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 811-09815 THE ARBITRAGE FUNDS (Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter) ________ 41 Madison Avenue 28th Floor New York, NY 10010 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) John S. Orrico Water Island Capital, LLC 41 Madison Avenue 28th Floor New York, NY 10010 (Name and address of agent for service) REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: 212-259-2655 DATE OF FISCAL YEAR END: MAY 31, 2009 DATE OF REPORTING PERIOD: MAY 31, 2009 EXPLANATORY NOTE The purpose of this Amendment on Form N-CSR/A to the Shareholder Report for the annual period ended May 31, 2009 (the "Prior Amended Filing"), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 24, 2009 (Accession Number 0000950123-09-037464), is to include the Registrant's Code of Ethics. No other items of the Prior Amended Filing are being amended hereby. ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS. ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS. (THE ARBITRAGE FUND LOGO) 41 Madison Avenue 28th Floor New York, New York 10010 800-295-4485 www.thearbfund.com ANNUAL REPORT MAY 31, 2009 (THE ARBITRAGE FUND LOGO) WATER ISLAND CAPITAL, LLC 41 MADISON AVENUE 28TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10010 ---------- 800-295-4485 www.thearbfund.com Dear Shareholder, The Arbitrage Fund's (the "Fund") Class R shares generated a gain of 1.64% (and a gain of 1.69% in the Class I shares) for our fiscal year that ended May 31, 2009. Our positive performance was achieved during a period of extreme volatility for equity and fixed income markets around the globe. Our investment team achieved the primary investment objective of capital preservation and did so during an environment that witnessed a decline in excess of 32% in the S&P 500 Index during the same period. The past year has been a tumultuous one for investors, and although both the economy and financial markets appear to be stabilizing, we remain focused on the core investment principles that underpin our investment strategy: capital preservation, coupled with achieving consistent positive returns during all market cycles. We're also pleased to announce that the Fund has been declared the BEST EQUITY MARKET NEUTRAL FUND over the five year period ending 2008 in this year's Lipper Fund Awards. It remains our goal to continue to deliver to our shareholders superior risk-adjusted returns over the months and years ahead. PROVIDING SHELTER DURING THE MARKET STORM The second half of 2008 was marked by disruptions in global financial markets caused in part by the failure of Lehman Brothers and the meltdown of the financial sector, coupled with an overall lack of transparency, integrity, and risk discipline among many of the participants, both large and small, within the financial sector of our economy. The resultant crisis of confidence among the investing public was further exacerbated by many high-profile episodes of fraud and dishonest behavior of epic proportions that emerged. Perhaps more disappointing for investors were the lack of risk discipline and risk management demonstrated by the caretakers of their investment funds. Our adherence to a risk discipline that protects investor capital from the possibility of severe loss is a bedrock principle of our investment strategy and the primary factor behind the Fund's ability to avoid the massive losses seen throughout the general markets and among many of our peer funds. Our conservative approach toward portfolio construction should be viewed in the context of the role we play as merger arbitrageurs. In essence, we underwrite the risks associated with a successful merger and for that, we receive a fee, or spread, that reflects the difference between today's price, and the 1 consideration we can expect to collect upon the merger's successful close. Our success is predicated upon being able to properly price that risk, and to limit or avoid losses associated with a failed deal. In that context, our risk aversion makes perfect sense. We are opportunistic investors, looking to take advantage of mispriced risk in the marketplace, while positioning our investors' capital to generate positive returns over all investment cycles. Avoiding large hits to capital, however, is a prerequisite to achieving that goal. STRATEGIC TRANSACTIONS As the current year has progressed, the emergence of competitive bidding for companies already subject to an announced deal has accelerated. Such activity is often associated with the early stages of an economic recovery, and can catapult our projected returns for any given merger situation. To some extent, this phenomenon is a result of the sharp market declines of 2007 and 2008. Similar trends were witnessed during the early part of this decade following the bursting of the tech/telecom bubble and associated recessionary environment. There are many parallels between that period and today, not only in the software and technology sectors, but also in the healthcare, biotechnology, energy, natural resources, and banking sectors. Since many of these assets continue to trade below their historic highs, they become prized targets for larger, well capitalized firms that are seeking to generate growth in both their top and bottom lines, while positioning themselves for accelerated growth once the downturn ends. Deal activity was present across all sectors of the global economy. Strategic transactions continue to dominate both the deal universe and our portfolio, as the lack of access to credit markets continues to sideline LBO activity and private equity buyers. "Opportunistic" would be an apt characterization for today's deal environment. Aggressive approaches and hostile bidding are taking place, given the growing gap between the haves (strong industry leaders with access to cash and credit) and the have-nots (their weakened peers, without strong balance sheets, facing growing competitive pressures). CONSOLIDATION OVERSEAS Merger activity outside the U.S. has continued to accelerate as well. Pent up demand for acquisitions, particularly in the commodities sectors, has triggered a healthy flow of consolidation activity. We are witnessing aggressive buying on the part of sovereign funds and entities out of both China and the Middle East, as they seek to establish dominant global positions across an array of raw materials sectors, with a goal of ensuring adequate future supplies. The healthcare, financial and technology sectors dominated cross-border deal activity, as global aspirations fueled the desire to enlarge competitive footprints and enhance product offerings. We anticipate this period of robust consolidation to continue overseas and will maintain our global approach toward investing. 2 Today's investment environment bodes well for our strategy. Opportunistic buyers, low valuations, the absence of financial buyers and the frothy speculation that accompanied their presence during the past few years are contributing to a healthy and favorable risk-adjusted investment horizon for merger arbitrage. It is our expectation that the need for growth through acquisition will lead to strong consolidation activity throughout a number of sectors over the years ahead, as subdued economic conditions threaten organic growth opportunities. We also expect that mergers borne of necessity will continue, particularly within those industries that have undergone considerable stress during the past year. Having completed a successful year, despite the turmoil throughout the world's financial markets, we will continue to work diligently to provide optimal risk-adjusted returns for our investors. I would like to extend my gratitude, on behalf of the entire team, for the trust and support you have placed in us. Please feel free to contact us or visit our website at www.TheArbFund.com should you have any questions. Sincerely, /s/ John S. Orrico John S. Orrico, CFA President THE ARBITRAGE FUND (ARBNX) WAS DECLARED THE BEST EQUITY MARKET NEUTRAL FUND OVER THE FIVE YEAR PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2008 IN THE 2009 LIPPER FUND AWARDS. LIPPER, INC., A THOMSON REUTERS COMPANY, IS A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATION THAT RANKS THE PERFORMANCE OF MUTUAL FUNDS. THE ARBITRAGE FUND WAS RANKED 1 OUT OF 23 FUNDS WITHIN THE EQUITY MARKET NEUTRAL FUNDS CATEGORY. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NO GUARANTEE OF FUTURE RESULTS. THE MATERIAL ABOVE REFLECTS THE MANAGER'S OPINION OF THE MARKET AS OF A CERTAIN DATE AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS INVESTMENT ADVICE. THE FUND USES INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM THE RISKS ORDINARILY ASSOCIATED WITH EQUITY INVESTMENTS. SUCH TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES INCLUDE MERGER ARBITRAGE RISKS, HIGH PORTFOLIO RISKS, OPTION RISKS, BORROWING RISKS, SHORT SALE RISKS, AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT RISKS, WHICH MAY INCREASE VOLATILITY AND MAY INCREASE COSTS AND LOWER PERFORMANCE. THE ARBITRAGE FUND IS DISTRIBUTED BY SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO., WHICH IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE ADVISER OR ANY AFFILIATE. THIS REPORT IS INTENDED FOR THE FUND'S SHAREHOLDERS. IT MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS UNLESS IT IS PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY A CURRENT PROSPECTUS. 3 COMPARISON OF THE CHANGE IN VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE ARBITRAGE FUND(C) VERSUS THE S&P 500 INDEX (PERFORMANCE GRAPH) The Arbitrage Fund(a) S&P 500 Index ------------------------- -------------------------- Sep 00 $10,000 $10,000 Nov 00 $9,820 $9,125 Feb 01 $12,656 $8,629 May 01 $11,733 $8,769 Aug 01 $10,831 $7,941 Nov 01 $10,740 $8,009 Feb 02 $11,334 $7,808 May 02 $11,593 $7,554 Aug 02 $11,955 $6,512 Nov 02 $11,924 $6,687 Feb 03 $12,180 $6,037 May 03 $12,799 $6,945 Aug 03 $13,009 $7,298 Nov 03 $13,753 $7,696 Feb 04 $14,208 $8,362 May 04 $13,652 $8,218 Aug 04 $13,139 $8,133 Nov 04 $13,608 $8,685 Feb 05 $13,722 $8,946 May 05 $13,506 $8,895 Aug 05 $13,881 $9,154 Nov 05 $13,767 $9,418 Feb 06 $14,165 $9,697 May 06 $14,472 $9,663 Aug 06 $14,552 $9,968 Nov 06 $14,620 $10,758 Feb 07 $15,039 $10,858 May 07 $15,288 $11,866 Aug 07 $15,477 $11,476 Nov 07 $15,761 $11,589 Feb 08 $15,795 $10,467 May 08 $16,200 $11,071 Aug 08 $15,960 $10,198 Nov 08 $15,162 $7,174 Feb 09 $16,015 $5,933 May 09 $16,466 $7,465 AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS(B) (FOR PERIODS ENDED MAY 31, 2009) SINCE 1 YEAR 5 YEARS INCEPTION ------- ------- ---------- The Arbitrage Fund - Class R 1.64% 3.82% 5.90%(c) The Arbitrage Fund - Class I 1.69% 3.95 3.83%(d) S&P 500 Index (32.57)% (1.90)% (3.30)%(e) (a) The line graph above represents performance of Class R shares only, which will vary from the performance of Class I shares based on the difference in fees paid by shareholders in the different classes. (b) The data quoted herein represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Fee waivers are in effect. If they had not been in effect, performance would have been lower. (c) Represents the period from the commencement of operations of Class R shares (September 17, 2000) through May 31, 2009. (d) Represents the period from the commencement of operations of Class I shares (October 17, 2003) through May 31, 2009. (e) Represents the period from September 18, 2000 through May 31, 2009. 4 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Statement of Assets and Liabilities May 31, 2009 ASSETS Investments: At acquisition cost $312,256,807 ============ At value (Note 1) $344,297,074 Deposits with brokers for securities sold short (Note 1) 139,111,416 Deposits with swap counterparties 521,213 Foreign currency (cost $710,183) 794,690 Receivable for investment securities sold 17,651,634 Receivable for capital shares sold 1,965,690 Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts (Note 9) 5,018,614 Unrealized appreciation on spot currency exchange contracts 16,235 Unrealized appreciation on equity swap contracts 272,130 Dividends receivable 407,094 Prepaid expenses 71,329 Reclaims receivable 11,697 ------------ Total Assets 510,138,816 ------------ LIABILITIES Securities sold short, at value (Note 1) (proceeds $121,857,268) 139,164,185 Written options, at value (Notes 1 and 9) (premiums received $6,347,326) 5,689,688 Payable for investment securities purchased 24,373,149 Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts (Note 9) 10,762,700 Unrealized depreciation on spot currency exchange contracts 17,083 Unrealized depreciation on equity swap contracts 391,067 Payable for capital shares redeemed 752,440 Payable to Adviser (Note 4) 334,220 Dividends payable on securities sold short (Note 1) 296,156 Payable to Distributor (Note 4) 52,643 Payable to Administrator (Note 4) 27,705 Payable to Trustees 15,069 Payable to Chief Compliance Officer (Note 4) 3,833 Other accrued expenses and liabilities 140,950 ------------ Total Liabilities 182,020,888 ------------ NET ASSETS $328,117,928 ============ NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Paid-in capital $326,161,510 Undistributed net investment income 2,583,464 Accumulated net realized losses on investments, equity swap contracts, securities sold short, written option contracts and foreign currencies (10,124,356) Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investments 32,040,267 Equity swap contracts (118,937) Securities sold short (17,306,917) Written option contracts 657,638 Translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies (5,774,741) ------------ NET ASSETS $328,117,928 ============ CLASS R SHARES Net assets applicable to Class R shares $219,338,303 ============ Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) 17,642,862 ============ Net asset value and offering price per share (a) $ 12.43 ============ CLASS I SHARES Net assets applicable to Class I shares $108,779,625 ============ Shares of beneficial interest outstanding (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) 8,630,935 ============ Net asset value and offering price per share (a) $ 12.60 ============ (a) Redemption price varies based on length of time held (Note 1). See accompanying notes to financial statements. 5 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Statement of Operations For the Year Ended May 31, 2009 INVESTMENT INCOME Dividends (net of withholding taxes of $33,461) $ 4,512,443 ------------ Total Income 4,512,443 ------------ EXPENSES Investment advisory fees (Note 4) 2,802,056 Distribution expense, Class R (Note 4) 350,896 Administration fees (Note 4) 224,805 Trustees' fees 50,550 Chief Compliance Officer fees (Note 4) 20,000 Dividend expense 1,661,928 Interest rebate expense 1,295,068 Professional fees 231,425 Transfer agent fees (Note 4) 180,738 Custodian and bank service fees 157,117 Registration and filing fees 67,147 Insurance expense 55,820 Printing of shareholder reports 19,314 Other expenses 8,735 ------------ Total Expenses 7,125,599 Recovery of investment advisory fees previously waived (Note 4) 8,157 Net Expenses 7,133,756 ------------ NET INVESTMENT LOSS (2,621,313) ------------ REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES Net realized gains (losses) from: Investments (14,473,238) Equity swap contracts (5,245,013) Securities sold short 5,525,291 Written option contracts 12,124,366 Foreign currency transactions (Note 6) 4,515,636 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investments 26,707,371 Equity swap contracts (1,094) Securities sold short (16,059,789) Written option contracts 300,102 Foreign currency transactions (Note 6) (5,217,366) ------------ NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES 8,176,266 ------------ NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $ 5,554,953 ============ See accompanying notes to financial statements. 