | | 174,404,458 | |
| 4,000,000 | | | HSBC Holdings plc | | | 15,591,266 | |
| 5,273,360 | | | Inchcape plc(a) | | | 30,037,652 | |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-3
Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund
Portfolio of Investments
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Value* | |
| | |
| | | | United Kingdom (continued) | | | | |
| 11,937,289 | | | Johnson Service Group plc(a) | | $ | 13,889,362 | |
| 17,304,144 | | | Lookers plc(e) | | | 4,697,897 | |
| 5,000,000 | | | Standard Chartered plc(a) | | | 23,018,448 | |
| 2,706,685 | | | Unilever plc | | | 167,122,953 | |
| 16,292,379 | | | Vertu Motors plc | | | 5,518,485 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 987,266,358 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | United States—11.4% | | | | |
| 75,488 | | | Alphabet Inc., Class A(a) | | | 110,635,213 | |
| 75,695 | | | Alphabet Inc., Class C(a) | | | 111,241,372 | |
| 14,503 | | | American National Group, Inc. | | | 979,388 | |
| 1,306,916 | | | Bank of New York Mellon Corp./The | | | 44,879,495 | |
| 433 | | | Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class A(a) | | | 138,560,433 | |
| 301 | | | Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class B(a) | | | 64,095 | |
| 3,113,533 | | | Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | 122,642,065 | |
| 860,002 | | | Johnson & Johnson | | | 128,037,098 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 657,039,159 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| |
| TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $3,646,732,137) | | | 5,514,555,390 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| |
| PREFERRED STOCKS—0.6% | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Chile—0.4% | | | | |
| 11,044,000 | | | Embotelladora Andina SA, Class A | | | 20,607,093 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Croatia—0.2% | | | | |
| 166,388 | | | Adris Grupa d.d.(a) | | | 9,524,036 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Germany—0.0%(b) | | | | |
| 103,830 | | | Villeroy & Boch AG | | | 1,381,932 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| |
| TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $36,168,850) | | | 31,513,061 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Value* | |
| |
| REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY—0.9% | | | | |
| 52,629,486 | | | Dreyfus Treasury Securities Cash Management–Institutional Shares 0.01%(f) (Cost $52,629,486) | | $ | 52,629,486 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Face Value | | | | | | |
|
| U.S. TREASURY BILL—3.9% | |
| $225,000,000 | | | 0.167%(g), due 10/15/2020(c) (Cost $224,985,563) | | | $224,985,563 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES (Cost $3,960,516,036) | | | 101.2 | % | | | 5,823,683,500 | |
| | |
UNREALIZED DEPRECIATION ON FORWARD CONTRACTS (Net) | | | (1.8 | ) | | | (106,273,860 | ) |
| | |
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Net) | | | 0.6 | | | | 37,675,323 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
NET ASSETS | | | 100.0 | % | | | $5,755,084,963 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
* | | | | | | See Note 2 in Notes to Financial Statements. |
(a) | | | | | | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | | | | | | Amount represents less than 0.1% of net assets. |
(c) | | | | | | All or a portion of this position has been segregated to cover certain open forward contracts. At September 30 2020, liquid assets totaling $212,450,579 have been segregated to cover such open forward contracts. |
(d) | | | | | | “Affiliated company” as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940. See Note 4. |
(e) | | | | | | Investments determined using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The value of such security is $4,697,897 or 0.01% of net assets. |
(f) | | | | | | Rate disclosed is the 7-day yield at September 30, 2020. |
(g) | | | | | | Rate represents annualized yield at date of purchase. |
| | | | | | |
|
Abbreviations: |
ADR | | | — | | | American Depositary Receipt |
NVDR | | | — | | | Non Voting Depository Receipt |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-4
Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund
Sector Diversification
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | |
Sector Diversification | | Percentage of Net Assets | |
|
COMMON STOCKS: | |
| |
Capital Goods | | | 14.5 | % |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | | | 13.8 | |
Insurance | | | 12.0 | |
Beverage | | | 9.7 | |
Food | | | 9.5 | |
Banks | | | 7.8 | |
Household & Personal Products | | | 4.3 | |
Automobiles & Components | | | 4.2 | |
Internet Software & Services | | | 3.8 | |
Materials | | | 3.8 | |
Technology Hardware & Equipment | | | 2.6 | |
Energy | | | 2.6 | |
Software & Services | | | 1.8 | |
Commercial Services & Supplies | | | 1.0 | |
Real Estate | | | 1.0 | |
Diversified Financials | | | 0.8 | |
Transportation | | | 0.8 | |
Retailing | | | 0.7 | |
Media | | | 0.6 | |
Health Care Equipment & Services | | | 0.3 | |
Utilities | | | 0.2 | |
Consumer Services | | | 0.0 | * |
Tobacco | | | 0.0 | * |
| | | | |
Total Common Stocks | | | 95.8 | |
Preferred Stocks | | | 0.6 | |
Registered Investment Company | | | 0.9 | |
U.S. Treasury Bill | | | 3.9 | |
Unrealized Depreciation on Forward Contracts | | | (1.8 | ) |
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) | | | 0.6 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets | | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | |
* Amount represents less than 0.1% of net assets.
Portfolio Composition
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658g44w57.jpg)
Schedule of Forward Exchange Contracts
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracts | | | | | Counter- party | | | Settlement Date | | | Contract Value on Origination Date | | | Value 09/30/20* | | | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
| FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS TO BUY(a) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2,500,000,000 | | | Chilean Peso | | | JPM | | | | 12/21/20 | | | | $ 2,981,515 | | | | $ 3,176,054 | | | | $ 194,539 | |
| 4,000,000,000 | | | Japanese Yen | | | NTC | | | | 3/25/21 | | | | 36,989,088 | | | | 38,000,469 | | | | 1,011,381 | |
| 25,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | BNY | | | | 11/19/20 | | | | 27,395,909 | | | | 27,249,075 | | | | (146,834 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| TOTAL | | | | | | | | | | | $ 67,366,512 | | | | $ 68,425,598 | | | | $1,059,086 | |
| | | | | | |
| FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS TO SELL(a) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 34,000,000 | | | Canadian Dollar | | | NTC | | | | 10/05/20 | | | | $(25,693,245 | ) | | | $(25,454,264 | ) | | | $238,981 | |
| 60,000,000 | | | Canadian Dollar | | | SSB | | | | 12/23/20 | | | | (45,701,159 | ) | | | (44,938,054 | ) | | | 763,105 | |
| 28,000,000 | | | Canadian Dollar | | | BNY | | | | 5/3/21 | | | | (20,012,866 | ) | | | (20,974,414 | ) | | | (961,548 | ) |
| 45,000,000 | | | Canadian Dollar | | | NTC | | | | 9/10/21 | | | | (34,250,485 | ) | | | (33,706,906 | ) | | | 543,579 | |
| 11,500,000,000 | | | Chilean Peso | | | JPM | | | | 12/21/20 | | | | (15,125,608 | ) | | | (14,609,850 | ) | | | 515,758 | |
| 5,500,000,000 | | | Chilean Peso | | | SSB | | | | 3/15/21 | | | | (6,561,288 | ) | | | (6,991,567 | ) | | | (430,279 | ) |
| 4,000,000,000 | | | Chilean Peso | | | SSB | | | | 7/6/21 | | | | (4,882,813 | ) | | | (5,086,681 | ) | | | (203,868 | ) |
| 275,000,000 | | | Chinese Yuan | | | SSB | | | | 11/27/20 | | | | (38,656,171 | ) | | | (40,353,112 | ) | | | (1,696,941 | ) |
| 150,000,000 | | | Chinese Yuan | | | JPM | | | | 1/12/21 | | | | (21,388,849 | ) | | | (21,945,524 | ) | | | (556,675 | ) |
| 140,000,000 | | | Chinese Yuan | | | JPM | | | | 5/24/21 | | | | (19,399,449 | ) | | | (20,310,547 | ) | | | (911,098 | ) |
| 200,000,000 | | | Chinese Yuan | | | SSB | | | | 5/25/21 | | | | (27,763,703 | ) | | | (29,013,245 | ) | | | (1,249,542 | ) |
| 145,000,000 | | | Chinese Yuan | | | SSB | | | | 7/6/21 | | | | (20,134,694 | ) | | | (20,979,283 | ) | | | (844,589 | ) |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-5
Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund
Schedule of Forward Exchange Contracts
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracts | | | | | Counter- party | | | Settlement Date | | | Contract Value on Origination Date | | | Value 09/30/20* | | | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
| FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS TO SELL(a) (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 46,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | BNY | | | | 10/13/20 | | | | $(51,722,400 | ) | | | $(53,956,453 | ) | | | $(2,234,053 | ) |
| 80,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | SSB | | | | 11/09/20 | | | | (91,416,000 | ) | | | (93,889,661 | ) | | | (2,473,661 | ) |
| 210,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | SSB | | | | 11/19/20 | | | | (236,600,700 | ) | | | (246,510,507 | ) | | | (9,909,807 | ) |
| 100,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | NTC | | | | 11/25/20 | | | | (113,100,000 | ) | | | (117,400,288 | ) | | | (4,300,288 | ) |
| 65,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | SSB | | | | 11/25/20 | | | | (73,506,940 | ) | | | (76,310,187 | ) | | | (2,803,247 | ) |
| 30,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | SSB | | | | 11/30/20 | | | | (33,810,780 | ) | | | (35,223,670 | ) | | | (1,412,890 | ) |
| 100,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | SSB | | | | 4/6/21 | | | | (110,390,500 | ) | | | (117,776,079 | ) | | | (7,385,579 | ) |
| 60,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | BNY | | | | 5/3/21 | | | | (65,572,200 | ) | | | (70,707,299 | ) | | | (5,135,099 | ) |
| 50,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | NTC | | | | 5/14/21 | | | | (54,662,750 | ) | | | (58,936,902 | ) | | | (4,274,152 | ) |
| 75,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | BNY | | | | 5/17/21 | | | | (82,074,750 | ) | | | (88,411,144 | ) | | | (6,336,394 | ) |
| 75,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | BNY | | | | 6/14/21 | | | | (85,478,250 | ) | | | (88,465,235 | ) | | | (2,986,985 | ) |
| 40,000,000 | | | Great Britain Pound Sterling | | | JPM | | | | 1/12/21 | | | | (52,913,000 | ) | | | (51,751,620 | ) | | | 1,161,380 | |
| 50,000,000 | | | Great Britain Pound Sterling | | | SSB | | | | 6/14/21 | | | | (63,634,600 | ) | | | (64,733,189 | ) | | | (1,098,589 | ) |
| 80,000,000 | | | Great Britain Pound Sterling | | | JPM | | | | 7/6/21 | | | | (99,234,160 | ) | | | (103,584,065 | ) | | | (4,349,905 | ) |
| 75,000,000 | | | Great Britain Pound Sterling | | | NTC | | | | 7/22/21 | | | | (94,645,800 | ) | | | (97,117,537 | ) | | | (2,471,737 | ) |
| 85,000,000 | | | Great Britain Pound Sterling | | | NTC | | | | 8/2/21 | | | | (110,194,850 | ) | | | (110,072,368 | ) | | | 122,482 | |
| 75,000,000 | | | Great Britain Pound Sterling | | | NTC | | | | 9/7/21 | | | | (100,580,625 | ) | | | (97,139,505 | ) | | | 3,441,120 | |
| 68,000,000 | | | Great Britain Pound Sterling | | | JPM | | | | 9/20/21 | | | | (87,830,840 | ) | | | (88,078,662 | ) | | | (247,822 | ) |
| 250,000,000 | | | Hong Kong Dollar | | | SSB | | | | 4/19/21 | | | | (32,167,166 | ) | | | (32,236,638 | ) | | | (69,472 | ) |
| 300,000,000 | | | Hong Kong Dollar | | | NTC | | | | 4/23/21 | | | | (38,590,669 | ) | | | (38,683,650 | ) | | | (92,981 | ) |
| 85,000,000 | | | Hong Kong Dollar | | | NTC | | | | 6/4/21 | | | | (10,869,287 | ) | | | (10,959,427 | ) | | | (90,140 | ) |
| 200,000,000 | | | Hong Kong Dollar | | | BNY | | | | 8/23/21 | | | | (25,762,904 | ) | | | (25,782,672 | ) | | | (19,768 | ) |
| 4,000,000,000 | | | Japanese Yen | | | NTC | | | | 3/25/21 | | | | (36,726,899 | ) | | | (38,000,469 | ) | | | (1,273,570 | ) |
| 2,220,000,000 | | | Japanese Yen | | | BNY | | | | 6/4/21 | | | | (20,951,302 | ) | | | (21,112,508 | ) | | | (161,206 | ) |
| 3,350,000,000 | | | Japanese Yen | | | SSB | | | | 9/24/21 | | | | (30,601,991 | ) | | | (31,912,728 | ) | | | (1,310,737 | ) |
| 1,700,000,000 | | | Japanese Yen | | | JPM | | | | 10/04/21 | | | | (16,093,959 | ) | | | (16,197,256 | ) | | | (103,297 | ) |
| 3,000,000,000 | | | Japanese Yen | | | JPM | | | | 11/19/21 | | | | (28,240,610 | ) | | | (28,609,263 | ) | | | (368,653 | ) |
| 3,000,000,000 | | | Japanese Yen | | | JPM | | | | 2/10/22 | | | | (28,304,611 | ) | | | (28,656,059 | ) | | | (351,448 | ) |
| 3,500,000,000 | | | Japanese Yen | | | JPM | | | | 3/3/22 | | | | (33,325,938 | ) | | | (33,445,911 | ) | | | (119,973 | ) |
| 3,000,000,000 | | | Japanese Yen | | | BNY | | | | 3/23/22 | | | | (28,865,583 | ) | | | (28,679,232 | ) | | | 186,351 | |
| 450,000,000 | | | Mexican Peso | | | BNY | | | | 3/25/21 | | | | (17,608,518 | ) | | | (19,967,983 | ) | | | (2,359,465 | ) |
| 210,000,000 | | | Mexican Peso | | | BNY | | | | 5/3/21 | | | | (8,191,446 | ) | | | (9,275,405 | ) | | | (1,083,959 | ) |
| 100,000,000 | | | Mexican Peso | | | JPM | | | | 5/21/21 | | | | (3,982,477 | ) | | | (4,407,487 | ) | | | (425,010 | ) |
| 22,000,000 | | | Singapore Dollar | | | SSB | | | | 10/05/20 | | | | (15,982,994 | ) | | | (16,116,093 | ) | | | (133,099 | ) |
| 50,000,000 | | | Singapore Dollar | | | JPM | | | | 12/18/20 | | | | (37,017,843 | ) | | | (36,631,214 | ) | | | 386,629 | |
| 50,000,000 | | | Singapore Dollar | | | SSB | | | | 1/4/21 | | | | (37,218,997 | ) | | | (36,632,905 | ) | | | 586,092 | |
| 12,000,000 | | | Singapore Dollar | | | SSB | | | | 3/8/21 | | | | (8,663,009 | ) | | | (8,793,611 | ) | | | (130,602 | ) |
| 90,000,000 | | | Singapore Dollar | | | JPM | | | | 5/14/21 | | | | (63,757,438 | ) | | | (65,963,518 | ) | | | (2,206,080 | ) |
| 85,000,000 | | | Singapore Dollar | | | SSB | | | | 6/14/21 | | | | (61,260,422 | ) | | | (62,303,364 | ) | | | (1,042,942 | ) |
| 55,000,000 | | | Singapore Dollar | | | JPM | | | | 6/25/21 | | | | (39,505,818 | ) | | | (40,314,972 | ) | | | (809,154 | ) |
| 54,000,000 | | | Singapore Dollar | | | NTC | | | | 8/6/21 | | | | (39,273,013 | ) | | | (39,585,835 | ) | | | (312,822 | ) |
| 60,000,000,000 | | | South Korean Won | | | SSB | | | | 3/8/21 | | | | (50,772,160 | ) | | | (51,324,700 | ) | | | (552,540 | ) |
| 14,400,000,000 | | | South Korean Won | | | JPM | | | | 5/3/21 | | | | (11,881,188 | ) | | | (12,321,556 | ) | | | (440,368 | ) |
| 22,000,000,000 | | | South Korean Won | | | JPM | | | | 8/23/21 | | | | (18,596,788 | ) | | | (18,836,436 | ) | | | (239,648 | ) |
| 66,500,000 | | | Swedish Krona | | | BNY | | | | 3/4/21 | | | | (6,976,207 | ) | | | (7,445,072 | ) | | | (468,865 | ) |
| 120,000,000 | | | Swedish Krona | | | SSB | | | | 4/19/21 | | | | (12,050,008 | ) | | | (13,440,970 | ) | | | (1,390,962 | ) |
| 160,000,000 | | | Swedish Krona | | | SSB | | | | 8/19/21 | | | | (18,482,580 | ) | | | (17,941,590 | ) | | | 540,990 | |
| 140,000,000 | | | Swedish Krona | | | BNY | | | | 9/10/21 | | | | (16,066,285 | ) | | | (15,702,099 | ) | | | 364,186 | |
| 80,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | BNY | | | | 11/19/20 | | | | (83,022,001 | ) | | | (87,197,040 | ) | | | (4,175,039 | ) |
| 100,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | BNY | | | | 11/25/20 | | | | (103,337,811 | ) | | | (109,014,599 | ) | | | (5,676,788 | ) |
| 80,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | JPM | | | | 11/25/20 | | | | (82,627,556 | ) | | | (87,211,679 | ) | | | (4,584,123 | ) |
| 130,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | SSB | | | | 11/30/20 | | | | (133,728,346 | ) | | | (141,738,808 | ) | | | (8,010,462 | ) |
| 110,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | JPM | | | | 12/23/20 | | | | (115,389,255 | ) | | | (120,048,400 | ) | | | (4,659,145 | ) |
| 30,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | JPM | | | | 1/12/21 | | | | (31,638,895 | ) | | | (32,763,277 | ) | | | (1,124,382 | ) |
| 30,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | NTC | | | | 3/8/21 | | | | (31,953,986 | ) | | | (32,817,595 | ) | | | (863,609 | ) |
| 80,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | NTC | | | | 4/6/21 | | | | (83,652,695 | ) | | | (87,589,234 | ) | | | (3,936,539 | ) |
| 60,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | NTC | | | | 5/3/21 | | | | (62,278,134 | ) | | | (65,742,370 | ) | | | (3,464,236 | ) |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-6
Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund
Schedule of Forward Exchange Contracts
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracts | | | | | Counter- party | | | Settlement Date | | | Contract Value on Origination Date | | | Value 09/30/20* | | | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
| FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS TO SELL(a) (continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 450,000,000 | | | Thai Baht | | | JPM | | | | 4/23/21 | | | $ | (13,748,854 | ) | | $ | (14,196,224 | ) | | $ | (447,370 | ) |
| 420,000,000 | | | Thai Baht | | | BNY | | | | 6/25/21 | | | | (13,470,173 | ) | | | (13,248,010 | ) | | | 222,163 | |
| 400,000,000 | | | Thai Baht | | | JPM | | | | 6/28/21 | | | | (12,960,923 | ) | | | (12,617,071 | ) | | | 343,852 | |
| 200,000,000 | | | Thai Baht | | | BNY | | | | 9/10/21 | | | | (6,331,118 | ) | | | (6,307,530 | ) | | | 23,588 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| TOTAL | | | | | | | | | | | $(3,458,867,332 | ) | | | $(3,566,200,278 | ) | | | $(107,332,946 | ) |
| | | | | | |
| Unrealized Depreciation on Forward Contracts (Net) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $(106,273,860 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* See Note 2 in Notes to Financial Statements.
