View Document Text
Perritt Capital Management, Inc.
300 South Wacker Drive
Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60606
1•800•331•8936
www.perrittcap.com
June 2025
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of
Perritt Capital Management, Inc. and, in certain cases, our affiliates and related persons.
Our related persons include our non-clerical/administrative employees and our officers
and directors (and any person performing similar functions).
The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by any state securities authority. Perritt
is a registered investment adviser with the SEC; however, such registration does not
imply a certain level of skill or training.
A copy of this brochure may be requested free of charge by contacting our Chief
Compliance Officer, Lynn E. Burmeister at 1-800-331-8936. A copy of this brochure is
also available on the SEC’s
Investment Adviser Public disclosure web site
(www.adviserinfo.sec.gov) and on our web site at www.perrittcap.com.
1 | P a g e
Item 2
Material Changes
This page summarizes material changes, if any, to Perritt Capital Management, Inc.’s Form
ADV Part 2A as compared to last year’s Form ADV Part 2A dated September 30, 2024.
There have been no material changes since our last annual update.
2 | P a g e
Item 3
Table of Contents
Material Changes .............................................................................................................. 2
Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. 3
Advisory Business .............................................................................................................. 4
Fees & Compensation ........................................................................................................ 8
Performance-Based Fees ................................................................................................. 10
and Side by Side Management ......................................................................................... 10
Types of Clients ............................................................................................................... 11
Methods of Analysis, Investment ..................................................................................... 12
Strategies and Risk of Loss ............................................................................................... 12
Disciplinary Information .................................................................................................. 18
Other Financial Industry .................................................................................................. 19
Activities & Affiliations .................................................................................................... 19
Code of Ethics, Participation, or ....................................................................................... 20
Interest in Client Transactions .......................................................................................... 20
and Personal Trading ...................................................................................................... 20
Brokerage Practices ......................................................................................................... 21
Review of Accounts ......................................................................................................... 26
Client Referrals and ......................................................................................................... 27
Other Compensation ....................................................................................................... 27
Custody ........................................................................................................................... 28
Investment Direction ....................................................................................................... 29
Voting Client Securities .................................................................................................... 30
Financial Information ...................................................................................................... 31
State Registered Advisors ................................................................................................ 32
3 | P a g e
Item 4
Advisory Business
History & Ownership
Perritt Capital Management, Inc. is located at 300 South Wacker Drive, Suite 600, Chicago,
Illinois 60606, and was incorporated as an Illinois corporation on July 8, 1987. We are a
wholly owned subsidiary of Investment Information Services, Inc. (referred to herein as IIS).
Michael Corbett is the CEO, CIO and Portfolio Manager of Perritt Capital Management, as
well as the majority owner of IIS.
Mr. Corbett joined Perritt Capital Management as a research analyst in 1990, began working
as Portfolio Manager in 1996 and became the firm’s President in October 2010.
Investment Advisory Services
We provide discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to individuals,
institutions, trusts, and other entities that require investment advice on an ongoing basis.
In addition to our separately managed accounts, we are the investment adviser to The
Perritt Funds, Inc., which has one series: the MicroCap Opportunities Fund.
Windgate Wealth Management is the business unit for wealth management clients that are
interested in an ongoing investment advisory relationship with an advisor (Perritt Capital
Management, Inc.), or clients that are looking for financial planning. Windgate accounts
may invest in mutual funds, individual equities, and bonds, ETF’s, or mutual fund asset
allocation portfolios.
In the future, Perritt Capital Management, Inc. may offer new strategies, either under the
name of Perritt or Windgate, as opportunities arise. For those clients that we provide
discretionary investment advisory services, we will make all investment decisions and direct
the execution of all transactions for the clients’ account, in accordance with the stated
objectives, guidelines and restrictions that a client may impose on the account.
4 | P a g e
Item 4
Advisory Business
(continued)
We may refuse to enter into an investment advisory arrangement with a prospective client
whose investment objectives are considered incompatible with our basic investment
philosophy or strategies, or if the prospective client seeks to impose unduly restrictive
investment guidelines, or if we cannot determine the identity of the ultimate investor. We
generally do not impose any specific requirements on the maintenance of client accounts.