6 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Statement of Changes in Net Assets YEAR YEAR ENDED ENDED MAY 31, MAY 31, 2009 2008 ------------ ------------ FROM OPERATIONS Net investment loss $ (2,621,313) $ (119,389) Net realized gains (losses) from: Investments and equity swap contracts (19,718,251) 11,342,105 Securities sold short 5,525,291 (279,471) Written option contracts 12,124,366 3,126,665 Foreign currency transactions 4,515,636 (4,701,276) Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investments and equity swap contracts 26,706,277 213,964 Securities sold short (16,059,789) 553,363 Written option contracts 300,102 363,699 Foreign currency transactions (5,217,366) (66,020) ------------ ------------ Net increase in net assets resulting from operations 5,554,953 10,433,640 ------------ ------------ FROM DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS Distributions from net realized gains, Class R (5,041,580) (5,491,369) Distributions from net realized gains, Class I (3,356,818) (5,509,264) ------------ ------------ Decrease in net assets from distributions to shareholders (8,398,398) (11,000,633) ------------ ------------ FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 5) CLASS R Proceeds from shares sold 180,375,541 60,775,206 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions 4,854,981 5,214,569 Proceeds from redemption fees collected (Note 1) 283,341 6,761 Payments for shares redeemed (77,181,667) (29,038,185) ------------ ------------ Net increase in net assets from Class R share transactions 108,332,196 36,958,351 ------------ ------------ CLASS I Proceeds from shares sold 69,651,784 34,167,669 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions 2,854,085 4,541,919 Proceeds from redemption fees collected (Note 1) 4,742 8,323 Payments for shares redeemed (43,805,570) (48,327,160) ------------ ------------ Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class I share transactions 28,705,041 (9,609,249) ------------ ------------ TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS 134,193,792 26,782,109 NET ASSETS Beginning of year 193,924,136 167,142,027 ------------ ------------ End of year $328,117,928 $193,924,136 ============ ============ UNDISTRIBUTED NET INVESTMENT INCOME (ACCUMULATED NET INVESTMENT LOSS) $ 2,583,464 $ (1,522,048) ============ ============ See accompanying notes to financial statements. 7 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended May 31, 2009 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $ 5,554,953 Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used in operating activities: Purchases of long-term portfolio investments (1,736,492,055) Proceeds from sales of long-term portfolio investments 1,414,148,437 Proceeds from boxed positions 202,930,233 Purchases of short-term investments (26,996,600) Payments to cover securities sold short (348,247,433) Proceeds from securities sold short 452,627,655 Realized gain on written option contracts (12,124,366) Premiums received from written option contracts 35,077,016 Premiums paid to closed option contracts (17,668,634) Realized losses from security transactions 8,947,947 Change in unrealized appreciation from security transactions (10,947,684) Increase in foreign currency (794,690) Decrease in deposits with swap counterparties 7,111,837 Increase in deposits with brokers for securities sold short (115,445,161) Increase in receivable for investment securities sold (4,415,768) Increase in unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts (4,587,814) Increase in unrealized appreciation on spot currency exchange contracts (16,229) Increase in unrealized appreciation on equity swap contracts (123,455) Increase in prepaid expenses (8,567) Decrease in reclaims receivable 3,355 Increase in dividends receivable (402,066) Decrease in bank overdraft denominated in foreign currency (142,846) Increase in payable for investment securities purchased 14,242,069 Increase in unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts 9,777,775 Increase in unrealized depreciation on spot currency exchange contracts 16,020 Increase in unrealized depreciation on equity swap contracts 124,549 Increase in payable to Adviser 141,364 Increase in payable to Distributor 24,900 Increase in payable to Administrator 11,653 Decrease in payable to Trustees (431) Increase in dividends payable on securities sold short 286,703 Increase in other accrued expenses and liabilities 18,896 --------------- Net cash used in operating activities (127,368,437) 8 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Statement of Cash Flows (Continued) For the Year Ended May 31, 2009 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from shares sold $ 250,027,325 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions 7,709,066 Payments for shares redeemed (120,699,154) Distributions from net realized gains paid to shareholders (8,398,398) Increase in receivable for capital shares sold (145,499) Increase in payable for capital shares redeemed 561,610 --------------- Net cash provided by financing activities 129,054,950 --------------- NET INCREASE IN CASH 1,686,513 BANK OVERDRAFT -- BEGINNING OF YEAR (1,686,513) --------------- CASH -- END OF YEAR $ -- =============== See accompanying notes to financial statements. 9 THE ARBITRAGE FUND - CLASS R Financial Highlights SELECTED PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED MAY 31, MAY 31, MAY 31, MAY 31, MAY 31, 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 ----------- ----------- --------- --------- ---------- Net asset value at beginning of year $ 12.79 $ 12.91 $ 12.73 $ 11.88 $ 12.52 -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.16)(d) (0.03)(d) 0.03(d) (0.10) (0.19) Net realized and unrealized gains on investments and foreign currencies 0.30(d) 0.78(d) 0.67(d) 0.95 0.07 -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- Total from investment operations 0.14 0.75 0.70 0.85 (0.12) -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- Less distributions: From net realized gains (0.52) (0.87) (0.52) -- (0.52) -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- Proceeds from redemption fees collected 0.02 0.00(a) 0.00(a) 0.00(a) 0.00(a) -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- Net asset value at end of year $ 12.43 $ 12.79 $ 12.91 $ 12.73 $ 11.88 ======== ======== ======= ======= ======== Total return(b) 1.64% 5.97% 5.64% 7.15% (1.07%) ======== ======== ======= ======= ======== Net assets at end of year (000's) $219,338 $112,092 $75,207 $87,643 $134,035 ======== ======== ======= ======= ======== Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets 3.28% 2.44% 2.38% 2.41% 2.36% Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets excluding interest and dividend expense(c)(e) 1.95% 1.96% 2.12% 2.12% 2.06% Ratio of net expenses to average net assets excluding interest and dividend expense (c)(e) 1.95% 1.90% 1.95% 1.95% 1.95% Ratio of net expenses to average net assets excluding tax, interest and dividend expense 1.88% 1.90% 1.95% 1.95% 1.95% Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets: Before advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed (1.34%) (0.31%) 0.06% (0.44%) (1.27%) After advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed (1.34%) (0.25%) 0.23% (0.28%) (1.16%) Portfolio turnover rate 709% 712% 383% 394% 387% (a) Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share. (b) Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. (c) Dividend expense totaled 0.74%, 0.48%, 0.26%, 0.29%, and 0.30% of average net assets for the years ended May 31, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. (d) Per share amounts were calculated using average shares for the year. (e) Interest expense and interest rebate expense totaled 0.58% of average net assets for the year ended May 31, 2009. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. See accompanying notes to financial statements. 10 THE ARBITRAGE FUND - CLASS I Financial Highlights SELECTED PER SHARE DATA AND RATIOS FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED MAY 31, MAY 31, MAY 31, MAY 31, MAY 31, 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 ----------- ------------- --------- --------- ---------- Net asset value at beginning of year $ 12.95 $ 13.03 $ 12.81 $ 11.93 $ 12.54 -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income (loss) (0.11)(d) 0.01(d)(e) 0.06(d) (0.10) (0.15) Net realized and unrealized gains on investments and foreign currencies 0.28(d) 0.78(d) 0.68(d) 0.98 0.06 -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Total from investment operations 0.17 0.79 0.74 0.88 (0.09) -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Less distributions: From net realized gains (0.52) (0.87) (0.52) -- (0.52) -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Proceeds from redemption fees collected 0.00(a) 0.00(a) 0.00(a) 0.00(a) 0.00(a) -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- Net asset value at end of year $ 12.60 $ 12.95 $ 13.03 $ 12.81 $ 11.93 ======== ======== ======= ======= ======= Total return (b) 1.69% 6.23% 5.92% 7.38% (0.82%) ======== ======== ======= ======= ======= Net assets at end of year (000's) $108,780 $ 81,832 $91,935 $88,011 $94,417 ======== ======== ======= ======= ======= Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets 3.03% 2.20% 2.13% 2.16% 2.14% Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets excluding interest and dividend expense (c)(f) 1.70% 1.72% 1.87% 1.87% 1.84% Ratio of net expenses to average net assets excluding interest and dividend expense (c)(f) 1.70% 1.65% 1.70% 1.70% 1.70% Ratio of net expenses to average net assets excluding tax, interest and dividend expense 1.63% 1.65% 1.70% 1.70% 1.70% Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets: Before advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed (0.87%) 0.04% 0.28% (0.29%) (1.05%) After advisory fees waived and expenses reimbursed (0.87%) 0.11% 0.46% (0.12%) (0.91%) Portfolio turnover rate 709% 712% 383% 394% 387% (a) Amount rounds to less than $0.01 per share. (b) Total return is a measure of the change in the value of an investment in the Fund over the periods covered, which assumes any dividends or capital gains distributions are reinvested in shares of the Fund. Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. (c) Dividend expense totaled 0.74%, 0.48%, 0.26%, 0.29%, and 0.30% of average net assets for the periods ended May 31, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. (d) Per share amounts were calculated using average shares for the year. (e) The amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period does not accord with the aggregate net losses on investments for the period because of the sales and repurchases of Fund shares in relation to fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund. (f) Interest expense and interest rebate expense totaled 0.58% of average net assets for the year ended May 31, 2009. Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. See accompanying notes to financial statements. 11 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Portfolio of Investments May 31, 2009 SHARES COMMON STOCK -- 92.07% VALUE - ---------- --------------------------------------------------- ------------ AGRICULTURE -- 1.81% 817,690 ABB Grain Ltd...................................... $ 5,956,119 ------------ BANKS -- 1.00% 104,487 American Bancorp of New Jersey(e).................. 1,021,695 66,820 Banca Italease SpA(a).............................. 141,208 21,110 Citigroup, Inc..................................... 78,529 295,796 Republic First Bancorp, Inc.(a)(b)(e).............. 2,041,229 ------------ 3,282,661 ------------ BEVERAGES -- 7.56% 1,502,033 Lion Nathan Ltd.................................... 14,127,021 164,603 Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.(b)...................... 5,408,855 201,058 PepsiAmericas, Inc.(b)............................. 5,287,825 ------------ 24,823,701 ------------ BIOTECHNOLOGY -- 4.76% 1,687,762 Arana Therapeutics Ltd............................. 1,884,598 102,906 CombiMatrix Corp.(a)............................... 823,248 166,057 Cougar Biotechnology, Inc.(a)...................... 7,138,790 47,387 Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(c)................. 808,422 1,633,087 CuraGen Corp.(a)................................... 2,188,337 1,059,050 IDM Pharma, Inc.(a)................................ 2,785,302 ------------ 15,628,697 ------------ BROADCASTING, NEWSPAPERS, & ADVERTISING -- 1.63% 220,993 Liberty Media Corp. Entertainment(a)(b)............ 5,339,191 ------------ BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES -- 4.16% 1,620,734 Centex Corp.(b)(c)................................. 13,662,788 ------------ CHEMICALS -- 0.35% 10,432 CF Industries Holdings, Inc.(c).................... 809,940 57,131 Nova Chemicals Corp................................ 331,360 ------------ 1,141,300 ------------ COAL -- 3.65% 65,617 Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.(a)(b)(c)............. 1,807,748 62,741 Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc.(c).................. 1,841,448 1,416,959 Gloucester Coal Ltd................................ 7,928,075 166,137 Whitehaven Coal Ltd................................ 392,303 ------------ 11,969,574 ------------ 12 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Portfolio of Investments (Continued) May 31, 2009 SHARES COMMON STOCK -- 92.07% (Continued) VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ COMPUTERS & SERVICES -- 5.20% 482,270 Data Domain, Inc.(a)................................ $ 12,283,417 208,765 Hypercom Corp.(a)................................... 281,833 499,588 Sun Microsystems, Inc.(a)(b)(c)..................... 4,496,292 ------------ 17,061,542 ------------ FINANCIAL SERVICES -- 5.27% 117,514 Macquarie Communications Infrastructure Group....... 226,694 1,692,283 Thinkorswim Group, Inc.(a)(b)....................... 17,075,135 ------------ 17,301,829 ------------ FOOD PRODUCTS -- 0.56% 249,007 Sadia SA............................................ 1,830,201 ------------ INSURANCE -- 0.23% 30,015 IPC Holdings Ltd.(b)................................ 745,873 ------------ MEDICAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES -- 10.61% 290,576 Medicult A/S(a)..................................... 478,077 449,661 ScheringPlough Corp.(b)(c).......................... 10,971,728 508,358 Vnus Medical Technologies, Inc.(a)(b)............... 14,722,048 192,496 Wyeth(b)(c)......................................... 8,635,370 ------------ 34,807,223 ------------ METALS & MINING -- 1.21% 22,265 Compass Minerals International, Inc.(b)(c).......... 1,194,072 921,837 Western Goldfields, Inc.(a)(e)...................... 