Macro Alternative Fund
Fund Strategy
• Pursuing what hedge funds attempt to deliver to portfolios, with the lower cost, greater
transparency, and daily liquidity of a mutual fund
• Multiple strategies across diverse asset classes, including U.S. and international, fixed
income, currencies, metals, and commodities
• Seeks low correlation among diverse strategies
• Risk management at the asset, strategy, and fund level
• Designed to potentially provide a smoother return stream across market cycles
Resources
Discussion
The Fund seeks to achieve its objectives by investing primarily in Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”). An ETF is a type of Investment Company which attempts to achieve a return similar to a set benchmark or index. The value of an ETF is dependent on the value of the underlying assets held. ETFs are subject to investment advisory and other expenses which results in a layering of fees for clients. As a result, your cost of investing in the fund will be higher than the cost of investing directly in ETFs and may be higher than other mutual funds with similar investment objectives. ETFs may trade for less than their net asset value. Although ETFs are exchanged traded, a lack of demand can prevent daily pricing and liquidity from being available. The Fund can purchase ETFs with exposure to equities, fixed income, commodities, currencies, developed/emerging international markets, real estate, and specific sectors. The underlying investments of these ETFs will have different risks. Equity prices can fluctuate for a variety of reasons including market sentiment and economic conditions. The prices of small and mid-cap companies tend to be more volatile than those of larger, more established companies. It is important to note that bond prices move inversely with interest rates and fixed income ETFs can experience negative performance in a period of rising interest rates. High yield bonds are subject to higher risk of principal loss due to an increased chance of default. Commodity ETFs generally gain exposure through the use of futures which can have a substantial risk of loss due to leverage. Currencies can fluctuate with changing monetary policies, economic conditions, and other factors. International markets have risks due to currency valuations and political or economic events. Emerging markets typically have more risk than developed markets. Real estate investments can experience losses due to lower property prices, changes in interest rates, economic conditions, and other factors. Investments in specific sectors can experience greater levels of volatility than broad-based investments due to their more narrow focus. The Fund can also purchase unleveraged, inverse fixed income and equity ETFs.
The Fund may execute portions of its investment strategy (e.g. commodities exposure), by investing up to 25% of its total assets (measured at the time of purchase) in a wholly-owned and controlled Subsidiary. The Subsidiary will invest primarily in futures contracts for assets such as commodities, currencies and fixed income securities. However, the Fund may also make these investments outside of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is subject to the same investment restrictions as the Fund, when viewed on a consolidated basis. By investing in futures contracts indirectly through the Subsidiary, the Fund will obtain exposure to financial markets such as commodities within the federal tax requirements that apply to the Fund.
The Fund may directly or indirectly invest in derivatives (including stock index, fixed income, currency and commodity futures or swaps) to enhance returns or hedge against market declines. The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. These risks include (i) the risk that the issuer to a derivative transaction may not fulfill its contractual obligations; (ii) risk of mispricing or improper valuation; and (iii) the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. Derivative 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: changing supply and demand relationships; 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. Trading derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities. Derivative contracts ordinarily have leverage inherent in their terms. The low margin deposits normally required in trading derivatives, including futures contracts, permit a high degree of leverage. Accordingly, a relatively small price movement may result in an immediate and substantial loss to the Fund.
Disclosure
All information contained herein is for informational purposes only. This is not a solicitation to offer investment advice or services in any state where to do so would be unlawful. Analysis and research are provided for informational purposes only, not for trading or investing purposes. All opinions expressed are as of the date of publication and subject to change. Astor and its affiliates are not liable for the accuracy, usefulness or availability of any such information or liable for any trading or investing based on such information.
Mutual funds involve risk including the possible loss of principal. The funds may invest in alternative assets and specialty market segments. The risks and volatility of these products are linked to investments in equities, derivatives, commodities, futures, real estate or currency exchange rates and may include leverage, which magnifies the changes in the value of the ETF and are subject to leverage, credit risk and counterparty risks. Foreign investing, including emerging markets, involves risks not typically associated with U.S. Investments, including fluctuations in currency values, political, social and economic developments, liquidity, volatility, less efficient markets, and differing legal standards.
The adviser’s dependence on its proprietary economic analysis and judgements about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of asset classes may prove to be incorrect and ay not produce the desired results. ETF’s are subject to investment advisory fees and other expenses, which will be indirectly paid by the Fund. As a result, your cost of investing in the Fund will be higher than the cost of investing directly in the ETF’s and may be higher than other mutual funds. The net asset value of the Fund will fluctuate based on changes in the value of the equity securities in which in invests through ETF’s.
When investing in fixed-income, the value of your investment if the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Lower quality (high yield or junk) bond are considered speculative and preset greater risk than bonds of higher quality. Debt issuers, including sovereign debt, may not make interest or principal payments resulting in losses to the Fund. Securities of small and medium capitalization companies may be subject to more abrupt or erratic market movements than those of larger more established companies.
An investor should consider the Astor funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. This and other information about the Astor funds are contained in the funds’ prospectus, which can be obtained by calling (877) 738-0333. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The funds are distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC a FINRA/SIPC member. Astor Investment Management is not affiliated with Northern Lights Distributors, LLC. 3525-NLD-7/20/2017 2017-126.