We may participate in certain bundled fee programs either by contract with the sponsoring
broker dealer or under contracts with individual clients referred to by the sponsoring
broker dealer. In those instances, we would receive a portion of the bundled fee for our
investment advisory services, and that fee could differ by program. In managing accounts
under these programs, our overall management strategy would not differ materially from
other accounts that we manage. However, certain differences may exist due to the nature
of the bundled fee programs, which require, by way of example, that certain models be
followed in managing the accounts, that certain program specific restrictions be adhered to,
and that certain program specific operational procedures be followed.
As of June 30, 20254, discretionary assets under management are $280 million and
nondiscretionary assets are $5 million.
Financial Planning Services
We provide financial planning services through our Certified Financial Planner. Financial
planning involves us conducting a comprehensive evaluation of a client’s current and future
financial state, using currently known facts to predict the client’s future cash flows, asset
values and likely withdrawal plans. Through the financial planning process, we consider and
evaluate all questions, information, and analyses that the client provides to us to determine
their likely impact on the clients stated financial goals and objectives. We then provide the
client with a written individualized case study, which provides the client with a detailed
financial plan designed to assist the client in achieving the client’s financial goals and
objectives.
5 | P a g e
Item 4
Advisory Business
(continued)
Financial Planning Services (continued)
As desired by the client, the financial plan can address any or all the following:
• Personal – We review family records, budgeting, personal liability, estate information
and financial goals to help the client determine how to achieve their desired financial
objectives.
• Tax and Cash Flow – We analyze a client’s income tax, spending and planning for
past, current, and future years; then we illustrate the impact of various investments
on the client’s current income tax and future tax liability. We may refer the client to
tax accountants. We do not prepare tax returns for clients.
•
Investments - We analyze investment alternatives and their effect on the client’s net
wealth.
•
Insurance – We review existing policies to ensure adequate coverage for life and
health. We do not sell insurance but may refer the client to an insurance agent who
may be affiliated with us.
• Death and Disability – We review the client’s cash needs at death, income needs of
surviving dependents, estate planning and disability income to help the client be
financially prepared for these events.
• Estate – We assist the client in assessing and developing long-term strategies,
including, but not limited to, reviewing the client’s living trusts, wills, expected estate
tax obligations, powers of attorney, and asset protection plans to help the client
assess how these items impact the client’s financial objectives.
We gather required information through an in-depth personal interview and written
records. The information we gather includes the client’s current financial status, tax status,
future goals, returns, objectives and attitudes towards risk. We then carefully review
documents the client supplies to us, including a questionnaire completed by the client,
before completing the financial plan that we present to the client. Should the client choose
to implement the recommendations contained in the financial plan, we encourage the
client to work closely with the client’s own attorney, accountant, insurance agent and
investment advisor. Implementation of the financial plan recommendations is entirely at
the client’s discretion.
6 | P a g e
Item 4
Advisory Business
(continued)
Financial Planning Services (continued)
We may also provide general non-securities advice to the client on topics including tax and
budgetary planning, estate planning and business planning.
It is the client’s responsibility to keep us fully and continuously updated as to their personal
and current financial situation, investment objectives, personal circumstances, needs and
goals; and to promptly inform us of any changes to information previously provided to us.
We strive to render our best advice for our clients, but we cannot assure or guarantee that
clients will achieve their stated financial goals and objectives.
Fi-Care
For founders or heads of companies who believe in supporting the financial well-being of
their employees, the Windgate Fi-Care Planning Program gives your team the skills to
manage their personal finances. Each employee receives the benefit of working with a
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who is committed to understanding their financial goals
and uncovering any financial blind spots they may have. We develop a goal-based plan to
solve budgeting, investing, retirement planning and many other needs; then communicate
regularly to ensure progress.
7 | P a g e
Item 5
Fees & Compensation
Investment Advisory Services
Our standard annual investment advisory fee for separately managed accounts is 1% of the
market value of the portfolio. Advisory fees are billed quarterly, in advance, based on the
portfolio’s market value on the last business day of the previous quarter. Fees may be
deducted from client accounts, subject to client approval and authorization, or billed
directly to the client. Our standard fee is negotiable at our discretion.
