There are risks involved with mutual fund investing, including the risk of loss of principal. Investing in fixed income securities such as bonds involves interest rate risk. When interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities generally decreases. The Bond Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in high-yield bonds that are below investment grade. High-yield bonds involve a greater risk of default and price volatility than U.S. Government and other higher-quality bonds. Call options involve certain risks, such as limited gains and lack of liquidity of the underlying securities, and are not suitable for all investors. There are risks associated with selling short, including the risk that the Long/Short Fund may have to cover its short position at a higher price than the short price, resulting in a loss. The Fund’s loss on a short sale is potentially unlimited as a loss occurs when the value of a security sold short increases. An investment in a sector fund may involve greater risk and volatility than a diversified fund. There are risks associated with small- and mid-cap investing such as less liquidity, limited product lines and small market share.
ICON’s quantitative methodology calculates intrinsic value using average earnings per share, future earnings growth estimates, beta, and bond yield. This calculated intrinsic value for each individual stock is aggregated by industry and sector which enables ICON to identify value opportunities within industries and sectors. ICON then employs a tactical, rotation-based process that tilts the Fund toward industries and sectors ICON believes will outperform.
ICON believes that equity markets go through themes over time, simply stated, stocks in industries that were market leaders at one time tend to become overpriced relative to intrinsic value, and stocks in industries that were not in favor tend to drop below intrinsic value. In general, the Fund will sell securities in industries ICON believes are overpriced and buy securities in industries we believe are underpriced. We believe ICON’s combination of industry rotation and bottom-up valuation distinguishes us from other investment managers.