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Part 2A of Form ADV:
CWA Asset Management Group, LLC
Client Brochure
October 21, 2025
Item 1: Cover Page
the contents of
this brochure, please contact us at
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of CWA Asset Management
Group, LLC d/b/a Capital Wealth Advisors (hereinafter “CWA”, the “Firm” or “we”). If you have any questions
about
(239) 434-7434 or by email at:
Kimberly.key@capitalwealthadvisors.com. The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or by any state securities authority.
CWA is a registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply that CWA or any
of its principals or employees possess a particular level of skill or training in the investment advisory business or
any other business. In addition to the disclosures set forth in this brochure, CWA may disclose other information
that may be material to advisory relationships with its clients by other means, including written or oral disclosures.
Additional information about CWA is also available on the SEC’s website at https://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
CWA’s CRD number is: 158940.
9130 Galleria Court, Third Floor
Naples, FL 34109
(239) 434-7434
Kimberly.key@capitalwealthadvisors.com
www.capitalwealthadvisors.com
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Item 2: Material Changes
As part of its other-than-annual amendment to this client brochure, CWA is reporting the following
changes since its last annual amendment filing dated March 31, 2025:
• The brochure has been amended throughout in connection with the September 1, 2025, launch
of a new private fund sponsored and advised solely by CWA, Global New Leaders Fund, LP.
The Firm routinely makes updates throughout the brochure to improve and clarify the description of its
fees and compensation, conflicts of interest, business practices, risk information, compliance policies and
procedures, as well as to respond to evolving industry best practices. Accordingly, CWA encourages
clients to carefully read this brochure in its entirety.
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page ................................................................................................................................................... i
Item 2: Material Changes ....................................................................................................................................... ii
Item 3: Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................... iv
Item 4: Advisory Business ......................................................................................................................................1
Item 5: Fees and Compensation ...........................................................................................................................10
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ..................................................................16
Item 7: Types of Clients ........................................................................................................................................17
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Investment Loss .....................................17
Item 9: Disciplinary Information .........................................................................................................................38
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .........................................................................39
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ...............42
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................45
Item 13: Reviews of Accounts ..............................................................................................................................47
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ..........................................................................................48
Item 15: Custody ....................................................................................................................................................49
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................50
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting) ..............................................................................................51
Item 18: Financial Information .............................................................................................................................51
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Item 4: Advisory Business
A. Description of the Advisory Firm
CWA is a Delaware limited liability company. CWA at times conducts business
under the assumed name, “Capital Wealth Advisors.” CWA has been in business
since August 2011. CWA is primarily owned by CWA Holdings, LLC whose
beneficial principal owners are Blaine Ferguson, William Beynon, Lewis Johnson,
and Joseph Moglia (collectively the “Principals”).
B. Types of Advisory Services
CWA offers the following services to advisory clients:
Investment Advisory Services
CWA provides portfolio management and investment advisory services primarily to
individuals, high net worth individuals or families, as well as trusts, endowments,
charitable organizations, insurance companies, pension plans, foundations and other
business entities herein referred to each as a “client” and collectively the “clients”.
CWA manages client assets based on the individual goals, objectives, time horizon,
and risk tolerance of each client. CWA documents an Investment Policy Statement
(“IPS”) for each client, which outlines the client’s current financial situation (income,
liquidity needs, and risk tolerance levels) and then constructs a tailored investment
plan to aid in the construction of a portfolio that aligns each client’s financial goals.
CWA typically will manage client assets in separately managed accounts (each, an
“SMA” or a “client account”). An SMA is a dedicated account owned by a client and
governed through an investment management agreement (“IMA”) between a client
and CWA. Investment advisory services include, but are not limited to, the following:
Personal investment plan
Investment selection
Ongoing portfolio monitoring
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Investment strategy •
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Asset allocation
Risk tolerance
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Model Portfolios
CWA evaluates the current investments of each client with respect to their risk
tolerance levels and time horizon. CWA will request discretionary authority from
clients in order to select securities and execute transactions without permission from
the client prior to each transaction.
For non‐discretionary client accounts, the same process will occur as outlined above,
except that clients must approve the initial implementation and all subsequent
changes to the asset allocation and trades. Within our non‐discretionary capacity, we
may purchase or sell securities to meet the cash needs of the client (including without
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limitation the payment of our management fee). These purchases and sales will be
executed in a manner such that the resulting allocations will generally match the
allocation and target range for asset classes in the account prior to the purchase or
sale. Our advisory services are tailored to the objectives and strategies of each client.
Investment Methodology
CWA works with the Firm’s in-house research team to structure proprietary model
portfolios (each a “Model” and collectively the “Models”) developed to meet client
investment objectives. These Models are composed of, but not limited to, equity securities,
as well as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, fixed-income securities, and other
exchange-traded securities. The Models can be categorized into two types: active and
quantitative. Active strategies are based on fundamental research on a wide range of
securities to determine their qualification for initial and continuing investment.
Quantitative strategies are primarily directed by the relative ranking of a multi-factor stock
selection model (“MFSSM”). The Models seek to deliver high absolute rates of return while
minimizing the risk of capital loss primarily through buying securities with trading values
materially lower than the Firm’s or our MFSSM’s assessment of their fundamental values,
and, if allowable under governing documents, by selling short securities with trading
values materially higher than the Firm’s assessment of fundamental values. The Models are
rebalanced periodically and are selected to meet the specific objectives of each client. Clients
can place restrictions on securities selected.
In addition to the Models, CWA utilizes “grandfathered strategies” that have been
integrated as part of account acquisitions from third-party investment advisers and may be
applied as appropriate based on client objectives and circumstances. These grandfathered
strategies are distinct from the proprietary Models and include different approaches to
methods of investment analysis, including the use of charting, fundamental analysis,
technical analysis, and cyclical analysis. The primary investment approach under these
grandfathered strategies is strategic asset allocation, which involves the use of individual
stocks, bonds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
These portfolios are generally globally diversified to optimize risk and return correlations
in alignment with each client’s goals, objectives, and risk tolerance. The client’s desired
investment approach under these strategies is documented in an Investment Policy
Statement, which can be updated to reflect changes in the client’s objectives.
CWA provides both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management by
leveraging the Models and grandfathered strategies to individuals, high net-worth
individuals, foundations, endowments, trusts, estates, corporations or other businesses,
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charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and other investment advisers
and/or investment adviser platforms.
At this time, CWA participates in the Schwab Adviser Network (“SAN”) client referral
programs as more fully described in Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation.
Use of Sub-Advisors
Depending on client investment requirements, CWA engages one or more third-party
sub-advisers (“Independent Managers”) to manage portions of client assets if
deemed in the best interest of a client, subject to the client’s IMA, investment
objectives and risk tolerance. CWA will generally execute a sub-advisory agreement
with each Independent Manager. CWA will also deliver a sub-adviser’s Form ADV
Part 2A and Part 2B to the relevant clients if required by sub-advisor agreement. There
will be instances where CWA could require clients to sign separate written
agreements directly with those Independent Managers instead of CWA doing so on
client’s behalf. Additionally, clients could be asked to open new custodian accounts
with a third-party custodian to separate the sub-advised assets from other client
assets advised by CWA. Independent Managers will generally have limited power-
of-attorney and will have only trading authority over those assets CWA directs to
them for management. Independent Managers will be authorized to buy, sell and
trade on behalf of a client’s account and to give instructions, consistent to their
authority, to the relevant broker-dealer and custodian. The fees charged by the
Independent Managers will be disclosed to clients and will be in addition to the
management fees charged by CWA. In addition to management fees, the client could
incur transaction and custodial fees on assets managed by the Independent Manager.
CWA will monitor and review of all such sub-advised accounts on a periodic basis.
Additionally, as discussed below, certain beneficial owners and a partner of CWA
will receive compensation from First Trust Advisors, L.P. (“First Trust”), due to First
Trust’s acquisition and assumption of the formerly affiliated sub-adviser, Gyroscope
Capital Management Group L.L.C. (“Gyroscope”), which payments will be based on
certain assets under management of First Trust that are attributable to Gyroscope.
Family Office Services
In addition to investment advisory services, CWA provides family office services to
ultra-high net worth clients. These services include tax planning, estate planning,
philanthropic planning and day to day administration and management of a family’s
affairs.
Financial Planning Services
In addition to investment advisory services, CWA provides financial planning
services to some of its clients. These services include tax planning, estate planning,
and philanthropic planning. As part of these services, CWA utilizes financial
planning software to assist in the development of customized financial plans tailored
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to each client’s unique circumstances and goals. This software serves as a tool to
model financial outcomes based on a range of assumptions, including inflation rates,
economic conditions, and asset class performance, among other factors. The use of
this software enhances CWA's ability to provide clients with comprehensive and
personalized financial planning strategies.
Recommendation of Private Funds
CWA recommends to “accredited investors” as defined in Regulation D promulgated
under the Securities Act of 1933 (“1933 Act”) and qualified clients (as defined under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and as required pursuant to the
fund governing documents) to invest in private pooled investment vehicles managed
by CWA. These private funds are sponsored and advised solely by CWA.
CWA manages private funds, including CW Special Opportunities Fund, LP, a
Delaware limited partnership (the “Opportunity Fund”) and Global New Leaders
Fund, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Global New Leaders Fund” and,
together with the Opportunity Fund and any other private funds managed by CWA,
the “CWA Private Funds”). Certain beneficial owners of CWA will receive
compensation related to investments in the Global New Leaders Fund.
A client considering investing in a fund will be provided with a private placement
memorandum (“PPM”), governing documents (such as a limited partnership
agreement), and subscription documents (collectively, “Offering Documents”). A
client should read private fund investment documentation carefully before investing
in a fund, which requires execution of subscription documents separately from the
IMA executed with CWA. Clients investing in a private fund, including one of the
CWA Private Funds, will pay management fees, performance-based fees, and
expenses of the fund pursuant to the fund’s governing documents, in addition to the
management fee paid to CWA for assets invested in the fund.
FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund
Qualifying clients may have the opportunity to invest in the FTIS Enhanced Liquid
Income Fund (formerly the Gyroscope Enhanced Liquid Income Master Fund, LP)
(the “FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund”). While not an affiliated fund, certain
beneficial owners and a partner of CWA will receive compensation related to
investments in the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund.
All units of Gyroscope Enhanced Liquid Income Fund, GP, LLC (i.e., the general
partner for the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund) were purchased by First Trust.
An agreement between First Trust and CW Gyroscope, LLC was executed whereby
management fees and incentive fees for the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund will
be shared 50/50 with previous owners, which include, without limitation, certain
CWA principals and a CWA partner.
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The following CWA principals will directly or indirectly receive a portion of the
shared management and incentive fees:
William Beynon
Blaine Ferguson
Lewis Johnson
Kevin Erndl
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Clients are under no obligation to invest in private funds.
Retirement Plan Services
CWA engages with retirement plan clients in a wide range of capacities. For plans
subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”), this includes serving as an ERISA Section 3(21) fiduciary providing
investment recommendations to the plan sponsor and/or plan trustee and/or as a
3(38)-investment manager, relieving the plan sponsor or trustee of their fiduciary
responsibility and assuming the investment management decision making for the
plan.
In addition to allocating plan assets and portfolio management, these services can
include assistance in setting up an Investment Policy Statement for the portfolio,
liquidity needs, selecting professional record‐keepers,
managing cash and
administrators and custodians, and providing in depth quarterly or annual review
with the portfolio’s performance and our outlook on financial market conditions.
CWA has adopted policies and procedures designed to comply with the ERISA
fiduciary standards when advising retirement asset rollovers as set forth in the
Department of Labor Fiduciary Rule that went into effect on January 31, 2022:
IRA Rollover Recommendations
Effective December 20, 2021 (or such later date as the US Department of Labor
(“DOL”) Field Assistance Bulletin 2018-02 ceases to be in effect), for purposes of
complying with the DOL’s Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2020-02 (“PTE 2020-02”)
where applicable, we are providing the following acknowledgment to you. When we
provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or
individual retirement account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as
applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. The way we make money
creates some conflicts with your interests, so we operate under a special rule that
requires us to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours. Under
this special rule’s provisions, we must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations
(give prudent advice);
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• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations
(give loyal advice);
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
• Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in
your best interest;
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
• Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
We benefit financially from the rollover of your assets from a retirement account to an
account that we manage or provide investment advice, because the assets increase our
assets under management and, in turn, our advisory fees. As a fiduciary, we only
recommend a rollover when we believe it is in your best interest.
IRA Rollover Considerations
As part of our investment advisory services to you, we may recommend that you
withdraw the assets from your employer's retirement plan and roll the assets over to
an individual retirement account ("IRA") that we will manage on your behalf. If you
elect to roll the assets to an IRA that is subject to our management, we will charge you
an asset-based fee as set forth in the agreement you executed with CWA. This practice
presents a conflict of interest because persons providing investment advice on our
behalf have an incentive to recommend a rollover to you for the purpose of generating
fee-based compensation rather than solely based on your needs. You are under no
obligation, contractually or otherwise, to complete the rollover. Moreover, if you do
complete the rollover, you are under no obligation to have the assets in an IRA
managed by our firm.
Many employers permit former employees to keep their retirement assets in their
company plan. Also, current employees can sometimes move assets out of their
company plan before they retire or change jobs. In determining whether to complete
the rollover to an IRA, and to the extent the following options are available, you
should consider the costs and benefits of:
Leaving the funds in your employer's (former employer's) plan.
Moving the funds to a new employer’s retirement plan.
Cashing out and taking a taxable distribution from the plan.
Rolling the funds into an IRA rollover account.
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2.
3.
4.
Each of these options has advantages and disadvantages and before making a change
we encourage you to speak with your CPA and/or tax attorney.