Accounts open will be charged an initial fee prorated through the end of the current
calendar quarter. Accounts closed will have their investment advisory fees prorated
through the date of termination, and any unearned portion of the fees that were paid in
advance will be refunded to the client.
The investment advisory fee does not include brokerage commissions, transaction fees or
other related costs and expenses that may be incurred in connection with your investment
advisory account. Brokers, custodians and other third parties may charge our clients for
items such as commissions, custodial fees, wire transfer and electronic fund fees and taxes.
Please refer to Item 12 in this brochure for further discussion of our brokerage practices.
For some of our client accounts, we may invest in third party mutual funds or ETFs. In those
instances, clients pay two levels of advisory fees – our direct advisory fee and an indirect
management fee to such unaffiliated investment companies.
We may recommend to our clients the purchase of shares of the Perritt MicroCap
Opportunities Fund; however, the value of such fund shares is excluded from the value of the
client’s account for purposes of computing our management fee with respect to that account.
This is done to prevent us from receiving a fee from both the client and the fund. with respect
to the same assets under management.
Financial Planning Services
Financial planning services that we provide to our clients are typically charged a fee based
upon a percentage of the client’s current assets or a fixed fee, as negotiated. This fee covers
our review and analysis of the client’s financial position and the preparation and
presentation to the client of a written individualized case study. This financial plan is
designed to assist the client in achieving their financial goals and objectives. The exact fees
are specified in the Financial Planning Agreement.
8 | P a g e
Item 5
Fees & Compensation
(continued)
Financial Planning Services Fees (cont’d)
A fee for subsequent updates of the financial plan may be charged in addition to the initial
fee, as agreed between the client and us. We reserve the right to waive any update fees.
In determining the appropriate fee to charge a client, we assess the complexity of the
client’s financial circumstances, the level of skill required to complete the proposed financial
planning process and related financial plan, and the time likely to be required to perform the
services. One-half of the fee is usually due and payable upon acceptance of the Financial
Planning Agreement, with the balance of the fee due and payable upon presentation of the
plan. Under no circumstances do we require prepayment of a fee more than six months in
advance.
Fi-Care
Employers who have retained our consulting and financial planning services for their
employees will pay the Financial Planning Services Fee as described above. Employees sign
the financial planning agreement with no financial obligations to them.
Participant Account Management (Discretionary)
We use a third party platform to facilitate management of held away assets such as Defined
Contribution Plan participant accounts. We are not affiliated with the platform and receive
no compensation from them for using their platform. A link is provided to the Client allowing
them to connect their account(s) to the platform. Once Client account(s) connect to the
platform, we will review the current account allocations and will rebalance the account
considering client investment goals and risk tolerance, as well as current economic and
market trends. Client account(s) are reviewed at least quarterly, and allocation changes will
be made as deemed necessary
Mutual Fund
The Perritt MicroCap Opportunities Fund annual investment advisory fee is 1% of its
average daily net assets.
Item 6
10 | P a g e
Performance-Based Fees
and Side by Side Management
We do not receive performance-based fees.
10 | P a g e
Item 7
8
Types of Clients
We provide investment advisory services to many different types of clients including open-
end registered investment companies, individuals, institutional investors, trusts, estates,
pension and profit sharing plans, and retirement plans.
The minimum account size to open a separately managed account is generally $250,000.
We may waive this initial investment requirement. Minimum investments in The Perritt
Fund, Inc. are as described in the prospectus, which can be found at
http://www.perrittcap.com.
11 | P a g e
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment
Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Each of our investment strategies uses an investment philosophy that combines our long-
term investment horizon with a fundamental understanding that a well-balanced and
diversified portfolio can help clients further achieve their investment goals and satisfy their
risk tolerance.
Our investment strategies may use model portfolios. However, not all clients will hold all the
same securities contained in the applicable model portfolio. This may be due to general
market conditions, the availability of a particular security within the target price range, a
client’s investment restrictions or investment guidelines, or other considerations that may
make certain investment recommendations impossible or inadvisable to execute in all client
accounts.