2,767,698 ------------ 3,961,770 ------------ MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS SERVICES -- 7.12% 300,415 Autobytel, Inc.(a).................................. 135,187 651,804 Gmarket, Inc. ADR(a)................................ 15,591,151 721,005 Goldleaf Financial Solutions, Inc.(a)............... 533,544 548,854 Vignette Corp.(a)(b)................................ 7,102,171 ------------ 23,362,053 ------------ PETROLEUM EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION -- 6.67% 480,481 Atlas Energy Resources LLC(b)....................... 10,056,467 170,463 Legacy Reserves(b).................................. 2,100,104 157,630 PetroCanada(b)...................................... 7,019,264 1,381,825 Profound Energy, Inc.(a)............................ 2,017,631 480,708 UTS Energy Corp.(a)................................. 697,505 ------------ 21,890,971 ------------ 13 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Portfolio of Investments (Continued) May 31, 2009 SHARES COMMON STOCK -- 92.07% (Continued) VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ PIPELINES -- 3.85% 41,600 Enterprise Products Partners LP..................... $ 1,081,600 350,138 Magellan Midstream Holdings(b)...................... 7,363,402 140,417 TEPPCO Partners(b).................................. 4,188,639 ------------ 12,633,641 ------------ PUBLIC THOROUGHFARES -- 0.24% 140,690 Itinere Infraestructuras SA(a)...................... 784,609 ------------ SEMICONDUCTORS -- 5.01% 146,117 Emulex Corp.(a)(c).................................. 1,605,826 824,966 Logicvision, Inc.(a)................................ 923,962 2,736,671 SiRF Technology Holdings, Inc.(a)................... 10,891,950 528,216 Tundra Semiconductor Corp.(a)....................... 3,003,090 ------------ 16,424,828 ------------ SILVER MINING -- 2.02% 633,709 Silver Wheaton Corp.(a)............................. 6,644,749 ------------ SOFTWARE -- 8.54% 2,332,816 Borland Software Corp.(a)........................... 2,288,493 676,093 Catapult Communications Corp.(a)(b)................. 6,341,752 1,188,226 Entrust, Inc.(a).................................... 2,507,157 580,866 Metavante Technologies, Inc.(a)(b).................. 14,899,213 412,910 SumTotal Systems, Inc.(a)........................... 1,981,968 ------------ 28,018,583 ------------ TELEPHONES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS -- 7.22% 440,891 D&E Communications, Inc.(b)......................... 4,298,688 391,261 Embarq Corp.(b)..................................... 16,440,787 263,191 Fibernet Telecom Group, Inc.(a)..................... 2,947,739 ------------ 23,687,214 ------------ TOBACCO -- 0.04% 24,877 Star Scientific Inc.(a)............................. 124,385 ------------ TRADING COMPANIES & DISTRIBUTORS -- 0.44% 21,515 Eriks NV............................................ 1,443,185 ------------ TRUCKING -- 2.92% 1,042,210 Eveready, Inc....................................... 9,577,528 ------------ TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Cost $272,816,341)........... $302,104,215 ------------ 14 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Portfolio of Investments (Continued) May 31, 2009 SHARES PREFERRED STOCK -- 3.22% VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ BANKS -- 3.22% 18,963 Bank of America Corp. .............................. $ 360,297 18,963 Bank of America Corp. .............................. 295,823 442,381 Citigroup, Inc.(c) ................................. 9,701,415 10,262 Citigroup, Inc.(c) ................................. 227,817 ------------ 10,585,352 ------------ TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK (Cost $8,293,135) ......... $ 10,585,352 ------------ SHARES WARRANTS(a) -- 0.00% VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ 308,857 Buru Energy Ltd., Expires 10/10 .................... $ -- 49,000 CombiMatrix Corp., Expires 05/14 ................... -- ------------ TOTAL WARRANTS (Cost $--) ....................... $ -- ------------ CONTRACTS CALL OPTION CONTRACTS(a) -- 0.57% VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., 99 06/09 at $ 35 ................................... $ 2,228 100 06/09 at $ 40 ................................... 1,000 Centex Corp., 500 07/09 at $ 9 .................................... 35,000 Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc., 100 06/09 at $ 35 ................................... 4,250 Sun Microsystems, Inc., 959 06/09 at $ 10 ................................... 1,918 795 07/09 at $ 10 ................................... 1,590 5,000 07/09 at $ 8 .................................... 585,000 Suncor Energy, Inc., 1,535 06/09 at $ 27.5 ................................. 1,228,000 ------------ TOTAL CALL OPTION CONTRACTS (Cost $880,954) ..... $ 1,858,986 ------------ 15 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Portfolio of Investments (Continued) May 31, 2009 CONTRACTS PUT OPTION CONTRACTS(a) -- 0.84% VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ CF Industries Holdings, Inc., 300 06/09 at $ 70 ................................... $ 34,500 Citigroup, Inc., 9,767 07/09 at $ 5 .................................... 1,792,244 5,447 07/09 at $ 4 .................................... 509,295 600 09/09 at $ 7 .................................... 237,000 350 09/09 at $ 5 .................................... 71,400 Emulex Corp., 695 06/09 at $ 7.5 .................................. 3,475 Enterprise Products Partners, 416 06/09 at $ 25 ................................... 5,200 Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc., 147 06/09 at $ 25 ................................... 8,085 145 06/09 at $ 22.5 ................................. 2,900 Metavante Technologies, Inc., 300 06/09 at $ 22.5 ................................. 12,000 NetApp, Inc., 1,191 07/09 at $ 16 ................................... 29,775 995 07/09 at $ 17 ................................... 39,800 Nova Chemicals Corp., 496 06/09 at $ 5 .................................... 4,960 Sun Microsystems, Inc., 234 06/09 at $ 8 .................................... 1,287 ------------ TOTAL PUT OPTION CONTRACTS (Cost $3,269,777) .... $ 2,751,921 ------------ SHARES MONEY MARKET FUND(d) -- 8.23% VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ 26,996,600 State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, 0.579% (Cost $26,996,600) ....................... $ 26,996,600 ------------ TOTAL INVESTMENTS AT VALUE -- 104.93% (Cost $312,256,807) ............................. $344,297,074 ============ 16 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Portfolio of Investments (Concluded) May 31, 2009 As of May 31, 2009, the Fund had long equity swap contracts outstanding as follows: UNREALIZED SHARES APPRECIATION - ---------- ------------ 250,000 Western Goldfields, Inc., Equity Swap(e) (Cost $478,463, Market Value $750,593) Terminating 04/13/10 $ 272,130 ============ Percentages are based on Net Assets of $328,117,928. (a) Non-income producing security. (b) All or a portion of the shares have been committed as collateral for open short positions. (c) Underlying security for a written/purchased call/put option. (d) Rate shown is the 7-day effective yield as of May 31, 2009. (e) Security fair valued using methods determined in good faith by the Pricing Committee. As of May 31, 2009, the total market value of these securities was $6,102,752, representing 1.9% of net assets. ADR -- American Depositary Receipt LLC -- Limited Liability Company LP -- Limited Partnership Ltd. -- Limited Amounts designated as "--" are either $0 or have been rounded to $0. 17 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Schedule of Securities Sold Short May 31, 2009 SHARES COMMON STOCK -- 40.67% VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ BANKS -- 0.72% 80,400 Citigroup, Inc. .................................... $ 299,088 58,753 Investors Bancorp, Inc.(a) ......................... 512,326 86,240 Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc.(a) ............. 1,566,119 ------------ 2,377,533 ------------ BEVERAGES -- 1.39% 87,859 PepsiCo, Inc.(b) ................................... 4,573,061 ------------ BROADCASTING, NEWSPAPERS, & ADVERTISING -- 0.02% 2,250 DIRECTV Group, Inc.(a)(b) .......................... 50,625 ------------ BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES -- 2.57% 957,592 Pulte Homes, Inc.(b) ............................... 8,426,810 ------------ CHEMICALS -- 0.19% 12,733 Agrium, Inc.(b) .................................... 626,718 ------------ COMMERCIAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES -- 1.73% 104,172 Clean Harbors, Inc.(a)(b) .......................... 5,679,457 ------------ COMPUTERS & SERVICES -- 0.24% 39,603 NetApp, Inc.(a)(b) ................................. 772,259 ------------ FINANCIAL SERVICES -- 2.98% 574,429 TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.(a)(b) .................. 9,788,270 ------------ FOOD PRODUCTS -- 1.03% 12 MEIJI Holdings Co., Ltd.(a) ........................ 401 49,676 Perdigao SA(a) ..................................... 1,925,442 172,572 Viterra, Inc.(a) ................................... 1,456,736 ------------ 3,382,579 ------------ GAS/NATURAL GAS -- 2.85% 507,172 Atlas America, Inc.(b) ............................. 9,342,108 ------------ MEDICAL PRODUCTS & SERVICES -- 3.27% 276,946 Merck & Co., Inc.(b) ............................... 7,638,171 202,892 Pfizer, Inc.(b) .................................... 3,081,929 ------------ 10,720,100 ------------ METALS & MINING -- 0.84% 922,234 New Gold, Inc.(a) .................................. 2,768,890 ------------ MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS SERVICES -- 0.85% 79,336 Open Text Corp.(a) ................................. 2,795,007 ------------ 18 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Schedule of Securities Sold Short (Continued) May 31, 2009 SHARES COMMON STOCKS -- 40.67% (Continued) VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ PETROLEUM EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION -- 3.24% 267,525 Paramount Energy Trust ............................. $ 1,054,671 270,152 Suncor Energy, Inc. ................................ 9,566,082 ------------ 10,620,753 ------------ PIPELINES -- 3.63% 161,554 Enterprise Products Partners LP(b) ................. 4,200,404 220,687 Magellan Midstream Partners ........................ 7,713,011 ------------ 11,913,415 ------------ SEMICONDUCTORS -- 3.67% 2,143,328 CSR Plc(a) ......................................... 12,053,498 ------------ SILVER MINING -- 2.03% 343,900 Silver Wheaton Corp.(a)(b) ......................... 3,617,828 291,285 Silver Wheaton Corp.(a)(b) ......................... 3,054,266 ------------ 6,672,094 ------------ SOFTWARE -- 4.02% 674,011 Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.(b) .... 12,981,452 38,272 Mentor Graphics Corp.(a)(b) ........................ 215,088 ------------ 13,196,540 ------------ TELEPHONES & TELECOMMUNICATIONS -- 5.40% 507,770 CenturyTel, Inc.(b) ................................ 15,664,704 241,855 Windstream Corp.(b) ................................ 2,034,001 ------------ 17,698,705 ------------ TOTAL COMMON STOCK (Proceeds $116,180,357) ......... $133,458,422 ------------ SHARES EXCHANGE TRADED FUND -- 1.74% VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ 61,744 SPDR Trust Series 1 (Proceeds $5,676,911) .......... $ 5,705,763 ------------ TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT -- 42.41% (Proceeds $121,857,268) ............................ $139,164,185 ============ 19 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Schedule of Securities Sold Short (Concluded) May 31, 2009 As of May 31, 2009, the Fund had short equity swap contracts outstanding as follows: UNREALIZED SHARES DEPRECIATION - ---------- ------------ 139,100 Paramount, Equity Swap (Cost $411,690, Market Value $548,377) Terminating 04/05/10 - 07/05/10 ................. $ (136,687) 250,000 New Gold, Inc., Equity Swap (Cost $496,213, Market Value $750,593) Terminating 04/13/10 ............................ (254,380) ------------ (Total cost $ 907,903, Total Market Value $1,298,970) ..................................... $ (391,067) ============ Percentages are based on Net Assets of $328,117,928. (a) Non-income producing security. (b) Underlying security for a written/purchased call/put option. Ltd. -- Limited LP -- Limited Partnership Plc -- Public Limited Company SPDR -- Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipt 20 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Schedule of Open Options Written May 31, 2009 CONTRACTS WRITTEN CALL OPTIONS(a) -- 1.49% VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ Agrium, Inc., 275 06/09 at $ 45 ................................... $ 132,000 25 07/09 at $ 45 ................................... 14,750 Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., 100 06/09 at $ 25 ................................... 35,500 299 06/09 at $ 30 ................................... 28,405 50 06/09 at $ 32.5 ................................. 2,250 448 06/09 at $ 27.5 ................................. 89,600 Atlas America, Inc., 368 09/09 at $ 12.5 ................................. 217,120 20 09/09 at $ 17.5 ................................. 4,500 Centex Corp., 2,164 06/09 at $ 10 ................................... 21,640 500 06/09 at $ 9 .................................... 17,500 CenturyTel, Inc., 274 06/09 at $ 30 ................................... 32,195 CF Industries Holdings, Inc., 100 06/09 at $ 80 ................................... 24,750 Citigroup, Inc., 995 06/06 at $ 47.5 ................................. 12,437 1,491 06/09 at $ 10 ................................... 1,491 28,647 06/09 at $ 5 .................................... 100,264 1,991 06/09 at $ 7.5 .................................. 1,991 9,529 07/09 at $ 5 .................................... 85,761 1,526 07/09 at $ 3 .................................... 106,057 5,705 07/09 at $ 4 .................................... 128,362 600 09/09 at $ 7 .................................... 4,800 350 09/09 at $ 5 .................................... 7,350 2,152 09/09 at $ 2 .................................... 363,688 11,448 09/09 at $ 3 .................................... 915,840 Clean Harbors, Inc., 336 06/09 at $ 50 ................................... 162,960 Compass Minerals International, Inc., 75 06/09 at $ 50 ................................... 33,375 75 06/09 at $ 55 ................................... 12,000 75 06/09 at $ 60 ................................... 3,562 Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 402 06/09 at $ 17.5 ................................. 25,125 36 08/09 at $ 20 ................................... 2,430 DIRECTV Group, Inc., 50 06/09 at $ 20 ................................... 13,375 1,544 06/09 at $ 25 ................................... 19,300 449 06/09 at $ 22.5 ................................. 38,165 21 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Schedule of Open Options Written (Continued) May 31, 2009 CONTRACTS WRITTEN CALL OPTIONS(a) -- 1.49% (Continued) VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ DIRECTV Group, Inc. (continued), 945 06/09 at $27.5 .................................. $ 9,450 99 07/09 at $25 .................................... 3,960 Emulex Corp., 1,299 06/09 at $10 .................................... 