(a) Primary risk exposure being hedged against is currency risk.
Counterparty Abbreviations:
| | | | | | |
BNY | | | — | | | The Bank of New York Mellon |
JPM | | | — | | | JPMorgan Chase Bank NA |
NTC | | | — | | | Northern Trust Company |
SSB | | | — | | | State Street Bank and Trust Company |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-7
Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged
Portfolio of Investments
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Value* | |
| |
| COMMON STOCKS—91.8% | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Canada—0.5% | | | | |
| 3,500 | | | E-L Financial Corp., Ltd. | | | $1,723,994 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | China—3.8% | | | | |
| 53,005 | | | Baidu Inc., Sponsored ADR(a) | | | 6,709,903 | |
| 4,580,000 | | | Dali Foods Group Co., Ltd. | | | 2,795,277 | |
| 578,670 | | | Shanghai Mechanical and Electrical Industry Co., Ltd., Class A | | | 1,414,317 | |
| 357,122 | | | Shanghai Mechanical and Electrical Industry Co., Ltd., Class B | | | 437,832 | |
| 98,500 | | | Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd., Class A | | | 3,203,131 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 14,560,460 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | France—14.1% | | | | |
| 1,312,420 | | | Bollore SA | | | 4,906,358 | |
| 41,375 | | | Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin | | | 4,450,104 | |
| 455,670 | | | CNP Assurances(a) | | | 5,706,762 | |
| 128,602 | | | Safran SA(a) | | | 12,733,976 | |
| 382,960 | | | SCOR SE(a) | | | 10,625,179 | |
| 517,117 | | | Tarkett SA(a) | | | 6,973,563 | |
| 250,808 | | | Total SA | | | 8,588,006 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 53,983,948 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Germany—6.8% | | | | |
| 200,055 | | | BASF SE | | | 12,194,213 | |
| 52,550 | | | Henkel AG & Co., KGaA | | | 4,923,655 | |
| 89,671 | | | Krones AG | | | 5,567,831 | |
| 13,543 | | | Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG | | | 3,439,865 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 26,125,564 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Hong Kong—3.5% | | | | |
| 621,500 | | | CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd. | | | 3,737,019 | |
| 4,870,000 | | | Emperor Entertainment Hotel, Ltd. | | | 716,361 | |
| 316,349 | | | Great Eagle Holdings, Ltd. | | | 719,235 | |
| 734,000 | | | Hang Lung Group, Ltd. | | | 1,668,784 | |
| 199,300 | | | Jardine Strategic Holdings, Ltd. | | | 3,948,133 | |
| 485,000 | | | Kingboard Holdings Ltd. | | | 1,595,806 | |
| 109,796 | | | Miramar Hotel & Investment | | | 183,891 | |
| 1,580,000 | | | Tai Cheung Holdings, Ltd. | | | 943,923 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,513,152 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Italy—0.2% | | | | |
| 66,455 | | | SOL SpA | | | 923,451 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Japan—6.4% | | | | |
| 166,700 | | | ADEKA Corp. | | | 2,386,845 | |
| 388,600 | | | Astellas Pharma, Inc. | | | 5,770,266 | |
| 110,200 | | | Ebara Corp. | | | 2,968,811 | |
| 111,200 | | | Fuji Seal International, Inc. | | | 2,131,693 | |
| 88,700 | | | Konishi Co., Ltd. | | | 1,294,400 | |
| 216,400 | | | Kuraray Co., Ltd. | | | 2,087,513 | |
| 83,600 | | | NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. | | | 1,449,711 | |
| 31,900 | | | Okamoto Industries, Inc. | | | 1,240,875 | |
| 67,300 | | | Shizuoka Gas Co., Ltd. | | | 595,643 | |
| 156,900 | | | Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. | | | 2,262,881 | |
| 227,400 | | | Zeon Corp. | | | 2,372,476 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 24,561,114 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Value* | |
| | |
| | | | Mexico—1.3% | | | | |
| 120,800 | | | Coca-Cola FEMSA SA de CV, Sponsored ADR | | $ | 4,918,976 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Netherlands—6.2% | | | | |
| 71,375 | | | Heineken Holding NV | | | 5,561,721 | |
| 37,400 | | | Heineken NV | | | 3,327,875 | |
| 319,540 | | | Royal Dutch Shell plc, Class A | | | 4,038,606 | |
| 179,337 | | | Unilever NV | | | 10,830,418 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 23,758,620 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Philippines—0.3% | | | | |
| 6,752,900 | | | Alliance Global Group, Inc.(a) | | | 975,047 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Singapore—3.5% | | | | |
| 467,100 | | | DBS Group Holdings, Ltd. | | | 6,812,659 | |
| 461,100 | | | United Overseas Bank, Ltd. | | | 6,427,905 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 13,240,564 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | South Korea—3.1% | | | | |
| 133,873 | | | Chokwang Paint, Ltd. | | | 592,956 | |
| 27,647 | | | Dongsuh Companies Inc. | | | 700,927 | |
| 132,823 | | | Hankook Technology Group Co., Ltd. | | | 1,902,339 | |
| 17,345 | | | Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd. | | | 3,411,159 | |
| 37,361 | | | Kangnam Jevisco Co., Ltd. | | | 488,776 | |
| 60,800 | | | LG Corp. | | | 3,852,313 | |
| 13,800 | | | Samchully Co., Ltd. | | | 923,933 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 11,872,403 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Sweden—2.4% | | | | |
| 38,380 | | | Autoliv, Inc. | | | 2,797,134 | |
| 368,808 | | | Trelleborg AB, Class B(a) | | | 6,562,310 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,359,444 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Switzerland—15.0% | | | | |
| 17,047 | | | Coltene Holding AG | | | 1,293,253 | |
| 135,665 | | | Nestlé SA, Registered | | | 16,145,427 | |
| 115,594 | | | Novartis AG, Registered | | | 10,054,004 | |
| 5,015 | | | Phoenix Mecano AG | | | 2,025,105 | |
| 45,290 | | | Roche Holding AG | | | 15,535,394 | |
| 25,789 | | | TX Group AG | | | 1,866,632 | |
| 30,649 | | | Zurich Insurance Group AG | | | 10,698,377 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 57,618,192 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Thailand—1.0% | | | | |
| 1,220,100 | | | Bangkok Bank Public Co., Ltd., NVDR | | | 3,696,398 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | United Kingdom—13.7% | | | | |
| 830,013 | | | Babcock International Group plc | | | 2,686,911 | |
| 1,165,123 | | | BAE Systems plc | | | 7,260,272 | |
| 1,502,960 | | | CNH Industrial NV(a) | | | 11,716,733 | |
| 352,603 | | | Diageo plc | | | 12,079,972 | |
| 193,775 | | | GlaxoSmithKline plc | | | 3,637,462 | |
| 1,075,730 | | | Inchcape plc(a) | | | 6,127,479 | |
| 1,504,280 | | | Johnson Service Group, plc(a) | | | 1,750,271 | |
| 744,541 | | | Lookers plc (b) | | | 202,135 | |
| 1,292,153 | | | Standard Chartered plc(a) | | | 5,948,671 | |
| 2,741,248 | | | Vertu Motors plc | | | 928,504 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 52,338,410 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-8
Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged
Portfolio of Investments
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Value* | |
| | |
| | | | United States—10.0% | | | | |
| 7,345 | | | AutoZone Inc.(a) | | | $8,649,766 | |
| 41,700 | | | Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class B(a) | | | 8,879,598 | |
| 212,500 | | | Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | 8,370,375 | |
| 78,600 | | | Johnson & Johnson | | | 11,701,968 | |
| 14,700 | | | Phillips 66 | | | 762,048 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 38,363,755 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| |
| TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $334,632,962) | | | 351,533,492 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| |
| PREFERRED STOCKS—0.8% | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Chile—0.5% | | | | |
| 940,000 | | | Embotelladora Andina SA, Class A | | | 1,753,954 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Germany—0.3% | | | | |
| 29,000 | | | Jungheinrich AG | | | 1,001,161 | |
| 648 | | | KSB AG | | | 159,574 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1,160,735 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| |
| TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $3,455,379) | | | 2,914,689 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Value* | |
|
| REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY—6.9% | |
| 26,379,016 | | | Dreyfus Government Securities Cash Management—Institutional Shares 0.01%(c) (Cost $26,379,016) | | | $26,379,016 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES (Cost $364,467,357) | | | 99.5 | % | | | 380,827,197 | |
| | |
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Net) | | | 0.5 | | | | 2,011,766 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS | | | 100.0 | % | | | $382,838,963 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
* | | | | | | See Note 2 to Notes to Financial Statements. |
(a) | | | | | | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | | | | | | Investments determined using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The value of such security is $202,135 or 0.00% of net assets. |
(c) | | | | | | Rate disclosed is the 7-day yield at September 30, 2020. |
| | | | | | |
|
Abbreviations: |
ADR | | | — | | | American Depositary Receipt |
NVDR | | | — | | | Non Voting Depository Receipt |
Sector Diversification
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | |
Sector Diversification | | Percentage of Net Assets | |
|
COMMON STOCKS: | |
| |
Capital Goods | | | 17.8 | % |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | | | 12.2 | |
Insurance | | | 10.7 | |
Beverage | | | 7.6 | |
Materials | | | 7.1 | |
Banks | | | 6.0 | |
Food | | | 5.1 | |
Retailing | | | 4.2 | |
Household & Personal Products | | | 4.1 | |
Automobiles & Components | | | 3.8 | |
Energy | | | 3.5 | |
Technology Hardware & Equipment | | | 2.7 | |
Software & Services | | | 1.7 | |
Transportation | | | 1.3 | |
Commercial Services & Supplies | | | 1.2 | |
Real Estate | | | 0.9 | |
Diversified Financials | | | 0.5 | |
Media | | | 0.5 | |
Utilities | | | 0.4 | |
Health Care Equipment & Services | | | 0.3 | |
Consumer Services | | | 0.2 | |
| | | | |
Total Common Stocks | | | 91.8 | |
Preferred Stocks | | | 0.8 | |
Registered Investment Company | | | 6.9 | |
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) | | | 0.5 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets | | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | |
Portfolio Composition
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658g97n43.jpg)
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-9
Tweedy, Browne Value Fund
Portfolio of Investments
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Value* | |
| |
| COMMON STOCKS—92.5% | | | | |
| | |
| | | | China—1.6% | | | | |
| 36,000 | | | Baidu Inc., Sponsored ADR(a) | | | $4,557,240 | |
| 419,200 | | | Shanghai Mechanical and Electrical Industry Co., Ltd., Class A | | | 1,024,560 | |
| 345,561 | | | Shanghai Mechanical and Electrical Industry Co., Ltd., Class B | | | 423,658 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,005,458 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | France—8.7% | | | | |
| 1,169,955 | | | Bollore SA | | | 4,373,766 | |
| 360,300 | | | CNP Assurances(a) | | | 4,512,359 | |
| 66,120 | | | Safran SA(a) | | | 6,547,103 | |
| 235,186 | | | SCOR SE(a) | | | 6,525,207 | |
| 149,815 | | | Tarkett SA(a) | | | 2,020,325 | |
| 236,380 | | | Total SA | | | 8,093,971 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 32,072,731 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Germany—5.7% | | | | |
| 70,927 | | | BASF SE | | | 4,323,306 | |
| 84,400 | | | Henkel AG & Co., KGaA | | | 7,907,830 | |
| 47,578 | | | Krones AG | | | 2,954,202 | |
| 22,070 | | | Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG | | | 5,605,687 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 20,791,025 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Hong Kong—1.8% | | | | |
| 432,000 | | | CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd. | | | 2,597,574 | |
| 906,000 | | | Hang Lung Group, Ltd. | | | 2,059,835 | |
| 90,700 | | | Jardine Strategic Holdings, Ltd. | | | 1,796,767 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,454,176 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Japan—2.8% | | | | |
| 234,600 | | | Astellas Pharma, Inc. | | | 3,483,542 | |
| 41,700 | | | Fuji Seal International, Inc. | | | 799,385 | |
| 191,400 | | | Kuraray Co., Ltd. | | | 1,846,349 | |
| 131,800 | | | Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. | | | 1,900,877 | |
| 228,400 | | | Zeon Corp. | | | 2,382,909 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 10,413,062 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Mexico—1.0% | | | | |
| 89,265 | | | Coca-Cola FEMSA SA de CV, Sponsored ADR(b) | | | 3,634,871 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Netherlands—6.6% | | | | |
| 169,538 | | | Heineken Holding NV | | | 13,210,831 | |
| 183,946 | | | Unilever NV, ADR | | | 11,110,338 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 24,321,169 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Philippines—0.1% | | | | |
| 1,713,000 | | | Alliance Global Group, Inc.(a) | | | 247,339 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Singapore—2.1% | | | | |
| 550,917 | | | United Overseas Bank, Ltd. | | | 7,679,987 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | South Korea—1.0% | | | | |
| 56,800 | | | LG Corp. | | | 3,598,871 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Value* | |
| | |
| | | | Sweden—2.2% | | | | |
| 33,021 | | | Autoliv, Inc. | | | $2,406,570 | |
| 324,795 | | | Trelleborg AB, Class B(a) | | | 5,779,174 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 8,185,744 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Switzerland—13.1% | | | | |
| 145,000 | | | Nestlé SA, Registered, Sponsored ADR | | | 17,291,975 | |
| 102,189 | | | Novartis AG, Registered | | | 8,888,079 | |
| 43,530 | | | Roche Holding AG | | | 14,931,678 | |
| 20,422 | | | Zurich Insurance Group AG | | | 7,128,528 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 48,240,260 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | United Kingdom—11.7% | | | | |
| 727,850 | | | Babcock International Group plc | | | 2,356,190 | |
| 1,072,680 | | | BAE Systems plc | | | 6,684,229 | |
| 929,315 | | | CNH Industrial NV(a) | | | 7,244,727 | |
| 105,186 | | | Diageo plc, Sponsored ADR | | | 14,479,905 | |
| 343,309 | | | GlaxoSmithKline plc | | | 6,444,450 | |
| 282,425 | | | Inchcape plc(a) | | | 1,608,725 | |
| 723,592 | | | Johnson Service Group plc(a) | | | 841,919 | |
| 351,165 | | | Standard Chartered plc (a) | | | 1,616,655 | |
| 29,390 | | | Unilever plc, Sponsored ADR | | | 1,812,775 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 43,089,575 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | United States—34.1% | | | | |
| 46,230 | | | 3M Co. | | | 7,405,121 | |
| 6,150 | | | Alphabet Inc., Class A(a) | | | 9,013,440 | |
| 6,166 | | | Alphabet Inc., Class C(a) | | | 9,061,554 | |
| 9,175 | | | AutoZone Inc. (a) | | | 10,804,847 | |
| 76,760 | | | Bank of America Corp. | | | 1,849,148 | |
| 191,449 | | | Bank of New York Mellon Corp./The | | | 6,574,359 | |
| 80 | | | Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class A(a) | | | 25,600,080 | |
| 15,785 | | | Carlisle Cos, Inc. | | | 1,931,611 | |
| 168,094 | | | Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | 6,621,223 | |
| 140,841 | | | Comcast Corp., Class A | | | 6,515,305 | |
| 99,400 | | | ConocoPhillips | | | 3,264,296 | |
| 125,210 | | | Fox Corp., Class B | | | 3,502,124 | |
| 7,420 | | | Goldman Sachs Group Inc./The | | | 1,491,197 | |
| 37,720 | | | Intel Corp. | | | 1,953,142 | |
| 100,063 | | | Johnson & Johnson | | | 14,897,379 | |
| 36,818 | | | National Western Life Insurance Co., Class A | | | 6,729,226 | |
| 50,625 | | | Truist Financial Corp. | | | 1,926,281 | |
| 263,163 | | | Wells Fargo & Co. | | | 6,186,962 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 125,327,295 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| |
| TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $200,688,088) | | | 340,061,563 | |
| | | | | | | | |
|
| PREFERRED STOCK—0.2% | |
| | |
| | | | Chile—0.2% | | | | |
| 492,000 | | | Embotelladora Andina SA, Class A (Cost $918,376) | | | 918,027 | |
| | | | | | | | |
|
| REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY—5.9% | |
| 21,610,124 | | | Dreyfus Government Securities Cash Management—Institutional Shares 0.01%(c) (Cost $21,610,124) | | | 21,610,124 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-10
Tweedy, Browne Value Fund
Portfolio of Investments
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
Face Value | | | | | Value* | |
|
| U.S. TREASURY BILL—2.7% | |
| $10,000,000 | | | 0.168%(d), due 12/03/2020(b) (Cost $9,997,112) | | | $9,998,338 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES (Cost $233,213,700) | | | 101.3 | % | | | 372,588,052 | |
| | |
UNREALIZED DEPRECIATION ON FORWARD CONTRACTS (Net) | | | (1.6 | ) | | | (6,031,352 | ) |
| | |
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Net) | | | 0.3 | | | | 1,092,238 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