On occasion, we may invest in Initial Public Offerings (IPO’S) or Secondary Offerings for our
mutual fund accounts. Due to the limited availability of shares in these situations, our
wealth management accounts generally will not participate in these transactions. A
summary of our investment strategies, the investment portfolios we offer, and the
individual risks involved follows.
EQUITY PORTFOLIOS
SMALL/MICRO-CAP/ULTRA MICRO-CAP COMPANY
The investment objective of the Micro-Cap Strategy used by our mutual fund and available
as separate account management, is to provide our clients with exposure to the Smaller
Company and Microcap Universe of stocks. Based on academic research, our investment
philosophy for this strategy is to take advantage of the long-term tendency of common
stocks of small and micro-cap companies to outperform stocks of large companies at
equivalent levels of risk.
12 | P a g e
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment
Strategies and Risk of Loss
(continued)
EQUITY PORTFOLIOS (cont’d)
SMALL/MICRO-CAP/ULTRA CAP COMPANY (cont’d)
Investment Process
The MicroCap Opportunities Strategy invests in the common stocks of companies with a
market capitalization between $50 and $500 million at time of initial purchase.
For our small/micro-cap company equity strategy we follow a disciplined investment
process that uses a bottom-up approach, which favors companies with modest valuation
multiples relative to long-term growth prospects.
Steps in this process include:
•
Companies are first subjected to a nine point evaluation - based on balance sheets,
cash flow statements and income statements.
•
For companies whose fundamentals look favorable based on the nine-point
evaluation, the next step is to assess their broader business prospects. The focus of
this step is to identify growing, niche companies with innovative products and/or
services with the potential to build franchises and brands.
13 | P a g e
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment
Strategies and Risk of Loss
(continued)
ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIOS
The investment objective of our Asset Allocation Portfolios is to offer our clients an
opportunity to invest in diversified portfolios aimed to balance risk and reward by
apportioning a portfolio’s assets according to their goals, risk tolerance and investment
horizon. Each asset allocation strategy is focused on undervalued areas that may
generate positive returns based on relative valuations and growth prospects.
Investment Process
The investment process for our Asset Allocation Portfolios begins typically with a top
down approach while maintaining a diversified portfolio. First, a menu of various asset
classes is decided upon based on historical performance, risk and correlation
characteristics. Second, we examine various stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETF’s, cash
and alternative investments and invest in those that we believe are positions
consistent with the economic sector outlook and strategy of the portfolio.
The equity exposure in these portfolios can be segmented into investments by region
and market-cap size, including domestic and international equity, as well as emerging
markets. The fixed income exposure can include government and corporate bonds of
short, intermediate, or long term that are either high yield or investment grade.
Alternative investments, i.e. real estate, commodities, etc. will be used based on the
allocations for each strategy.
Allocation to the various asset classes in client’s portfolios will be shifted based on our
economic/sector outlook, while keeping a focus on the benefits of a diversified portfolio.
Investments in our Asset Allocation strategy are chosen based on low expense ratios, low
turnover, and an accurate representation of the asset category. Income will be generated
by investing in assets that pay dividends, short and long-term gain distributions, or
interest payments from fixed income investments.
14 | P a g e
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment
Strategies and Risk of Loss
(continued)
ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIOS (cont’d)
Portfolio assets are rebalanced periodically back to target allocations to ensure current
market environment suitability. Although portfolio turnover is expected to be modest,
rapidly changing economic circumstances can lead to an increase in portfolio turnover.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. While
investment portfolios are tailored to meet individual needs and objectives, long-term
growth and avoidance of undue risk have usually been the primary considerations, there
is no assurance that an investment will provide positive performance over any period.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and different periods, and market
conditions may result in significantly different outcomes.
For those accounts that own equities, fixed income and other investment securities, the
risks presented are in proportion to the allocation to different asset class within the
portfolio. For all portfolios, performance depends on our active management in selecting
and maintaining securities that will achieve the stated investment objective.