136,395 915 06/09 at $12.5 .................................. 13,725 Enterprise Products Partners, 416 06/09 at $25 .................................... 40,560 Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., 377 06/09 at $20 .................................... 6,598 979 06/09 at $17.5 .................................. 173,773 Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc., 145 06/09 at $25 .................................... 68,875 571 06/09 at $30 .................................... 95,642 Mentor Graphics Corp., 1,075 06/09 at $7.5 ................................... 5,375 NetApp, Inc., 998 06/09 at $20 .................................... 62,375 209 06/09 at $21 .................................... 7,315 832 06/09 at $19 .................................... 91,520 1,396 07/09 at $20 .................................... 136,110 498 07/09 at $18 .................................... 103,335 597 07/09 at $21 .................................... 37,313 1,288 07/09 at $19 .................................... 189,980 PepsiCo, Inc., 62 06/09 at $52.5 .................................. 3,410 Pulte Homes, Inc., 3,808 06/09 at $10 .................................... 57,120 500 06/09 at $9 ..................................... 22,500 4,013 06/09 at $11 .................................... 20,065 Schering-Plough Corp., 300 06/09 at $24 .................................... 24,750 249 06/09 at $23 .................................... 39,218 Silver Wheaton Corp., 198 06/09 at $10 .................................... 17,325 Sun Microsystems, Inc., 5,000 06/09 at $9 ..................................... 70,000 Suncor Energy, Inc., 299 06/09 at $31 .................................... 143,520 299 06/09 at $30 .................................... 170,430 199 06/09 at $32 .................................... 79,600 100 06/09 at $33 .................................... 32,000 22 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Schedule of Open Options Written (Continued) May 31, 2009 CONTRACTS WRITTEN CALL OPTIONS(a) -- 1.49% (Continued) VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., 997 06/09 at $15 .................................... $ 216,848 99 06/09 at $17.5 .................................. 4,950 Windstream Corp., 447 06/09 at $7.5 ................................... 42,465 Wyeth, 200 06/09 at $45 .................................... 14,500 349 06/09 at $42.5 .................................. 90,740 ------------ TOTAL WRITTEN CALL OPTIONS (Premiums Received $5,445,867) ..................................... $ 4,890,285 ------------ CONTRACTS WRITTEN PUT OPTIONS(a) -- 0.24% VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ Agrium, Inc., 100 06/09 at $45 .................................... $ 8,000 300 06/09 at $50 .................................... 84,000 Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., 100 06/09 at $27.5 .................................. 18,000 Centex Corp., 330 06/09 at $10 .................................... 56,100 657 06/09 at $7.5 ................................... 16,425 CF Industries Holdings, Inc., 300 06/09 at $65 .................................... 15,750 DIRECTV Group, Inc., 200 06/09 at $20 .................................... 3,000 1,463 06/09 at $22.5 .................................. 128,012 Emulex Corp., 925 06/09 at $10 .................................... 16,187 Merck & Co., Inc., 149 06/09 at $25 .................................... 2,607 300 06/09 at $26 .................................... 10,500 100 06/09 at $27 .................................... 6,500 NetApp, Inc., 933 06/09 at $15 .................................... 9,330 899 06/09 at $19 .................................... 58,435 323 06/09 at $17.5 .................................. 8,883 978 07/09 at $18 .................................... 63,570 779 07/09 at $19 .................................... 81,795 Pfizer, Inc., 649 06/09 at $15 .................................... 22,391 Pulte Homes, Inc., 300 06/09 at $10 .................................... 41,250 500 06/09 at $8 ..................................... 13,750 1,467 06/09 at $9 ..................................... 102,690 23 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Schedule of Open Options Written (Concluded) May 31, 2009 CONTRACTS WRITTEN PUT OPTIONS(a) -- 0.24% (Continued) VALUE - ---------- ---------------------------------------------------- ------------ Silver Wheaton Corp., 99 06/09 at $5 ..................................... $ 990 Sun Microsystems, Inc., 896 06/09 at $9 ..................................... 11,200 1,145 07/09 at $9 ..................................... 20,038 ------------ TOTAL WRITTEN PUT OPTIONS (Premiums Received $901,459) .................... $ 799,403 ------------ TOTAL OPEN OPTIONS WRITTEN -- 1.73% (Premiums Received $6,347,326) .................. $ 5,689,688 ============ Percentages are based on Net Assets of $328,117,928. (a) Non-income producing security. See accompanying notes to financial statements. 24 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements May 31, 2009 1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The Arbitrage Fund (the "Trust") was organized as a Delaware business trust on December 22, 1999 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company issuing its shares in series, each series representing a distinct portfolio with its own investment objective and policies. The one series presently authorized is The Arbitrage Fund (the "Fund"), a diversified series, which offers two classes of shares. Class R shares and Class I shares commenced operations on September 17, 2000 and October 17, 2003, respectively. The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve capital growth by engaging in merger arbitrage. The Fund's two classes of shares, Class R and Class I, represent interests in the same portfolio of investments and have the same rights, but differ primarily in the expenses to which they are subject and the investment eligibility requirements. Class R shares are subject to an annual distribution fee of up to 0.25% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares, whereas Class I shares are not subject to any distribution fees. The following is a summary of the Fund's significant accounting policies: USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS - The Fund's portfolio securities are valued as of the close of trading of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). Common stocks and other securities, including open short positions, that are traded on a securities exchange are valued at the last quoted sales price at the close of regular trading on the day the valuation is made. Securities which are quoted by NASDAQ are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Price information on listed stocks is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily traded. Securities which are listed on an exchange but which are not traded on the valuation date are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices. Put and call options and securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices. Unlisted securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest quoted bid price. Other assets and securities for which no quotations are readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. Some of the more common reasons that may necessitate that a security be valued at fair value include: the security's trading has been halted or suspended; the security has been delisted from a national exchange; the security's primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when under normal conditions it would be open; or the security's primary pricing source is not able or willing to provide a price. Such 25 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 methods of fair valuation may include, but are not limited to: multiple of earnings, multiple of book value, discount from market of a similar freely traded security, purchase price of a security, subsequent private transactions in the security or related securities, or a combination of these and other factors. Foreign securities are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates supplied by a quotation service (see Note 6). As of May 31, 2009, the market value of securities valued in accordance with the fair value procedures was $6,102,752 and represented 1.9% of net assets. In September, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 157, which provides enhanced guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. The Fund adopted SFAS No. 157 on June 1, 2008. SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy and specifies that a valuation technique used to measure fair value shall maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The objective of a fair value measurement is to determine the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). Accordingly, the fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS No. 157 are described below: - - Level 1 -- Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date; - - Level 2 -- Quoted prices which are not active, or inputs that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and - - Level 3 -- Prices, inputs or exotic modeling techniques which are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity). As required by SFAS No.157, investments are classified within the level of the lowest significant input considered in determining fair value. Investments classified within Level 3, whose fair value measurement considers several inputs, may include Level 1 or Level 2 inputs as components of the overall fair value measurement. The table below sets forth information about the level within the fair value hierarchy at which the Fund's investments are measured at May 31, 2009: LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 TOTAL ------------- ---------- ------- ------------- Investments in securities $ 338,466,452 $5,830,622 $-- $ 344,297,074 Investments in securities sold short (139,164,185) -- -- (139,164,185) Open options written (5,689,688) -- -- (5,689,688) Other financial instruments* (6,135,153) 272,130 -- (5,863,023) ------------- ---------- --- ------------- Total $ 187,477,426 $6,102,752 $-- $ 193,580,178 ============= ========== === ============= * Other financial instruments are derivative instruments which include equity swap contracts and forward currency exchange contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. 26 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 SHARE VALUATION - The net asset value per share of each class of shares of the Fund is calculated daily by dividing the total value of the Fund's assets attributable to that class, less liabilities attributable to that class, by the number of shares of that class outstanding. The offering price and redemption price per share of each class of the Fund is equal to the net asset value per share, except that, shares of each class are subject to a redemption fee of 2% if redeemed within 90 days of the date of purchase. For the year ended May 31, 2009, proceeds from redemption fees were $283,341 in Class R and $4,742 in Class I. INVESTMENT INCOME - Interest income is accrued as earned. Dividend income and expense are recorded on the ex-dividend date. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS - Dividends arising from net investment income and net capital gain distributions, if any, are declared and paid at least annually to shareholders of the Fund. The amount of distributions from net investment income and net realized gains are determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These "book/tax" differences are either temporary or permanent in nature and are primarily due to deferred wash sale losses, deferred post October foreign currency loss and constructive gain from sale of securities. The tax character of dividends and distributions declared during the years ended May 31, 2009 and May 31, 2008 was as follows: Year Ordinary Long-Term Total Ended Income Capital Gains Distributions - ------- ----------- ------------- ------------- 5/31/09 $ 8,398,398 $ -- $ 8,398,398 5/31/08 10,600,214 400,419 11,000,633 ALLOCATION BETWEEN CLASSES - Investment income earned, realized capital gains and losses, and unrealized appreciation and depreciation are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon its proportionate shares of total net assets of the Fund. Class specific expenses are charged directly to the class incurring the expense. Common expenses which are not attributable to a specific class are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon its proportionate share of total net assets of the Fund. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS - Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Gains and losses on securities sold are determined on a specific identification basis. SHORT POSITIONS - The Fund may sell securities short for economic hedging purposes. For financial statement purposes, an amount equal to the settlement amount is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current value of the short position. Subsequent fluctuations in the market prices of securities sold, but not yet purchased, may require purchasing the securities at prices which may differ from the 27 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 market value reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund is liable for any dividends payable on securities while those securities are in a short position. As collateral for its short positions, the Fund is required under the 1940 Act to maintain assets consisting of cash, cash equivalents or liquid securities. The amount of the collateral is required to be adjusted daily to reflect changes in the value of the securities sold short. WRITTEN OPTION TRANSACTIONS - The Fund may write (sell) covered call options to hedge portfolio investments and to reduce the risks associated with some of its investments. Put options may also be written by the Fund as part of a merger arbitrage strategy involving a pending corporate reorganization. When the Fund writes (sells) an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current value of the option written. By writing an option, the Fund may become obligated during the term of the option to deliver or purchase the securities underlying the option at the exercise price if the option is exercised. Option contracts are valued at the average of the current bid and asked price reported on the day of valuation. When an option expires on its stipulated expiration date or the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, the Fund realizes a gain or loss if the cost of the closing purchase transaction differs from the premium received when the option was sold without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security, and the liability related to such option is eliminated. When an option is exercised, the premium originally received decreases the cost basis of the security (or increases the proceeds on a sale of the security). EQUITY SWAP CONTRACTS - The Fund may invest in swaps for the purpose of managing its exposure to interest rate, credit or market risk. Additionally, the Fund enters into equity swap agreements for the purpose of attempting to obtain a desired return on, or exposure to, certain equity securities or equity indices in an expedited manner or at a lower cost to the Fund than if the Fund had invested directly in such securities. An equity swap contract entitles the Fund to receive from the counterparty any appreciation and dividends paid on an individual security, while obligating the Fund to pay the counterparty any depreciation on the security. Fluctuations in the value of an open contract are recorded daily as a net unrealized gain or loss. The Fund will realize a gain or loss upon termination or reset of the contract. Either party, under certain conditions, may terminate the contract prior to the contract's expiration date. Collateral, in the form of cash or securities, may be required to be held in segregated accounts with the Fund's custodian and/or counterparty's broker. Risks may exceed amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These risks include changes in the returns of the underlying instruments, failure of the counterparties to perform under the contracts' terms and the possible lack of liquidity with respect to the swap agreements. As of May 31, 2009, the Fund had long equity swap contracts outstanding with a market value of $750,593 and short equity swap contracts outstanding with a market value of $1,298,970. 