If you are considering rolling over your retirement funds to an IRA for us to manage
here are a few points to consider before you do so:
1. Determine whether the investment options in your employer's retirement plan
addresses your needs or whether you might want to consider other types of
investments.
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a. Employer retirement plans generally have a more limited investment menu than IRAs.
b. Employer retirement plans may have unique investment options not available to the
public such as employer securities, or previously closed funds.
2. Your current plan may have lower fees than our fees.
a. If you are interested in investing only in mutual funds, you should understand the
cost structure of the share classes available in your employer's retirement plan and
how the costs of those share classes compare with those available in an IRA.
b. You should understand the various products and services you might take advantage
of at an IRA provider and the potential costs of those products and services.
3. Our strategy may have higher risk than the option(s) provided to you in your plan.
4. Your current plan may also offer financial advice.
5. If you keep your assets titled in a 401k or retirement account, you could potentially
delay your required minimum distribution beyond age 72.
6. Your 401k may offer more liability protection than a rollover IRA; each state may vary.
a. Generally, federal law protects assets in qualified plans from creditors. Since 2005, IRA
assets have been generally protected from creditors in bankruptcies. However, there
can be some exceptions to the general rules so you should consult with an attorney if
you are concerned about protecting your retirement plan assets from creditors.
7. You may be able to take out a loan on your 401k, but not from an IRA.
8. IRA assets can be accessed any time; however, distributions are subject to ordinary
income tax and may also be subject to a 10% early distribution penalty unless they
qualify for an exception such as disability, higher education expenses or the purchase
of a home.
9. If you own company stock in your plan, you may be able to liquidate those shares at
a lower capital gains tax rate.
10. Your plan may allow you to hire us as the manager and keep the assets titled in the
plan name.
It is important that you understand the differences between these types of accounts
and to decide whether a rollover is best for you. Prior to proceeding, if you have
questions contact your investment adviser representative, or call our main number as
listed on the cover page of this brochure.
Donor Advised Fund Services
Some CWA clients will establish donor advised funds through a third-party
charitable program, (“Charitable Platform”). The funds will be managed in
accordance with the specific investment policies and guidelines of the Charitable
Platform. Clients will establish a donor advised account, transfer funds earmarked
for charitable donation and recognize a tax deduction in the year that funds are
transferred into an account opened on a Charitable Platform. The funds remain in
such account until the client designates a charity, an amount and a date to donate to
such charity.
Under independent advisor programs established within the Charitable Platform,
donors nominate an independent investment adviser, which could include CWA, to
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manage accounts established on the Charitable Platform. If nominated, CWA will
manage the donor’s account pursuant to investment guidelines established by the
Charitable Platform.
Insurance Services
Certain personnel of CWA are licensed insurance representatives through one or
more of CWA’s affiliated insurance businesses, and such personnel will review and
evaluate clients’ various insurance policies and offer clients the option to purchase
such policies as life insurance, long term disability, long term care policies and fixed
annuities through CWA’s affiliated insurance businesses, in which case a written
evaluation will typically be provided to client for review and approval. CWA’s
affiliated insurance businesses will not execute any insurance business without client
consent. Clients are under no obligation to execute any insurance business with
CWA’s affiliated insurance businesses, which are conducted through affiliated
entities: LWPB Insurance, LLC, LWE Consulting, LLC, 5th Avenue Brokerage, LLC
(d/b/a CWA Brokerage, LLC), Liberty Wolfe Enterprises, LLC and Capital Wealth
Advisors, Inc.
CWA personnel may also offer variable annuity products through a licensed
insurance representative with an unaffiliated broker dealer, Leaders Group, with
such variable annuity business being conducted through an affiliated entity, Calusa
River Capital, LLC d/b/a Calusa River (“Calusa River”). Clients are under no
obligation to execute any variable annuity business with Calusa River.
Afore Insurance Services, LLC (“Afore”) is an entity that offers personal and
commercial insurance policies, in which an affiliated entity, CWA Risk Management,
LLC, owns a passive minority interest. Certain CWA personnel refer clients to Afore.
CWA does not require such referrals and does not earn fees on Afore. Clients are
under no obligation to execute any insurance business with Afore.
Discretionary and Non-Discretionary Services
Discretionary
As a discretionary investment adviser, CWA will have the authority to supervise and
direct client portfolios without prior consultation with the client.
Non-Discretionary
In a non-discretionary arrangement, the client retains the responsibility for the final
decision on all actions taken with respect to client’s portfolio. For non-discretionary
accounts, the client may also execute a limited power of attorney, which allows CWA
to carry out trade recommendations and approved actions in the client’s portfolio.
However, in accordance with CWA’s non-discretionary investment advisory
agreement with the client, CWA does not implement trading recommendations or
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other actions in the account unless and until the client has approved the
recommendation or action.
The use of non-discretionary accounts may result in a delay in executing
recommended trades, which could adversely affect the performance of the portfolio.
This delay also normally means the affected account(s) will not be able to participate
in block trades, a practice designed to enhance the execution quality, timing and/or
cost for all accounts included in the block.
C. Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
Specific client financial plans and their implementation are generally dependent upon
the applicable client Investment Policy Statement which outlines each client’s current
situation (income, liquidity needs, and risk tolerance levels) and is used to construct
a client specific plan to aid in the selection of a portfolio that matches restrictions,
needs, and targets.
Clients may request restrictions in investing in certain securities or types of securities
in accordance with their values or beliefs. CWA will evaluate requested restrictions
and make a determination of whether CWA is willing or able to accommodate such
a request.
CWA maintains a restricted list of securities in which CWA may be in the possession
of MNPI. Clients may be restricted in trading such securities under those
circumstances without the consent of the CCO.
D. Assets Under Management
As of February 28, 2025, CWA has the following regulatory assets under
management:
Discretionary Amount:
Date Calculated:
Non-discretionary
Amount:
$ 187,078,535.56
$ 3,878,248,664.62
September 30,
2025
Total AUM:
$ 4,065,327,200.18
Date Calculated:
September 30,
2025
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
A. Fee Schedule
Investment Advisory Fees
The following table summarizes CWA’s current fee structure for investment advisory
services.
Total Assets Under Management
Annual Fee
Up to $2,500,000
1.15%
Next $2,500,000 ($2.5MM to $5MM)
1.00%
Next $10,000,000 ($5MM to $15MM)
0.85%
Next $10,000,000 ($15MM to $25MM)
0.75%
Next $10,000,000 ($25MM to $35MM)
0.65%
Next $10,000,000 ($35MM to $45MM)
0.55%
Any assets over $45,000,000
0.50%
Investment advisory fees are negotiable depending upon the needs of the client and
complexity of the client’s situation, and the final fee schedule is attached to each
client’s IMA. In addition, certain legacy advisory clients pay fees according to a
different fee schedule, which could include fees of up to 1.75% of the first $1,000,000
of assets under management, and fees of up to 1.25% of any assets between $1,000,000
and $10,000,000.
Fees are calculated on the net asset value as of the end of the prior quarter of each
client’s account and paid quarterly in advance; provided, however, that certain
clients pay fees monthly at their request. The net asset value of a client’s account
includes accrued interest on bonds, and for accounts that utilize margin, the net asset
value includes the total account value, including the margin balance. Clients may
terminate their contracts with thirty days’ prior written notice. Refunds are given on
a prorated basis, based on the number of days remaining in a quarter at the point of
termination. The point of termination is the shorter of thirty-days of receiving
notification or the end of the quarter. The fee refunded will be the balance of the fees
collected in advance minus the daily rate* times the number of days in the quarter up
to and including the day of termination. (*The daily rate is calculated by dividing the
quarterly AUM fee by the number of days in the termination quarter). Clients may
terminate their contracts without penalty, within 5 business days of signing the
advisory contract. Investment advisory fees are withdrawn directly from the client’s
account(s) with client written authorization.
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Depending on each client’s unique circumstances and arrangements, CWA’s
management fees are exclusive of any fees, expenses, commissions, and other charges
assessed by third parties. Such third-party fees, expenses, commissions and/or
charges may include custodial fees, brokerage commissions (see Item 12 – Brokerage
Practices), transaction fees, third-party investment management fees, odd lot
differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees, interest on margin
accounts, and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions.
Mutual funds exchange traded funds are subject to their own respective expenses.
These fees, expenses, commissions, and other charges will be charged by the third
parties, such as qualified custodians, and reduce the net asset value of a client’s
account.
5.A.II: ERISA PROGRAM FEE SCHEDULE – FEE SCHEDULE IS RELATED TO
ERISA PLANS ONLY
ERISA Program Fee Schedule
Plan Assets
Up to 0 to $500,000
Next $500,001 to $1,000,000
Next $1,000,001 to $3,000,000
Next $3,000,001 to $5,000,000
Next $5,000,001 to $7,500,000
Next 7,500,001 and above
Other:
Annual Fee (%)
0.70%
0.63%
0.56%
0.49%
0.42%
0.35%
_______%
Additional Fees for Specialized CWA Strategies
Clients investing in CWA’s Capital Tax Advantage Strategy (“CTAS”), a tax
harvesting strategy, will pay .25 basis points charged quarterly in advance and
debited from Client’s account, in addition to the investment advisory fee paid to
CWA.
Private Fund Fees
Subject to disclosures in the CWA Private Funds’ respective PPM and governing
documents, CWA will receive compensation consisting of (1) an annual fixed fee (the
“Management Fee”); and (2) an annual performance-based allocation (the “Incentive
Allocation”) which is calculated based upon a percentage of the net capital
appreciation of the Funds at the end of each fiscal year subject to a high-water mark.
Generally, management fees for investing in the CWA Private Funds range between
0.5 – 1.0%. Specific performance-based hurdles and Fund expenses are disclosed in
the Funds’ respective governing documents. Such fees will be deducted from an
investor’s net asset value. CWA may, but is not required to, reduce or eliminate the
management fee or performance-based fee with respect to any limited partner in its
sole discretion.
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Note: As discussed above, while not an affiliated fund, certain beneficial owners and
a partner of CWA will receive compensation related to investments in the FTIS
Enhanced Liquid Income Fund.
Independent Manager Fees
For clients whose assets are sub-advised by an Independent Manager, clients could
also be required to execute a separate management agreement and custodial account
with the Independent Manager selected by CWA to manage a portion of client assets
and will also be charged separate management fees by such Independent Manager in
addition to the fees charged by CWA. CWA does not receive any portion of these
commissions, fees, and costs charged by the Independent Manager; however, certain
beneficial owners and a partner of CWA will receive compensation from First Trust
(which has acquired Gyroscope) based on assets under management of First Trust
attributable to Gyroscope.
Family Office Services Fees
Fees for family office services are negotiated with each family office depending on the
needs of the client for services that include tax planning, estate planning,
philanthropic planning and day to day administration and management of the
family’s affairs. Fees for family office services may be deducted from the client’s
account in the same manner as fees for investment advisory services. In certain
circumstances, when the fees for family office services are combined with fees for
investment advisory services, the total fees deducted from a family office client’s
account may exceed the fee schedule outlined above under investment advisory
services.
Financial Planning Services Fees
Fees for financial planning services are negotiated with each client depending on the
needs of the client for services that include tax planning, estate planning, and
philanthropic planning. Fees for financial planning services may be deducted from
the client’s account in the same manner as fees for investment advisory services. In
certain circumstances, when the fees for financial planning services are combined
with fees for investment advisory services, the total fees deducted from a client’s
accounts may exceed the fee schedule outlined above under investment advisory
services.
Fees for Insurance Services
Clients will not pay additional fees for insurance products purchased through the
CWA’s affiliates, LWPB Insurance LLC, 5th Avenue Brokerage, LLC (d/b/a CWA
Brokerage, LLC), LWE Consulting, LLC, Liberty Wolfe Enterprises, LLC, Capital
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Wealth Advisors, Inc. or Calusa River, however such affiliates receive compensation
in the form of commissions from the insurance companies.
Clients engaging the services of Afore for insurance policies will not pay additional
fees to CWA. However, certain affiliated persons of CWA own a minority interest in
Afore and will receive a portion of the compensation earned by Afore through their
ownership interests. Clients are under no obligation to execute any insurance
business with Afore.
B. Payment of Fees
Payment of Investment Advisory Fees
Generally, client fees will be debited from the client’s account that generated the fee,
unless otherwise indicated by the client in writing. If a client does not have enough
liquidity in its client account to pay the management fee, CWA will instruct the
custodian to liquidate securities in the client account or use margin to cover the
amount of management fees. The amount of the management fee will be pro-rated
for periods of less than a full billing period. Clients can also request to be invoiced for
investment advisory fees and can submit separate payment.
Payment of Fund Fees
For clients invested in alternative investments, including a CWA Private Fund, and
third-party private funds, the fees and expenses incurred for the management and
operation of such alternative investments will be deducted by the investment sponsor
or fund manager, as applicable, and reduce the client’s net asset value. These fees are
in addition to the investment advisor fee charged by CWA. CWA related persons
will benefit as a result of those fees generated by a private fund managed by CWA.
Independent Manager Fees
For clients whose assets are sub-advised by an Independent Manager, such
Independent Manager will deduct fees directly from the client’s account in
accordance with the disclosures in the Independent Manager’s ADV 2A. CWA does
not receive any portion of these commissions, fees, and costs charged by the
independent manager; however, as discussed below, certain beneficial owners and a
partner of CWA will receive compensation from First Trust (which has acquired
Gyroscope) based on certain assets under management of First Trust attributable to
Gyroscope. Clients should review the separate agreement and paperwork they sign
with the sub-adviser.
Payment of Family Office Fees
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Fees for services provided to the family office may be billed directly to the client on a
monthly or quarterly basis or may be withdrawn directly from the client’s accounts
in the same manner as investment advisory fees, as negotiated with the client.