For strategies that invest in mutual funds and ETFs, such vehicles incur management and
other fees and expenses related to their investment programs. As a result, clients
invested in these portfolio strategies pay two levels of fees - our direct fees and the
indirect fees of the mutual funds and ETFs. The indirect fees and expenses may
ultimately reduce the returns achieved by such portfolios.
15 | P a g e
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment
Strategies and Risk of Loss
(continued)
Risk of Loss cont’d
Market Conditions
Portfolios are subject to the general risk of adverse market conditions for equity
securities. The market prices of equity securities are generally subject to greater risk
than prices of fixed income securities, such as bonds and preferred stock. Although
equity securities have historically demonstrated long-term increases in value, their
prices may fluctuate markedly over the short-term due to changing market conditions,
interest rate fluctuations and various economic and political factors.
Small Companies
Smaller companies sometimes have limited product lines. Markets and financial
resources may be dependent for management on one or a few key persons, and can
be more susceptible to losses, stock price volatility, reduced stock trading volume and
liquidity. Historically, small companies tend to perform poorly during times of
economic stress. Emerging companies tend to be more volatile and somewhat more
speculative than investments in more established companies.
Company and Sector Risk
Companies in the same industry or sector may be similarly affected by economic or
market events, making some portfolios more vulnerable to unfavorable developments
in an industry or sector. Certain investments in individual companies or sectors may
underperform in the short term. At times, the long-term potential of a company may
not be reflected in the current stock price.
Foreign Issuers and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)
Investments in foreign issuers and ADRs are subject to the risks normally associated
with securities of the same type and are also subject to additional risks not associated
with investments in U.S. securities. These risks may include political, social or economic
instability in the country of the issuer, the difficulty of predicting international trade
patterns, and the possibility of the implementation of exchange controls,
nationalization of assets or foreign taxation. In addition, there may be less publicly
available information about a foreign company.
16 | P a g e
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment
Strategies and Risk of Loss
(continued)
Risk of Loss cont’d
Equities
Equity investments in the form of common stock represent an ownership interest in a
company. These companies may or may not pay dividends. Common stock represents
the junior position in a company’s capital structure. Although common stocks have a
history of long term growth in value, their prices fluctuate based on changes in a
company’s financial condition and on overall market and economic conditions.
Therefore, the price of a common stock may decline for several reasons. The price
declines may be steep, sudden and/or prolonged. There may be additional risks for
small and micro-cap equities, international equities, particularly those in emerging
markets, as well as stocks in particular sectors.
Fixed Income
Fixed income investments are subject to certain risks such as credit, interest rate and
liquidity. When interest rates rise, the prices of fixed income securities generally
declines. Securities with longer maturities and lower credit ratings are generally
more sensitive to interest rate changes than shorter-term, higher-grade securities.
There is no guarantee that all interest payments will be received as scheduled, if
ever, and there is no guarantee that principal investment will be returned in full.
Commodities
Investments in commodities may be in the form of stocks, mutual funds or ETF’s of
precious metals, such as gold. Commodities markets are not as liquid as most equity
and fixed income markets and are subject to more price volatility.
Currency
Currency investments are subject to the risks associated with inflation and currency
devaluation, economic weakness of the issuer and political risk.
17 | P a g e
Item 9
18
Disciplinary Information
We have had no disciplinary actions taken against us or any of our employees within the
last ten years by any domestic, foreign, or military court; the SEC or any other federal
regulatory agency; any state regulatory agency or any foreign financial regulatory
authority; or any self-regulatory organization (SRO).
18 | P a g e
Item 10
Other Financial Industry
Activities & Affiliations
We receive a portion of our revenues from investment management fees from the Perritt
MicroCap Opportunities Fund. See Item 5 – “Fees and Compensation” for a description
of the advisory fees paid by the Perritt MicroCap Opportunities Fund.
Certain of our principals and officers also serve as officers and directors of Perritt Funds,
Inc. and may receive compensation from the MicroCap Opportunities Fund for those
services. As disclosed above, to the extent that a client’s assets are invested in the Perritt
MicroCap Opportunities Fund we do not charge clients a separate advisory fee on those
assets. In no case will we compensate an employee directly in connection with any
purchase of shares of the MicroCap Opportunities Fund for our client accounts.