28 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 The Fund enters into forward foreign currency exchange contracts as a way of managing foreign exchange rate risk. The Fund may enter into these contracts for the purchase or sale of a specific foreign currency at a fixed price on a future date as a hedge or cross-hedge against either specific transactions or portfolio positions. The objective of the Fund's foreign currency hedging transactions is to reduce risk that the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's securities denominated in foreign currency will decline in value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. All foreign currency exchange contracts are "marked-to-market" daily at the applicable translation rates resulting in unrealized gains or losses. Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. FEDERAL INCOME TAX - It is the Fund's policy to comply with the special provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies. As provided therein, in any fiscal year in which a fund so qualifies and distributes at least 90% of its taxable net income, a fund (but not the shareholders) will be relieved of Federal income tax on the income distributed. Accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been made. In order to avoid imposition of the excise tax applicable to regulated investment companies, it is also the Fund's intention to declare as dividends in each calendar year at least 98% of its net investment income (earned during the calendar year) and 98% of its net realized capital gains (earned during the twelve months ended October 31) plus undistributed amounts from prior years. The following information is computed on a tax basis for each item as of May 31, 2009: Cost of portfolio investments (including equity swap contracts, securities sold short and written options) $197,324,312 ============ Gross unrealized appreciation $ 40,163,498 Gross unrealized depreciation (38,592,986) ------------ Net unrealized appreciation $ 1,570,512 ============ As of May 31, 2009, the components of Distributable Earnings on a tax basis were as follows: Undistributed ordinary income $ 8,443,277 Post-October capital losses (1,787,513) Post-October currency losses (6,240,058) Net unrealized appreciation 1,570,512 Net unrealized depreciation on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (5,774,741) Other temporary differences 5,744,941 ----------- Total Distributable Earnings $ 1,956,418 =========== 29 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 The difference between the Federal income tax cost of portfolio investments and the cost reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities is due to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales, mark-to-market on open forwards, disallowed losses on tax straddles, gains and losses from Passive Foreign Investment Companies, income from Master Limited Partnerships and gains on the constructive sale of securities. Post-October capital losses and Post-October currency losses represent losses realized on investment transactions from November 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009 that, in accordance with Federal income tax regulations, the Fund may elect to defer and treat as having arisen in the following year. For the year ended May 31, 2009, the Fund reclassified net investment gains of $6,574,320 and $152,505 to accumulated net realized gain (loss) and paid-in capital, respectively, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such reclassification, the result of permanent differences between financial statement and income tax reporting requirements are primarily attributable to gains and losses on certain foreign currency related transactions, investment in Passive Foreign Investment Companies, investments in Master Limited Partnerships, reclassification of short sale related dividend expense to capital loss and non-deductible excise tax, has no effect on the Fund's net asset or net asset value per share. On July 13, 2006, the FASB released FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" ("FIN 48"). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund's tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are "more-likely-than-not" of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Effective November 30, 2007, the Fund adopted FIN 48. Based on its analysis, management has reviewed all open tax years (2005-2008) and has determined that the adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact to the Fund's financial statements upon adoption. However, management's conclusions regarding FIN 48 may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, further implementation guidance expected from the FASB, and ongoing analyses of and changes to tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. 2. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS During the year ended May 31, 2009, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities, other than short-term investments, U.S. government securities, equity swap contracts, options and short positions, amounted to $1,736,492,055 and $1,414,148,437, respectively. 30 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 3. LINE OF CREDIT The Fund entered into an agreement which enables them to participate in a $10,000,000 unsecured committed revolving line of credit with State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian"). Borrowings will be made solely to temporarily finance the purchase or sale of securities or to finance the redemption of the shares of an investor of the Fund. Interest is charged to the Fund based on its borrowings at a rate per annum equal to the Custodian's overnight federal funds rate plus 0.75%. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.10% per annum payable at the end of each calendar quarter, is accrued by the Fund based on its average daily unused portion of the line of credit. Such fees are included in custodian and bank service fees on the Statement of Operations. As of May 31, 2009, the Fund did not have outstanding borrowings. For the year ended May 31, 2009, the Fund had average borrowings of $6,570,364 over a period of 55 days at a weighted average interest rate of 1.41%. Interest accrued on the borrowings during the year ended May 31, 2009 was $10,784. 4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT The Fund's investments are managed by Water Island Capital, LLC (the "Adviser") under the terms of an Investment Advisory Agreement. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, as amended and restated on October 1, 2007, the Fund pays the Adviser an annual fee, which is computed and accrued daily and paid monthly, of 1.25% on the first $250 million, 1.20% on the next $50 million, 1.15% on the next $50 million, 1.10% on the next $75 million, 1.05% on the next $75 million and 1.00% for amounts over $500 million, based on the Fund's average daily net assets. Prior to October 1, 2007, the Fund paid the Adviser a fee, which was computed and accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 1.50% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Effective October 1, 2007, the Adviser has contractually agreed, at least until August 31, 2012, to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund's other expenses to the extent that total operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, dividends on short positions, brokerage commissions and other costs incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities) exceed the annual rate of 1.88% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares and 1.63% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class I shares. Prior to October 1, 2007, the Adviser had contractually agreed, at least until August 31, 2012, to waive its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Fund's other expenses to the extent that total operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, dividends on short positions, brokerage commissions and other costs incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities) exceeded the annual rate of 1.95% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares and 1.70% of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class I shares. 31 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 The Adviser is permitted to recapture fees waived or expenses reimbursed to the extent actual fees and expenses for a period are less than the expense limitation of each class, provided, however, that the Adviser shall only be entitled to recapture such amounts for a period of three years from the end of the fiscal year during which such amount was waived or reimbursed. The Adviser cannot recapture any expenses or fees it waived or reimbursed prior to October 1, 2007 under the prior Expense Waiver and Reimbursement Agreement. The Adviser can recapture any expenses or fees it has waived or reimbursed after October 1, 2007 within a three-year period subject to the applicable annual rate of 1.88% for Class R shares and 1.63% for Class I shares. As of May 31, 2009, there are no future recapture amounts from the Fund fees waived and expenses reimbursed. During the year ended May 31, 2009, the Adviser was reimbursed previously waived fees in the amount of $8,157. As of May 31, 2009, there is $0 left to recapture. Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of the Adviser. Effective October 1, 2004, the Vice President of the Trust also serves as Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") of the Trust and of the Adviser. The Fund pays the Adviser 15% of the CCO's salary for providing CCO services. ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT Under the terms of an Administration Agreement, SEI Investments Global Funds Services ("SEIGFS") supplies administrative and regulatory services to the Fund, supervises the preparation of tax returns, and coordinates the preparation of reports to shareholders and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities authorities. For the performance of these administrative services including fund accounting services, SEIGFS receives a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets up to $250 million; 0.095% of such assets on the next $250 million; and 0.08% of such assets in excess of $500 million, subject to a minimum annual fee of $200,000 for the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending August 31, 2009. The minimum annual fee increases to $225,000 for the period beginning September 1, 2009 and ending August 31, 2011, pursuant to the current Administration Agreement between SEIGFS and the Fund dated May 17, 2005, as amended July 25, 2008. Prior to September 1, 2008, SEIGFS received a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets up to $500 million; and 0.08% of such assets in excess of $500 million, subject to a minimum fee of $150,000 per year. For the year ended May 31, 2009, SEIGFS was paid $224,805 under the administration agreement. Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of SEIGFS. Such officers are paid no fees by the Trust for serving as officers of the Trust. TRANSFER AGENT AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AGREEMENT Under the terms of a Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement between the Trust and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DST maintains the records of each shareholder's account, answers shareholders' inquiries concerning their accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, acts as dividend and distribution disbursing agent and 32 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 performs other shareholder service functions. For these services, DST receives from the Fund a monthly complex minimum fee, including two cusips, at an annual rate of $50,000 per year. For each cusip thereafter, an additional fee is applied at a minimum fee of $17,500 per cusip per year. For the year ended May 31, 2009, DST was paid $180,738 under the transfer agent and shareholder services agreement. DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT The Fund has adopted a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Plan") for Class R shares, which permits Class R to pay for expenses incurred in the distribution and promotion of Class R shares. Under the Plan, Class R may pay compensation to any broker-dealer with whom the distributor or the Fund, on behalf of Class R shares, has entered into a contract to distribute Class R shares, or to any other qualified financial services firm, for distribution and/or shareholder-related services with respect to shares held or purchased by their respective customers in connection with the purchase of shares attributable to their efforts. The amount of payments under the Plan in any year shall not exceed 0.25% annually of the average daily net assets allocable to Class R shares. During the year ended May 31, 2009, the Fund paid Class R distribution expenses of $350,896 pursuant to the Plan. Under the terms of a Distribution Agreement between the Trust and SEI Investments Distribution, Co. (the "Distributor"), the Distributor serves as principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Fund. The Fund's shares are sold on a no-load basis and, therefore, the Distributor receives no sales commissions or sales loads for providing services to the Fund. The Distributor is an affiliate of SEI Investments Global Funds Services. 5. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS Proceeds and payments on capital shares as shown in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets are the result of the following capital share transactions for the years shown: YEAR YEAR ENDED ENDED MAY 31, MAY 31, 2009 2008 ---------- ----------- CLASS R Shares sold 14,891,867 4,797,247 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions 425,130 419,178 Shares redeemed (6,436,124) (2,279,530) ---------- ---------- Net increase in shares outstanding 8,880,873 2,936,895 Shares outstanding at beginning of year 8,761,989 5,825,094 ---------- ---------- Shares outstanding at end of year 17,642,862 8,761,989 ========== ========== 33 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 YEAR YEAR ENDED ENDED MAY 31, MAY 31, 2009 2008 ---------- ---------- CLASS I Shares sold 5,669,231 2,665,511 Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions 246,467 361,043 Shares redeemed (3,602,609) (3,764,040) ---------- ---------- Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding 2,313,089 (737,486) Shares outstanding at beginning of year 6,317,846 7,055,332 ---------- ---------- Shares outstanding at end of year 8,630,935 6,317,846 ========== ========== 6. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION Amounts denominated in or expected to settle in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. dollars based on exchange rates on the following basis: A. The market values of investment securities and other assets and liabilities are translated at the closing rate of exchange each day. B. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. C. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations caused by changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from those caused by changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments. Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from 1) purchases and sales of foreign currencies, 2) currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and 3) the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Reported net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investment securities, resulting from changes in exchange rates. 7. CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS The Fund indemnifies the Trust's officers and trustees for certain liabilities that might arise from their performance of their duties to the Fund. Additionally, in the normal course of business the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote. 34 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 8. SECURITIES LENDING In order to generate additional income, the Fund may, from time to time, lend its portfolio securities to broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities. The Fund must receive 100% collateral in the form of cash or U.S. government securities. This collateral must be valued daily and, should the market value of the loaned securities increase, the borrower must furnish additional collateral to the Fund. During the time portfolio securities are on loan, the borrower pays the Fund any dividends or interest paid on such securities. Loans are subject to termination by the Fund or the borrower at any time. While the Fund does not have the right to vote securities on loan, it has the right to terminate the loan and regain the right to vote if that is considered important with respect to the investment. In the event the borrower defaults in its obligation to the Fund, the Fund bears the risk of delay in the recovery of its portfolio securities and the risk of loss of rights in the collateral. The Fund will only enter into loan arrangements with broker-dealers, banks or other institutions which the Adviser has determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Trustees. There were no securities on loan as of May 31, 2009. 9. DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS WRITTEN OPTIONS -- A summary of put and call option contracts written during the year ended May 31, 2009 is as follows: OPTION OPTION CONTRACTS PREMIUMS --------- ------------ Options outstanding at beginning of year 12,218 $ 1,063,309 Options written 376,008 35,084,456 Options canceled in a closing purchase transaction (38,897) (5,314,604) Options exercised (78,458) (11,737,393) Options expired (155,122) (12,748,442) -------- ------------ Options outstanding at end of year 115,749 $ 6,347,326 ======== ============ FORWARD CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS -- As of May 31, 2009, the Fund had forward currency exchange contracts outstanding as follows: UNREALIZED CURRENCY CURRENCY APPRECIATION SETTLEMENT DATE TO DELIVER TO RECEIVE (DEPRECIATION) - --------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- 06/12/09 AUD 53,371,619 USD 37,262,336 $(5,415,088) 06/12/09 CAD 30,820,373 USD 24,871,843 (3,259,717) 06/12/09 CHF 5,725,600 USD 4,946,066 (424,064) 06/12/09 EUR 6,648,725 USD 8,681,594 (728,001) 06/12/09 GBP 5,221,000 USD 7,701,210 (716,988) 06/12/09 JPY 2,170,000 USD 23,189 451 06/12/09 NOK 13,406,792 USD 1,911,982 (218,842) 06/12/09 USD 10,489,448 AUD 15,150,000 1,624,912 06/12/09 USD 18,579,050 CAD 22,915,000 2,336,813 35 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 UNREALIZED CURRENCY CURRENCY APPRECIATION SETTLEMENT DATE TO DELIVER TO RECEIVE (DEPRECIATION) - --------------- ---------- ---------- -------------- 06/12/09 USD 4,965,441 CHF 5,725,600 404,689 06/12/09 USD 6,536,335 EUR 5,013,696 559,288 06/12/09 USD 291,080 GBP 200,000 31,395 06/12/09 USD 21,817 JPY 2,170,000 921 06/12/09 USD 1,370,281 NOK 9,000,000 60,145 ----------- $(5,744,086) =========== AUD -- Australian Dollar CAD -- Canadian Dollar CHF -- Swiss Franc EUR -- Euro GBP -- British Pound JPY -- Japanese Yen NOK -- Norwegian Krone USD -- United States Dollar FAIR VALUE OF DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS -- The fair value of derivative Instruments as of May 31, 2009, was as follows: ASSET DERIVATIVES LIABILITY DERIVATIVES ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 2009 YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 2009 DERIVATIVES NOT ACCOUNTED ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- FOR AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS BALANCE SHEET BALANCE SHEET UNDER STATEMENT 133: LOCATION FAIR VALUE LOCATION FAIR VALUE - ------------------------------- ------------------------ ---------- ------------------------- ------------ Forward Currency Unrealized appreciation Unrealized depreciation Exchange Contracts on forward currency on forward currency exchange contracts $5,018,614 exchange contracts $10,762,700 Equity Swap Contracts Unrealized appreciation Unrealized depreciation on equity swap contracts 272,130 on equity swap contracts 391,067 Equity Option Contracts Investments, at value 4,610,907 Written Options, at value 5,689,688 ---------- ------------ TOTAL DERIVATIVES NOT ACCOUNTED FOR AS HEDGING INSTRUMENTS UNDER STATEMENT 133 $9,901,651 $16,843,455 ========== ============ The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the year ended May 31, 2009, was as follows: AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN OR (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED IN INCOME DERIVATIVES NOT ACCOUNTED FOR AS FORWARD HEDGING INSTRUMENTS CURRENCY UNDER STATEMENT 133 OPTIONS CONTRACTS SWAPS TOTAL - ----------------------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- Forward Currency Exchange Contracts $ -- $4,515,636 $ -- $ 4,515,636 Equity Swap Contracts -- -- (5,245,013) (5,245,013) Equity Option Contracts 7,660,668 -- -- 7,660,668 ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------- Total $7,660,668 $4,515,636 $(5,245,013) $ 6,931,291 ========== ========== =========== =========== 36 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION OR (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED IN INCOME DERIVATIVES NOT ACCOUNTED FOR AS FORWARD HEDGING INSTRUMENTS CURRENCY UNDER STATEMENT 133 OPTIONS CONTRACTS SWAPS TOTAL - ----------------------- ---------- ----------- ------- ----------- Forward Currency Exchange Contracts $ -- $(5,217,366) $ -- $(5,217,366) Equity Swap Contracts -- -- (1,094) (1,094) Equity Option Contracts 1,034,112 -- -- 1,034,112 ---------- ----------- ------- ----------- Total $1,034,112 $(5,217,366) $(1,094) $(4,184,348) ========== =========== ======= =========== 10. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In October 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position 157-3, DETERMINING THE FAIR VALUE OF A FINANCIAL ASSET IN A MARKET THAT IS NOT ACTIVE ("FSP 157-3"), which clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in an inactive market and provides an illustrative example to demonstrate how the fair value of a financial asset is determined when the market for that financial asset is not active. The guidance provided by FSP 157-3 did not have an impact on the Fund's approach to valuing financial assets. In April 2009, the FASB Staff issued Position No. 157-4 -- DETERMINING FAIR VALUE WHEN THE VOLUME AND LEVEL OF ACTIVITY FOR THE ASSET OR LIABILITY HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED AND IDENTIFYING TRANSACTIONS THAT ARE NOT ORDERLY ("FSP 157-4") was issued. FSP 157-4 clarifies the process for measuring the fair value of financial instruments when the markets become inactive and quoted prices may reflect distressed transactions. FSP 157-4 provides a non-exclusive list of factors a reporting entity should consider when determining whether there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability when compared with normal market activity. Under FSP 157-4, if a reporting entity concludes there has been a significant decrease in volume and level of activity for the asset or liability (or similar assets or liabilities), transactions or quoted prices may not be determinative of fair value. Further analysis of the transactions or quoted prices is needed, and a significant adjustment to the transactions or quoted prices may be necessary to estimate fair value in accordance with FASB Statement No. 157 -- FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT. FSP 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and shall be applied prospectively. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of FSP 157-4 on the Fund's financial statements. In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, SUBSEQUENT EVENTS ("SFAS 165"). SFAS 165 provides authoritative accounting literature related to evaluating subsequent events that was previously addressed only in the auditing literature, and is largely similar to the current guidance in the auditing literature with some exceptions that are not 37 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued) May 31, 2009 intended to result in significant changes in practice. SFAS 165 defines subsequent events and also requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date. SFAS 165 is effective on a prospective basis for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. We plan to adopt SFAS 165 in the third quarter of Fiscal 2009 and do not expect it to have a material impact on our financial statements. 38 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS THE ARBITRAGE FUND We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The Arbitrage Fund (the "Fund"), including the schedules of investments as of May 31, 2009, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2009 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Arbitrage Fund as of May 31, 2009, the results of its operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. TAIT, WELLER & BAKER LLP PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA JULY 28, 2009 39 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited) All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a mutual fund, your investment is affected by these ongoing costs, which include (among others) costs for portfolio management, administrative services, distribution (12b-1) expenses, and shareholder reports like this one. It is important for you to understand the impact of these costs on your investment returns. Operating expenses such as these are deducted from a mutual fund's gross income and directly reduce its final investment return. These expenses are expressed as a percentage of a mutual fund's average net assets; this percentage is known as a mutual fund's expense ratio. The following examples use the expense ratio and are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period. The table on the following page illustrates your Fund's costs in two ways. - - ACTUAL FUND RETURN. This section helps you to estimate the actual expenses after fee waivers that your Fund incurred over the period. The "Expenses Paid During Period" column shows the actual dollar expense cost incurred by a $1,000 investment in the Fund, and the "Ending Account Value" number is derived from deducting that expense cost from the Fund's gross investment return. You can use this information, together with the actual amount you invested in the Fund, to estimate the expenses you paid over that period. Simply divide your actual account value by $1,000 to arrive at a ratio (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply that ratio by the number shown for your Fund under "Expenses Paid During Period." - - HYPOTHETICAL 5% RETURN. This section helps you compare your Fund's costs with those of other mutual funds. It assumes that the Fund had an annual 5% return before expenses during the year, but that the expense ratio (Column 3) for the period is unchanged. This example is useful in making comparisons because the Securities and Exchange Commission requires all mutual funds to make this 5% calculation. You can assess your Fund's comparative cost by comparing the hypothetical result for your Fund in the "Expenses Paid During Period" column with those that appear in the same charts in the shareholder reports for other mutual funds. Note: Because the return is set at 5% for comparison purposes -- NOT your Fund's actual return -- the account values shown may not apply to your specific investment. 40 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Disclosure of Fund Expenses (Unaudited) (Continued) BEGINNING ENDING ANNUALIZED ACCOUNT VALUE ACCOUNT VALUE EXPENSE EXPENSES PAID DECEMBER 1, 2008 MAY 31, 2009 RATIOS+ DURING PERIOD* ---------------- ------------- ---------- -------------- THE ARBITRAGE FUND - CLASS R: Based on Actual Fund Return $1,000.00 $1,119.80 3.85% $20.35 Based on Hypothetical 5% Return (before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,005.73 3.85% $19.25 THE ARBITRAGE FUND - CLASS I: Based on Actual Fund Return $1,000.00 $1,119.70 3.62% $19.13 Based on Hypothetical 5% Return (before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,006.88 3.62% $18.11 + THE ANNUALIZED EXPENSE RATIOS INCLUDE DIVIDEND, INTEREST, AND INTEREST REBATE EXPENSE INCURRED DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD. * EXPENSES ARE EQUAL TO THE ANNUALIZED EXPENSE RATIOS FOR THE PERIOD, MULTIPLIED BY THE AVERAGE ACCOUNT VALUE OVER THE PERIOD, MULTIPLIED BY 182/365 (TO REFLECT THE ONE-HALF YEAR PERIOD). BEGINNING ENDING ANNUALIZED ACCOUNT VALUE ACCOUNT VALUE EXPENSE EXPENSES PAID DECEMBER 1, 2008 MAY 31, 2009 RATIOS+ DURING PERIOD* ---------------- ------------- ---------- -------------- THE ARBITRAGE FUND - CLASS R: Based on Actual Fund Return $1,000.00 $1,119.80 2.00% $10.57 Based on Hypothetical 5% Return (before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,014.96 2.00% $10.05 THE ARBITRAGE FUND - CLASS I: Based on Actual Fund Return $1,000.00 $1,119.70 1.77% $9.35 Based on Hypothetical 5% Return (before expenses) $1,000.00 $1,016.11 1.77% $8.90 + THE ANNUALIZED EXPENSE RATIOS EXCLUDE DIVIDEND, INTEREST, AND INTEREST REBATE EXPENSE INCURRED DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD. * EXPENSES ARE EQUAL TO THE ANNUALIZED EXPENSE RATIOS FOR THE PERIOD, MULTIPLIED BY THE AVERAGE ACCOUNT VALUE OVER THE PERIOD, MULTIPLIED BY 182/365 (TO REFLECT THE ONE-HALF YEAR PERIOD). 