Payment of Financial Planning Fees
Fees for financial planning services provided to the client may be billed directly to the
client as a fixed fee or on a monthly or quarterly basis or may be withdrawn directly
from the client’s accounts in the same manner as fees paid for investment advisory
services, as negotiated with the client.
Fees for Retirement Services
CWA is deemed to be a fiduciary to advisory clients that are employee benefit plans subject
to ERISA or plans subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”),
such as individual retirement accounts (IRAs). As such, CWA is subject to specific duties
and obligations under ERISA and the Code that include, among other things, restrictions
concerning certain forms of compensation. To avoid engaging in prohibited transactions,
CWA will only charge fees for investment advice on products for which CWA does not
receive any commissions or trailing fees such as 12b-1 fees, unless such payments are
structured in a manner that complies with ERISA and the regulations and rulings of the
Department of Labor.
Prior to rolling over their retirement account assets to an IRA or other qualified account,
clients should consider the underlying costs paid by and the service provided under the
retirement plan, and whether it may be more economic and beneficial for the client to leave
the retirement asset with the retirement plan. Clients are under no obligation to engage us
to manage retirement plan assets.
There is an inherent conflict of interest when an adviser recommends a rollover. That is
because typically advisers will receive a fee from rollover IRAs but will not earn a fee if the
assets are maintained in the retirement plan. CWA manages this conflict of interest through
disclosure so that the client can make an informed decision. CWA has policies and
procedures in place to monitor and prevent any actions which are not in the client's best
interest.
Fees for Insurance Services
Clients will not pay additional fees to CWA for insurance products purchased
through the Firm’s affiliates, LWPB Insurance, LLC, 5th Avenue Brokerage, LLC,
Liberty Wolfe Enterprises, LLC, LWE Consulting, LLC Capital Wealth Advisors, Inc.,
Calusa River, or Afore; however, such affiliates receive compensation in the form of
commissions from the insurance companies.
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Refunds of Prepaid Fees
Fees are paid quarterly in advance, and clients may terminate their contracts with
thirty days’ prior written notice. If a client terminates before the end of a billing
period, fees that are paid in advance will be refunded. Refunds are given on a
prorated basis, based on the number of days remaining in a quarter at the point of
termination. The point of termination is the shorter of thirty-days of receiving
notification or the end of the quarter.
C. Clients Are Responsible For Third Party Fees
Clients are responsible for the payment of all third-party fees (including, but not
limited to, custodian fees, brokerage fees, private fund fees, mutual fund fees,
transaction fees, Independent Manager fees, and management fees or performance
compensation paid to underlying private funds in which clients invest).
To the extent clients invest in the CWA Private Funds, such clients are also
responsible for the payment of all fees and expenses to CWA, as provided in the
governing documents of the respective Fund.
The foregoing fees are separate and distinct from the investment advisory fees
charged by CWA.
Please see Item 12 which provides additional detail regarding brokerage and
custodial relationships.
D. Payment of Investment Advisory Fees in Advance
As discussed above, client fees are paid in advance and will generally be debited from
the client’s account that generated the fee, unless otherwise indicated by the client in
writing. The amount of the management fee will be pro-rated for periods of less than
a full billing period. Clients can also request to be invoiced for investment advisory
fees and can submit separate payment. Clients may terminate their contracts with
thirty days’ prior written notice. Refunds are given on a prorated basis, based on the
number of days remaining in a quarter at the point of termination. The point of
termination is the shorter of thirty-days of receiving notification or the end of the
quarter. The fee refunded will be the balance of the fees collected in advance minus
the daily rate times the number of days in the quarter up to and including the day of
termination. The daily rate is calculated by dividing the quarterly AUM fee by the
number of days in the termination quarter. Clients may terminate their contracts
without penalty within 5 business days of signing the advisory contract.
E. Outside Compensation For the Sale of Securities to Clients
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Neither CWA nor its supervised persons accept any compensation for the sale of
securities or other investment products, including asset-based sales charges or
services fees from the sale of mutual funds. However, (i) related persons of CWA do
directly or indirectly benefit from CWA clients investing into the private funds
(including the CWA Private Funds) and strategies as discussed in Item 5.A above, the
“Certain Private Funds” risk factor in Item 8.C below, and in Item 10.C below; (ii)
certain beneficial owners and a partner of CWA will directly or indirectly benefit from
a CWA client investing the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund and certain First
Trust strategies, as discussed in the “Certain Private Funds” see item 4.B, risk factor
in Item 8.C, in Item 10.C below, and in Item 10.D below.
Related persons of CWA will receive compensation from their financial interests in
LWPB Insurance, LWE Consulting, LLC, 5th Avenue Brokerage, LLC, d/b/a CWA
Brokerage, LLC, Liberty Wolfe Enterprises, LLC, Capital Wealth Advisors, Inc., or
Calusa River when transacting insurance business on behalf of clients. Clients are not
obligated to conduct business with any affiliate of CWA.
Related persons of CWA receive compensation from their financial interests in Afore.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
CWA charges an Incentive Allocation to Investors in the CWA Private Funds in
connection with its management of such private funds consistent with the provisions
of Rule 205-3 under the Advisers Act. Specifically, in addition to Management Fees,
CWA is entitled to receive an Incentive Allocation based on a percentage of the net
profits, including realized and unrealized gains and losses, if any, of the investors of
the CWA Private Funds, as shown in the table below:
CWA Private Fund
Incentive Allocation
Opportunity Fund
Up to 5%
Global New Leaders Fund
Up to 19%
Clients invested in a private fund will be charged a performance-based fee in
accordance with the governing documents, which will benefit CWA’s related persons
(directly or indirectly). Clients invested in third-party managed funds will pay
performance-based fees in certain cases, which are disclosed in the governing
documents for those funds.
As discussed below in Item 10.C and Item 10.D, associated persons of CWA, including
certain partners and owners, will share in performance-based fee arrangements from
the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund and the Global New Leaders Fund.
“Side-by-side management” refers to a situation in which the same firm manages
accounts that are billed based on a percentage of assets under management and at the
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same time manages other accounts for which fees are assessed on a performance fee
basis. The CWA Private Funds may trade in the same securities traded in client
accounts managed by CWA. CWA has an incentive to favor accounts for which it or
its affiliates receive a performance-based fee. CWA’s Code of Ethics prohibits CWA
and its personnel from putting their interests ahead of the interests of clients.
CWA aggregates, allocates and executes trades among separate custodians in most
circumstances. CWA has implemented policies and procedures to aggregate and
allocate trades in most circumstances. There will be instances whereby aggregation
of trades is not possible due to a variety of reasons.
Item 7: Types of Clients
CWA generally provides advisory services to the following types of clients:
Individuals
•
• High-Net-Worth Individuals
• Family Offices
• Trusts and Estates
• Pensions and Profit-Sharing Plans
• Charitable Organizations
• Corporations and Other Business Entities
• Foundations
Minimum Account Size
CWA does not have a minimum account size for client accounts.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Investment Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Methods of Analysis
CWA primarily manages accounts by seeking to buy securities with trading values
materially lower than CWA’s assessment of their fundamental values. CWA uses
proprietary and outside sourced equity and fixed income models for analyzing and
evaluating potential securities investments that may incorporate, without limitation,
charting analysis, fundamental analysis, technical analysis, cyclical analysis and
machine learning. Depending on the mandate of each Model or Fund, CWA will
invest globally in an array of researched or MFSSM ranked securities and
investments, including equities, fixed income, or commodities (including, without
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limitation, securities whose performance reflects the values of underlying
commodities or futures positions).
In certain circumstances, CWA may incorporate the use of advanced technologies,
such as artificial intelligence (“AI”), to assist in the research and review stages for
specific investment strategies. The use of AI is limited to areas where CWA believes
AI can provide meaningful insights, such as analyzing large datasets, identifying
trends, or enhancing risk assessment. Any application of AI is conducted at CWA’s
discretion.
In certain contexts (e.g., financial planning), CWA uses software that the provider has
indicated incorporates AI technologies to analyze client documents. CWA redacts
personally identifying information prior to uploading client documents to this
software.
AI is used as one tool among others, including traditional investment research
methodologies. Clients and potential clients should not consider CWA’s use of AI as a
material safeguard or tool that can be used to exclusively minimize the risk of loss in
models, portfolios or client accounts.
Investment Strategies
CWA separates its investment Models into two broad categories: active strategies and
MFSSM strategies. Active strategies are driven by active research.
Actively Managed Strategies
For active strategies, CWA and the Firm’s affiliates have and continues to develop
different approaches that span a number of different disciplines, including:
• Multi-asset analysis that examines expected returns of various asset classes,
countries, industries, and market segments;
• Factor analysis, which assesses factor risks, fundamentals, and returns over
time;
• Fixed income credit analysis that assesses the credit characteristics of issuers,
structures and industries;
• Fixed income market analysis that analyzes broad fixed income market and
macro-level investment factors;
• Global industry analysis that studies companies within a particular industry
or industries;
• Macro analysis that assesses country and global analysis of macro-level
investment factors;
• Quantitative analysis that assesses securities using quantitative methods; and
• Technical analysis that analyzes technical market or security characteristics
and their impact on individual securities, commodities, and currencies.
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CWA’s internal research activities will be many and varied. We will sometimes speak
directly with company management teams. We will review industry, financial and
market data, along with publications and periodicals, company filings and related
publicly available reports. We may attend industry conferences, academic seminars,
and trade shows to obtain perspectives and insights.
We will supplement our internal research with external research from sources such
as broker-dealers and third-party research firms. These sources typically provide
data, research and analysis and may serve as a gauge of market consensus. Together,
our internal and external sources of research will provide the raw material for our
investment professionals to use in making judgments about investment management.
Our portfolio managers, researchers and other professionals may have dual
responsibilities of advising, research and portfolio management thus creating
potential conflicts in the allocation of investment ideas. We have and intend to
continuously update policies and procedures to minimize these conflicts and the
potential that one client may be favored at the expense of another.
Investment decisions for Managed Accounts and Models are based on an
independent evaluation of available investment opportunities in light of the client’s
investment guidelines and objectives. As a result, our firm may be buying a security
for one client while it is selling that security for another. We believe that this structure
best enables us to meet the investment objectives of our diverse group of clients and
encourages individual responsibility for investment performance. However, this can
result in situations where investment positions or actions taken for one account are
the opposite of those taken for others.
Many of our portfolio managers and advisors manage client assets using more than
one investment approach. In addition, some portfolio managers manage "long-only"
portfolios, as well as portfolios that take both long and short positions. Managing
multiple portfolio management assignments requires the exercise of discretion and
judgment, since a portfolio manager or advisor will make different investment
decisions for different clients based on the portfolio manager's or advisor’s analysis
of each client’s respective guidelines, objectives, and risk tolerances.
CWA also uses proprietary and outside sourced equity and fixed income models for
analyzing and evaluating potential securities investments that may incorporate,
without limitation, fundamental analysis, charting analysis, technical analysis,
cyclical analysis.
For the CTAS strategy, CWA invests client accounts in either the common stock of
U.S. companies or in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) of non-U.S.
companies. The strategy seeks to replicate the pre-tax performance of a chosen
underlying index while pursuing improved after-tax returns through tax loss
harvesting. A portfolio invested in CTAS will hold a fraction of the number of
securities of the underlying index it seeks to replicate. Stock selection will be driven
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through the process of mean variance optimization to maintain the risk and return
profile of the portfolio relative to the index.
CWA’s portfolio managers and research team will create and manage the Models.
Within Models focused on equities, our internal research team’s process begins by
determining which sectors, geographies, or themes that it wants to emphasize or
ignore. Our team will investigate undervalued pockets of opportunity where former
headwinds may be turning into tailwinds. In addition, we will seek to avoid sectors,
securities, geographies, or themes that we believe are overvalued or have an outlook
materially worse than many expect. The team’s views are informed from a wide range
of sources and methods honed over the 20 plus year investment career of the Chief
Investment Officer and Director of Research, as well as those of relevant portfolio
managers. We will focus on valuation and several factors that go into this analysis,
such as balance sheet strength, quality of management, the durability of the
company’s cash flows and of course, the price for which we must pay to buy and own
that security in the market.
Securities will be chosen in three principal ways:
1.) Quantitative screening to prioritize by valuation;
2.) Ideas generated from its extensive network of contacts; and
3.) Idea generation from in-house sources (publications, research reports, historic
familiarity, etc.).
We tailor our choice of valuation metrics to the business we are valuing. These may
include but are not limited to Price vs. Replacement cost, Discounted Free Cash Flow,
Free Cash Flow Yield, Earnings Multiples, Book Value, Dividend Yield and Similar
Measures. We may look at these both absolute and relative to the market and other
sector companies, how they change over the course of the cycle, and how they are
valued relative to the security’s own history.
Other factors may include, but are not limited to:
• Risk: Balance Sheet and other Business Risk;
• Cost of Carry: Presence and level of sustainable dividends;
• Understanding Consensus Expectations and whether too low or high; and/or
• Management: Evaluating management’s track record of value creation.
The factors above seek to combine and create Models with different characteristics of
risks, returns, geographic and market exposures that affiliated and unaffiliated
advisors can use to structure client accounts.
Multi Factor Stock Selection Model (MFSSM) Driven Strategies
CWA is a client of a third-party, registered and licensed research organization that
develops and licenses the use of several MFSSMs. These models produced by third-
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party organizations provide relative ranking of thousands of stocks based on a wide
variety of factors and subfactors. These factors include, among others, financial,
accounting, market action, technical, news flow, sell side opinion/estimates and
other metrics. These factors are then combined by the third-party research
organization with different weightings based on historical and mathematical
relationships and machine learning to create a ranked order of the securities being
analyzed. CWA uses these rankings, alongside CWA portfolio manager judgement,
to build models with a variety of different characteristics and investment goals.