Employees may be registered representatives of ACA Foreside Distributors, LLC and
may from time to time, in their capacity as registered representatives, sell shares of the
MicroCap Opportunities Fund. These individuals will not be compensated by ACA
Foreside Distributors, LLC for sales of fund shares to our clients.
We may recommend to our clients the purchase of shares of the Perritt MicroCap
Opportunities Fund, and our aggregate compensation may increase because of the
purchase of shares of the fund by our clients. However, to prevent us from receiving a
fee from both the client and the fund, the value of the fund shares is excluded from the
value of a client’s account for the purposes of computing our management fee with
respect to that account.
19 | P a g e
Item 11
Code of Ethics, Participation or
Interest in Client Transactions
and Personal Trading
We have adopted a Code of Ethics. On occasion, our principals or we may invest in
securities owned by a client, but the interests of the client always take precedence. We
may also recommend to clients that they buy or sell securities in the MicroCap
Opportunities fund. See Item 5 - “Fees and Compensation” and Item 10 – “Other
Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations” for a discussion on investments by clients in
the MicroCap Opportunities Fund and the fees we receive.
All our employees, including research analysts who are independent contractors, are
required to pre-clear personal trades, for covered securities, with either the Chief
Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), or Chief Compliance Officer (CCO),
who also reviews all employee trades on a regular basis. Pre-trade approval will not be
granted if, at the time of such purchase or sale, there is an open order for the purchase or
sale of such covered security in the fund or a managed account or we have an immediate
present intention to enter an order for the purchase or sale of such security for our clients.
To ensure that each of our principals and employees, including research analysts who may be
independent contractors, adhere to the highest standards of conduct and integrity in
handling business on behalf of our clients, upon hire, each such person signs an initial
attestation that they have read and understand our Code of Ethics. Any amended Code of
Ethics is subsequently delivered to the staff with the expectation of a returned attestation
acknowledging receipt and understanding of the revised code. Clients and prospective
clients may request a complete copy of our Code of Ethics by writing to our CCO at the
address listed on the cover page of this brochure.
We may not act as a principal for our own account and knowingly sell any security to or
purchase any security from a client without disclosing to such client in writing before the
completion of such transaction the capacity in which we are acting and obtaining the
consent of the client to such transaction. Under no circumstances do we affect cross
transactions for ERISA clients. When engaging in a cross transaction, neither we nor any of
our affiliates receives compensation for acting as broker-dealer, and we follow any
applicable SEC rules or guidance for cross transactions.
20 | P a g e
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
General Information
In placing purchase and sale orders for portfolio securities for our clients who have not
directed us to use certain brokers, we seek the best execution of orders at the most
favorable price considering the overall quality of brokerage and research services
provided.
Many of the transactions that we make for our clients involve payment of a brokerage
commission by the client. In some cases, transactions are with firms who act as principals
of their own accounts. In selecting brokers to effect portfolio transactions, the
determination of what is expected to result in best execution at the most favorable price
involves several largely judgmental considerations. Specifically, when we allocate trades to
brokers, we review and consider the following criteria:
• Our experience with the broker or the proven ability of the broker to perform the
trades.
• The difficulty of executing the trade in question (whether due to liquidity, volatility,
speed of the broker or communication feedback).
• The ability of the broker to allocate “block trades” for multiple accounts at average
pricing.
• Whether the broker makes available soft dollar or other research incentives. The ability
of the broker to handle/provide size execution.
• The ability of the broker to report trades via the Depository Trust Company.
• The ability of the broker to service special needs (for example, certification/
transfers/handle restrictions, etc.)
• The price of the broker’s commissions alone.
In effecting trades that require execution through multiple brokers, we time the entry of
the trades in a manner that is designed to provide no advantage to any individual account
or group of accounts over time. In making this determination, we review and consider the
factors below. After considering the factors below, the priority for order entry will be set on
a random or rotational basis.
• The liquidity of the issue in question and the broker’s speed of response and ability to
execute without negatively affecting price.
• The availability or need of cash in each account or group of accounts.