NET ASSETS | | | 100.0 | % | | | $367,648,938 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
* | | | | | | See Note 2 to Notes to Financial Statements. |
(a) | | | | | | Non-income producing security. |
(b) | | | | | | This position has been segregated to cover certain open forward contracts. At September 30, 2020, liquid assets totaling $13,633,209 have been segregated to cover such open forward contracts. |
(c) | | | | | | Rate disclosed is the 7-day yield at September 30, 2020. |
(d) | | | | | | Rate represents annualized yield at date of purchase. |
| | | | | | |
|
Abbreviations: |
ADR | | | — | | | American Depositary Receipt |
Sector Diversification
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | |
Sector Diversification | | Percentage of Net Assets | |
|
COMMON STOCKS: | |
| |
Insurance | | | 15.3 | % |
Capital Goods | | | 13.7 | |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | | | 13.2 | |
Beverage | | | 8.4 | |
Food | | | 8.2 | |
Software & Services | | | 6.2 | |
Banks | | | 4.7 | |
Retailing | | | 3.4 | |
Energy | | | 3.1 | |
Media | | | 2.7 | |
Diversified Financials | | | 2.7 | |
Materials | | | 2.5 | |
Household & Personal Products | | | 2.2 | |
Technology Hardware & Equipment | | | 1.8 | |
Transportation | | | 1.2 | |
Automobiles & Components | | | 1.2 | |
Commercial Services & Supplies | | | 0.9 | |
Real Estate | | | 0.6 | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | | | 0.5 | |
| | | | |
Total Common Stocks | | | 92.5 | |
Preferred Stock | | | 0.2 | |
Registered Investment Company | | | 5.9 | |
U.S. Treasury Bill | | | 2.7 | |
Unrealized Depreciation on Forward Contracts | | | (1.6 | ) |
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) | | | 0.3 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets | | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | |
Portfolio Composition
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658g11o28.jpg)
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-11
Tweedy, Browne Value Fund
Schedule of Forward Exchange Contracts
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Contracts | | | | | Counter- party | | | Settlement Date | | | Contract Value on Origination Date | | | Value 09/30/20* | | | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
| FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS TO BUY(a) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 3,400,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | NTC | | | | 10/13/20 | | | | $3,549,468 | | | | $3,702,032 | | | | $152,564 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS TO SELL(a) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 786,000,000 | | | Chilean Peso | | | SSB | | | | 7/22/21 | | | | $(999,364 | ) | | | $(999,579 | ) | | | $(215 | ) |
| 10,500,000 | | | Chinese Yuan | | | BNY | | | | 3/15/21 | | | | (1,485,958 | ) | | | (1,530,049 | ) | | | (44,091 | ) |
| 8,000,000 | | | Chinese Yuan | | | JPM | | | | 5/4/21 | | | | (1,118,060 | ) | | | (1,162,062 | ) | | | (44,002 | ) |
| 14,150,000 | | | Chinese Yuan | | | SSB | | | | 5/25/21 | | | | (1,964,282 | ) | | | (2,052,687 | ) | | | (88,405 | ) |
| 9,000,000 | | | Chinese Yuan | | | BNY | | | | 8/23/21 | | | | (1,273,327 | ) | | | (1,298,260 | ) | | | (24,933 | ) |
| 3,500,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | NTC | | | | 10/13/20 | | | | (3,930,150 | ) | | | (4,105,382 | ) | | | (175,232 | ) |
| 8,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | NTC | | | | 3/25/21 | | | | (8,655,200 | ) | | | (9,419,618 | ) | | | (764,418 | ) |
| 7,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | BNY | | | | 5/3/21 | | | | (7,650,090 | ) | | | (8,249,185 | ) | | | (599,095 | ) |
| 16,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | BNY | | | | 5/10/21 | | | | (17,520,320 | ) | | | (18,858,161 | ) | | | (1,337,841 | ) |
| 7,000,000 | | | European Union Euro | | | BNY | | | | 6/14/21 | | | | (7,977,970 | ) | | | (8,256,755 | ) | | | (278,785 | ) |
| 3,100,000 | | | Great Britain Pound Sterling | | | SSB | | | | 3/8/21 | | | | (3,991,802 | ) | | | (4,011,639 | ) | | | (19,837 | ) |
| 12,000,000 | | | Great Britain Pound Sterling | | | JPM | | | | 7/6/21 | | | | (14,885,124 | ) | | | (15,537,610 | ) | | | (652,486 | ) |
| 4,000,000 | | | Great Britain Pound Sterling | | | NTC | | | | 7/22/21 | | | | (5,047,776 | ) | | | (5,179,602 | ) | | | (131,826 | ) |
| 3,000,000 | | | Great Britain Pound Sterling | | | BNY | | | | 9/2/21 | | | | (3,968,850 | ) | | | (3,885,487 | ) | | | 83,363 | |
| 15,000,000 | | | Hong Kong Dollar | | | SSB | | | | 4/19/21 | | | | (1,930,030 | ) | | | (1,934,198 | ) | | | (4,168 | ) |
| 10,000,000 | | | Hong Kong Dollar | | | NTC | | | | 6/4/21 | | | | (1,278,740 | ) | | | (1,289,344 | ) | | | (10,604 | ) |
| 14,000,000 | | | Hong Kong Dollar | | | BNY | | | | 8/23/21 | | | | (1,803,403 | ) | | | (1,804,787 | ) | | | (1,384 | ) |
| 350,000,000 | | | Japanese Yen | | | JPM | | | | 11/19/21 | | | | (3,294,738 | ) | | | (3,337,747 | ) | | | (43,009 | ) |
| 160,000,000 | | | Japanese Yen | | | SSB | | | | 12/27/21 | | | | (1,512,859 | ) | | | (1,526,969 | ) | | | (14,110 | ) |
| 310,000,000 | | | Japanese Yen | | | JPM | | | | 2/10/22 | | | | (2,924,810 | ) | | | (2,961,126 | ) | | | (36,316 | ) |
| 45,000,000 | | | Mexican Peso | | | JPM | | | | 5/21/21 | | | | (1,792,115 | ) | | | (1,983,369 | ) | | | (191,254 | ) |
| 9,000,000 | | | Singapore Dollar | | | SSB | | | | 1/4/21 | | | | (6,699,419 | ) | | | (6,593,923 | ) | | | 105,496 | |
| 1,800,000 | | | Singapore Dollar | | | SSB | | | | 9/2/21 | | | | (1,318,556 | ) | | | (1,319,611 | ) | | | (1,055 | ) |
| 4,500,000,000 | | | South Korean Won | | | JPM | | | | 2/26/21 | | | | (3,754,067 | ) | | | (3,849,170 | ) | | | (95,103 | ) |
| 34,500,000 | | | Swedish Krona | | | NTC | | | | 8/6/21 | | | | (3,952,750 | ) | | | (3,868,189 | ) | | | 84,561 | |
| 6,800,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | NTC | | | | 10/13/20 | | | | (7,014,648 | ) | | | (7,404,064 | ) | | | (389,416 | ) |
| 4,200,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | BNY | | | | 11/19/20 | | | | (4,358,655 | ) | | | (4,577,845 | ) | | | (219,190 | ) |
| 8,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | JPM | | | | 11/30/20 | | | | (8,228,785 | ) | | | (8,722,388 | ) | | | (493,603 | ) |
| 12,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | JPM | | | | 12/23/20 | | | | (12,587,919 | ) | | | (13,096,190 | ) | | | (508,271 | ) |
| 5,000,000 | | | Swiss Franc | | | NTC | | | | 5/3/21 | | | | (5,189,844 | ) | | | (5,478,531 | ) | | | (288,687 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| TOTAL | | | | | | | | | | | $(148,109,611 | ) | | | $(154,293,527 | ) | | | $(6,183,916 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized Depreciation on Forward Contracts (Net) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $(6,031,352 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | See Note 2 in Notes to Financial Statements. |
(a) | Primary risk exposure being hedged against is currency risk. |
Counterparty Abbreviations:
| | | | | | |
BNY | | | — | | | The Bank of New York Mellon |
JPM | | | — | | | JPMorgan Chase Bank NA |
NTC | | | — | | | Northern Trust Company |
SSB | | | — | | | State Street Bank and Trust Company |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-12
Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund
Portfolio of Investments
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Value* | |
| |
| COMMON STOCKS—93.0% | | | | |
| | |
| | | | China—0.6% | | | | |
| 941,000 | | | Dali Foods Group Co., Ltd. | | | $574,314 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | France—14.1% | | | | |
| 33,187 | | | Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin | | | 3,569,440 | |
| 169,500 | | | CNP Assurances(a) | | | 2,122,800 | |
| 26,555 | | | Safran SA(a) | | | 2,629,436 | |
| 109,810 | | | SCOR SE(a) | | | 3,046,665 | |
| 84,294 | | | Tarkett SA(a) | | | 1,136,744 | |
| 58,168 | | | Total SA | | | 1,991,751 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 14,496,836 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Germany—9.8% | | | | |
| 59,640 | | | BASF SE | | | 3,635,314 | |
| 11,335 | | | Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG | | | 2,879,042 | |
| 24,885 | | | Siemens AG | | | 3,148,087 | |
| 12,443 | | | Siemens Energy AG(a) | | | 335,586 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 9,998,029 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Hong Kong—3.5% | | | | |
| 177,500 | | | CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd. | | | 1,067,290 | |
| 407,000 | | | Hang Lung Group, Ltd. | | | 925,334 | |
| 40,300 | | | Jardine Matheson Holdings, Ltd. | | | 1,599,104 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 3,591,728 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Japan—1.5% | | | | |
| 70,200 | | | Astellas Pharma, Inc. | | | 1,042,390 | |
| 56,600 | | | Kuraray Co., Ltd. | | | 545,994 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 1,588,384 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Mexico—2.1% | | | | |
| 52,445 | | | Coca-Cola FEMSA SA de CV, Sponsored ADR | | | 2,135,560 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Netherlands—2.6% | | | | |
| 44,585 | | | Unilever NV | | | 2,692,552 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Singapore—5.9% | | | | |
| 214,900 | | | DBS Group Holdings, Ltd. | | | 3,134,319 | |
| 207,200 | | | United Overseas Bank, Ltd. | | | 2,888,445 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 6,022,764 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Sweden—2.7% | | | | |
| 10,925 | | | Autoliv, Inc. | | | 796,214 | |
| 109,875 | | | Trelleborg AB, Class B(a) | | | 1,955,038 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 2,751,252 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | Switzerland—16.1% | | | | |
| 52,665 | | | Nestlé SA, Registered | | | 6,267,637 | |
| 32,227 | | | Novartis AG, Registered | | | 2,803,004 | |
| 12,905 | | | Roche Holding AG | | | 4,426,678 | |
| 8,627 | | | Zurich Insurance Group AG | | | 3,011,351 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 16,508,670 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Shares | | | | | Value* | |
| | |
| | | | Thailand—1.1% | | | | |
| 386,200 | | | Bangkok Bank Public Co., Ltd., NVDR | | | $1,170,026 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | United Kingdom—13.9% | | | | |
| 275,675 | | | Babcock International Group plc | | | 892,413 | |
| 485,455 | | | BAE Systems plc | | | 3,025,033 | |
| 168,745 | | | Diageo plc | | | 5,781,105 | |
| 171,070 | | | GlaxoSmithKline plc | | | 3,211,253 | |
| 228,905 | | | Inchcape plc(a) | | | 1,303,869 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 14,213,673 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | United States—19.1% | | | | |
| 17,120 | | | 3M Co. | | | 2,742,282 | |
| 11,680 | | | AbbVie Inc. | | | 1,023,051 | |
| 9,625 | | | Carlisle Cos, Inc. | | | 1,177,811 | |
| 57,671 | | | Cisco Systems, Inc. | | | 2,271,661 | |
| 11,110 | | | Intel Corp. | | | 575,276 | |
| 21,735 | | | Johnson & Johnson | | | 3,235,907 | |
| 30,645 | | | Truist Financial Corp. | | | 1,166,042 | |
| 30,030 | | | US Bancorp | | | 1,076,576 | |
| 71,216 | | | Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | 4,236,640 | |
| 89,800 | | | Wells Fargo & Co. | | | 2,111,198 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | 19,616,444 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| |
| TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $76,564,156) | | | 95,360,232 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| |
| REGISTERED INVESTMENT COMPANY—1.4% | | | | |
| 1,422,729 | | | Dreyfus Government Securities Cash Management—Institutional Shares 0.01%(b) (Cost $1,422,729) | | | 1,422,729 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES (Cost $77,986,885) | | | 94.4 | % | | | 96,782,961 | |
| | |
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Net) | | | 5.6 | | | | 5,692,708 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS | | | 100.0 | % | | | $102,475,669 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | * | | | See Note 2 in Notes to Financial Statements. |
| | | (a) | | | Non-income producing security. |
| | | (b) | | | Rate disclosed is the 7-day yield at September 30, 2020. |
| | | | | | |
Abbreviations: |
NVDR | | | — | | | Non Voting Depository Receipt |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-13
Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund
Sector Diversification
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | |
Sector Diversification | | Percentage of Net Assets | |
| |
COMMON STOCKS: | | | | |
Capital Goods | | | 18.0 | % |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | | | 15.4 | |
Banks | | | 11.3 | |
Insurance | | | 10.8 | |
Beverage | | | 7.7 | |
Food | | | 6.7 | |
Automobiles & Components | | | 4.3 | |
Telecommunication Services | | | 4.1 | |
Materials | | | 4.0 | |
Household & Personal Products | | | 2.6 | |
Energy | | | 2.2 | |
Technology Hardware & Equipment | | | 2.2 | |
Retailing | | | 1.3 | |
Real Estate | | | 0.9 | |
Commercial Services & Supplies | | | 0.9 | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | | | 0.6 | |
| | | | |
Total Common Stocks | | | 93.0 | |
Registered Investment Company | | | 1.4 | |
Other Assets and Liabilities (Net) | | | 5.6 | |
| | | | |
Net Assets | | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | |
Portfolio Composition
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658g24t65.jpg)
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-14
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658tblogo540.jpg)
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Global Value Fund | | | Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged | | | Value Fund | | | Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund | |
| | | | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in securities, at cost(a) | | | $3,960,516,036 | | | | $364,467,357 | | | | $233,213,700 | | | | $77,986,885 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers, at value (Note 2) | | | $5,796,152,574 | | | | $380,827,197 | | | | $372,588,052 | | | | $96,782,961 | |
Investments in securities of affiliated issuers, at value (Note 4) | | | 27,530,926 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Cash segregated as collateral | | | 1,300,000 | | | | — | | | | 20,000 | | | | — | |
Foreign currency(b) | | | 643,832 | | | | — | | | | 625 | | | | — | |
Dividends and interest receivable | | | 19,304,352 | | | | 990,520 | | | | 805,724 | | | | 395,665 | |
Receivable for investment securities sold | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,624,530 | |
Recoverable foreign withholding taxes | | | 31,315,071 | | | | 2,022,002 | | | | 1,364,299 | | | | 1,297,457 | |
Receivable for Fund shares sold | | | 3,928,385 | | | | 448,111 | | | | 28,242 | | | | 302 | |
Unrealized appreciation of forward exchange contracts (Note 2) | | | 10,646,176 | | | | — | | | | 425,984 | | | | — | |
Prepaid expense | | | 204,114 | | | | 11,581 | | | | 12,204 | | | | 2,962 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | | $5,891,025,430 | | | | $384,299,411 | | | | $375,245,130 | | | | $103,103,877 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation of forward exchange contracts (Note 2) | | | $116,920,036 | | | $ | — | | | | $6,457,336 | | | $ | — | |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | | | 13,009,565 | | | | 1,097,299 | | | | 529,112 | | | | 506,870 | |
Investment advisory fee payable (Note 3) | | | 3,771,956 | | | | 249,548 | | | | 233,820 | | | | 69,897 | |
Payable for investment securities purchased | | | 299,802 | | | | — | | | | 243,887 | | | | — | |
Shareholder servicing and administration fees payable (Note 3) | | | 313,100 | | | | 19,613 | | | | 17,177 | | | | 5,713 | |
Directors fees payable | | | 24,993 | | | | 673 | | | | — | | | | 22 | |
Due to custodian | | | — | | | | 18 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Accrued expenses and other payables | | | 1,601,015 | | | | 93,297 | | | | 114,860 | | | | 45,706 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 135,940,467 | | | | 1,460,448 | | | | 7,596,192 | | | | 628,208 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET ASSETS | | | $5,755,084,963 | | | | $382,838,963 | | | | $367,648,938 | | | | $102,475,669 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
NET ASSETS consist of | |
Paid-in capital | | | 3,877,061,178 | | | | 389,802,723 | | | | 220,055,152 | | | | 72,492,417 | |
Total distributable earnings | | | 1,878,023,785 | | | | (6,963,760 | ) | | | 147,593,786 | | | | 29,983,252 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Net Assets | | | $5,755,084,963 | | | | $382,838,963 | | | | $367,648,938 | | | | $102,475,669 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CAPITAL STOCK (common stock outstanding) | | | 237,725,038 | | | | 28,795,044 | | | | 21,589,822 | | | | 14,704,183 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET ASSET VALUE offering price per share | | | $24.21 | | | | $13.30 | | | | $17.03 | | | | $6.97 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | Includes investments in securities of affiliated issuers, at cost for Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund of $19,716,389, $0, $0 and $0, respectively (Note 4). |