Financial Planning Software and Methodology
CWA incorporates financial planning software into its advisory process for some
clients to assist in the development of personalized financial plans. This software uses
a series of forward-looking assumptions and methodologies to model potential
financial outcomes based on client-provided information, historical data, and market
benchmarks. The key assumptions employed by the software include inflation rates,
asset class risks, projected rates of return, and economic growth estimates. These
assumptions are derived from broad-based indices selected for their general
recognition and accessibility to investors. However, it is important to note that indices
are theoretical benchmarks and may not fully reflect the performance of actual
investments due to differences in volatility, liquidity, fees, and other characteristics
of real-world portfolios.
The software’s projections are based on asset class-level assumptions and do not
account for the specific performance of individual securities or investment products.
Additionally, the projections exclude fees, taxes, and other costs associated with
actual investments. While the software provides valuable insights into potential
financial scenarios, its outputs are inherently limited by the assumptions and
methodologies employed. The projections should not be interpreted as guarantees of
future performance or assurances of achieving specific financial objectives.
CWA Institutional
CWA provides institutional services under a separate segment of CWA called “CWA
Institutional.” CWA Institutional provides investment management services by
managing composite accounts. The Firm's full list of composite descriptions is
available upon request.
Grandfathered Strategies
Certain client accounts may utilize investment strategies that originated outside of
CWA, including in instances where CWA acquires client accounts from another
investment advisory firm. These strategies may differ from those currently offered by
CWA and are maintained on a grandfathered basis. CWA continues to manage these
accounts in accordance with the portfolio guidelines established prior to CWA’s
acquisition of such clients’ accounts and the clients’ investment objectives.
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Alternative Investment Strategies
Certain investment strategies discussed above may include investments in alternative
investment products, which are specialized financial instruments or structures
designed to diversify portfolios and potentially enhance returns. These products are
not suitable for all clients and are recommended only when deemed appropriate by
CWA based on the client’s investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial
circumstances.
Alternative investment products may include, but are not limited to:
• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – Companies that own or finance
income-generating real estate.
• Private Credit – Non-bank lending opportunities, such as direct lending or
distressed debt investments.
• Private Equity Funds – Investments in privately held companies or buyout
funds.
• Hedge Funds – Pooled funds employing various strategies to achieve positive
returns regardless of market conditions.
• Digital Assets – Cryptocurrencies or blockchain-based investments.
• Commodities – Investments in physical assets, such as precious metals,
agricultural goods, or energy resources.
•
Infrastructure Funds – Investments focused on physical infrastructure assets
like transportation, utilities, or communications.
CWA employs a due diligence process to evaluate product sponsors, fund managers,
and the underlying investments associated with alternative investment products.
This involves analyzing, where applicable and relevant, in CWA’s discretion, the
sponsor’s track record, strategy, risk management practices, and alignment with
client objectives.
Clients who are recommended alternative investment products will be provided
information through offering documents, such as private placement memoranda,
subscription agreements, or other governing documents.
The investment objectives and methods summarized above represent CWA’s
current intentions. Depending on conditions and trends in the securities markets
and the economy in general, CWA may pursue any objectives, employ any
investment techniques or purchase any type of security that it considers
appropriate and in the best interests of the Managed Accounts and Models. The
foregoing discussion includes and is based upon numerous assumptions and
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opinions of CWA concerning world financial markets and other matters, the
accuracy of which cannot be assured. Further, all investment portfolios and
strategies are subject to risks. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that client
investment portfolios will be able to fully meet their investment objectives and
goals, or that investments will not lose money. There can be no assurance that any
investment strategy will achieve profitable results.
B. Risks of Investment Strategies
While CWA seeks to diversify clients’ investment portfolios across various asset
classes consistent with the client’s investment plans in an effort to reduce risk of loss,
all investment portfolios are subject to risks. Accordingly, there can be no assurance
that client investment portfolios will be able to fully meet their investment objectives
and goals, or that investments will not lose money.
Below is a description of several of the principal risks that client investment portfolios
face; however, the risks factors below are not exhaustive.
Investment Judgment; Market Risk. The profitability of a significant portion of CWA’s
investment program will depend to a great extent upon correctly assessing the future
course of the price movements of securities, commodities, and other investments.
There can be no assurance that CWA will be able to predict accurately these price
movements. In addition, it is expected that certain investments in which CWA invests
client assets have limited liquidity. This lack of liquidity, together with a failure to
accurately predict market movements, may adversely affect the ability of CWA to
execute trade orders at desired prices in rapidly moving markets. Some U.S.
exchanges limit fluctuations in certain prices during a single day by imposing what
are known as “daily price fluctuation limits” or “daily limits.” The existence of “daily
price limits” or “daily limits” may reduce liquidity or effectively curtail trading in
particular markets. Once the price of a particular contract has increased or decreased
by the daily limit, positions in the contract may effectively neither be taken nor
liquidated. Contract prices in various investments have occasionally moved the daily
limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. Similar occurrences could
prevent CWA from promptly liquidating unfavorable positions and subject a client
account to substantial losses, which could exceed the margin initially committed to
such trades. Daily limits may reduce liquidity, but they do not limit ultimate losses,
as such limits apply only on a day-to-day basis. In addition, even if contract prices
have not moved the daily limit, CWA may not be able to execute trades at favorable
prices if there is only light trading in the contracts involved. Certain of CWA’s
investment strategies involve a high degree of business and financial risk that can
result in substantial losses and are suitable only for investors prepared to bear such
risk. Investors must be prepared to lose all or substantially all of their investment.
Regulatory Risk. As part of its emergency powers, an exchange or regulatory authority
can suspend or limit trading in a particular investment or commodity interest, order
immediate liquidation and settlement of a particular contract, or order that trading in
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a particular contract be conducted for liquidation only. The possibility also exists that
governments may intervene to stabilize or fix exchange rates, restricting or
substantially eliminating trading in the affected currencies or may take action to limit
or restrict trading of certain securities or markets thus. Any of the above-mentioned
actions may prevent a client account from pursuing its objective or force it to make
trades that result in material losses.
With respect to the investment strategy utilized by the Models, client accounts, there
is always a degree of market risk.
Reliance on Key Persons. CWA will be substantially dependent on the services of the
Principals. In the event of the death, disability, departure or insolvency of the
Principals, or the complete transfer of the Principals’ interest in CWA, the business of
the Adviser may be adversely affected. The Principals will devote such time and
effort as they deem necessary for the management and administration of each client’s
business.
Investment Authority. Substantially all decisions with respect to the management of
the Models will be made by CWA. A client will have no right or power to take part
in the management of the Model.
Management Risk. CWA’s and its portfolio managers’
judgments about the
attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular securities in which the
client’s account invests may prove to be incorrect and there is no guarantee that
CWA’s and its portfolio managers’ judgments will produce the desired results.
Diversification. Since certain Model’s investment portfolios will not necessarily be
widely diversified, its investment portfolio may be subject to more rapid changes in
value than would be the case if it were required to maintain a wide diversification
among companies, securities, and types of securities.
Qualified Custodians and Custody. There is the possibility that brokerage firms and/or
banking institutions at which the client’s maintain custody of their assets may
encounter financial difficulties including bankruptcy and/or insolvency. Clients may
therefore have potential exposure to losses as a result of such an institution’s financial
difficulties. There can be no assurances as to what effect such a brokerage firm’s or
banking institution’s failure would have on client assets.
Broker Custodian Risk. There is the possibility that brokerage firms at which the clients
maintain custody of their assets may encounter financial difficulties including
bankruptcy and or/insolvency. Securities like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange
traded funds, or money market funds held at custodian’s belong to clients. The SEC's
Customer Protection Rule safeguards customer assets at brokerage firms by
preventing firms from using customer assets to finance their own proprietary
businesses.
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At these custodians, clients' fully paid securities are segregated from other firm assets
and held at third-party depository institutions and custodians. There are reporting
and auditing requirements in place by government regulators to help ensure all
broker-dealers comply with this rule. In the very unlikely event that custodian should
become insolvent, these segregated securities are not available to general creditors
and are protected against creditors' claims.
Bank Deposits Risk. Deposits maintained at an FDIC-insured bank are insured up to
$250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category, in the
event of a bank failure. Any deposits over $250,000 in cash per account at a single
bank may be unrecoverable in the event the bank fails. Diversifying banking
relationships could serve to mitigate the potential loss of assets and available
liquidity.
Counterparty Risk. The Firm and/or its clients may be subject to credit and liquidity
risk with respect to the counterparties. Exposure to credit and liquidity risk from
counterparties can occur through a wide range of activities when dealing with,
including but not limited to, service providers, banks, brokers, insurance providers,
trading counterparties, or other entities. Should a counterparty become bankrupt or
otherwise fail to perform its obligations under a contract due to financial difficulties,
there may be significant delays in obtaining any or limited recovery under a contract
in a bankruptcy court or other reorganization proceeding. The lack of any
independent evaluation of such counterparties’ financial capabilities, and the absence
of a regulated market to facilitate settlement or provide access to capital increase the
potential for losses by the Firm and/or client’s especially during unusually adverse
market conditions.
Broad Investment and Trading Mandate; Investment Style Risk. A client’s discretionary
agreement with CWA does not impose significant restrictions on CWA’s investing
and trading (unless restricted by a client), permits an account to invest and trade in a
broad range of securities and other financial instruments, and entrusts the
management of the account to CWA. Accordingly, client accounts are also subject to
investment style risk. A client account invested in one or more of CWA’s investment
strategies involves the risk that the investment strategies may underperform other
investment strategies or the overall market. All clients assume the risk that
investment returns may be negative or below the rates of return of other investment
advisers, market indices or investment products.
Non-Public Information. From time to time, CWA may come into possession of non-
public information concerning specific companies. Under applicable securities laws,
this may limit CWA’s flexibility to buy or sell portfolio securities issued by such
companies or change Models which hold such securities. Client accounts or Model’s
investment flexibility may be constrained as a consequence of CWA’s inability to use
such information for investment purposes. CWA maintains a Restricted List of
securities that CWA is prohibited to trade.
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Volatility of the Price of Gold and Other Precious Metals. A client account or Model may
have investments in gold or precious metals through investments in derivatives or
otherwise. Many factors may affect the prices of various precious metals, including,
without limitation: (i) global supply and demand, which is influenced by such factors
as forward selling by precious metal producers, purchases made by precious metal
producers to unwind hedge positions in precious metals, central bank purchases and
sales and lending and production and cost levels in major gold- and other applicable
metal-producing countries; (ii) global or regional political, economic or financial
events and situations; (iii) investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation
and global monetary and fiscal policies; (iv) currency exchange rates and interest
rates; and (v) investment and trading activities of other pooled investment funds and
commodity funds. In addition, the possibility of large-scale distress of precious metal
prices in times of crisis may have a short-term negative impact on the price of
precious metals and adversely affect an investment. Crises in the future may impair
the price performance of gold and other precious metals, which would, in turn,
adversely affect an investment. Furthermore, substantial sales of gold or other
applicable metals by the official sector could adversely affect an investment. The
official sector consists of central banks, other governmental agencies and multilateral
institutions that buy, sell, and hold precious metals as part of their reserve assets.
including weather,
Energy Market Risk. Energy markets may be subject to short-term volatility due to a
variety of factors,
international political and economic
developments, breakdowns in the facilities for the production, storage or transport of
energy and energy-related products, acts of terrorism, changes in government
regulation, and sudden changes in fuel prices. A client account may be affected to a
greater extent by any of these developments than would be the case with a more
diversified portfolio of investments.
Undervalued Companies. The securities of an undervalued company may be depressed
in value due to factors including, but not limited to, disappointments in recent
earnings, diminished expectations regarding future earnings, current or expected
adverse economic or industry conditions, simply because they have fallen out of favor
or because they are not attracting sufficient investor interest. CWA will choose stocks
it believes are undervalued, but it may be mistaken regarding whether particular
securities purchased for a portfolio are undervalued when purchased, and prices for
the purchased securities may fall below the purchase price, resulting in material
losses for the portfolio. Additionally, the reasons the securities are undervalued may
persist, or new problems that further depress their prices may develop after
investment.
Illiquidity. The investments made by CWA on behalf of the Models may be illiquid,
and consequently CWA may not be able to sell such investments at prices that reflect
CWA’s assessment of their value, or the amount paid for such investments. Illiquidity
may result from the absence of an established market for the investments as well as
legal, contractual or other restrictions on their resale by CWA and other factors.
Furthermore, the nature of the investments made by CWA on behalf of the Models,
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especially those in financially distressed companies, may require a long holding
period prior to profitability.
Borrowing; Margin; Interest Rates. Client accounts utilizing margin may make use of
short-term borrowing or repurchase agreements, and any such use will result in
certain additional risks to the client account. For example, should the securities
pledged to brokers to secure the client’s margin accounts or repurchase obligation
decline in value, the client account could be subject to a “margin call,” pursuant to
which the client account must either deposit additional funds with the broker or
suffer mandatory liquidation of the pledged securities to compensate for the decline
in value. In the event of a sudden drop in the value of the client account’s assets, the
client account might not be able to liquidate assets quickly enough to pay off its
margin debt. In addition, the rates at which the client account can borrow to incur
margin, in particular, will affect the operating results of a client account with margin.
Even if a client account makes a profit on a trade, the interest expense incurred in
carrying the position may exceed the profit generated by the trade.