21 | P a g e
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
(continued)
General Information cont’d
• The relative size or position of the issue in question relative to other accounts or
groups of accounts.
• The size of orders to be executed through the same broker.
Soft Dollars (Section 28(e))
In allocating brokerage business for our clients, we also take into consideration the
research, analytical, statistical, and other information and services provided by the broker
(known as soft dollar benefits). While we believe these services have substantial value,
they are considered supplemental to our own efforts in the performance of our duties for
our clients. Research services obtained on behalf of one client may indirectly benefit our
other clients. Specifically, we may cause clients to pay commissions higher than those
charged by other brokers for soft dollar benefits (known as paying up), if we determine in
good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of
brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker viewed in terms of
either the transaction or our overall responsibilities with respect to our clients.
These research services are of the type described in Section 28(e) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and are designed to augment our own internal research and
investment strategy capabilities. Within the last fiscal year, we acquired research reports
analyzing securities, industries, and market trades with client brokerage commissions (or
markups or mark-downs).
With respect to selecting brokers who provide research services, we select brokers who
can provide us:
• Useful reports on individual companies and industries of interest to us;
• Current and historical statistical information, general economic data, and
information pertinent to federal and state legislative developments and
changes in accounting practices;
• Direct access by telephone or meeting with leading research analysts throughout
the financial community, corporate management personnel, industry experts,
leading economists, and government officials;
• Comparative performance evaluation and technical measurement services;
• Economic advice and Securities quotations.
22 | P a g e
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
(continued)
Soft Dollars (Section 28(e)) cont’d
When we use client brokerage commissions to obtain research or other products or
services, we receive a benefit because we do not have to produce or pay for the research,
products, or services. Therefore, we may have an incentive to select or recommend a
broker based on our interest in receiving the research or other products or services,
rather than on our clients’ interest in receiving the most favorable execution.
We seek to allocate soft dollar benefits to our client accounts proportionately to the soft
dollar credits the accounts generate; to the extent that account size has some correlation
to the amount of credits generated and will have correlation to the amount of benefit
received.
During the last fiscal year, the procedure used to direct client transactions to specific
brokers in return for soft dollar benefits was simple and effective. We decided as to
whether there was a need for additional soft dollar benefits. If there was such a need,
then all trades for the selected broker were designated as soft dollar trades until the
determination for the need of additional soft dollar benefits was terminated. During that
period client trades executed at the selected broker paid soft dollar commissions.
Practices for Clients Who Direct Brokerage
We permit our clients to direct brokerage. For those individual client accounts that have
directed us to use specified brokers, we generally allocate trades to their brokers on a
rotating basis. If a client directs brokerage, we may be unable to achieve the most favorable
execution of that client’s transactions, and the client may pay higher brokerage commissions
for the reasons identified below. The following conditions apply to directed brokerage:
23 | P a g e
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
(continued)
Practices for Clients who Direct Brokerage cont’d
• We cannot negotiate commissions on our client’s behalf. As a result, clients directing
brokerage may pay materially different commissions from those paid by our other
clients. It will depend on each client’s commission arrangement with their broker and
other factors, such as the number of shares involved in the transaction, whether the
order is a round lot or odd lot order and the market for the security being bought and
sold.
• We cannot negotiate volume discounts on so-called “block trades” (namely, orders
for the purchase or sale of the same security for more than one of our accounts,
including the client). For those clients who do not direct us to use a broker, we may
be able to negotiate reduced commission rates for transactions through certain
brokers. Such reduced commission rates generally apply to all transactions effected
through the broker, including so-called “block trades.”
Aggregation of Trades
For the benefit of our clients, when possible, we will aggregate purchases and sales of
securities, “block trades”. When we engage in block trades, we allocate securities to
individual client accounts in a manner that is designed so that no individual account is
disadvantaged over time.
In some circumstances, it may not be possible to fill the entire aggregated trade. In those
cases, orders are partially filled equally among all participating accounts.
24 | P a g e
Item 13
Review of Accounts
The CIO and Investment Committees review our client accounts at least monthly. If
there is unusual market activity or changes in our clients’ investment circumstances,
we will review the accounts on a more frequent basis.