(b) | Foreign currency held at cost for the Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund was $643,606, $0, $622, and $0, respectively. |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-15
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658tblogo540.jpg)
Statements of Operations
For the Six Months Ended September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Global Value Fund | | | Global Value Fund II - Currency Unhedged | | | Value Fund | | | Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund | |
|
INVESTMENT INCOME | |
Dividends(a) | | | $105,657,981 | | | | $5,770,729 | | | | $5,008,131 | | | | $2,652,853 | |
Less foreign withholding taxes | | | (9,226,302 | ) | | | (506,064 | ) | | | (405,986 | ) | | | (164,860 | ) |
Interest | | | 422,059 | | | | — | | | | 34,724 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investment Income | | | 96,853,738 | | | | 5,264,665 | | | | 4,636,869 | | | | 2,487,993 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
EXPENSES | |
Investment advisory fee (Note 3) | | | 38,138,489 | | | | 2,232,921 | | | | 2,282,657 | | | | 711,393 | |
Transfer agent fees (Note 3) | | | 1,411,164 | | | | 42,332 | | | | 98,431 | | | | 32,984 | |
Fund administration and accounting fees (Note 3) | | | 761,844 | | | | 45,992 | | | | 46,808 | | | | 16,039 | |
Custodian fees (Note 3) | | | 536,210 | | | | 36,026 | | | | 24,209 | | | | 10,981 | |
Directors’ fees and expenses (Note 3) | | | 376,887 | | | | 20,919 | | | | 20,148 | | | | 6,739 | |
Legal and audit fees | | | 313,111 | | | | 23,672 | | | | 24,939 | | | | 12,004 | |
Shareholder servicing and administration fees (Note 3) | | | 209,114 | | | | 13,099 | | | | 11,472 | | | | 3,816 | |
Other | | | 454,279 | | | | 53,560 | | | | 49,151 | | | | 39,770 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total expenses before waivers | | | 42,201,098 | | | | 2,468,521 | | | | 2,557,815 | | | | 833,726 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment advisory fees recouped and/or waived (Note 3) | | | (203,139 | ) | | | (13,022 | ) | | | (33,120 | ) | | | (45,559 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Expenses | | | 41,997,959 | | | | 2,455,499 | | | | 2,524,695 | | | | 788,167 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INVESTMENT INCOME | | | 54,855,779 | | | | 2,809,166 | | | | 2,112,174 | | | | 1,699,826 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | |
Securities(a) | | | 98,488,729 | | | | (27,921,712 | ) | | | 7,468,441 | | | | 7,652,226 | |
Forward exchange contracts | | | 56,488,510 | | | | — | | | | 2,015,469 | | | | — | |
Foreign currencies and net other assets | | | (953,892 | ) | | | (27,537 | ) | | | (57,767 | ) | | | (16,974 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) | | | 154,023,347 | | | | (27,949,249 | ) | | | 9,426,143 | | | | 7,635,252 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of: | |
Securities(b) | | | 594,459,259 | | | | 67,783,356 | | | | 34,690,509 | | | | 3,264,939 | |
Forward exchange contracts | | | (214,390,016 | ) | | | — | | | | (8,998,205 | ) | | | — | |
Foreign currencies and net other assets | | | 2,391,898 | | | | 146,944 | | | | 81,767 | | | | 65,844 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | 382,461,141 | | | | 67,930,300 | | | | 25,774,071 | | | | 3,330,783 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN | | | 536,484,488 | | | | 39,981,051 | | | | 35,200,214 | | | | 10,966,035 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS | | | $591,340,267 | | | | $42,790,217 | | | | $37,312,388 | | | | $12,665,861 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | Dividend income and net realized gain on securities from affiliated issuers for Global Value Fund were $561,454 and $2,305,189, respectively (Note 4). |
(b) | Net unrealized appreciation from affiliated issuers for Global Value Fund was $15,445,772 (Note 4). |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-16
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658tblogo540.jpg)
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Global Value Fund | | | Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged | |
| | Six Months Ended 9/30/2020 (Unaudited) | | | Year Ended 3/31/2020 | | | Six Months Ended 9/30/2020 (Unaudited) | | | Year Ended 3/31/2020 | |
INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | $54,855,779 | | | | $119,587,391 | | | | $2,809,166 | | | | $6,895,584 | |
| | | | |
Net realized gain | | | 154,023,347 | | | | 13,330,282 | | | | (27,949,249 | ) | | | 11,208,388 | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | 382,461,141 | | | | (1,385,704,204 | ) | | | 67,930,300 | | | | (119,572,659 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | �� | 591,340,267 | | | | (1,252,786,531 | ) | | | 42,790,217 | | | | (101,468,687 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Distributions to shareholders | | | — | | | | (150,740,578 | ) | | | — | | | | (10,986,614 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions (Note 5) | | | (827,216,939 | ) | | | (1,103,242,882 | ) | | | (34,783,603 | ) | | | (10,160 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Redemption fees | | | — | | | | 31,818 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | | | (235,876,672 | ) | | | (2,506,738,173 | ) | | | 8,006,614 | | | | (112,465,461 | ) |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 5,990,961,635 | | | | 8,497,699,808 | | | | 374,832,349 | | | | 487,297,810 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
End of period | | | $5,755,084,963 | | | | $5,990,961,635 | | | | $382,838,963 | | | | $374,832,349 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-17
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658tblogo540.jpg)
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Value Fund | | | Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund | |
| | Six Months Ended 9/30/2020 (Unaudited) | | | Year Ended 3/31/2020 | | | Six Months Ended 9/30/2020 (Unaudited) | | | Year Ended 3/31/2020 | |
INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | $2,112,174 | | | | $4,031,923 | | | | $1,699,826 | | | | $3,279,340 | |
| | | | |
Net realized gain | | | 9,426,143 | | | | 22,268,089 | | | | 7,635,252 | | | | 12,908,213 | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | 25,774,071 | | | | (98,301,907 | ) | | | 3,330,783 | | | | (37,108,568 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 37,312,388 | | | | (72,001,895 | ) | | | 12,665,861 | | | | (20,921,015 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
DISTRIBUTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Distributions to shareholders | | | — | | | | (23,388,369 | ) | | | (1,062,687 | ) | | | (16,244,194 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net decrease in net assets from Fund share transactions (Note 5) | | | (7,933,753 | ) | | | (19,614,141 | ) | | | (18,801,103 | ) | | | (28,768,977 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net decrease in net assets | | | 29,378,635 | | | | (115,004,405 | ) | | | (7,197,929 | ) | | | (65,934,186 | ) |
| | | | |
NET ASSETS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 338,270,303 | | | | 453,274,708 | | | | 109,673,598 | | | | 175,607,784 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
End of period | | | $367,648,938 | | | | $338,270,303 | | | | $102,475,669 | | | | $109,673,598 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-18
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658tblogo540.jpg)
Financial Highlights
Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund
For a Fund share outstanding throughout each period/year.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended 9/30/20 (Unaudited) | | | Year Ended 3/31/20 | | | Year Ended 3/31/19 | | | Year Ended 3/31/18 | | | Year Ended 3/31/17 | | | Year Ended 3/31/16 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period/year | | | $21.99 | | | | $26.91 | | | | $27.89 | | | | $26.74 | | | | $23.89 | | | | $26.97 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from investment operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.23 | | | | 0.43 | | | | 0.45 | | | | 0.25 | | | | 0.32 | | | | 0.22 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | | 1.99 | | | | (4.82 | ) | | | 0.25 | | | | 1.31 | | | | 3.32 | | | | (2.09 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 2.22 | | | | (4.39 | ) | | | 0.70 | | | | 1.56 | | | | 3.64 | | | | (1.87 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.45 | ) | | | (0.39 | ) | | | (0.31 | ) | | | (0.29 | ) | | | (0.21 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.08 | ) | | | (1.29 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.50 | ) | | | (1.00 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (0.53 | ) | | | (1.68 | ) | | | (0.41 | ) | | | (0.79 | ) | | | (1.21 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Redemption fees | | | — | | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period/year | | | $24.21 | | | | $21.99 | | | | $26.91 | | | | $27.89 | | | | $26.74 | | | | $23.89 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total return(b) | | | 10.00 | % | | | (16.66 | )%(c) | | | 3.11 | % | | | 5.82 | % | | | 15.49 | % | | | (7.08 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period/year (in 000s) | | | $5,755,085 | | | | $5,990,962 | | | | $8,497,700 | | | | $9,672,272 | | | | $9,579,670 | | | | $8,718,479 | |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets | | | 1.38 | %(d) | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.38 | % | | | 1.37 | % |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excluding waivers of expenses | | | 1.38 | %(d) | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.38 | % | | | 1.37 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 1.80 | %(d) | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.53 | % | | | 0.91 | % | | | 1.25 | % | | | 0.83 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 3 | % | | | 9 | % | | | 6 | % | | | 5 | % | | | 3 | % | | | 1 | % |
(a) | Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. |
(b) | Total return represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated. |
(c) | The net asset value (NAV) disclosed in the March 31, 2020 annual report reflects adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and as such, differs from the NAV reported on March 31, 2020. The total return reported is based on the unadjusted NAV which was the official NAV for executing transactions on March 31, 2020. The total return based on the NAV which reflects the adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP is (16.74)%. |
Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged
For a Fund share outstanding throughout each period/year.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended 9/30/20 (Unaudited) | | | Year Ended 3/31/20 | | | Year Ended 3/31/19 | | | Year Ended 3/31/18 | | | Year Ended 3/31/17 | | | Year Ended 3/31/16 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period/year | | | $11.66 | | | | $15.10 | | | | $15.61 | | | | $14.10 | | | | $12.88 | | | | $14.02 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from investment operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.21 | | | | 0.22 | | | | 0.14 | | | | 0.21 | | | | 0.17 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | | 1.54 | | | | (3.31 | ) | | | (0.54 | ) | | | 1.56 | | | | 1.21 | | | | (1.12 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.64 | | | | (3.10 | ) | | | (0.32 | ) | | | 1.70 | | | | 1.42 | | | | (0.95 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (0.34 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Redemption fees | | | — | | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period/year | | | $13.30 | | | | $11.66 | | | | $15.10 | | | | $15.61 | | | | $14.10 | | | | $12.88 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total return(b) | | | 13.87 | % | | | (20.94 | )%(c) | | | (1.91 | )% | | | 12.08 | % | | | 11.17 | % | | | (6.79 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period/year (in 000s) | | | $382,839 | | | | $374,832 | | | | $487,298 | | | | $378,197 | | | | $353,618 | | | | $341,727 | |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets | | | 1.37 | %(d) | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.35 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.38 | % |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excluding recoupments and/or waivers/reimbursements of expenses | | | 1.38 | %(d) | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.35 | % | | | 1.37 | % | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.38 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 1.57 | %(d) | | | 1.40 | % | | | 1.51 | % | | | 0.93 | % | | | 1.51 | % | | | 1.12 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 12 | % | | | 11 | % | | | 2 | % | | | 6 | % | | | 4 | % | | | 14 | % |
(a) | Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. |
(b) | Total return represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated. |
(c) | The net asset value (NAV) disclosed in the March 31, 2020 annual report reflects adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and as such, differs from the NAV reported on March 31, 2020. The total return reported is based on the unadjusted NAV which was the official NAV for executing transactions on March 31, 2020. The total return based on the NAV which reflects the adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP is (21.08)%. |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-19
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658tblogo540.jpg)
Financial Highlights
Tweedy, Browne Value Fund
For a Fund share outstanding throughout each period/year.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended 9/30/20 (Unaudited) | | | Year Ended 3/31/20 | | | Year Ended 3/31/19 | | | Year Ended 3/31/18 | | | Year Ended 3/31/17 | | | Year Ended 3/31/16 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period/year | | | $15.34 | | | | $19.62 | | | | $23.20 | | | | $21.78 | | | | $19.51 | | | | $22.14 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from investment operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.19 | | | | 0.24 | | | | 0.16 | | | | 0.20 | | | | 0.20 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | | 1.59 | | | | (3.38 | ) | | | 0.54 | | | | 1.64 | | | | 2.99 | | | | (1.97 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.69 | | | | (3.19 | ) | | | 0.78 | | | | 1.80 | | | | 3.19 | | | | (1.77 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.20 | ) | | | (0.24 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.21 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.89 | ) | | | (4.12 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.73 | ) | | | (0.65 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (1.09 | ) | | | (4.36 | ) | | | (0.38 | ) | | | (0.92 | ) | | | (0.86 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period/year | | | $17.03 | | | | $15.34 | | | | $19.62 | | | | $23.20 | | | | $21.78 | | | | $19.51 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total return(a) | | | 11.02 | % | | | (17.47 | )% | | | 5.41 | % | | | 8.19 | % | | | 16.57 | % | | | (8.09 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period/year (in 000s) | | | $367,649 | | | | $338,270 | | | | $453,275 | | | | $534,019 | | | | $576,732 | | | | $506,152 | |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets | | | 1.38 | %(b) | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.38 | % | | | 1.37 | % |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excluding waivers and/or reimbursements of expenses | | | 1.40 | %(b) | | | 1.38 | % | | | 1.37 | % | | | 1.37 | % | | | 1.38 | % | | | 1.37 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 1.16 | %(b) | | | 0.93 | % | | | 0.96 | % | | | 0.61 | % | | | 0.97 | % | | | 0.91 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 8 | % | | | 12 | % | | | 9 | % | | | 6 | % | | | 8 | % | | | 7 | % |
(a) | Total return represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated. |
Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund
For a Fund share outstanding throughout each period/year.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended 9/30/20 (Unaudited) | | | Year Ended 3/31/20 | | | Year Ended 3/31/19 | | | Year Ended 3/31/18 | | | Year Ended 3/31/17 | | | Year Ended 3/31/16 | |