41 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Portfolio Information May 31, 2009 (Unaudited) SECTOR WEIGHTING (as a percentage of total investments) The following chart shows the Fund's sector weightings as of the report date. (PIE CHART) Information Technology - 24.65% Energy - 16.29% Health Care - 14.65% Consumer Staples - 9.51% Financials - 9.20% Money Market Fund - 7.84% Telecommunication Services - 6.88% Consumer Discretionary - 5.59% Materials - 3.41% Option Contracts - 1.33% Industrials - 0.65% 42 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Other Information (Unaudited) A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available without charge upon request by calling toll-free 1-800-295-4485, or on the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") website at http://www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge upon request by calling toll-free 1-800-295-4485, or on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Trust files a complete listing of portfolio holdings for the Fund with the SEC as of the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The filings are available upon request, by calling 1-800-295-4485. Furthermore, you may obtain a copy of the filing on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Fund's Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. 43 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Trustees' Renewal of Advisory Agreement (Unaudited) On April 21, 2009, the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of The Arbitrage Fund (the "Fund"), including a majority of its independent Trustees, approved the continuation of the Fund's investment advisory agreement with Water island Capital, LLC, the Fund's investment adviser (hereafter referred to as the "Adviser"). The Board determined that continuation of the investment advisory agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The Board based its decision upon its most recent review of the Adviser's investment personnel, portfolio management process, and performance. The Board discussed the factors below, among others. However, no single factor determined whether the Board approved the continuation of the investment advisory agreement. Rather, it was the totality of the factors that led to the decision. NATURE, EXTENT, AND QUALITY OF SERVICES The Board considered the experience of the personnel managing the Fund's assets as well as the quality of the Fund's investment management over both short- and long-term periods. The Board concluded the Adviser has provided high quality consistent service to the Fund and its shareholders. COST The Board considered the Fund's overall expense ratio, comparing it to other similarly managed mutual funds. In its consideration of the Fund's overall expense ratio, the Board also considered the Adviser's long term commitment to cap operating expenses reflected first in its decision to waive a portion of its advisory fee, and then in its decision to permanently lower its advisory fee. The Board during its review of costs considered the Fund's advisory fee, comparing the fee to other funds offering similar investment strategies. The Board recognized that the Fund's overall expense ratio is somewhat higher than the average of comparably managed funds but concluded shareholders are receiving a quality investment option for a reasonable price. The Board also concluded that, although the advisory fees payable to the Adviser are somewhat higher than the average of fees for other comparably managed funds, the fees are reasonable given the quality of services provided by the Adviser and the complexity of investment strategies implemented by the Adviser. PROFITABILITY OF ADVISER The Board considered the Adviser's profitability with regards to its management of the Fund, concluding that the Adviser's profitability was not excessive and therefore was a secondary factor in connection with the evaluation of advisory fees paid by the Fund. The Board considered the Fund's short- and long-term performance, including any periods of outperformance or underperformance of relevant benchmarks and peer groups. The Board concluded that the Fund's performance warranted continuation of the investment advisory agreement. 44 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Trustees' Renewal of Advisory Agreement (Unaudited) (Continued) ECONOMIES OF SCALE AND ANCILLARY BENEFITS The Board concluded, given the size of the Fund's assets at the present time, it would not be relevant to consider the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows, and whether fee levels reflect potential future economies of scale. The Board also considered the "ancillary benefits" to the Adviser, viewing these as secondary factors in connection with the evaluation of the reasonableness of the advisory fees paid by the Fund. The Board did consider the level of soft dollar activity, concluding that research derived from these trades was useful to the Fund and its shareholders. 45 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) Overall responsibility for management of the Fund rests with the Board of Trustees. The Trustees serve during the lifetime of the Trust and until its termination, or until death, resignation, retirement or removal. The Trustees, in turn, elect the officers of the Fund to actively supervise its day-to-day operations. The officers have been elected for an annual term. The following are the Trustees and executive officers of the Fund: TRUSTEE/ POSITION HELD LENGTH OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ADDRESS AGE WITH THE TRUST TIME SERVED - ----------------- ------------------------------- --- ---------------------------- ------------------- *John S. Orrico, CFA 41 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor 49 President, Secretary, Since May 2000 New York, NY 10010 Treasurer and Trustee *Joel C. Ackerman 295 Central Park West 64 Trustee Since May 2000 New York, NY 10024 John C. Alvarado Power Capital Partners LLC 49 Trustee Since December 2003 575 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor New York, NY 10022 Burtt R. Ehrlich One Landmark Square, 22nd Floor 70 Trustee Since March 2005 Stanford, CT 06901 Jay N. Goldberg Hudson Venture Partners 68 Trustee Since May 2000 535 Fifth Avenue, 14th Floor New York, NY 10017 Matthew Hemberger 41 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor 50 Vice President, Chief Since May 2000 New York, NY 10010 Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer Eric Kleinschmidt One Freedom Valley Drive 41 Chief Financial Officer Since July 2005 Oaks, PA 19456 Carolyn Mead One Freedom Valley Drive 52 Assistant Vice President and Since November 2008 Oaks, PA 19456 Assistant Secretary Bernadette Sparling One Freedom Valley Drive 32 Assistant Vice President and Since November 2008 Oaks, PA 19456 Assistant Secretary Joseph M. Gallo One Freedom Valley Drive 36 Assistant Vice President and Since October 2007 Oaks, PA 19456 Assistant Secretary * Messrs. Orrico and Ackerman are "interested persons" of the Trust within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. 46 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (Continued) Each Trustee oversees one portfolio of the Trust. The principal occupations of the Trustees and executive officers of the Fund during the past five years and public directorships held by the Trustees are set forth below: John S. Orrico is General Partner of the Adviser. Prior to January 2000, he was Portfolio Manager to private trusts and entities at Lindemann Capital Partners, L.P. and Gruss and Co. (financial management firms). Joel C. Ackerman is currently a consultant to the Fund's Adviser. During 2003, he was a Partner with Crossroads Investments LP and a Partner with LRL Capital (hedge fund). Prior to September 2002, he was a Partner of Ardsley Partners (hedge fund). John C. Alvarado is a Managing Member of Power Capital Partners, LLC which is a financial advisory and consulting firm. He is currently Chief Financial Officer of Wax Inc. (men's retail apparel), a Managing Director of Energy Finance Merchants, LLC, and Managing Member of Gordon Alvarado LLC. From 1995 to 2000, he was senior Vice President, Co-Founder and Partner of Stratum Group LP, which is a private equity investment firm. Burtt R. Ehrlich has served as director of Armor Holdings, Inc. since January 1996, director of Clarus Corp. since June 2002, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Langer, Inc. since February 2001. Mr. Ehrlich served as Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Ehrlich Bober Financial Corp. (the predecessor of Benson Eyecare Corporation) from December 1986 until October 1992, and as a director of Benson Eyecare Corporation from October 1992 until November 1995. Jay N. Goldberg is General Partner of Hudson Ventures (a venture capital company). Matthew Hemberger is Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser, Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust, and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer to the Trust. Prior to March 2001, he was an Analyst, Assistant Portfolio Manager, and CFO at Lindemann Capital Partners, L.P. Eric Kleinschmidt is Chief Financial Officer to the Trust. He has been employed by SEI Investments since 1995 and is Director of SEI Investments Fund Accounting since 2004, after serving as Manager from 1999 to 2004. 47 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited) (Continued) Joseph M. Gallo is Assistant Vice President and Assistant Secretary to the Trust. He is also Corporate Counsel to the Administrator. Prior to joining SEI, he was Associate Counsel of ICMA Retirement Corporation from 2004 to 2007. From 2002 to 2004, he was a Federal Investigator for the U.S. Department of Labor. Carolyn Mead is Assistant Vice President and Assistant Secretary to the Trust. She is also Corporate Counsel to the Administrator. Prior to joining SEI, Carolyn served as Associate Counsel at Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young. Carolyn also was Associate Counsel at ING Variable Annuities from 1999 to 2002. From 1994 to 1999, she was a Senior Compliance Administrator at PFPC, Inc. Bernadette Sparling is Assistant Vice President and Assistant Secretary to the Trust. She is also Corporate Counsel to the Administrator and Team Leader of the unit that supports Investment Management Services Department of SEI. Prior to joining SEI, Bernadette was Associate Counsel at Blank Rome LLP from 2001 to 2005. Additional information about members of the Board of Trustees and Officers is available in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI). To obtain a free copy of the SAI, please call 1-800-295-4485. 48 THE ARBITRAGE FUND Notice to Shareholders (Unaudited) For shareholders that do not have a May 31, 2009 tax year end, this notice is for informational purposes only. For shareholders with a May 31, 2009 tax year end, please consult your tax advisor as to the pertinence of this notice. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009, the Fund is designating the following items with regard to distributions paid during the year. LONG TERM ORDINARY QUALIFYING QUALIFYING QUALIFYING CAPITAL GAIN INCOME TOTAL QUALIFYING DIVIDEND INTEREST SHORT-TERM DISTRIBUTIONS DISTRIBUTIONS DISTRIBUTIONS DIVIDENDS(1) INCOME(2) INCOME(3) CAPITAL GAIN(4) - ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- --------------- 0.00% 100.00% 100.00% 1.89% 3.49% 0.00% 100.00% (1) QUALIFYING DIVIDENDS REPRESENT DIVIDENDS WHICH QUALIFY FOR THE CORPORATE DIVIDENDS RECEIVED DEDUCTION AND ARE REFLECTED AS A PERCENTAGE OF "ORDINARY INCOME DISTRIBUTIONS" (THE TOTAL OF SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAIN AND NET INVESTMENT INCOME DISTRIBUTIONS). (2) THE PERCENTAGE IN THIS COLUMN REPRESENTS THE AMOUNT OF "QUALIFYING DIVIDEND INCOME" AS CREATED BY THE JOBS AND GROWTH TAX RELIEF RECONCILIATION ACT OF 2003 AND IS REFLECTED AS A PERCENTAGE OF "ORDINARY INCOME DISTRIBUTIONS" (THE TOTAL OF SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAIN AND NET INVESTMENT INCOME DISTRIBUTIONS). IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE AFOREMENTIONED FUND TO DESIGNATE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT PERMITTED BY LAW. (3) THE PERCENTAGE IN THIS COLUMN REPRESENTS THE AMOUNT OF "QUALIFYING INTEREST INCOME" AS CREATED BY THE AMERICAN JOBS CREATION ACT OF 2004 AND IS REFLECTED AS A PERCENTAGE OF NET INVESTMENT INCOME DISTRIBUTIONS THAT IS EXEMPT FROM U.S. WITHHOLDING TAX WHEN PAID TO FOREIGN INVESTORS. (4) THE PERCENTAGE IN THIS COLUMN REPRESENTS THE AMOUNT OF "QUALIFYING SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAIN" AS CREATED BY THE AMERICAN JOBS CREATION ACT OF 2004 AND IS REFLECTED AS A PERCENTAGE OF SHORT-TERM CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS THAT IS EXEMPT FROM U.S. WITHHOLDING TAX WHEN PAID TO FOREIGN INVESTORS. THE INFORMATION REPORTED HEREIN MAY DIFFER FROM THE INFORMATION AND DISTRIBUTIONS TAXABLE TO THE SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2009. COMPLETE INFORMATION WILL BE COMPUTED AND REPORTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH YOUR FORM 1099-DIV. 49 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK. (THE ARBITRAGE FUND LOGO) 800-295-4485 www.thearbfund.com ADVISER WATER ISLAND CAPITAL, LLC 41 Madison Avenue 28th Floor New York, NY 10010 DISTRIBUTOR SEI INVESTMENTS DISTRIBUTION CO. One Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, PA 19456 TRANSFER AGENT DST SYSTEMS, INC. P.O. Box 219842 Kansas City, MO 64121-9842 CUSTODIAN STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY 225 Liberty Street New York, NY 10281 ARB (7/09) ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS. The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant's Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers. The Registrant has not made any amendments to its code of ethics during the covered period. The Registrant has not granted any waivers from any provisions of the code of ethics during the covered period. ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT. (a)(1) The Registrant's board of trustees has determined that the Registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on the audit committee. (a)(2) The audit committee financial expert is John C. Alvarado, who is independent as defined in Form N-CSR Item 3(a)(2). ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. Fees billed by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP Related to the Trust Tait, Weller & Baker LLP billed the Trust aggregate fees for services rendered to the Trust for the last two fiscal years as follows: - ------------------ ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- 2009 2008 - ------------------ ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- - ------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- All fees and All fees and All other fees All fees and All fees and All other fees services to the services to and services to services to the services to and services to Trust that were service service Trust that were service service pre-approved affiliates that affiliates that pre-approved affiliates that affiliates that were did not require were did not require pre-approved pre-approval pre-approved pre-approval - ------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- - ------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- (a) Audit $21,500 $0 $0 $20,500 $0 $0 Fees(1) - ------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- - ------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- (b) Audit-Related $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Fees - ------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- - ------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- (c) Tax Fees $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 - ------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- - ------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- (d) All $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Other Fees - ------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- Notes: (1) Audit fees include amounts related to the audit of the Registrant's annual financial statements and services normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. (e)(1) Registrant's full audit committee is responsible for any required pre-approval of audit or non-audit services, and pre-approves audit or non-audit services pursuant to policies and procedures as described in paragraph (c)(7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. (e)(2) Percentage of fees billed applicable to non-audit services pursuant to waiver of pre-approval requirement were as follows: ---------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- 2009 2008 ---------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- Audit-Related Fees 0.00% 0.00% ---------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- Tax Fees 0.00% 0.00% ---------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- All Other Fees 0.00% 0.00% ---------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- (f) Not applicable. (g) The aggregate non-audit fees and services billed by Tait, Weller & Baker LLP for the last two fiscal years were $0 and $0 for 2009 and 2008, respectively. (h) During the past fiscal year, all non-audit services provided by Registrant's principal accountant to either Registrant's investment adviser or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with Registrant's investment adviser that provides ongoing services to Registrant were pre-approved by the audit committee of Registrant's Board of Trustees. Included in the audit committee's pre-approval was the review and consideration as to whether the provision of these non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence. ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS. Not applicable to open-end management investment companies. ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS Not applicable. ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. Not applicable to open-end management investment companies. ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES Not applicable to open-end management investment companies. ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. Not applicable to open-end management investment companies. ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. None. ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. (a) The certifying officers, whose certifications are included herewith, have evaluated the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of the filing date of this report. In their opinion, based on their evaluation, the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures are adequately designed, and are operating effectively to ensure, that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. (b) There were no significant changes in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant's last fiscal half-year that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting. ITEMS 12. EXHIBITS. (a)(1) Code of Ethics attached hereto. (a)(2) A separate certification for the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of the Registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)), are filed herewith. (b) Officer certifications as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) also accompany this filing as an Exhibit. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. (Registrant) The Arbitrage Funds By (Signature and Title)* /s/ John S. Orrico John S. Orrico President and Treasurer Date: October 5, 2009 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/ John S. Orrico John S. Orrico President and Treasurer Date: October 5, 2009 By (Signature and Title)* /s/ Eric Kleinschmidt Eric Kleinschmidt Chief Financial Officer Date: October 5, 2009 * Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature. THE ARBITRAGE FUNDS CODE OF ETHICS FOR PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICERS I. COVERED OFFICERS/PURPOSE OF THE CODE The code of ethics (this "Code") for The Arbitrage Funds (the "Company") applies to the Company's Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer(s) (the "Covered Officers" each of whom are set forth in Exhibit A) for the purpose of promoting: o honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; o full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a registrant files with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and in other public communications made by the Company; o compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations; o the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and o accountability for adherence to the Code. Each Covered Officer should adhere to a high standard of business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest. II. COVERED OFFICERS SHOULD HANDLE ETHICALLY ACTUAL AND APPARENT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OVERVIEW. A "conflict of interest" occurs when a Covered Officer's private interest interferes with the interests of, or his service to, the Company. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a Covered Officer, or a member of his family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his position with the Company. Certain conflicts of interest arise out of the relationships between Covered Officers and the Company and already are subject to conflict of interest provisions in the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("Investment Company Act") and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Investment Advisers Act"). For example, Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with the Company because of their status as "affiliated persons" of the Company. The Company's and the investment adviser's compliance programs and procedures are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of these provisions. This Code does not, and is not intended to, repeat or replace these programs and procedures, and such conflicts fall outside of the parameters of this Code. Although typically not presenting an opportunity for improper personal benefit, conflicts arise from, or as a result of, the contractual relationship between the Company and the investment adviser/administrator of which the Covered Officers are also officers or employees. As a result, this Code recognizes that the Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether formally for the Company or for the adviser/administrator, or for both), be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions that will have different effects on the adviser/administrator and the Company. The participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between the Company and the adviser/administrator and is consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Company. Thus, if performed in conformity with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act, such activities will be deemed to have been handled ethically. In addition, it is recognized by the Company's Board of Trustees ("Board") that the Covered Officers may also be officers or employees of one or more investment companies covered by other codes. Other conflicts of interest are covered by the Code, even if such conflicts of interest are not subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act. The following list provides examples of conflicts of interest under the Code, but Covered Officers should keep in mind that these examples are not exhaustive. The overarching principle is that the personal interest of a Covered Officer should not be placed improperly before the interest of the Company. Each Covered Officer must: o not use his personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions or financial reporting by the Company whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally to the detriment of the Company; o not cause the Company to take action, or fail to take action, for the individual personal benefit of the Covered Officer rather than the benefit of the Company; o not use material non-public knowledge of portfolio transactions made or contemplated for the Company to trade personally or cause others to trade personally in contemplation of the market effect of such transactions; o report at least annually any affiliations or other relationships related to conflicts of interest that the Company's Trustees and Officers Questionnaire covers. There are some conflict of interest situations that should always be discussed with Counsel for the Company if material. Examples of these include: o service as a director on the board of any public company; o the receipt of any non-nominal gifts; -2- o the receipt of any entertainment from any company with which the Company has current or prospective business dealings unless such entertainment is business-related, reasonable in cost, appropriate as to time and place, and not so frequent as to raise any questions of impropriety; o any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, any of the Company's service providers, other than its investment adviser, principal underwriter, administrator or any affiliated person thereof; o a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges or spreads paid by the Company for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest arising from the Covered Officer's employment, such as compensation or equity ownership. III. DISCLOSURE AND COMPLIANCE o each Covered Officer should familiarize himself with the disclosure requirements generally applicable to the Company; o each Covered Officer should not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about the Company to others, whether within or outside the Company, including to the Company's directors and auditors, and to governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations; o each Covered Officer should, to the extent appropriate within his area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees of the Company and the adviser/administrator with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Company files with, or submits to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Company; and o it is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to promote compliance with the standards and restrictions imposed by applicable laws, rules and regulations. IV. REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY Each Covered Officer must: o upon adoption of the Code (or thereafter as applicable, upon becoming a Covered Officer), affirm in writing to the Board that he has received, read, and understands the Code; o annually thereafter affirm to the Board that he has complied with the requirements of the Code; o not retaliate against any other Covered Officer or any employee of the Company or their affiliated persons for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith; and -3- o notify Counsel for the Company promptly if he knows of any violation of this Code. Failure to do so is itself a violation of this Code. Counsel for the Company is responsible for applying this Code to specific situations in which questions are presented under it and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. However, any approvals or waivers sought by a Covered Officer will be considered by the Audit Committee (the "Committee"). The Company will follow these procedures in investigating and enforcing this Code: o Counsel for the Company will take all appropriate action to investigate any potential violations reported to him; o if, after such investigation, Counsel believes that no violation has occurred, Counsel is not required to take any further action; o any matter that Counsel believes is a violation will be reported to the Committee; o if the Committee concurs that a violation has occurred, it will inform and make a recommendation to the Board, which will consider appropriate action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable policies and procedures; notification to appropriate personnel of the investment adviser/administrator or its board; or a recommendation to dismiss the Covered Officer; o the Board will be responsible for granting waivers, as appropriate; and o any changes to or waivers of this Code will, to the extent required, be disclosed as provided by SEC rules. V. OTHER POLICIES AND PROCEDURES This Code shall be the sole code of ethics adopted by the Company for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and forms applicable to registered investment companies thereunder. Insofar as other policies or procedures of the Company, the Company's adviser, principal underwriter, or other service providers govern or purport to govern the behavior or activities of the Covered Officers who are subject to this Code, they are superseded by this Code to the extent that they overlap or conflict with the provisions of this Code. The Company's and its investment adviser's and principal underwriter's codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act are separate requirements applying to the Covered Officers and others, and are not part of this Code. -4- VI. AMENDMENTS Any amendments to this Code, other than amendments to Exhibit A, must be approved or ratified by a majority vote of the Board, including a majority of independent trustees. VII. CONFIDENTIALITY All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to this Code will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law or this Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the Board and Counsel for the Company. VIII. INTERNAL USE The Code is intended solely for the internal use by the Company and does not constitute an admission, by or on behalf of the Company, as to any fact, circumstance, or legal conclusion. Date: July 29, 2003 -5- EXHIBIT A Persons Covered by this Code of Ethics John S. Orrico Eric Kleinschmidt -6- CODE OF ETHICS FOR PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE AND SENIOR FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE As a Covered Officer as defined in the Code of Ethics For Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers of The Arbitrage Funds (the "Code"), I hereby certify that I have received and have read and fully understand the Code, and I recognize that I am subject to the Code. I further certify that since any prior certification of the Code, I have complied with the policies and procedures as in effect during that time, and agree going forward to comply with the requirements of the Code. ____________________________________________ Signature ____________________________________________ Title ____________________________________________ Name (Please Print) ____________________________________________ Date -7-