Short Sales. Short selling involves selling securities which may or may not be
owned and borrowing the same securities for delivery to the purchaser, with an
obligation to replace the borrowed securities at a later date. Short selling allows the
investor to profit from declines in market prices to the extent the decline exceeds the
transaction costs and the costs of borrowing the securities. Because the borrowed
securities must later be replaced by purchases at market prices in order to close out the
short position, any appreciation in the price of the borrowed securities would result in
a loss. Purchasing securities to close out the short position can itself cause the price
of the securities to rise further, thereby exacerbating the loss. An unanticipated tender
offer for an issuer could also cause a sudden increase in the price of the securities sold
short. Theoretically, the potential loss on the securities sold short is unlimited as there
is no ceiling on how far the price of the security may rise. Also, a short seller may be
prematurely forced out of a position due to an inability to maintain a loan of the stock
that is borrowed to establish the short. Further, short selling has recently been the
subject of increasing legislative and regulatory scrutiny.
from projected outcomes. Furthermore,
Financial Planning Risks. Financial planning is inherently speculative, and CWA
makes no guarantee regarding the success or feasibility of any financial plan. The
information forming the basis of any financial plan is derived from sources CWA
believes to be reliable, including information provided by the client; however, the
accuracy or completeness of such information is not guaranteed or independently
verified by CWA. External factors such as market volatility, changes in interest rates,
tax law revisions, or unexpected economic conditions may result in significant
the assumptions and
deviations
methodologies employed by the financial planning software are inherently subject to
change based on updated market conditions, economic data, or client-provided
information.
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Clients should understand that financial planning tools are intended to supplement,
not replace, professional advice. Certain financial planning services may include
educational information regarding the impact of taxes or recommendations related
to insurance coverage types and amounts. This tax and insurance information is
general in nature and should not be relied upon as personalized legal, accounting, or
tax advice. Clients are advised to consult with their personal attorney, accountant,
and/or tax advisor before implementing any recommendations derived from CWA’s
financial planning services.
Rebalancing and Allocation Risks. For clients who establish target allocations or ranges
for specific asset classes within their advisory accounts, actual portfolio allocations
may deviate from these targets over time due to market fluctuations, performance
disparities among individual investments, or reliance on estimated valuations of
underlying assets. Such deviations may persist for extended periods or indefinitely,
depending on market conditions and other influencing factors.
Efforts to rebalance portfolios to align with target allocations may involve inherent
risks. Reallocating assets from outperforming investments to underperforming ones
may negatively impact overall portfolio performance. Additionally, practical
constraints—such as restrictions on trading within pooled investment vehicles,
transaction costs, or reliance on estimated net asset values—may limit the ability to
achieve intended rebalancing objectives. Clients should carefully consider the
potential risks and implications of rebalancing strategies as part of their broader
financial plan.
Insurance products. There are risks that surround various insurance products that are
recommended to CWA clients from time to time. Such risks include but are not
limited to loss of premiums. Prior to purchasing any insurance product, clients
should carefully read the policy and applicable disclosure documents.
MFSSM Risk. Certain of CWA’s investment strategies incorporate the use of third-
party provided MFSSMs for stock selection. However, there are risks associated with
using MFSSMs for stock selection. MFSSMs are designed to create a model portfolio
or ranking of stocks based on analysis of historical and mathematical relationships
(among other factors). However, there can be no assurance that the third-party
MFSSM’s used by CWA will be able to perform as has been designed by the third-
party provider. Additionally, while these MFSSMs are based on mathematical and
other relationships that have worked in the past, the actual behavior of market
participants, prices of securities and equities, and market and economic conditions
are difficult to predict. Accordingly, in the event that the MFSSM assessment or
prediction of historical and mathematical relationships are wrong, or cease following
historical patterns, strategies using the MFSSM will suffer losses. Furthermore, the
MFSSMs used to determine whether a position presents an attractive opportunity
may become outdated and inaccurate as market conditions change, resulting in net
losses when gains would otherwise have been expected. Additionally, while CWA’s
portfolio managers do have discretion over which securities ultimately go into the
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models implemented by CWA that use MFSSMs, these decisions are subject to
management risk that the discretionary decisions may not perform as the portfolio
managers expected.
Third-Party Vendor Risk. CWA incorporates research and MFSSMs provided by third-
party vendors into certain of its investment strategies. There are risks associated with
using MFSSMs and research provided by a third-party vendor. Those risks include,
among others, that the third-party vendor will cease to supply the research or one or
all of the MFSSMs to CWA. If that were to occur, CWA would need to find another
vendor for MFSSMs or other research or employ a different strategy for the clients
with funds in the impacted strategies. There can be no guarantee that CWA would
be able to find a suitable replacement vendor, or how quickly a suitable replacement
vendor could be obtained.
Emerging Technologies (AI) Risk. The use of technologies, including AI, in investment
research and review processes may involve certain risks, including potential errors
in data analysis, limitations in predictive capabilities, and reliance on algorithms that
may not account for unforeseen market events or nuances. AI may produce outcomes
that differ from human analysis. CWA seeks to mitigate these risks by applying
oversight mechanisms, integrating human knowledge and experience, and using AI
as a supplementary tool rather than a standalone decision-making system, though
there is no guarantee that such efforts will be successful.
C. Risks of Specific Securities in Client Portfolios
Risk of Specific Securities Utilized in Client Portfolios –
Investing in securities markets involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be
prepared to bear. The descriptions below detail on risks that are specific to certain
types of securities that may be selected for client portfolios by CWA.
• Mutual Funds, ETFs, and Other Investment Pools. Where appropriate,
CWA invests client portfolios in mutual funds, ETFs (see Exchange Traded
Funds risk factor below) and other investment pools (“pooled investment
funds”). Investments in pooled investment funds offer diversification;
however, these investments are still subject to risks associated with the
markets in which they invest. In addition, pooled investment funds’
success will be related to the skills of their particular managers and their
performance in managing their funds. Pooled investment funds are also
subject to risks due to regulatory restrictions applicable to registered
investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended. In addition, pooled investment funds have costs that lower
investment returns.
• Equities. Where appropriate, CWA invests portions of client assets directly
into equity investments, primarily stocks, or into pooled investment funds
that invest in the stock market. As noted below, while pooled investment
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funds have diversified portfolios that may make them less risky than
investments in individual securities, funds that invest in stocks and other
equity securities are nevertheless subject to the risks of the stock market.
These risks include, without limitation, the risks that stock values will
decline due to daily fluctuations in the markets, and that stock values will
decline over longer periods (e.g., bear markets) due to general market
declines in the stock prices for all companies, regardless of any individual
security’s prospects.
• Fixed Income. Where appropriate, CWA invests portions of client assets
directly into fixed income instruments, such as bonds and notes, or invests
in pooled investment funds that invest in bonds and notes. While investing
in fixed income instruments, either directly or through pooled investment
funds, is generally less volatile than investing in stock (equity) markets,
fixed income investments nevertheless are subject to risks. These risks
include, without limitation, interest rate risks (risks that changes in interest
rates will devalue the investments), credit risks (risks of default by
borrowers), or maturity risk (risks that bonds or notes will change value
from the time of issuance to maturity).
• Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). Where appropriate, CWA invests portions
of client assets in ETFs. An ETF is an investment fund traded on stock
exchanges, similar to stocks. Investing in ETFs carries the risk of capital
loss (sometimes up to a 100% loss in the case of a stock holding
bankruptcy). Areas of concern include the lack of transparency in products
and increasing complexity, conflicts of interest, and the possibility of
inadequate regulatory compliance. Precious Metal ETFs (e.g., Gold, Silver,
or Palladium Bullion backed “electronic shares” not physical metal)
specifically may be negatively impacted by several unique factors, among
them (1) large sales by the official sector which owns a significant portion
of aggregate world holdings in gold and other precious metals, (2) a
significant increase in hedging activities by producers of gold or other
precious metals, and (3) a significant change in the attitude of speculators
and investors.
• REIT Securities. Where appropriate, CWA invests portions of client assets
in publicly traded REITs. Investments in REITs are subject to risks similar
to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in
general. These include risks related to general and local economic
conditions, possible lack of availability of financing, and changes in
interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be
affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying
properties, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases
in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory
matters affecting the real estate industry generally. REITs depend upon
specialized management skills, may have less trading volume in their
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securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements
than the overall securities markets. REITs are also subject to the risk of
failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue
Code.
• Options. Where appropriate, CWA invests portions of client assets into
options, including purchasing or writing put and call options. Investments
in options involve risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks
associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional
investments. These risks include risk:(i) that the counterparty to a
transaction may not fulfill its contractual obligations; (ii) of mispricing or
improper valuation; and (iii) that changes in the value of the option may
not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. Option
prices are highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially during a short
period of time. Such prices are influenced by numerous factors that affect
the markets, including, but not limited to government programs and
policies, national and international political and economic events, changes
in interest rates, inflation and deflation and changes in supply and demand
relationships. It is possible that certain options might be difficult to
purchase or sell, possibly preventing from executing positions at an
advantageous time or price, or possibly requiring disposal of other
investments at unfavorable times or prices in order to satisfy a portfolio’s
other obligations. If regulatory authorities close markets for a time or
restrict trading in particular securities, options positions would be illiquid.
• Commodities. CWA manages commodities across various commodities
sectors and types. These approaches rely on CWA fundamental research
capabilities, and we combine those with the use of quantitative and
technical analytical tools. Exposure to the commodities markets may be
more volatile than investments in traditional equity or fixed income
securities and is typically achieved through derivative instruments. The
value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by
broad market movements, commodity index volatility, interest-rate
changes, and environmental or other events affecting a particular
commodity or industry.
• Large Capitalization Stock Risk. Large-capitalization companies may be
less able than smaller capitalization companies to adapt to changing
market conditions. Large-capitalization companies may be more mature
and subject to more limited growth potential compared with smaller
capitalization companies. During different market cycles, the performance
of large capitalization companies has trailed the overall performance of the
broader securities markets.
• Medium (Mid) Capitalization Stock Risk. The earnings and prospects of
mid-capitalization companies are more volatile than larger companies,
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they may experience higher failure rates than larger companies and
normally have a lower trading volume than larger companies, which may
tend to make their market price fall more disproportionately than larger
companies in response to selling pressures.
• Micro Capitalization Risk. Micro capitalization companies may be newly
formed or have limited product lines, distribution channels and financial
and managerial resources. The risks associated with those investments are
generally greater than those associated with investments in the securities
of larger, more established companies. This may cause the net asset value
to be more volatile when compared to investment companies that focus
only on large capitalization companies.
• Foreign Investment Risk. Where appropriate, CWA’s investments or
investment recommendations include ADRs (as discussed below) and
foreign securities (including foreign ordinary shares, or “F-shares”). Such
investments or investment recommendations are subject to risks beyond
those associated with investing in domestic securities. The value of foreign
securities is subject to currency fluctuations. Foreign companies are
generally not subject to the same regulatory requirements of U.S.
companies thereby resulting in less publicly available information about
these companies. In addition, foreign accounting, auditing and financial
reporting standards generally differ from those applicable to U.S.
companies. Additionally, third-party fees and expenses associated with
transactions in F-shares may not be disclosed to or known by CWA at the
time of the transaction. These fees and expenses may be material and could
adversely affect the value of positions held in F-shares.
• Government Securities. U.S. Government securities are subject to interest
rate and inflation risks. Not all U.S. Government securities are backed by
the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government. Certain securities issued
by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government are only insured
or guaranteed by the issuing agency or instrumentality, which must rely
on its own resources to repay the debt. As a result, there is the risk that
these entities will default on a financial obligation.
• Municipal Securities Risk Municipal securities are subject to various risks
based on factors such as economic and regulatory developments, changes
or proposed changes in the federal and state tax structure, deregulation,
court rulings and other factors. Repayment of municipal securities
depends on the ability of the issuer or project backing such securities to
generate taxes or revenues. There is a risk that the interest on an otherwise
tax-exempt municipal security may be subject to federal income tax.
• Hedging. Where appropriate, CWA causes client accounts to engage in
certain hedging transactions, including derivatives and options and
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swaps. Hedges can be more difficult to implement than many other types
of transactions, and the possibilities for errors may be greater than for
other transactions. Additionally, there is no guarantee that these hedging
transactions will prevent losses. The success of a hedging strategy will be
depend on correctly assessing the degree of correlation between the
performance of the instruments used in the hedging strategy and the
performance of the investments in the portfolio being hedged. Since the
characteristics of many securities changes as markets change or time
passes, the success of a hedging strategy will also be subject to the ability
of a portfolio manager to continually recalculate, readjust and execute
hedges in an efficient and timely manner. In addition, hedging
transactions may result in poorer overall performance in an account than
if no such hedging transactions were executed. Moreover, a portfolio
manager may determine not to hedge against, or may not anticipate,
certain risks. Finally, a client account may be exposed to certain risks that
cannot be hedged, such as credit risk (relating both to particular
investments and counterparties).
• American Depository Receipts. Where appropriate, CWA invests portions
of client assets in American Depository Receipts (“ADRs”). ADRs are
negotiable securities issued by a bank that represent share in a non-U.S.
company. These can trade on in the U.S. both on national exchanges and
the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market, are listed in U.S. dollars, and
generally represent a number of foreign shares to one ADR. The
institutions that issue ADRs charge quarterly or annual ADR Pass-
Through Fees which consist of custody fees and fees for processing
dividends and corporate actions. These fees add to a client’s investment
cost. Liquidity for some ADRs may be low, which may affect bid/ask
spreads. Also, not every foreign company has an ADR. While a rare
occurrence, the bank offering the ADR may decide to terminate the ADR
program for any number of reasons, including lack of interest. This could
result in a requirement that the position either be liquidated or converted
to the underlying foreign ordinary shares.
• CWA Relationship with certain Sub-Advisers. A client's use of investment
in certain strategies managed by First Trust (which were formerly
managed by Gyroscope) are subject to risks associated with potential
conflicts of interest, as certain beneficial owners and a partner of CWA
receive compensation from First Trust based on assets under management
of First Trust attributable to Gyroscope, excluding assets of CWA clients
invested in the Global Core Strategy. Clients should review the specific
risks and conflicts of interests associated with the selection of First Trust
as a sub-adviser.