Net asset value, beginning of period/year | | | $6.30 | | | | $8.51 | | | | $10.23 | | | | $9.47 | | | | $8.75 | | | | $10.84 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income from investment operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.20 | | | | 0.24 | | | | 0.17 | | | | 0.23 | | | | 0.21 | (c) |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | | 0.62 | | | | (1.43 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | 1.10 | | | | 0.87 | | | | (1.15 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.73 | | | | (1.23 | ) | | | 0.09 | | | | 1.27 | | | | 1.10 | | | | (0.94 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.26 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.26 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.79 | ) | | | (1.55 | ) | | | (0.33 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | (0.89 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total distributions | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.98 | ) | | | (1.81 | ) | | | (0.51 | ) | | | (0.38 | ) | | | (1.15 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Redemption fees | | | — | | | | — | | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) | | | 0.00 | (a) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period/year | | | $6.97 | | | | $6.30 | | | | $8.51 | | | | $10.23 | | | | $9.47 | | | | $8.75 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total return(b) | | | 11.67 | % | | | (17.06 | )% | | | 2.44 | %(d) | | | 13.58 | %(d) | | | 13.04 | % | | | (9.03 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period/year (in 000s) | | | $102,476 | | | | $109,674 | | | | $175,608 | | | | $266,642 | | | | $296,107 | | | | $334,621 | |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets | | | 1.38 | %(e) | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.36 | % | | | 1.38 | % | | | 1.37 | % |
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets excluding waiver and/or reimbursements of expenses | | | 1.46 | %(e) | | | 1.42 | % | | | 1.39 | % | | | 1.37 | % | | | 1.38 | % | | | 1.37 | % |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets | | | 2.99 | %(e) | | | 2.20 | % | | | 2.24 | % | | | 1.54 | % | | | 2.43 | % | | | 2.11 | % |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 13 | % | | | 7 | % | | | 6 | % | | | 5 | % | | | 5 | % | | | 5 | % |
(a) | Amount represents less than $0.01 per share. |
(b) | Total return represents aggregate total return for the periods indicated. |
(c) | Based on average shares outstanding. |
(d) | The net asset value (NAV) disclosed in the March 31, 2018 annual report reflects adjustments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and as such, differs from the NAV reported on March 31, 2018. The total return reported is based on the unadjusted NAV which was the official NAV for executing transactions on March 31, 2018. |
| | | | |
| | |
| | SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | | |
II-20
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658tblogo540.jpg)
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1. Organization
Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc. (the “Company”) is an open-end management investment company registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Company was organized as a Maryland corporation on January 28, 1993. Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund (“Global Value Fund”), Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged (“Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged”), Tweedy, Browne Value Fund (“Value Fund”), and Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund (“Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund”) (each a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”) are each a diversified series of the Company.
The Funds commenced operations as follows:
| | | | |
| |
Global Value Fund | | | 06/15/93 | |
| |
Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged | | | 10/26/09 | |
| |
Value Fund | | | 12/08/93 | |
| |
Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund | | | 09/05/07 | |
Global Value Fund and Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged seek long-term capital growth by investing primarily in foreign equity securities that Tweedy, Browne Company LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) believes are undervalued. Value Fund seeks long-term capital growth by investing primarily in U.S. and foreign equity securities that the Investment Adviser believes are undervalued. Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund seeks long-term capital growth by investing primarily in U.S. and foreign equity securities that the Investment Adviser believes to have above-average dividend yields and valuations that are reasonable.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The Funds are investment companies and, accordingly, follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 – Investment Companies, which is part of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in the preparation of their financial statements.
Portfolio Valuation. Portfolio securities and other assets listed on a U.S. national securities exchange, comparable foreign securities exchange or through any system providing for contemporaneous publication of actual prices (and not subject to restrictions against sale by the Fund on such exchange or system) are valued at the last quoted sale price at or prior to the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if
applicable, the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). Portfolio securities and other assets that are readily marketable but for which there are no reported sales on the valuation date, whether because they are not traded in a system providing for same day publication of sales or because there were no sales reported on such date, are generally valued at the mean between the last asked price and the last bid price prior to the close of regular trading. Forward exchange contracts are valued at the forward rate. Securities and other assets for which current market quotations are not readily available, and those securities which are generally not readily marketable due to significant legal or contractual restrictions, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Investment Adviser under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors. Securities and other assets for which the most recent market quotations may not be reliable (including because the last sale price does not reflect current market value at the time of valuing the Fund’s assets due to developments since such last price) may be valued at fair value if the Investment Adviser concludes that fair valuation will likely result in a more accurate net asset valuation. The Company has retained a third-party service provider that, under certain circumstances selected by the Company, provides fair value pricing for international equity securities whose principal markets are no longer open when the Funds calculate their net asset values. This means that a Fund’s net asset value may be based, at least in part, on prices other than those determined as of the close of the principal market in which such assets trade. The Funds’ use of fair value pricing may cause the net asset value of a Fund’s shares to differ from the net asset value that would be calculated using market quotations. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments, and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. Debt securities purchased with a remaining maturity of more than 60 days are valued through pricing obtained by pricing services approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. Debt securities purchased with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, or by reference to other factors (i.e., pricing services or dealer quotations) by the Investment Adviser. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at net asset value (NAV).
Fair Value Measurements. The inputs and valuation techniques used to determine fair value of the Funds’ investments are summarized into three levels as described in the hierarchy 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, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
II-21
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658tblogo540.jpg)
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used to value each Fund’s assets carried at fair value as of September 30, 2020. See each Fund’s respective Portfolio of Investments for details on portfolio holdings.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Global Value Fund | | Total Value at September 30, 2020 | | | Level 1 Quoted
Price | | | Level 2
Other Significant Observable Inputs | | | Level 3
Significant Unobservable Inputs | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Switzerland | | $ | 1,055,030,174 | | | $ | 1,054,567,589 | | | $ | 462,585 | | | $ | — | |
United Kingdom | | | 987,266,358 | | | | 982,568,461 | | | | — | | | | 4,697,897 | |
All Other Countries | | | 3,472,258,858 | | | | 3,472,258,858 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Preferred Stocks | | | 31,513,061 | | | | 31,513,061 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Registered Investment Company | | | 52,629,486 | | | | 52,629,486 | | | | — | | | | — | |
U.S. Treasury Bill | | | 224,985,563 | | | | — | | | | 224,985,563 | | | | — | |
| | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 5,823,683,500 | | | | 5,593,537,455 | | | | 225,448,148 | | | | 4,697,897 | |
| | | | |
Other Financial Instruments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation of forward exchange contracts…. | | | 10,646,176 | | | | — | | | | 10,646,176 | | | | — | |
Liability | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation of forward exchange contracts…. | | | (116,920,036 | ) | | | — | | | | (116,920,036 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | |
Total | | $ | 5,717,409,640 | | | $ | 5,593,537,455 | | | $ | 119,174,288 | | | $ | 4,697,897 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged | | Total
Value at
September 30, 2020 | | | Level 1
Quoted
Price | | | Level 2
Other Significant
Observable
Inputs | | | Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United Kingdom | | $ | 52,338,410 | | | $ | 52,136,275 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 202,135 | |
All Other Countries | | | 299,195,082 | | | | 299,195,082 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Preferred Stocks | | | 2,914,689 | | | | 2,914,689 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Registered Investment Company | | | 26,379,016 | | | | 26,379,016 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | |
Total | | $ | 380,827,197 | | | $ | 380,625,062 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 202,135 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Value Fund | | Total
Value at
September 30, 2020 | | | Level 1
Quoted
Price | | | Level 2 Other Significant
Observable
Inputs | | | Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs | |
Investments in Securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stocks | | $ | 340,061,563 | | | $ | 340,061,563 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Preferred Stock | | | 918,027 | | | | 918,027 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Registered Investment Company | | | 21,610,124 | | | | 21,610,124 | | | | — | | | | — | |
U.S. Treasury Bill | | | 9,998,338 | | | | — | | | | 9,998,338 | | | | — | |
| | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | | 372,588,052 | | | | 362,589,714 | | | | 9,998,338 | | | | — | |
| | | | |
Other Financial Instruments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized appreciation of forward exchange contracts…. | | | 425,984 | | | | — | | | | 425,984 | | | | — | |
Liability | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation of forward exchange contracts…. | | | (6,457,336 | ) | | | — | | | | (6,457,336 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | |
Total | | $ | 366,556,700 | | | $ | 362,589,714 | | | $ | 3,966,986 | | | $ | — | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund | | Total
Value at
September 30, 2020 | | | Level 1
Quoted
Price | | | Level 2
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs | | | Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs | |
Investments in Securities: | | $ | 96,782,961 | | | $ | 96,782,961 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | |
II-22
![LOGO](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0001193125-20-309382/g58658tblogo540.jpg)
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Foreign Currency. The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currencies, investments and other assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period, and purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated on the respective dates of such transactions. Unrealized gains and losses from investments in securities that result from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, have been included in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation of securities. All other unrealized gains and losses that result from changes in foreign currency exchange rates have been included in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation of foreign currencies and net other assets. Net realized foreign currency gains and losses resulting from changes in exchange rates include foreign currency gains and losses between trade date and settlement date on investments, securities transactions, foreign currency transactions and the difference between the amounts of interest and dividends recorded on the books of a Fund and the amount actually received. The portion of foreign currency gains and losses related to fluctuation in the exchange rates between the initial purchase trade date and subsequent sale trade date is included in realized gains and losses on investment securities sold.
Forward Exchange Contracts. Global Value Fund and Value Fund enter into forward exchange contracts for hedging purposes in order to reduce their exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange on their portfolio holdings. Forward exchange contracts are valued at the forward rate and are marked-to-market daily. The change in market value is recorded by each Fund as an unrealized gain or loss on the Fund’s Statement of Operations. When the contract is closed, each Fund records a realized gain or loss on the Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time that it was opened and the value of the contract at the time that it was closed. The difference between the value of a Fund’s open contracts at September 30, 2020 and the value of those contracts at the time they were opened is included on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as unrealized appreciation of forward exchange contracts (for contracts with unrealized gains) or unrealized depreciation of forward exchange contracts (for contracts with unrealized losses). A Fund may be required to post collateral with respect to certain “non-deliverable” forward exchange contracts in an unrealized loss position, and may receive collateral from the counterparty for certain non-deliverable forward exchange contracts in an unrealized gain position. Collateral is usually in the form of cash or U.S. Treasury Bills. Daily movement of collateral is subject to minimum threshold amounts. Collateral posted by a Fund is held in a segregated account at the Fund’s custodian bank, and is reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Cash segregated as collateral. Collateral received by a Fund is held in escrow in the Fund’s custodian bank, and is not reported on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, but would be disclosed in Note 8.
The use of forward exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the Global Value Fund’s and Value Fund’s investment securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. Although forward exchange contracts limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the hedged currency increase. In addition, the Global Value and Value Funds could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts.
Securities Transactions and Investment Income. Securities transactions are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. In the case of certain foreign securities, dividend income is recorded as soon after the ex-date as the Funds become aware of such dividend. Interest income and expenses are recorded on an accrual basis.
Foreign Taxes. The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes on dividend and interest income, gains on investments or currency purchase/repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Funds’ custodian applies for refunds on behalf of each Fund where available. The Funds will accrue such taxes and recoveries as applicable, based on their current interpretation of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which they invest.
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders. Dividends from net investment income, if any, will be declared and paid annually for Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, and Value Fund and semi-annually for Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund. Distributions from realized capital gains after utilization of capital loss carryforwards, if any, will be declared and paid annually for each of the Funds. Additional distributions of net investment income and capital gains from the Funds may be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors in order to avoid the application of a 4% non-deductible federal excise tax on certain undistributed amounts of ordinary income and capital gains. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by the Funds, timing differences and differing characterization of distributions made by the Funds.