We provide our clients with detailed, written reports regarding their accounts on a
quarterly basis (or more frequently if requested by a client). These client reports include
a summary of the account’s asset allocation, industry diversification, yield, market values
and net gain.
25 | P a g e
Item 14
Client Referrals and
Other Compensation
Normally, we do not compensate any person who is not one of our employees (or who is
not otherwise a supervised person) for client referrals. However, from time to time, we
may accept client referrals from persons referred to as “Solicitors.” All Solicitors are
required to enter a written agreement with us that requires the Solicitor to deliver our
Form ADV Part 2A and a separate disclosure document relating to the Solicitor’s
relationship with us to each potential client. Payments to Solicitors may be in the form of a
fixed periodic amount or a percentage of the investment management fee that we receive.
A client referred to us by a Solicitor will not pay a higher investment management fee
because of the referral, unless specifically stated otherwise in the Solicitor’s separate
disclosure document.
When appropriate, we do ask and encourage our clients to provide us with referrals of
potential new clients. No client receives any referral fee or other economic benefit about
any such referral.
26 | P a g e
Item 15
Custody
To the extent that we have, or may be deemed to have, custody of client funds or
securities, all such funds or securities are maintained by a qualified custodian. The
qualified custodian will provide our clients with account statements on at least a quarterly
basis. We urge you to carefully review such statements and compare these official
custodial records to the account statements that we may provide to you. Our statements
may vary from custodial statements based on accounting procedures, reporting dates, or
valuation methodologies of certain securities. If you have any questions about your
statements or notice any discrepancies, please contact us. We also ask that you contact us
if you stop receiving, at least quarterly, statements from the custodian.
27 | P a g e
Item 16
Investment Direction
We generally have discretionary authority to manage securities accounts on behalf of our
clients. See Item 4 – “Advisory Business” for information on the number of accounts that
are discretionary accounts versus non-discretionary accounts, and information on
limitations that clients may place on our investment authority. Our authority to exercise
investment discretion is agreed upon in advance by the client through the terms of our
investment management agreement with the client.
28 | P a g e
Item 17
Voting Client Securities
Our clients may delegate to us authority to vote proxies on securities held in their
accounts. To assist us in voting proxies on behalf of our clients, we have adopted a proxy
voting policy that sets forth our proxy voting procedures and guidelines. In general, when
voting proxies for our clients, we make voting decisions consistent with what we believe to
be the “economic best interests” of the client and review each proxy on a case-by-case
basis, with the final decision based on the merits.
To assist us in reviewing proxies, we may engage a third-party administrator to research
and analyze each proxy and make a recommendation to us on how the vote should be cast
on the issue. After we have reviewed the recommendation by the third-party
administrator, we will instruct the third-party administrator, in writing, how to vote the
proxies and the third-party administrator will cast the vote on behalf of the client.
Set forth below are the general guidelines we utilize for voting proxies on behalf of our
clients:
• With respect to routine matters, such as the election of directors and the ratification
of auditors, we tend to vote with management, although we reserve the right to vote
otherwise.
• With respect to proposals related to social, environmental, or political matters, we
tend to vote with management, but the economic interest of the client is the foremost
consideration when determining how to vote on such proposals.
• With respect to proposals related to shareholder sovereignty, we tend to vote against
any proposal that limits shareholder influence on management or adversely affects the
potential value received by shareholders.
• With respect to the approval of stock option plans, we tend to vote with management,
although we reserve the right to vote otherwise.
There may be instances where our interests may conflict or appear to conflict with the
interests of our clients. In such situations, we will, consistent with our duty of care and
duty of loyalty, vote the securities in accordance with our proxy voting policy, but only
after disclosing any such conflict to our clients prior to voting and affording our clients the
opportunity to direct us in the voting of such securities.
29 | P a g e
Item 18
Financial Information
We are not required to provide financial information pursuant to this Item.
30 | P a g e
Item 19
Requirements for
State Registered Advisors
We are not registered with, nor are we required to register with any
state securities authorities as an investment adviser.
31 | P a g e