Risk of Private Securities
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CWA may make non-discretionary recommendations to clients regarding private
investment opportunities. Investing in private securities involves a risk of loss that
you, as a client, should be prepared to bear should decide to invest in private
investment opportunities. The descriptions below detail on risks that are specific to
certain private securities investments. Clients investing in private securities should
review the offering materials for any such offering which may include descriptions
of specific risks and conflicts of interest associated with the offering.
• Alternative Investments, Generally. Investments in alternative investment
products involve unique risks that may not be present in traditional
investment strategies. These risks may include, but are not limited to,
illiquidity, higher fees, limited regulatory oversight, complex structures,
and potential volatility. Certain alternative investments, such as digital
assets or private credit, may also carry heightened risks due to evolving
markets or limited historical performance data. Clients should be aware
that alternative investment products may not be suitable for all investors
and may involve a longer-term commitment or restrictions on redemption.
Additionally, there is no guarantee that these investments will achieve
their intended objectives, and they may result in significant losses. More
detailed risk factors associated with specific alternative investment
products are outlined in offering documents, subscription agreements,
private placement memoranda, or other governing documents provided
by product sponsors. Clients are strongly encouraged to review these
materials thoroughly and consult with their advisors before making any
investment decisions.
• Private Funds. Private funds (including hedge funds, private equity
funds, hybrid funds and funds of funds) often engage in leveraging,
margin, hedging, and other speculative investment practices that may
increase the risk of investment loss; can be highly illiquid; are not required
to provide periodic pricing or valuation information to investors; may
involve complex tax structures and delays in distributing important tax
information; are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual
funds; often charge high fees or performance compensation; often pass
through substantial costs and expenses to investors; and may invest in
risky securities or engage in other risky strategies. Further risks and terms
associated with underlying private funds in which clients invest may be
found in such private funds’ offering materials, which clients should
carefully review prior to making any investment decision regarding the
private fund.
• Certain Private Funds. Clients considering an investment in the CWA
Private Funds or funds offered through or by First Trust (which has
acquired Gyroscope) should review the Offering Documents for such
funds for the specific risks and conflicts of interests associated with
investments in such funds. Further, any management fees and incentive
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fees paid through the CWA Private Funds are separate and distinct from
advisory fees charged by CWA. Private funds with managers that make
payments to certain associated persons of CWA are subject to risks
associated with a conflict of interest because CWA is incentivized to
recommend these private funds to clients to increase the amount of capital
managed by the affiliated private fund or its investment manager or to
increase the amount of management fees or performance compensation
received by certain associated persons of CWA.
• Leverage. Private funds may employ leverage in connection with its
investment strategies, in such amounts and subject to such terms and
conditions as the general partner and/or the investment manager may
determine in its sole and absolute discretion. Such leverage may take a
variety of forms, including, but not limited to, margin borrowing from
securities brokers and dealers, derivative instruments that are inherently
leveraged, and other financing arrangements, as determined by the
general partner in its sole and absolute discretion. The use of leverage
increases both the possibility for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage
employed by a private fund may be secured by the securities holdings and
other assets of the private fund. Under certain circumstances, a lender
may demand an increase in the collateral that secures such obligations, and
if the private fund is unable to provide additional collateral, the lender
could liquidate assets held in the account to satisfy such obligations.
Liquidations in that manner could have extremely adverse consequences.
In addition, the amount of the private fund’s borrowing and the interest
rates on that borrowing, both of which will fluctuate, may have an effect
on the private fund’s profitability. Additionally, leverage typically will
cause the private fund’s net asset value to increase or decrease at a greater
rate than if leverage were not used. In addition, the use of leverage may
cause a U.S. tax-exempt investor to realize UBTI.
• Suspension of Withdrawals. The general partner of a private fund may
suspend withdrawal rights, in whole or in part, in the circumstances
described herein and in the governing documents. In addition, the general
partner may suspend the payment of withdrawal proceeds to any limited
partner if it deems it necessary or appropriate to do so, after consultation
with counsel to the private fund, including to comply with laws and
regulations (including anti-money laundering laws, sanctions and
regulations) applicable to the private fund, private fund’s investment
manager and/or service providers or agents.
• Funds of Funds. Funds of funds often incur multiple levels of fees,
performance compensation, costs and expenses, in addition to the fees
charged by CWA, because investors in such funds of funds typically,
directly at the fund of funds level and indirectly at the underlying funds
level, bear management fees, performance compensation, expenses, costs
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and taxes of the fund of funds and the underlying funds (at both levels).
As a result, investors in a fund of funds will pay higher expenses than they
would if such investors were invested directly in the underlying funds.
Accordingly, the rate of return on an investment in a fund of funds may be
lower than the rate of return on a direct investment in the underlying
funds.
• Private Placements.
Privately offered securities including private
placements into private funds, carry a substantial risk as they are subject
to less regulation that publicly offered securities, the market to resell these
assets under applicable securities laws may be illiquid, due to restrictions,
and liquidation may be taken at a substantial discount to the underlying
value or result in the entire loss of the value of such assets.
• Private Real Estate Investments. Real estate investments face several kinds
of risk that are inherent in the real estate sector, which historically has
experienced significant fluctuations and cycles in performance. Revenues
and cash flows may be adversely affected by: changes in local real estate
market conditions due to changes in national or local economic conditions
or changes in local property market characteristics; competition from other
properties offering the same or similar services; changes in interest rates
and in the state of the debt and equity credit markets; the ongoing need for
capital improvements; changes in real estate tax rates and other operating
expenses; adverse changes in governmental rules and fiscal policies;
adverse changes in zoning laws; the impact of present or future
environmental legislation and compliance with environmental laws.
Operational Risk
• Operational risk is the potential for loss caused by a deficiency in
information, communication, transaction processing and settlement and
accounting systems. CWA maintains controls that include systems and
procedures to record and reconcile transactions and positions, and to
obtain necessary documentation for trading activities.
Business Continuity Risks
• CWA’s business operations may be vulnerable to disruption in the case of
catastrophic events such as fires, natural disaster, terrorist attacks or other
circumstances resulting in property damage, network interruption and/or
prolong power outages. Although CWA has implemented measures to
manage risks relating to these types of events, there can be no assurances
that all contingencies can be planned for. These risks of loss can be
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substantial and could have a material adverse effect on CWA and its ability
to manage clients.
Cybersecurity Risks
• CWA’s information and technology systems could be vulnerable to
damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures,
computer and telecommunication failures, infiltrations by unauthorized
persons and security breaches, usage errors by its professionals, power
outages and catastrophic events such as fires, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes
and earthquakes. Although CWA implements various measures to
manage risks relating to these types of events, if these systems are
compromised, become inoperable for extended periods of time or cease to
function properly, CWA will have to make a significant investment to fix
or replace them. The failure of these systems and/or disaster recovery
plans for any reason could cause significant interruptions in CWA’s
operations and result in a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality
or privacy or sensitive data, including personal information relating to
Clients. Such a failure could harm CWA’s reputation or subject it or its
affiliates to legal claims and otherwise affect their business and financial
performance. Additionally, any failure of CWA’s information, technology
or security systems could have an adverse impact on its ability to manage
Client accounts.
Pandemic Outbreak
• The coronavirus pandemic or other similar outbreak and reactions to such
an outbreak could cause uncertainty in markets and businesses, including
CWA’s business, and may adversely affect the performance of the global
economy, including causing market volatility, market and business
uncertainty and closures, supply chain and travel interruptions, the need
for employees and vendors to work at external locations, and extensive
medical absences. While CWA has policies and procedures to address
risks relating to these types of events, a large outbreak of a pandemic or
similar outbreak may create significant market and business uncertainties
and disruptions, not all events that could affect CWA’s business and/or
the markets can be determined and addressed in advance.
Risk of Loss
•
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that Clients should be prepared
to bear. All investments in securities and other financial investments
involves substantial risk of volatility arising from numerous factors that
are beyond the control of CWA and the Independent Managers that service
client accounts, including market conditions, changing domestic or
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international economic or political conditions, changes in tax laws and
government regulation and other factors.
Economic Conditions
• Changes in economic conditions, including, for example, interest rates,
inflation rates, currency and exchange rates,
industry conditions,
competition, technological developments, trade relationships, supply
change, political and diplomatic events and trends, tax laws and
innumerable other factors, can affect substantially and adversely the
investment performance of a client’s account. Economic, political, and
financial conditions, or industry or economic trends and developments,
may, from time to time, and for varying periods of time, cause volatility,
illiquidity, or other potentially adverse effects in the financial markets.
Economic or political turmoil, a deterioration of diplomatic relations or a
natural or man-made disaster in a region or country where CWA’s client
assets are invested may result in adverse consequences to such clients’
portfolios. None of these conditions is or will be within the control of CWA,
and no assurances can be given that CWA will anticipate these
developments. As of the beginning of 2024, there is a high degree of
economic uncertainty surrounding interest rates by Central Banks and a
high level of geopolitical uncertainty in Europe and Asia. The likelihood of
a recession, and the magnitude of any such recession, is highly uncertain
and would have significant implications across asset classes, particularly if
a recession occurs and is of significant magnitude or duration.
in governments’
economic policies, political
• Market events can increase volatility and exacerbate market risk, such as
changes
turmoil,
environmental events, war and global conflicts, and epidemics, pandemics
or other public health issues. For example, in February 2022, Russia
mobilized and commenced military operations in Ukraine resulting in a
large-scale conflict within the country and the surrounding border regions,
along with sanctions by the United States and other nations, all of which
had a negative impact on investments. Effects on the global economy and
trading markets resulting from the military operations and economic and
other sanctions connected to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, or
another significant conflict, are uncertain and impossible to predict,
including the ultimate impact on global economic and market conditions.
As a result, global turmoil in any country or region presents material
uncertainty and risk with respect to the clients and the performance of their
investments or operations and the ability of clients to achieve their own
investment objectives. The closure of any foreign market to investors may
cause positions held in the foreign markets to become illiquid and/or
subject to confiscation.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results, and any historical returns,
expected returns, or probability projections may not reflect actual future
performance.
INVOLVED
THIS LIST OF RISK FACTORS DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE
ENUMERATION OR EXPLANATION OF THE RISKS
IN
CONNECTION WITH THE ADVISER’S INVESTMENT OR THE MANAGEMENT
OF CLIENTS ACCOUNTS. IN ADDITION, PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS SHOULD BE
AWARE THAT, AS THE MARKET DEVELOPS AND CHANGES OVER TIME,
INVESTMENTS OF BEHALF OF CLIENTS ACCOUNTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO
ADDITIONAL AND DIFFERENT RISKS. CLIENTS INVESTING IN PRIVATE
FUNDS SHOULD ALSO CAREFULLY REVIEW THE RISKS DISCLOSURES AND
OFFERING DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH INVESTMENTS.
In the course of creating and managing a client’s investment portfolio, CWA believes
it is important for CWA’s clients to understand and evaluate the risks set forth in this
Item 8, as part of their overall approach to setting realistic investment objectives.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
As a registered investment adviser, CWA is required to disclose all material facts
regarding any legal or disciplinary events that would be material to a client’s
evaluation of CWA or the integrity of CWA’s management. CWA has no disciplinary
events to report.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Registration as a Broker/Dealer or Broker/Dealer Representative
CWA is not registered, and does not have an application pending to register, as a
broker-dealer or registered representative of a broker-dealer.
CWA has supervised persons who are licensed with certain unaffiliated broker
dealers.
B. Registration as a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool
Operator, or a Commodity Trading Advisor
Neither CWA nor any of its management persons are registered, or have an
application pending to register, as a futures commission merchant, commodity pool
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operator, commodity trading advisor, or an associated person of the foregoing types
of entities.
C. Relationships Material to CWA’s Advisory Business
Referrals
Where appropriate, CWA may refer certain clients to Magnolia Trust Company
(“Magnolia Trust”), a company providing independent trustee services that is not
affiliated with CWA. Magnolia Trust may also refer their clients to CWA. Neither
CWA nor Magnolia Trust receives any compensation for referrals. Clients are under
no obligation to use Magnolia Trust for independent trustee services.
Where appropriate, CWA may refer certain clients to non-affiliated business advisers
that may assist a client with facilitating the sale of the client’s business or similar
transactions. In certain circumstances, CWA may receive compensation for the
referrals of clients to a business adviser. Disclosure of remuneration in such instances
described above would be disclosed to the client prior to transacting any business.
Clients are under no obligation to engage with any business adviser referred by
CWA.
Private Funds
CWA manages certain private funds, including the Opportunity Fund and the Global
New Leaders Fund. CWA financially benefits from managing the CWA Private
Funds. CWA and its affiliates may also receive other non-monetary benefits by
broker-dealers or other entities engaged by the CWA Private Funds in connection
with invitations to attend or speak at conferences or meetings with management or
industry consultants.
The Global New Leaders Fund bears expenses relating to travel and accommodation
expenses incurred by CWA and its affiliates, including in connection with research
and due diligence in respect of current and potential investments. Additionally, the
Global New Leaders Fund may accept payment of certain expenses by a third party,
including, without limitation, payment or reimbursement by a portfolio company or
prospective portfolio company of the fund of the costs of due diligence trips and other
expenses incurred by CWA and its affiliates in conducting due diligence for potential
investments of the fund.
First Trust
Certain beneficial owners sold their formerly affiliated sub-adviser Gyroscope (the
general partner of the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund) and the Global Core
Strategy to First Trust and its affiliates. The Global Core Strategy is provided as a
model from First Trust to CWA, and a partner of CWA manages the Global Core
Strategy in his role as Chief Investment Officer of First Trust.