Federal Income Taxes. Each Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company by complying with the requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and by distributing substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
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Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
The Funds are not aware of any events that are reasonably possible to occur in the next twelve months that would result in the amounts of any unrecognized tax benefits significantly increasing or decreasing for the Funds. However, the Funds’ conclusions may be subject to future review based on changes in accounting standards or tax laws and regulations or the interpretation thereof. In addition, utilization of any capital loss carryforwards could be subject to limitations imposed by the Code related to share ownership changes. Each of the Funds’ tax positions for the tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service, state departments of revenue and by foreign tax authorities.
Expenses. Expenses directly attributable to each Fund as a diversified series of the Company are charged to such Fund. Other expenses of the Company are allocated to each series based on the average net assets of each series or other equitable allocation method.
3. Investment Advisory Fee, Other Related Party Transactions and Administration Fee
The Company, on behalf of each Fund, has entered into separate investment advisory agreements with the Investment Adviser (each, an “Advisory Agreement”). Under the Advisory Agreement with respect to Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund pays the Investment Adviser a fee at the annual rate of 1.25% on the Fund’s average daily net assets up to $10.3 billion, and 0.75% on the remaining amount, if any. Under the Advisory Agreements with respect to each of Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund, each Fund pays the Investment Adviser a fee at the annual rate of 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The fee is payable monthly, provided that each Fund makes interim payments as may be requested by the Investment Adviser of up to 75% of the amount of the fee then accrued on the books of the Fund and unpaid. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Investment Adviser earned $38,138,489, $2,232,921, $2,282,657 and $711,393 in fees, prior to any waivers and/or reimbursements, from Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund, respectively.
With respect to Global Value Fund, effective May 22, 2020, the Investment Adviser has entered into a voluntary fee waiver agreement with the Fund pursuant to which the Investment Adviser is entitled to receive investment advisory fees from the Fund at an annual rate of 1.25% on the first $6 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets, 0.80% on the next $1 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets over $6 billion up to $7 billion, 0.70% on the next $1 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets over $7 billion up to $8 billion, and 0.60% on the remaining amount, if any, of average daily net assets over $8 billion. This arrangement with Global Value Fund will remain in place at least through July 31, 2021. For the period May 22, 2020 through September 30,
2020, the Investment Adviser waived $203,139 in fees from Global Value Fund.
With respect to Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund, the Investment Adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of each Fund’s investment advisory fees and/or reimburse a portion of each Fund’s expenses to the extent necessary to keep each Fund’s expense ratio in line with the expense ratio of Global Value Fund. (For purposes of this calculation, each Fund’s acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage costs, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses are disregarded, and each Fund’s expense ratio is rounded to two decimal points.) This arrangement will remain in place at least through July 31, 2021. For the six months ended September 30, 2020, the Investment Adviser waived and/or reimbursed $13,022, $33,120 and $45,559 in fees from Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged Fund, Value Fund and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund, respectively.
The Company pays the Investment Adviser for certain shareholder servicing and administration services provided to the Funds at an annual amount of $475,000, which is allocated pro-rata based on the relative average net assets of the Funds.
No officer, director or employee of the Investment Adviser, the Funds’ administrator, The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”) or any parent or subsidiary of those corporations receives any compensation from the Company for serving as a director or officer of the Company. The Company pays each Independent Director $130,000 annually, in quarterly increments of $32,500, plus out-of-pocket expenses for their services as directors. The Lead Independent Director receives an additional annual fee of $26,000. These fees are allocated pro-rata based on the relative average net assets of the Funds.
The Company, on behalf of the Funds, has entered into an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with BNY Mellon, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. Under the Administration Agreement, the Company pays BNY Mellon an administration fee and a fund accounting fee computed daily and payable monthly at the following annual rates of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Funds, allocated according to each Fund’s net assets:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Up to $1 Billion | | | Between $1 Billion and $5 Billion | | | Between $5 Billion and $10 Billion | | | Exceeding $10 Billion | |
Administration Fees | | | 0.0300 | % | | | 0.0180 | % | | | 0.0100 | % | | | 0.0090 | % |
Accounting Fees | | | 0.0075 | % | | | 0.0060 | % | | | 0.0050 | % | | | 0.0040 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BNY Mellon, serves as the Funds’ custodian pursuant to a custody agreement. BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, serves as the Funds’ transfer agent.
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Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
AMG Distributors, Inc., an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, serves as the distributor to the Funds. The Investment Adviser pays all distribution-related expenses. No distribution fees are paid by the Funds.
At September 30, 2020, excluding unaffiliated platforms that hold shares of the Funds via omnibus accounts, the Funds are
aware of two shareholders who collectively owned 16.1% of Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged’s outstanding shares; three shareholders who collectively owned 32.2% of Value Fund’s outstanding shares; and three shareholders who collectively owned 21.7% of Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund’s outstanding shares. Significant transactions by these shareholders could have an impact on each respective Fund.
4. Securities Transactions
The 1940 Act defines “affiliated companies” to include securities in which a fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of an issuer. The following chart lists the issuers owned by Global Value Fund that may be deemed “affiliated companies,” as well as transactions that occurred in the securities of such issuers during the six months ended September 30, 2020:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares Held at 3/31/20 | | | Name of Issuer† | | Value at 3/31/20 | | | Purchase Cost | | | Sales Proceeds | | | Value at 9/30/20 | | | Shares Held at 9/30/20 | | | Dividend Income 4/1/20 to 9/30/20 | | | Net Realized Gain Loss 4/1/20 to 9/30/20 | | | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation 4/1/20 to 9/30/20 | |
| 68,178 | | | Phoenix Mecano AG | | $ | 24,098,885 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 27,530,926 | | | | 68,178 | | | $ | 561,454 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,432,041 | |
| 4,763,086 | | | SOL SpA* | | | 51,659,234 | | | | — | | | | 3,456,213 | | | | 62,521,941 | | | | 4,499,311 | | | | 908,015 | | | | 2,305,189 | | | | 12,013,731 | |
| | | | | | $ | 75,758,119 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,456,213 | | | $ | 90,052,867 | | | | | | | $ | 1,469,469 | | | $ | 2,305,189 | | | $ | 15,445,772 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* | As of September 30, 2020, Global Value Fund owns less than 5% of the outstanding voting shares. |
† | Issuer countries: Switzerland and Italy, respectively. |
None of the other Funds owned 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of any issuer.
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended September 30, 2020, are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | Global Value Fund | | | Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged | | | Value Fund | | | Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund | |
Purchases | | | $175,880,467 | | | | $39,207,045 | | | | $25,622,919 | | | | $13,266,252 | |
Sales | | | $468,189,572 | | | | $54,005,825 | | | | $35,615,871 | | | | $21,740,449 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
5. Capital Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 2.0 billion shares of $0.0001 par value capital stock, of which 600,000,000, 600,000,000, 400,000,000 and 400,000,000 shares have been designated as shares of Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund, respectively. Prior to July 29, 2019, redemptions from the Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund, including exchange redemptions, made less than 15 days after purchase were subject to a redemption fee equal to 2% of the redemption proceeds, which was retained by each Funds. Effective July 29, 2019, redemption fees are no longer charged. Changes in shares outstanding were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Six Months Ended September 30, 2020 | | | Year Ended March 31, 2020 | |
| | | | |
Global Value Fund | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Sold | | | 15,495,070 | | | | $ 368,897,891 | | | | 38,982,064 | | | | $1,040,060,598 | |
Reinvested | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,742,714 | | | | 131,373,163 | |
Redeemed | | | (50,190,231 | ) | | | (1,196,114,830 | ) | | | (87,142,299 | ) | | | (2,274,676,643 | ) |
Net Decrease | | | (34,695,161 | ) | | | $ (827,216,939 | ) | | | (43,417,521 | ) | | | $(1,103,242,882 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | Six Months Ended September 30, 2020 | | | Year Ended March 31, 2020 | |
| | | | |
Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Sold | | | 5,104,919 | | | | $ 68,674,325 | | | | 6,313,847 | | | | $87,924,747 | |
Reinvested | | | — | | | | — | | | | 562,601 | | | | 8,652,806 | |
Redeemed | | | (8,446,432 | ) | | | (103,457,928 | ) | | | (7,003,399 | ) | | | (96,587,713 | ) |
Net Decrease | | | (3,341,513 | ) | | | $ (34,783,603 | ) | | | (126,951 | ) | | | $(10,160 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Value Fund | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Sold | | | 1,010,137 | | | | $ 17,105,459 | | | | 288,690 | | | | $5,524,309 | |
Reinvested | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,150,845 | | | | 22,372,418 | |
Redeemed | | | (1,474,133 | ) | | | (25,039,212 | ) | | | (2,487,617 | ) | | | (47,510,868 | ) |
Net Decrease | | | (463,996 | ) | | | $ (7,933,753 | ) | | | (1,048,082 | ) | | | $(19,614,141 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | |
Sold | | | 451,628 | | | | $ 3,053,220 | | | | 1,624,400 | | | | $11,303,369 | |
Reinvested | | | 152,040 | | | | 1,039,957 | | | | 1,914,700 | | | | 15,857,554 | |
Redeemed | | | (3,311,736 | ) | | | (22,894,280 | ) | | | (6,756,348 | ) | | | (55,929,900 | ) |
Net Decrease | | | (2,708,068 | ) | | | $ (18,801,103 | ) | | | (3,217,248 | ) | | | $(28,768,977 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
6. Income Tax Information
As of March 31, 2020, Global Value Fund had long-term capital loss carryforward of $5,451,614, which under current federal income tax rules may be available to reduce future net realized gains on investments in any future period to the extent permitted by the Code. Utilization of these capital loss carryforwards could be subject to limitations imposed by the Code related to share ownership changes.
As of September 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of securities in each Fund’s portfolio for federal tax purposes is as follows:
| | | | |
Global Value Fund | | | $3,960,516,036 | |
Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged | | | $364,467,357 | |
Value Fund | | | $233,213,700 | |
Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund | | | $77,986,885 | |
| | | | |
The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation/depreciation and net unrealized appreciation as computed on a federal income tax basis at September 30, 2020 for each Fund is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Gross Appreciation | | | Gross Depreciation | | | Net Appreciation
(Depreciation) | |
Global Value Fund | | | $2,246,139,073 | | | | $(382,971,609 | ) | | | $1,863,167,464 | |
Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged | | | 72,158,463 | | | | (55,798,623 | ) | | | 16,359,840 | |
Value Fund | | | 157,039,125 | | | | (17,664,773 | ) | | | 139,374,352 | |
Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund | | | 25,372,037 | | | | (6,575,961 | ) | | | 18,796,076 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
7. Foreign Securities
Investing in securities of foreign companies and foreign governments involves economic and political risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and the U.S. Government. These considerations
include changes in exchange rates and exchange rate controls (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a given country), costs incurred in conversions between currencies, non-negotiable brokerage commissions, less publicly available information, not generally being subject to uniform standards, practices and requirements with respect to accounting, auditing and financial reporting, lower trading volume, delayed settlements and greater market volatility, the difficulty of enforcing obligations in other countries, less securities regulation, different tax provisions (including withholding on dividends paid to a Fund), war, seizure, political and social instability and diplomatic developments.
Each Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Funds’ investments.
Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, the United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching.
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Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
8. Derivative Instruments
During the six months ended September 30, 2020, Global Value Fund and Value Fund had derivative exposure to forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The primary underlying risk exposure for these derivatives is foreign currency risk. Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund had no exposure to derivatives. For open contracts at September 30, 2020, see the Portfolio of Investments.
The following summarizes the volume of the Global Value and Value Funds’ forward foreign currency exchange contract activity during the six months ended September 30, 2020:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | Global Value Fund | | | Value Fund | |
Average Notional Amount | | | $(3,193,822,368) | | | | $(137,880,665) | |
Notional Amount at September 30, 2020 | | | $(3,391,500,820) | | | | $(144,560,143) | |
The following table presents the value of derivatives held as of September 30, 2020, by their respective location on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities:
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | |
| | | |
Derivative | | Assets Location | | Global Value Fund | | | Value Fund | |
Forward exchange contracts | | Unrealized appreciation of forward exchange contracts | | | $10,646,176 | | | | $425,984 | |
| | | |
Derivative | | Liabilities Location | | Global Value Fund | | | Value Fund | |
Forward exchange contracts | | Unrealized depreciation of forward exchange contracts | | | $116,920,036 | | | | $6,457,336 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The following table presents the effect of derivatives on the Statements of Operations for the six months ended September 30, 2020:
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
Statement of Operations | |
| | | |
Derivative | | Location | | Global Value Fund | | | Value Fund | |
Forward exchange contracts | | Net realized gain (loss) on forward exchange contracts | | | $56,488,510 | | | | $2,015,469 | |
| | | |
Derivative | | Location | | Global Value Fund | | | Value Fund | |
Forward exchange contracts | | Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of forward exchange contracts | | | $(214,390,016) | | | | $(8,998,205) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
For financial reporting purposes, the Funds do not offset assets and liabilities across derivative types that are subject to master netting arrangements on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
The following table presents derivative assets net of amounts available for offset under a master netting agreement and any related collateral received by the Fund for forward currency contracts as of September 30, 2020:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Assets – Gross(a) | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Collateral Received | | | Derivative Assets – Net(b) | |
Global Value Fund | |
BNY | | | $796,288 | | | | $796,288 | | | | $ — | | | | $ — | |
JPM | | | 2,602,158 | | | | 2,602,158 | | | | — | | | | — | |
NTC | | | 5,357,543 | | | | 5,357,543 | | | | — | | | | — | |
SSB | | | 1,890,187 | | | | 1,890,187 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total | | | $10,646,176 | | | | $10,646,176 | | | | $ — | | | | $ — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Value Fund | |
BNY | | | $83,363 | | | | $83,363 | | | | $ — | | | | $ — | |
JPM | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
NTC | | | 237,125 | | | | 237,125 | | | | — | | | | — | |
SSB | | | 105,496 | | | | 105,496 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Total | | | $425,984 | | | | $425,984 | | | | $ — | | | | $ — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The following table presents derivative liabilities net of amounts available for offset under a master netting agreement and any related collateral posted by the Fund for forward currency contracts as of September 30, 2020:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Derivative Liabilities – Gross(a) | | | Derivatives Available for Offset | | | Collateral Posted | | | Derivative Liabilities – Net(c) | |
Global Value Fund | |
BNY | | | $31,746,003 | | | | $796,288 | | | $ | — | | | | $30,949,715 | |
JPM | | | 21,944,151 | | | | 2,602,158 | | | | — | | | | 19,341,993 | |
NTC | | | 21,080,074 | | | | 5,357,543 | | | | — | | | | 15,722,531 | |
SSB | | | 42,149,808 | | | | 1,890,187 | | | | — | | | | 40,259,621 | |
Total | | | $116,920,036 | | | | $10,646,176 | | | $ | — | | | | $106,273,860 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Value Fund | |
BNY | | | $2,505,319 | | | | $83,363 | | | $ | — | | | | $2,421,956 | |
JPM | | | 2,064,044 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 2,064,044 | |
NTC | | | 1,760,183 | | | | 237,125 | | | | — | | | | 1,523,058 | |
SSB | | | 127,790 | | | | 105,496 | | | | — | | | | 22,294 | |
Total | | | $6,457,336 | | | | $425,984 | | | $ | — | | | | $6,031,352 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) | As presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
(b) | Net amount represents the net receivable due from counterparty in the event of default. |
(c) | Net amount represents the net payable due to counterparty in the event of default. |
Counterparty Abbreviations:
| | | | | | |
BNY | | | — | | | The Bank of New York Mellon |
JPM | | | — | | | JPMorgan Chase Bank NA |
NTC | | | — | | | Northern Trust Company |
SSB | | | — | | | State Street Bank and Trust Company |
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Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
9. Indemnifications
Under the Company’s organizational documents, its directors and officers are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of the performance of their duties to the Funds. Additionally, in the course of business, the Company enters 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 Investment Adviser believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.