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Certain associated persons of CWA (William Beynon, Lewis Johnson, Blaine
Ferguson, and Kevin Erndl) have contractual agreements with Gyroscope and First
Trust providing that they receive compensation tied to the amount of assets managed
by First Trust attributable to Gyroscope (excluding the assets of CWA clients invested
in the Global Core Strategy), and CWA recommends certain clients, depending on
the client’s investment objectives and risk tolerance, use First Trust as a sub-adviser
(the CWA associated persons will not receive compensation based on assets of CWA
clients managed by First Trust outside of the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund).
Additionally, if First Trust determines to distribute the Global Core Strategy to other
firms outside of CWA in the future, William Beynon, Lewis Johnson, Blaine Ferguson,
and Joseph Moglia will earn additional compensation equal to the greater of 0.025%
of the AUM in the Global Core Strategy or 0.075% of the applicable fees collected by
First Trust and/or Gyroscope from the Global Core Strategy, excluding assets
attributable to CWA clients invested in the Global Core Strategy. CWA recommends
certain clients, depending on the client’s investment objectives and risk tolerance,
invest in the Global Core Strategy managed by First Trust. Clients are under no
obligation to use First Trust as a sub-adviser or invest in the Global Core Strategy.
Note, clients of CWA do not pay an additional fee for the Global Core Strategy.
Certain CWA beneficial owners, William Beynon, Blaine Ferguson, Lewis Johnson
and a partner of CWA have fee sharing agreements with First Trust and the general
partner of the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund, where such persons directly or
indirectly share in a payment of 50% of the management fees (calculated based on the
amount of assets in the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund) and 50% of the incentive
fees from the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund (and/or its investors). Prospective
investors in the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund, including clients of CWA, are
provided Governing Documents of the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund
containing important disclosures, including but not limited to, risks, fees and
expenses, and must complete subscription documents in order to invest in the FTIS
Enhanced Liquid Income Fund.
CTAS
CWA recommends certain clients, depending on the client’s investment objectives
and risk tolerance, invest in CTAS. CWA earns an additional fee of .25% for client
assets invested in CTAS. Clients must approve an investment in this strategy and
acknowledge the additional fee charged. Clients are under no obligation to invest in
this strategy.
Insurance Affiliations
CWA Asset Management Group, LLC has certain investment adviser representatives
that are licensed insurance agents with LWPB Insurance, LLC, LWE Consulting, LLC
5th Avenue Brokerage, LLC (d/b/a CWA Brokerage), LLC Calusa River LLC, Liberty
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Wolfe Enterprises, LLC and/or Capital Wealth Advisors, Inc., insurance firms owned
by Blaine Ferguson and William Beynon, who are owners of CWA. Such services
could be offered to the clients; however, clients are not obligated to purchase such
insurance products. LWE Consulting, LLC and LWPB Insurance are affiliates of
Liberty Wolf Enterprises, LLC, however, CWA clients will not be sold any insurance
through either LWE Consulting or LWPB Insurance.
Certain owners of CWA, William Beynon, Blaine Ferguson, Lewis Johnson, Joseph
Moglia, and a partner of CWA have an interest in CWA Risk Management, LLC and
Afore Insurance Services, LLC an entity that offers Property and Casualty Insurance
for home, auto, liability and such other insurance policies. Such services could be
offered to CWA clients, who are under no obligation to purchase.
Certain investment adviser representatives of CWA are licensed insurance agents
with LWPB Insurance, LLC, LWE Consulting, LLC, 5th Avenue Brokerage, LLC
(d/b/a CWA Brokerage, LLC), Calusa River, LLC Liberty Wolfe Enterprises, LLC
and/or Capital Wealth Advisors, Inc., insurance firms owned by Blaine Ferguson and
William Beynon, who are the principal owners of CWA. CWA clients are not
obligated to purchase insurance products from such insurance agents.
D. Selection of Other Advisors or Managers and How This Adviser is
Compensated for Those Selections
When appropriate, CWA recommends that clients invest in the CWA Private Funds,
including the Opportunity Fund and the Global New Leaders Fund. This creates a
conflict of interest in that CWA has an incentive to recommend private funds to
clients in order to increase the amount of capital managed by CWA and generate
performance compensation or net profits for CWA and its related persons.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, CWA’s Code of Ethics prohibits CWA and its
personnel from putting their interests ahead of the interests of clients.
CWA recommends certain clients, depending on the client’s investment objectives
and risk tolerance, invest in the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund and certain FTIS
(which has acquired Gyroscope) investment strategies. This creates a conflict of
interest because certain CWA principals receive compensation based on the amount
of capital managed in, and/or the performance of, the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income
Fund and/or certain First Trust investment strategies (as discussed in Item 4.B and
10.C above). However, CWA principals will not receive compensation based on
assets of CWA clients managed by First Trust outside of the FTIS Enhanced Liquid
Income Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CWA’s Code of Ethics prohibits CWA
and its personnel from putting their interests ahead of the interests of clients.
Clients should review the specific risks and conflicts of interests associated with
investments in the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund and certain First Trust
strategies, including the First Trust ADV 2A, and Governing Documents of the FTIS
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Enhanced Liquid Income Fund. Note, clients of CWA do not pay an additional fee
for the Global Core Strategy managed by First Trust.
CWA also can engage one or more third-party sub-advisers (“Independent
Managers”) to manage a portion of client assets if deemed in the best interest of a
client, subject to that client’s IMA, investment objectives and risk tolerance. Clients
will pay Independent Manager fees in addition to CWA investment advisory fees.
CWA does not participate in any fees paid to Independent Managers. However,
CWA may recommend a client engage First Trust (which has acquired Gyroscope) as
a sub-adviser, depending on the client’s investment objectives and risk tolerance.
This creates a conflict of interest because, as discussed above in Item 10.C, CWA
recently sold Gyroscope to First Trust, and certain beneficial owners and a partner of
CWA will receive compensation from First Trust based on assets under management
of First Trust attributable to Gyroscope, excluding the assets of CWA clients invested
in the Global Core strategy owned by First Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
CWA’s Code of Ethics prohibits CWA and its personnel from putting their interests
ahead of the interests of clients.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
A. Code of Ethics
CWA has adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”), the full text of which is
available to clients or potential clients upon request. The Code of Ethics has several
goals. First, the Code of Ethics is designed to assist CWA in complying with
applicable laws and regulations governing its investment advisory business. Under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, CWA owes fiduciary duties to its
clients. Pursuant to these fiduciary duties, the Code of Ethics requires CWA
associated persons to act with honesty, good faith and fair dealing in working with
clients.
Next, the Code of Ethics sets forth guidelines for professional standards for CWA’s
supervised persons. Under the Code of Ethics professional standards, CWA expects
its supervised persons to put the interests of its clients first, ahead of personal
interests. In this regard, CWA supervised persons are not to take inappropriate
advantage of their positions in relation to CWA clients.
We encourage our personnel to invest alongside our clients. Our personnel, including
portfolio managers and other personnel, often invest in a private fund managed by CWA
and/or FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund and use CWA Model portfolios that the firm
manages. These investments are made directly by our personnel through employee
investments in private funds, Model portfolios or in their personal accounts which are
monitored and reviewed by compliance.
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To address personal trading, all CWA personnel are considered "access persons"
under our Code. Temporary personnel (including interns) whose tenure with CWA
exceeds 90 days and who are deemed by the Chief Compliance Officer to have access
to nonpublic investment research, client holdings, or trade information are also
subject to the personal trading requirements of the Code of Ethics. Access persons
must pre-clear their personal transactions in covered securities prior to execution,
except as exempted under the Code. The Code's restrictions on personal trading
apply to accounts over which an access person and/or certain immediate family
members have investment discretion, or from which they enjoy economic benefits.
The pre-clearance process tests proposed transactions against a number of
substantive restrictions designed to prevent our personnel from taking advantage of
our firm's investment activity on behalf of our clients. All access persons are required
to provide quarterly reports., and certifications regarding their securities transactions
and, at initial hire and annually, reports regarding their securities holdings. The Chief
Compliance Officer (or designee) (“CCO”) may grant an exception from pre-
clearance, other trading restrictions, and certain reporting requirements on a case-by-
case basis, if the CCO or designee determines that the proposed conduct involves no
opportunity for abuse and does not conflict with client interests.
The Code also addresses confidentiality and insider trading and expressly prohibits
personnel from disseminating material nonpublic information or using such
information to inappropriately benefit any party through securities trading activities.
Personnel are required to provide a written certification as to their compliance with
the Code on an annual basis.
B. Recommendations Involving Material Financial Interests
CWA sponsors and manages the CWA Private Funds (including the Opportunity
Fund and the Global New Leaders Fund). First Trust Investment Solutions sponsors
and manages the Gyroscope Enhanced Liquid Income Master Fund, LP. These funds
will be recommended to CWA clients if determined to be in the clients’ best interests.
Clients are under no obligation to invest in the CWA Private Funds, the FTIS
Enhanced Liquid Income Fund, or First Trust strategies. A client considering
investing in a fund will be provided with Offering Documents for the fund. A client
should read the Offering Documents carefully before investing in a fund, which
requires execution of subscription documents separately from the IMA executed with
CWA. Any management fees and incentive fees paid through the CWA Private
Funds are separate and distinct from advisory fees charged by CWA. Investments by
CWA clients into such private funds will materially benefit CWA or its related or
controlling persons, in particular because it will increase the amount of fees or
performance-based compensation CWA and/or the related or controlling persons of
CWA receive from such clients.
Certain investment adviser representatives of CWA are licensed insurance agents
with LWPB Insurance, LLC, LWE Consulting, LLC, 5th Avenue Brokerage, LLC
(d/b/a CWA Brokerage, LLC), Liberty Wolfe Enterprises, LLC and/or Capital
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Wealth Advisors, Inc., insurance firms owned by Blaine Ferguson and William
Beynon, who are principal owners of CWA. These affiliates will receive compensation
in the form of commissions from the insurance companies for client insurance
business. In addition, a supervised person of CWA is licensed with an unaffiliated
broker dealer, Leaders Group, in order for an affiliate of the Firm, Calusa River, to
receive commissions from variable annuity insurance sales. Blaine Ferguson and
William Beynon are the principal owners of Calusa River. Clients are under no
obligation to conduct insurance business with any of the Firm’s affiliates.
Certain owners of CWA, William Beynon, Blaine Ferguson, Lewis Johnson, Joseph
Moglia, and a partner have an interest in CWA Risk Management, LLC and Afore
Insurance Services, LLC an entity that offers Property and Casualty Insurance for
home, auto, liability and such other insurance policies. Such services could be offered
to CWA clients under no obligation to purchase.
Certain beneficial owners and a partner of CWA receive payments related to First
Trust (which has acquired Gyroscope) and the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund.
CWA recommends investment in the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund and
strategies managed by First Trust (which were formerly managed by Gyroscope) to
clients if in the best interest of clients, as discussed above. This creates a conflict of
interest since certain beneficial owners of CWA will materially benefit from clients'
investments in the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund and in strategies managed by
First Trust (which were formerly managed by Gyroscope). Clients are under no
obligation to invest in the FTIS Enhanced Liquid Income Fund or in strategies
managed by First Trust.
Clients investing in CTAS must approve an investment in this strategy due to an
additional fee. Clients are under no obligation to invest in this strategy.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
A. Factors Used to Select Custodians and/or Broker-Dealers
CWA has discretion to determine, subject to each client’s disclosed investment
objectives, policies and strategies, the securities to be purchased or sold and in what
amounts, the broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries use in effecting the
transactions for the Funds, and the commission rates to be paid for such transactions.
The custodians recommended by CWA to clients, Schwab Institutional, a division of
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., and Fidelity Institutional Wealth, have been chosen by
CWA based upon on their relatively low transaction fees and access to mutual funds
and ETFs. CWA does not charge any premium or commission on transactions,
beyond the actual cost imposed by the custodian.
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Schwab and Fidelity also make available to CWA and its clients a range of services
that support our practice and client accounts. These services include custody of assets,
trade execution, account statements and tax reporting, online and mobile account
access, technology and trading platforms, market data and research, education and
conferences, compliance and practice management support, and cash management
and sweep features. Some services are provided at no charge or at discounted rates
to CWA and may benefit CWA, which gives CWA an incentive to recommend or
maintain custody at Schwab or Fidelity. Clients are not required to select the
custodians or broker-dealers recommended by CWA.
1. Research and Other Soft-Dollar Benefits
CWA generally does not receive research, products, or other services from
broker-dealers or another third-party in connection with client securities
transactions (“soft dollar benefits”). Should CWA use soft dollars in the future,
the Firm will comply with the requirements of Section 28(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Section 28(e) provides a “safe harbor” for investment
managers who use commissions or transaction fees paid by their advised
accounts to obtain investment research services that provide lawful and
appropriate assistance to the manager in performing investment decision-
making responsibilities. As required by Section 28(e), CWA will make a good
faith determination that the amount of commission or other fees paid is
reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
provided. CWA typically considers not only the particular transaction or
transactions, and not only the value of brokerage and research services and
products to a particular client, but also the value of those services and products
in our performance of our overall responsibilities to all of our clients.
Note: Notwithstanding the foregoing, as discussed in Item 10.C above, CWA
and its affiliates may receive certain non-monetary benefits from broker-dealers
or other entities in connection with invitations to attend or speak at conferences
or meetings with management or industry consultants.
CWA’s Code of Ethics prohibits all of its personnel from putting their interests
ahead of the interests of clients, and CWA’s goal is that the first consideration
when recommending broker/dealers to clients is to seek best execution. In doing
so, CWA considers execution quality, overall client cost, and the total value of
services when selecting or recommending custodians. Furthermore, clients are
in no way required to select the custodians/broker-dealers recommended by
CWA.
2. Brokerage for Client Referrals
CWA receives client referrals from Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”)
through CWA’s participation in Schwab Advisor Network® (the “Service”).
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The Service is designed to help investors find an independent investment
advisor. Schwab is a broker-dealer independent of and unaffiliated with CWA.
Schwab does not supervise CWA and has no responsibility for CWA’s
management of clients’ portfolios or other advice or services. CWA pays Schwab
fees to receive client referrals through the Service. CWA’s participation in the
Service raises potential conflicts of interest described below.
CWA pays Schwab a Participation Fee on all referred clients’ accounts that are
maintained in custody at Schwab and a separate one-time Transfer Fee on all
accounts that are transferred to another custodian.
The Transfer Fee is a one-time payment equal to a percentage of client assets
placed with a custodian other than Schwab. The Transfer Fee creates a conflict
of interest that encourages CWA to recommend that client accounts be held in
custody at Schwab.
The Participation Fee paid by CWA is a percentage of the value of the assets in
the client’s account. CWA pays Schwab the Participation Fee for so long as the
referred client’s account remains in custody at Schwab. The Participation Fee is
paid by CWA and not by the client. CWA has agreed not to charge clients
referred through the Service fees or costs greater than the fees or costs CWA
charges clients with similar portfolios who were not referred through the
Service.
The Participation and Transfer Fees are based on assets in accounts of CWA
clients who were referred by Schwab and those referred clients’ family members
living in the same household. Thus, CWA will have incentives to recommend
that client accounts and household members of clients referred through the
Service maintain custody of their accounts at Schwab.
3. Clients Directing Which Broker/Dealer/Custodian to Use
CWA allows clients to direct brokerage, but this option is limited to brokers with
whom CWA has an active and current agreement in place. Clients who choose
to direct brokerage should be aware that this may limit CWA’s ability to achieve
the most favorable execution of client transactions. For example, CWA may be
unable to aggregate orders to reduce transaction costs, which could result in
higher brokerage commissions and less favorable prices. Additionally, directing
brokerage may restrict CWA’s ability to fully leverage its relationships with
brokers to optimize trade execution. Not all investment advisers allow their
clients to direct brokerage, and clients should carefully consider the potential
impact on execution quality before electing this option.
4. Short Interest Rebate Arrangement
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sale costs, including hard
to
CWA has entered into an arrangement with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”)
under which certain eligible client accounts custodied at Schwab may receive a
credit or rebate against margin interest assessed on short sale positions.
Participation is not automatic. CWA determines enrollment in its discretion based
on suitability, eligibility, and other objective criteria, and clients may instruct CWA
not to enroll their accounts. Rebates are not guaranteed and may vary based on
borrow rates, security availability, and market conditions. Schwab may modify or
discontinue the program at any time. The rebate applies only to margin interest and
does not reduce other financing or short
borrow or
stock borrow charges, short dividend or substitute payments, or transaction costs.
‑
‑
‑
The rebate can reduce client expenses, but it may indirectly benefit CWA because
CWA calculates advisory fees on account assets, which may include securities
purchased on margin. Lower interest debits may increase account values and
therefore CWA’s fees. This presents a potential conflict related to the use of margin
and short selling and to enrollment decisions. Clients should review their Schwab
account statements to see how any interest rebate is reflected.
B. Aggregating (Block) Trading for Multiple Client Accounts
CWA has implemented policies and procedures to aggregate and allocate trades in
most circumstances. This includes aggregating orders involving both client, Fund and
proprietary accounts. Aggregating trades may benefit a large group of clients by
providing CWA the ability to purchase larger blocks resulting in smaller transaction
costs to the client. Declining to aggregate trades can cause more expensive trades for
clients. There will be instances whereby aggregation of trades is not possible due to a
variety of reasons.
Item 13: Reviews of Accounts
A. Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes Those
Reviews
CWA’s research team monitors the investment models on an ongoing basis in which
clients are invested and periodically communicate any changes to CWA client
advisers. For those separately managed account clients to whom we provide
investment management services, account reviews are based on asset allocation and
position targets determined by CWA and are managed on an ongoing basis by
members of the investment management team. Different client portfolios may differ
from risk targets, allocation models, and other clients in the same model based on
each individuals’ unique circumstances, requests, tax circumstances, legacy positions,
and portfolio drift from varied deposit and/or withdrawal timing. Actual portfolio
allocations may differ significantly from the model targets. All investment advisory
clients are encouraged to discuss with us his/her/their/its investment objectives,
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needs and goals and to keep us informed of any changes regarding same. All clients
are encouraged to meet, at least annually, with CWA advisers to comprehensively
review investment objectives and account performance.
B. Factors That Will Trigger a Non-Periodic Review of Client Accounts
Non-Periodic reviews may be triggered by such events such as but not limited to
material market, economic or political events, or by changes in client's financial
situations (such as retirement, termination of employment, physical move, or
inheritance). Clients should communicate changes in their financial situation to their
financial adviser.
C. Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients
Each client will receive at least quarterly from the custodian, a statement that details
the client’s account holdings including assets held and asset value which will be
valued by the custodian.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice Rendered to
Clients (Includes Sales Awards or Other Prizes)
In addition, representatives of CWA serve on the Schwab Advisory Panel (“Schwab
Panel”). At times, Panel members are provided confidential information about
Schwab Advisory initiatives. Panel members are required to sign confidentiality
agreements. Schwab Advisory does not compensate Panel members. However,
Schwab may pay or reimburse CWA for the travel, lodging and meal expenses that
CWA may incur in attending Panel meetings. The benefits received by CWA or its
personnel by serving on the Panels do not depend on the amount of brokerage
transactions directed to Schwab. Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt
of economic benefits by CWA or its related persons in and of itself creates a potential
conflict of interest and may indirectly influence CWA’s recommendation of Schwab
for custody and brokerage services.
The Schwab Panel consists of representatives of independent investment advisory
firms who have been invited by Schwab management to participate in meetings and
discussions of Schwab Advisor Services’ services for independent investment
advisory firms and their clients. Advisory Board members enter into nondisclosure
agreements with Schwab under which they agree not to disclose confidential
information shared with them. This information generally does not include material
nonpublic information about the Charles Schwab Corporation, whose common stock
is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: SCHW). The Advisory
Panel meets in person or virtually approximately twice per year and has periodic
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conference calls scheduled as needed. Advisory Panel members are not compensated
by Schwab for their service, but Schwab does pay for or reimburse Advisory Panel
members’ travel, lodging, meals, and other incidental expenses incurred in attending
Advisory Panel meetings.
B. Compensation to Non – Advisory Personnel for Client Referrals
CWA compensates third-party solicitors/promotors for client referrals. Clients
referred by a third-party promoter are subject to a conflict of interest, as the third-
party promoter is incentivized by the compensation to refer clients to CWA, as
opposed to another adviser where no such compensation is paid.
As previously discussed, CWA receives client referrals from Charles Schwab & Co.,
Inc. (“Schwab”) through CWA’s participation in Schwab Advisor Network® (“the
Service”). The Service is designed to help investors find an independent investment
advisor. Schwab is a broker-dealer independent of and unaffiliated with CWA.
Schwab does not supervise CWA and has no responsibility for CWA’s management
of clients’ portfolios or other advice or services. CWA pays Schwab fees to receive
client referrals through the Service. CWA’s participation in the Service raises potential
conflicts of interest described below.
CWA pays Schwab a Participation Fee on all referred clients’ accounts that are
maintained in custody at Schwab and a separate one-time Transfer Fee on all accounts
that are transferred to another custodian. The Transfer Fee creates a conflict of interest
that encourages CWA to recommend that client accounts be held in custody at
Schwab. The Participation Fee paid by CWA is a percentage of the value of the assets
in the client’s account. CWA pays Schwab the Participation Fee for so long as the
referred client’s account remains in custody at Schwab. The Participation Fee is paid
by CWA and not by the client. CWA has agreed not to charge clients referred through
the Service fees or costs greater than the fees or costs CWA charges clients with similar
portfolios who were not referred through the Service.
The Participation and Transfer Fees are based on assets in accounts of CWA clients
who were referred by Schwab and those referred clients’ family members living in
the same household. Thus, CWA will have incentives to recommend that client
accounts and household members of clients referred through the Service maintain
custody of their accounts at Schwab.
Item 15: Custody
Pursuant to Rule 206(4)‐2, CWA is deemed to have custody of our client account’s
funds and securities because (i) we may debit fees directly from the accounts of such
clients and/or (ii) certain clients have executed a letter or instruction or similar asset
transfer authorization arrangement with a qualified custodian whereby we are
authorized to withdraw client funds or securities maintained with a qualified
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custodian upon our instruction to the qualified custodian (each, an “SLOA”). The
terms of each such SLOA are consistent with the terms described in the February 21,
2017, letter of the Chief Counsel’s Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission
clarifying custody with respect to a standing letter of instruction or other similar asset
transfer authorization arrangement established by a client with a qualified custodian.
As a result, with respect to transfers of funds and securities between client accounts
and to third parties, client accounts will not be subject to independent verification
(i.e., a surprise examination).
The qualified custodian of each client account sends or makes available, on a
quarterly basis or more frequently, account statements directly to each client. We urge
clients to carefully review these account statements from their qualified custodians
and compare the information therein with any financial statements or information
received or made available to clients through us or any other outside vendor.
CWA employees also serve as trustees for certain client accounts, thus are deemed to
have custody of such accounts. Investments and money transfers out of such accounts
must be pre-approved by the CCO and/or portfolio manager other than the trustee.
CWA ensures all such accounts where an employee serves as the trustee comply with
the applicable provisions of the custody rule and CWA has engaged a PCAOB
registered auditor to perform a surprise examination of these accounts.
CWA reviews all client custody arrangements, and pursuant to Section 206(4)-2 of the
Custody Rule, identifies client accounts subject to a surprise examination. CWA
engages an independent public accountant to perform a surprise examination on an
annual basis as required by the Custody Rule. The independent public accountant is
required to file an ADV-E with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120
days of the surprise exam documenting the results of such examination.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
With respect to discretionary investment advisory services, the client grants CWA the
authority through an executed investment advisory agreement to carry out various
activities in the account, generally including the selection and amount of securities to
be purchased or sold in a portfolio without obtaining additional consent from the
client. CWA then directs investment of the client’s portfolio using its discretionary
authority. The client may limit the discretion of CWA in writing as described in Item
4.C above.
the
initial
For non‐discretionary client accounts, clients must approve
implementation and all subsequent changes to the asset allocation and trades.
In non-discretionary arrangements, the client retains the responsibility for the final
decision on all actions taken with respect to a client’s portfolio. For non-discretionary
accounts, the client may also execute a limited power of attorney, which allows CWA
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to carry out trade recommendations and approved actions in the client’s portfolio.
However, in accordance with CWA’s non-discretionary investment advisory
agreement with the client, CWA does not implement trading recommendations or
other actions in the account unless and until the Client has approved the
recommendation or action.
The use of non-discretionary accounts may result in a delay in executing
recommended trades, which could adversely affect the performance of the portfolio.
This delay also normally means the affected account(s) will not be able to participate
in block trades, a practice designed to enhance the execution quality, timing and/or
cost for all accounts included in the block.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting)
CWA generally does not solicit nor accept authority to vote proxies on behalf of clients with
individual advisory accounts. As a result, such clients will receive proxy materials directly
from the issuer of the securities or the account custodian. Clients are therefore responsible
for reviewing proxy materials and exercising voting rights independently. CWA does not
provide proxy voting advice or guidance to individual advisory clients, and any inquiries
regarding proxies should be directed to the relevant issuer or custodian.
For the Global New Leaders Fund, CWA is delegated authority to vote proxies for securities
held by the Fund. CWA has engaged Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) as an
independent third-party to administer and execute proxy votes in accordance with ISS’s
research and recommendations. In the normal course, CWA retains the ability to override
ISS’s recommendations based on its internal policies and judgment. All voting decisions for
the Fund’s securities are made by CWA, and individual investors in the Fund do not have
proxy voting authority.
When proxy voting involves a material conflict of interest, CWA relies on ISS’s independent
status to address such conflicts. If CWA disagrees with an ISS recommendation in a conflict
in these
scenario, CWA may dispute the recommendation with ISS; however,
circumstances, ISS maintains final authority to determine the vote. As a result, the outcome
of the vote in conflict scenarios may not reflect CWA’s position.
Information regarding proxy votes for the Global New Leaders Fund is available to
investors as described in the Fund’s Offering Materials. Clients may request CWA’s proxy
voting policies and procedures by contacting CWA at the address and phone number listed
on the Cover Page of this Brochure.
Security Claims Class Action Litigation
CWA has engaged a third‐party service provider, Chicago Clearing Corporation
(CCC), to monitor and file securities claims class action litigation paperwork with
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claims administrators on behalf of the Firm’s clients. When a claim is settled and
payments are awarded to CWA clients, it may be necessary to share client
information, such as name and account number, with CCC in connection with this
service.
CWA does not determine if securities held in your account(s) are subject to class
action litigation/lawsuits, nor does CWA make eligibility determinations with
respect to securities that are subject to class action settlements. While CWA has
retained CCC as an ancillary service provider, clients are responsible for determining
whether to participate in any class action settlements or proceedings.
CWA does not receive any fees or remuneration in connection with this service nor
does it receive any fees from the third‐party provider(s). CCC earns a fee based on a
flat percentage of all claims it collects on behalf of CWA’s clients. This fee is collected
and retained by CCC out of the claims paid by the claim administrator. Clients may
opt out of this service at any time.
CWA does not have an obligation to advise or take any action on behalf of a client
with regard to class action litigation involving investments held in or formerly held
in a clients account.
Item 18: Financial Information
CWA does not require nor solicit prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per client,
six months or more in advance and therefore has no disclosure with respect to this
item.
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