10. Other Matters – Market Disruption Risk
An outbreak of infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus known as “COVID-19,” first detected in China in December 2019, has since spread globally and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. The current economic situation resulting from the unprecedented measures taken around the world to combat the spread of COVID-19 may continue to contribute to severe market disruptions, volatility and reduced economic activity. The COVID-19 pandemic and preventative measures taken to contain or mitigate its spread have caused, and are continuing to cause, business shutdowns, or the re-introduction of business shutdowns, cancellations of events
and restrictions on travel, significant reductions in demand for certain goods and services, reductions in business activity and financial transactions, supply chain interruptions and overall economic and financial market instability both globally and in the United States. Such effects will likely continue for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is uncertain, and for some period thereafter. While several countries, as well as certain states, counties and cities in the United States, have begun to lift the public health restrictions with a view to reopening their economies, recurring COVID-19 outbreaks have led to the re-introduction of such restrictions in certain states in the United States and globally and could continue to lead to the re-introduction of such restrictions elsewhere. Additionally, the absence of viable treatment options or a vaccine could lead people to continue to self-isolate and not participate in the economy at pre-pandemic levels for a prolonged period of time. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, the U.S. economy and most other major global economies may continue to experience a recession. These events could have a significant impact on the Funds, including by impacting the Funds’ performance, net asset value, income, and/or operating results or the performance, income, operating results and viability of issuers in which each Fund invests.
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1. Investment in the Funds by Managing Directors and Employees of the Investment Adviser
As of September 30, 2020, the current and retired managing directors and their families, as well as employees of the Investment Adviser, have approximately $124.9 million, $5.8 million, $73.1 million and $6.7 million of their own money invested in Global Value Fund, Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged, Value Fund and Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund, respectively.
2. Portfolio Information
The Company files each Fund’s complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Part F of Form N-PORT. The Company’s Part F of Form N-PORT is available (1) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov; (2) for review and copying at the SEC’s Public Reference Room (“PRR”) in Washington, DC; or (3) by calling the Fund at 800-432-4789. Information regarding the operation of the PRR may be obtained by calling 202-551-8090.
3. Proxy Voting Information
The policies and procedures that the Company uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Funds are included in the Company’s Statement of Additional Information, which is available without charge and upon request by calling the Funds at 800-432-4789 or by visiting the Funds’ website at www.tweedy.com. Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available, without charge, at www.sec.gov.
4. Advisory Agreement
Approval of the Renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement for Each Fund
On May 19, 2020, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc. (the “Company”), including a majority of the Independent Directors, approved the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreements (the “Advisory Agreements”) between Tweedy, Browne Company LLC (“Tweedy, Browne” or the “Adviser”) and the Company on behalf of the Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund (the “Global Value Fund”), the Tweedy, Browne Value Fund (the “Value Fund”), the Tweedy, Browne Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund (the “Worldwide High Dividend Yield Value Fund”) and the Tweedy, Browne Global Value Fund II – Currency Unhedged (the “Global Value Fund II”) (each a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) for an additional one-year term. In considering whether to approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreements, the Board reviewed materials provided for its evaluation, and the Independent Directors were advised by independent legal
counsel with respect to these and other relevant matters. The information, material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board’s approval are described below.
In considering whether to approve the renewal of the Advisory Agreements, the Board took into account the written materials, oral presentations and other information received throughout the year and carefully reviewed the specific materials provided in advance of the meeting, which included a memorandum from independent legal counsel regarding the duties and standards of review in connection with the consideration of the continuation of the Advisory Agreements; a narrative discussion prepared by Tweedy, Browne describing factors relevant to the 2020 contract renewal process; comparative information regarding the performance, fees and expense ratios of the Funds (including breakpoint and expense limitation agreements); information for several of Tweedy, Browne’s managed account performance composites; a sample report illustrating Tweedy, Browne’s extensive research process; fact sheets and performance histories for each of the Funds since inception; fee schedules; memoranda and related information from Tweedy, Browne concerning Tweedy, Browne’s brokerage practices and best execution policy; a description of key personnel of Tweedy, Browne; a profitability analysis of Tweedy, Browne; a Statement of Financial Condition for Tweedy, Browne; the Form ADV of Tweedy, Browne; and copies of the Advisory Agreements. The Board also considered information regarding Tweedy, Browne’s business continuity planning and remote operation during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Board examined the detailed materials provided by Tweedy, Browne for its evaluation, and the Independent Directors were advised by Dechert LLP, their independent legal counsel, at the meeting, the meeting held the prior day, and executive sessions during the year at which no representatives of management were present with respect to these and other relevant matters.
| B. | Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided Under the Advisory Agreements |
Among the factors considered by the Board as part of its review, the Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Tweedy, Browne to the Funds. In examining Tweedy, Browne’s management of the Funds’ portfolios, the Board reviewed the narrative discussion provided by Tweedy, Browne, which includes a description of Tweedy, Browne’s fees, performance, research process and investment approach.
The Board assessed the variety of services provided by Tweedy, Browne to the Funds, including: the experience, reputation and skills of Tweedy, Browne management and staff; the extensive shareholder communications provided by Tweedy, Browne; “behind the scenes” services, such as those provided by Tweedy, Browne’s order desk, which seeks best
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execution for transactions effected on behalf of the Funds; monitoring of the Funds’ service providers and the performance in certain instances of shadowing functions; implementing and monitoring, as appropriate, business continuity planning matters related to the Funds and their service providers; monitoring of information with respect to corporate reorganizations involving portfolio companies; preparing the Funds’ semi-annual and annual reports to shareholders and the accompanying Adviser’s letters; monitoring of aspects of transfer agency services on a daily basis; assisting brokers, consultants, financial advisors, intermediaries and third-party administrators with questions or problems of an operational nature; developing and enforcing procedures to monitor trading activity in the Funds; monitoring the collection of redemption fees for the Global Value Fund, the Global Value Fund II and the High Dividend Yield Value Fund (for the periods during which these Funds had redemption fees in place); monitoring Schedule 13D-like filing requirements in 19 foreign jurisdictions in which the Funds are currently invested; arranging for proxy voting of portfolio securities; qualifying the Funds as approved purchasers in certain foreign jurisdictions; where necessary, consulting with an outside accounting firm with respect to the proper treatment of corporate actions and accounting requirements; and actively monitoring and assessing valuation issues for the Funds. The Board noted the substantial personal investment by the members of the Adviser’s Investment Committee in the Funds, which may encourage an alignment of management’s interests with the interests of Fund shareholders. The Board also noted actions that have been or will be taken in the future by Tweedy, Browne to comply with various regulatory requirements, including consulting with outside accounting and law firms, as needed in this regard.
In addition, the Board noted that Tweedy, Browne provides a variety of administrative services not otherwise provided by the Funds’ third-party service providers, including: overseeing the calculation of the Funds’ net asset value; preparing Board reports; overseeing the preparation and submission of regulatory filings; overseeing and assisting in the annual audit of the Funds’ financial statements; maintaining the Funds’ website; assisting with the preparation and filing of the Funds’ tax returns; monitoring the registration of shares of the Funds under applicable federal and state securities laws; assisting in the resolution of accounting and legal issues; establishing and monitoring the Funds’ operating budgets; approving, auditing and processing the payment of the Funds’ bills; assisting the Funds in, and otherwise arranging for, the payment of distributions and dividends; serving as the administrator of the Funds’ Liquidity Risk Management Program; communicating with the Funds’ shareholders with market commentary; participating in ongoing training and monitoring of BNY Mellon’s shareholder services representatives; and generally assisting each Fund in the conduct of its business. The Board also noted that certain officers and employees of Tweedy, Browne devote substantial time and effort to shareholder servicing efforts.
The Board discussed with management various issues relating to Tweedy, Browne’s ability to continue to provide high quality advisory and administrative services to the Funds, including staffing, succession, long-term planning and contingency planning at Tweedy, Browne. In particular, the Board noted that the members of Tweedy, Browne’s Management Committee (Will Browne, Tom Shrager, Bob Wyckoff and John Spears) have worked at Tweedy, Browne for between 29 and 46 years, that several long-serving employees of Tweedy, Browne have recently been promoted to the position of managing director, and that Tweedy, Browne generally maintained a consistent management approach that was facilitated by the very low personnel turnover at the firm. The Board considered previous industry awards and nominations received by Tweedy, Browne. The Board discussed with management the efforts of Tweedy, Browne to establish and implement succession plans for management.
In considering Tweedy, Browne’s services in managing the Funds’ portfolios and overseeing all aspects of the Funds’ business, the Board concluded that Tweedy, Browne was providing essential services to the Funds and that Tweedy, Browne likely will continue to be in a position to do so for the long-term.
The Board carefully scrutinized each Fund’s performance, both in absolute terms and relative to the various benchmarks against which the Funds were compared. The Board weighed the performance each Fund achieved in light of each Fund’s investment objective, strategies and risks as disclosed to investors in the Company’s registration statement. With respect to the Global Value Fund, the Board considered the Adviser’s analysis that the Fund, notwithstanding certain periods of disappointing performance, had exhibited excellent absolute and relative performance and that the Fund’s annualized rate of return was 7.96% (net of all fees and expenses) from its inception through March 31, 2020, and had exceeded the returns of the MSCI EAFE Index (Hedged to U.S.$) and the MSCI EAFE Index (in U.S.$) for that period. The Board took into account that the Global Value Fund has a policy to seek to hedge its perceived non-U.S. currency exposure, to the extent practicable, back to the U.S. dollar, and thus considered the Fund’s total returns against the returns of its primary benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index (Hedged to U.S. $), noting that the Fund outperformed that index as of March 31, 2020 for the 20-year and since inception periods. The Board also considered that the Global Value Fund had underperformed the MSCI EAFE Index (Hedged to U.S.$) for the 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year, and 15-year periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board took into account that the Global Value Fund trailed the MSCI EAFE Index (Hedged to U.S. $) year-to-date through March 31, 2020 by 1.46% and outperformed the MSCI EAFE Index (in U.S.$) during the same period by the same margin. The Board also noted that the
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Global Value Fund had outperformed the MSCI EAFE Index (Hedged to U.S. $) in 16 out of the last 26 calendar years. The Board considered Tweedy, Browne’s analysis that, over the long-term, the Global Value Fund had enjoyed favorable performance when compared to other funds in its peer group. In addition, the Board noted that for the past 3-year, 5-year and 10-year periods, the Global Value Fund has been categorized as “low risk” by Morningstar’s Risk Ratings, which means it is in the top 10% of funds within its Foreign Large Value category with respect to lowest measured risk.
The Board also observed that the Global Value Fund currently has a five star rating by Morningstar, which remains consistent with the Fund’s rating for the previous year. The Board took into account the fact that the Global Value Fund closed to new investors in May 2005 and reopened in January 2008 when Tweedy, Browne believed that the economic landscape provided new investment opportunities and would offer attractive discounts from intrinsic value estimates. The Board noted that in 2012, the Global Value Fund won The Street’s “Best Funds 2012” award winner in the category of International Core Stock.
The Board reviewed the Value Fund’s performance, including the Fund’s relative and absolute performance since its inception through March 31, 2020. The Board noted that the Value Fund changed its mandate to hold more non-U.S. stock in December 2006 and eliminated the requirement to invest at least 50% of its assets in U.S. securities in 2013. The Board considered that as of March 31, 2020, the Value Fund outperformed both its primary benchmark, the MSCI World Index (Hedged to U.S. $) and a combined index of the S&P 500 Index and MSCI World Index (Hedged to U.S. $) (the “combined index”) for the 20-year period. The Board noted that the Value Fund had outperformed the MSCI World Index (Hedged to U.S. $) since its inception and underperformed the combined index during the same period. The Board observed that the Fund had underperformed the MSCI World Index (Hedged to U.S. $) for the 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year and 15-year periods ended March 31, 2020. The Board considered that the Fund trailed the MSCI World Index (Hedged to U.S. $) year-to-date through March 31, 2020 by 2.32%.
The Board took into consideration the Adviser’s analysis that the Value Fund has exhibited good performance over the long-term and has withstood periods of relative underperformance. The Board noted that the Value Fund was categorized as a World Stock Fund within the Morningstar universe, and it outperformed the Morningstar average of all World Stock Funds by 17.54% in calendar year 2008. The Board acknowledged that in 2009, the Value Fund returned 27.60%, while the World Stock Fund average category return was 35.27%, for a net outperformance of the Value Fund over the two-year period of 9.87%. The Board noted that from February 28, 2009 through December 31, 2019, the Fund returned 216% versus the 306% return of the MSCI World Index (Hedged to U.S. $).
The Board also noted that the Value Fund has been characterized as “low risk” for the last 3-year, 5-year and 10-year periods by Morningstar’s Risk Ratings, which means it is in the top 10% of funds within Morningstar’s World Large Stock category in terms of low risk. The Board observed that the Fund has received a three star rating from Morningstar, down from the four star rating during the previous year. The Board further noted that the Fund had closed to new investors in May 2005 and reopened to new investors in May 2007 following a change in the Fund’s investment strategy to permit holding more non-U.S. stocks, which afforded Tweedy, Browne greater flexibility in managing the Fund. Lastly, the Board noted that the Fund’s ability to hold up so well on a relative basis in 2008 qualified Tweedy, Browne for the “Manager of the Year” nomination by Morningstar.
The Board reviewed the performance of the High Dividend Yield Value Fund, taking into account that the Fund commenced operations on September 5, 2007. The Board observed that since the High Dividend Yield Value Fund’s inception date, on a cumulative basis, the Fund has gained 33.82% versus a gain of 54.21% for the Fund’s index, the MSCI World Index (in U.S. $). The Board noted that the High Dividend Yield Value Fund had modestly outperformed the MSCI World High Dividend Yield Index (in U.S. $) since the Fund’s inception. The Board observed that the Fund lagged each of the MSCI World Index (in U.S. $) and MSCI World High Dividend Yield Index (in U.S. $) by 3.68% and 2.91%, respectively, year-to-date in 2020 through March 31, 2020. The Board then considered the long-term performance history of Tweedy, Browne’s Global High Dividend Strategy, which has been implemented by Tweedy, Browne since 1979 and on which the High Dividend Yield Value Fund’s investment strategy is based. Since its inception in 1979 through March 31, 2020, the Global High Dividend Strategy has compounded at an annualized rate of return of 10.90% (net of actual and hypothetical fees), which has outpaced the combined S&P 500/MSCI World Index on an annualized basis by 0.36% over the period. The Board observed that Tweedy, Browne’s Global High Dividend Strategy has performed well in down market years, noting that the strategy had outperformed the S&P 500 in six out of seven down market years that have occurred since its inception. The Board noted that the Fund has a Morningstar risk score of “average” for the past 3-year period, and “below average” for the past 5- and 10-year periods, and acknowledged the Adviser’s analysis of the Fund’s defensive characteristics.
The Board examined the performance of the Global Value Fund II, noting that the Fund commenced operations on October 26, 2009. The Board considered that the Global Value Fund II has performed well over the long-term on both an absolute and relative basis since its inception through March 31, 2020, gaining cumulative returns of 34.19% compared to 32.63% for the MSCI EAFE Index (in U.S. $) for the period. The Board observed that the Fund’s annualized rate of return from inception through March 31, 2020 was
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2.86% as compared to 2.74% for the MSCI EAFE Index (in U.S. $). The Board then reviewed the Fund’s performance and compared it with the performance of the Global Value Fund, which follows the same principal investment strategy as the Global Value Fund II except that it does not seek to reduce its perceived currency risk through hedging. The Board acknowledged that Tweedy, Browne’s unhedged international separate accounts (the “Unhedged International Equity Composite”) provide substantive information about the ability and quality of Tweedy, Browne’s management team and justification for the management of another international fund without a currency hedge. The Board noted Tweedy, Browne’s analysis that while short-term performance of the Global Value Fund II may vary considerably from that of the Global Value Fund due to currency fluctuations, portfolio holdings and other factors, the long-term performance of the Funds is expected to be similar.
In addition, the Board noted that the long-term performance of the Global Value Fund II should correlate to the performance of the Unhedged International Equity Composite. The Board considered that the Unhedged International Equity Composite has exhibited both good absolute and relative performance since inception on June 30, 1995. Tweedy, Browne’s Unhedged International Equity Composite’s annualized rate of return of 7.1% (after assumed fees and expenses) through March 31, 2020 significantly exceeded relevant indices in U.S. dollars. In contrast, the MSCI EAFE Index (in U.S. $) had an annualized return of 4.0%. The Board noted that although the Unhedged International Equity Composite has historically participated strongly during positive market periods, the Unhedged International Equity Composite’s relative results are significantly better for the down markets that occurred in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2011 and 2018. The Board acknowledged that Tweedy, Browne’s Unhedged International Equity Composite underperformed during the down market years of 2014 and 2015. The Board also considered that while the Global Value Fund II underperformed during the down market year of 2015, it had outperformed during the down market years of 2011, 2014 and 2018. Additionally, the Board acknowledged that Morningstar has given the Fund a five star rating, up from a four star rating during the previous year.
| D. | Advisory Fees and Total Expenses |
The Board reviewed the advisory fees and total expenses of the Funds. In so doing, the Board reviewed several sets of information, including comparative fee and expense data for comparable funds and the fees associated with Tweedy, Browne’s management of non-fund accounts. The Board noted that the Adviser has approximately 330 separate client relationships, including partnerships and offshore funds. The Board considered that the Adviser generally charges (i) 1.50% on the first $25 million, 1.25% on the next $50 million, 1.0% on the next $25 million and 0.75% thereafter annually based on the market value of equity assets for domestic separate account portfolios; (ii) 1.50% on the first $100 million and
0.75% thereafter annually based on the market value of equity assets for international and global separate account portfolios; and (iii) 1.25% on the first $25 million and 0.75% thereafter annually based on the market value of equity assets for separate accounts in Tweedy, Browne’s Global High Dividend Strategy. The Board also considered that the Adviser generally gives a 10% discount for eleemosynary accounts invested in any strategy. The Board noted that there is no charge on cash reserves. The Board further noted that there is a standard fee rate of 1.25% for the Adviser’s offshore funds, including cash reserves, and noted the voluntary fee waiver arrangement in place with respect to the offshore funds. With respect to two notable account exceptions to the standard fee rates for which the Adviser charges a lower fee, the Board noted that the two accounts are distinguishable from the Funds by the difference in the level of services required to manage and administer the accounts, and that these efficiencies are not available in the management of the Funds. In addition to these efficiencies, the Board further noted that one of these two accounts employs an investment strategy that is distinguishable and significantly less demanding than that employed in the management of other separately managed accounts and the Funds.
The Board considered that Tweedy, Browne implemented a breakpoint into the fee schedule of the Global Value Fund effective October 2017, so that the Fund pays Tweedy, Browne a fee of 1.25% on the first $10.3 billion of the Fund’s daily net assets and 0.75% thereafter, in order to help make the Fund more competitive in today’s market environment and share savings resulting from economies of scale, if any, with Fund shareholders. The Board also considered that Tweedy, Browne had agreed, from May 22, 2020 through at least July 31, 2021, to voluntarily waive advisory fees such that the Global Value Fund would pay Tweedy, Browne a fee at the annual rate of 1.25% on the first $6 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets; 0.80% on average daily net assets over $6 billion up to $7 billion; 0.70% on average daily net assets over $7 billion up to $8 billion; and 0.60% on average daily net assets over $8 billion. The Board noted that this fee waiver arrangement may not be terminated prior to the close of business on July 31, 2021 without the approval of the Board. The Board also considered that the Global Value Fund II, the Value Fund and the High Dividend Yield Value Fund each pay Tweedy, Browne a fee of 1.25% of the Fund’s average daily assets and that Tweedy, Browne implemented a voluntary fee waiver/expense reimbursement effective December 1, 2017, with respect to these Funds to the extent necessary to keep each Fund’s expense ratio in line with that of the Global Value Fund in order to make these Funds more competitive as they grow their assets. (Each Fund’s acquired fund fees and expenses, brokerage costs, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses are disregarded for purposes of this calculation.) The Board noted that this voluntary fee waiver/expense reimbursement will remain in place until at least July 31, 2021, and may not be terminated earlier than July 31, 2021 without the approval of the Board.
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The Board noted Tweedy, Browne’s analysis that the 1.25% fee rate applicable to the Global Value Fund II, the Value Fund and the first $10.3 billion in assets of the Global Value Fund is 16.70% less than Tweedy, Browne’s standard beginning fee rate of 1.50% for most domestic, global and international separate account portfolios, and equal to Tweedy, Browne’s standard fee rate of 1.25% applicable to the international and global private funds and offshore funds. The Board also observed that Tweedy, Browne’s 1.25% fee rate applicable to the High Dividend Yield Value Fund is equal to the standard fee rate charged to global high dividend private and offshore funds as well as to the fee rate charged to the first $25 million of invested equity in global high dividend strategy managed accounts. The Board also noted that this rate was 10.60% higher than the weighted average fee on all of Tweedy, Browne’s global high dividend strategy separate accounts (other than eleemosynary accounts), assuming a 95% investment posture.
The Board noted the different services that Tweedy, Browne provides in exchange for fees from different kinds of clients. The Board observed that the Funds receive a variety of services from Tweedy, Browne that it generally does not provide, or provides to a more limited extent, to its separate account clients, such as providing personnel to act as officers or directors; providing support and preparing materials for periodic board meetings; providing shareholder support services; preparing public filings; monitoring daily cash flows, transactions and liquidity; managing dividends and distributions; overseeing third-party service providers and monitoring compliance with regulatory obligations under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. In addition to the differences in services, the Board noted that serving as an investment adviser to the Funds carried with it a significantly higher liability profile than serving as an investment adviser to separate account clients in light of the regulatory framework for registered mutual funds. The Board considered that the difference in fees charged to the Funds and Tweedy, Browne’s other clients with similar investment mandates may be attributable in part to the kinds of services provided to the Funds.
The Board reviewed the narrative discussion provided by Tweedy, Browne that examined the Funds’ portfolio turnover rates and brokerage commission data. The Board considered
that, as of February 28, 2020, the World Stock Fund Average1 had a 45.3% annual portfolio turnover rate and the Foreign Stock Fund Average2 had a 51.6% portfolio turnover rate. The Board noted that the Global Value Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 9%, and the Value Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 12% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. The Board also noted that the High Dividend Yield Value Fund’s average annual portfolio turnover rate was 7%, and the Global Value Fund II’s average annual portfolio turnover rate was 11% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020.
Turning its attention to comparative fund fee information, the Board noted at the outset that although the Funds pay higher investment advisory fees than certain other peer funds, the Funds’ overall expense ratios were competitive with peer funds, especially in light of the Funds’ performance and investor services. The Board noted that the Global Value Fund’s total expense ratio of 1.36% as of March 31, 2020, was 27 basis points higher than the average net expense ratio of the Foreign Stock Fund Average and 7 basis points higher than the average net expense ratio of the Fund’s perceived competitors.
The Board considered the comparative fee data regarding the Global Value Fund II and noted that the Fund’s net expense ratio was 1.36% as of March 31, 2020, which is 27 basis points higher than the average net expense ratio of the Foreign Stock Fund Average and 7 basis points higher than the average net expense ratio of the Fund’s perceived competitors, based on data from Morningstar. The Board observed that the Fund’s net expense ratio was 1 basis point higher than the previous year.
The Board examined the comparative fee data regarding the Value Fund and noted that the Value Fund’s net expense ratio was 1.36% (after waivers) as of March 31, 2020, which is 23 basis points higher than the average expense ratio of the World Stock Fund Average and 16 basis points higher than the average net expense ratio for the Fund’s perceived competitors, based on data from Morningstar. The Board further noted that the total expense ratio for the Value Fund is now 22% lower than its inception expense ratio of 1.75%.
The Board considered comparative fee data regarding the High Dividend Yield Value Fund and noted that the net total expense ratio of the Fund as of March 31, 2020, was 1.36%, which was 23 basis points higher than the average expense
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1 | Effective April 2017, Morningstar split the World Stock Fund category into two categories: the World Large Stock and the World Small/Mid Stock categories. The World Stock Fund Average is calculated by Tweedy, Browne based on data provided by Morningstar and reflects average returns or portfolio turnover rates of all mutual funds in the Morningstar World Large Stock and World Small/Mid Stock categories. Funds in these categories typically invest in stocks throughout the world while maintaining a percentage of their assets (normally 20%—60%) invested in U.S. stocks. These funds may or may not be hedged to the U.S. dollar, which will affect reported returns. Further references to “World Stock Funds” are references to funds included in the World Stock Fund Average. |
2 | The Foreign Stock Fund Average is calculated by Tweedy, Browne based on data provided by Morningstar and reflects average returns or portfolio turnover rates of all mutual funds in the Morningstar Foreign Large-Value, Foreign Large-Blend, Foreign Large-Growth, Foreign Small/Mid-Value, Foreign Small/Mid-Blend, and Foreign Small/Mid-Growth categories. Funds in these categories typically invest in international stocks and have less than 20% of their assets invested in U.S. stocks. These funds may or may not be hedged to the U.S. dollar, which will affect reported returns. Throughout this discussion, references to “Foreign Stock Funds” are references to funds included in the Foreign Stock Fund Average. |
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ratio of the World Stock Fund Average and 24 basis points higher than the average net expense ratio for the Fund’s perceived competitors, based on data from Morningstar.
The Board also engaged in a discussion with Tweedy, Browne regarding management’s overall pricing philosophy and business model as context for the Board’s consideration of the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.
| E. | Adviser Costs, Level of Profits and Economies of Scale |
The Board reviewed information regarding Tweedy, Browne’s costs of providing services to the Funds, as well as the resulting level of profits to Tweedy, Browne. In so doing, the Board reviewed materials relating to Tweedy, Browne’s financial condition and reviewed the wide variety of services and intensive research performed for the Funds. The Board further noted that most of the Adviser’s employees work on Fund-related issues or projects on a regular basis. Pursuant to a Service Agreement approved annually by the Board, the Funds reimburse the Adviser for certain compliance, shareholder servicing and fund accounting services performed by three of these employees who are not officers or directors of the Company. The Board noted that the amount to be reimbursed, approximately $475,000 in 2020, is approved annually by the Board.
The Board considered materials regarding the profitability of Tweedy, Browne’s relationship with the Funds as a whole, and with each of the Funds separately. The Board examined the net profitability of Tweedy, Browne and its profit margins for each Fund for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020. The Board noted that as of March 31, 2020, the total assets under management of Tweedy, Browne has fallen substantially compared to the previous year to approximately $10.8 billion, more than $6.8 billion of which represented the assets of the Funds. The Board acknowledged that the decline in assets under management had resulted in decreased revenue and profit for Tweedy, Browne.
The Board took into account Tweedy, Browne’s research process and, in particular, Tweedy, Browne’s research with regard to non-U.S. securities. The Board considered Tweedy, Browne’s investment discipline for the Global Value Fund, Value Fund and Global Value Fund II with respect to smaller and medium market capitalization issues and noted that the cost of research per dollar of assets under management for those Funds is likely higher than it would be for an investment adviser that invests in concentrated positions and/or only in larger market capitalization companies.
The Board considered whether economies of scale exist that may be shared with the Funds’ investors, given the Funds’ asset levels and expense structures. The Board recognized that economies of scale may be shared with the Funds in a number of ways, including, for example, through lower initial advisory fees (i.e., pricing at scale since inception), the imposition of
advisory fee breakpoints, fee reductions or waivers and the continued enhancement of advisory and administrative services of the investment adviser and specifically with respect to those services provided to the Funds in return for fees paid. The Board acknowledged that Tweedy, Browne implemented a contractual breakpoint in the advisory fee schedule of the Global Value Fund, a voluntary fee waiver agreement with respect to the Global Value Fund effective May 22, 2020 through at least July 31, 2021, and a voluntary fee waiver/expense reimbursement agreement with respect to the Global Value Fund II, the Value Fund and the High Dividend Yield Value Fund effective through at least July 31, 2021. The Directors noted that breakpoint schedules can reverse when assets decline, leading to higher fees for fund shareholders when markets decline or assets leave a fund complex. The Board observed that the Global Value Fund’s assets were below the first contractual breakpoint of $10.3 billion and could fluctuate above or below the breakpoint depending on asset flows and investment performance, but noted that the assets were above the first threshold for the voluntary waiver. Additionally, the Board recognized Tweedy, Browne’s view that its investment discipline and extensive research process for broadly diversified groups of companies in approximately 20 different countries is likely not as conducive to economies of scale that would be potentially realizable in the management of other large pools of capital invested exclusively in large market capitalization stocks. With respect to the High Dividend Yield Value Fund, which is generally expected to have a higher proportion of large market capitalization holdings in its portfolio (because smaller capitalization companies usually do not pay above average dividends), the Board noted that Tweedy, Browne must still perform extensive research regarding companies that pay above-average dividends and that satisfy a different level of undervaluation than Tweedy, Browne requires for the other Funds. The Board considered that such research would therefore not be less intensive or less expensive than the research performed for the other three Funds. The Board also noted the continued enhancements made at the Adviser, including the Adviser’s approach to reinvesting in the important areas of the business that support the Funds, and the continued enhancements specifically to the services provided to the Funds. While the Board recognized that no changes to advisory fees or additional breakpoints (other than the voluntary fee waiver agreement with respect to the Global Value Fund, as described above) were being proposed at this time, the Board noted that it would continue to evaluate whether the Funds’ asset levels (which fell materially over the last fiscal year) and expense structures appropriately reflected economies of scale that could be shared with Fund investors.
After discussion, the Independent Directors concluded that the amount of fees that Tweedy, Browne charges relative to its cost of providing services to the Funds are reasonable, fair and consistent with the anticipated results of an arm’s-length negotiation.
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Other Information (Unaudited)
Finally, the Board considered a variety of other benefits received by Tweedy, Browne as a result of its relationship with the Funds, including any benefits derived by Tweedy, Browne from soft dollar arrangements with broker-dealers. In particular, the Board considered materials concerning Tweedy, Browne’s brokerage and best execution policies. The Board also reviewed Tweedy, Browne’s policies and procedures prohibiting the use of brokerage commissions to finance the distribution of Fund shares.
After taking into consideration a number of matters relating to Tweedy, Browne’s relationship with the Funds, the Independent Directors concluded that Tweedy, Browne was providing essential services and high quality personnel to the Funds and that Tweedy, Browne likely will continue to be in a position to do so for the long-term; the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by Tweedy, Browne have benefited and likely will continue to benefit the Funds and their shareholders; they were satisfied with each Fund’s performance and Tweedy, Browne’s performance record in managing the Funds warranted the continuation of the Advisory Agreements; and the advisory fee for each Fund and Tweedy, Browne’s profitability from its relationship with each Fund is reasonable. The Independent Directors based their decision on evaluations of all these factors as a whole and did not consider any one factor as all-important or controlling. Accordingly, the Independent Directors unanimously recommended that the Board approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreements at the present contractual rates.
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Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
| (a) | Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form. |
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Item 7. | | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
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Item 9. | | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. |
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
| (a) | The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)). |
| (b) | There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 13. Exhibits.
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.
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(Registrant) | | Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc. |
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By (Signature and Title)* | | /s/ Thomas H. Shrager |
| | Thomas H. Shrager, President (principal executive officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | |
By (Signature and Title)* | | /s/ Thomas H. Shrager |
| | Thomas H. Shrager, President (principal executive officer) |
| | |
By (Signature and Title)* | | /s/ Roger R. de Bree |
| | Roger R. de Bree, Treasurer (principal financial officer) |
* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.