THE CUTLER TRUST
CUTLER EQUITY INCOME FUND
CUTLER VALUE FUND
Supplement Dated April 26, 1999 to
Prospectus Dated October 30, 1998
1. Effective April 26, 1999, the investment objective for Cutler Approved List
Equity Fund (the "Fund") was changed to read "to seek current income and
long-term capital appreciation." The Fund will seek to meet its objective by
investing in "value" stocks -- stocks whose price/earnings ratios are lower
relative to the S&P 500. Contemporaneously, the Fund's name was changed to
"Cutler Value Fund."
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in foreign issuers through American
Depositary Receipts. The Fund has no current intention of investing directly in
the securities of foreign issuers or purchasing securities on a foreign market.
2. Following is a description of the Portfolio Manager of Cutler Value Fund (see
page 7 of the Prospectus):
"Mr. Robert W. Lamberti, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Cutler Value Fund,
received his B.S. from Purdue University and his M.B.A. in Finance from Temple
University in 1995. From 1993 to 1995, Mr. Lamberti was an Economic Analyst and
Treasury Analyst for the Rohm and Haas Company. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Lamberti
was a Senior Financial Analyst in the Emulsion Polymers Division at Air Products
and Chemicals, Inc. From 1997 to April 1998, he was a Senior Analyst at
Valuation Research Corporation. Mr. Lamberti joined Cutler & Company, LLC as an
assistant Portfolio Manager in April, 1998 and was promoted to Portfolio Manager
in December, 1998."
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THE CUTLER TRUST
CUTLER EQUITY INCOME FUND
CUTLER VALUE FUND
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INVESTMENT ADVISER: ADMINISTRATOR: DISTRIBUTOR: SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT
Cutler & Company, LLC Forum Administrative Forum Financial Services, INFORMATION:
503 Airport Road Services, LLCSM Inc.(R) Forum Shareholder Services,
LLCSM
Medford, Oregon 97504 Two Portland Square Two Portland Square Two Portland Square
(541) 770-9000 Portland, Maine 04101 Portland, Maine 04101 Portland, Maine 04101
(800) 228-8537 (800) 237-3113 (800) 237-3113 Toll free (888) CUTLER4
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
October 30, 1998
As amended April 26, 1999
This Statement of Additional Information supplements the Prospectus offering
shares of the Cutler Equity Income Fund and the Cutler Value Fund (each a "Fund"
and collectively the "Funds"), two portfolios of The Cutler Trust (the "Trust"),
and should be read only in conjunction with the applicable Prospectus, a copy of
which may be obtained by an investor without charge by contacting the Trust's
Shareholder Servicing Agent at the address listed above.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Investment Policies....................................................2
2. Investment Limitations.................................................2
3. Management of the Trust................................................3
Cutler & Company
Administrator and Distributor
Transfer Agent and Fund Accountant
Custodian and Auditor
Expenses
4. Determination of Net Asset Value.......................................8
5. Portfolio Transactions.................................................9
6. Additional Purchase and Redemption Information........................10
Exchanges Between Funds
Additional Redemption Matters
7. Taxation..............................................................11
8. The Trust and its Shareholders........................................11
9. Performance Data......................................................13
Yield Calculations
Total Return Calculations
10. Financial Statements..................................................14
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED
FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY A
CURRENT PROSPECTUS.
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1. INVESTMENT POLICIES
Except for cash balances, the Cutler Equity Income Fund invests in securities on
the Cutler & Company Approved List (the "Approved List"). The Cutler Value Fund
invests in "value" stocks -- stocks whose price/earnings ratios are lower
relative to the S&P 500. Each Fund may invest in shares of other investment
companies to the extent permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"1940 Act"), in which case a Fund would bear its pro rata portion of the other
investment company's expenses.
As a fundamental policy of each Fund, no portfolio transactions may be executed
with Cutler & Company or any of its affiliates. See "Portfolio Transactions."
2. INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
Each Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment limitations. These
limitations, along with any investment policies deemed to be fundamental, cannot
be changed without the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of
the outstanding shares of the Fund or (2) 67% of the shares of the Fund present
or represented at a shareholders meeting at which the holders of more than 50%
of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented.
Each Fund may not:
(1) With respect to 75% of its assets, purchase a security other than an
obligation issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United
States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities ("U.S. Government
Securities") if, as a result, more than 5% of the Fund's total assets
would be invested in the securities of a single issuer.
(2) Purchase a security other than a U.S. Government Security if, immediately
after the purchase, more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets
would be invested in the securities of issuers having their principal
business activities in the same industry.
(3) Underwrite securities of other issuers, except to the extent that the
Fund may be considered to be acting as an underwriter in connection with
the disposition of portfolio securities.
(4) Purchase or sell real estate or any interest therein, except that the Fund
may invest in debt obligation secured by real estate or interests therein
or issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein.
(5) Purchase or sell physical commodities or contracts relating to physical
commodities; borrow money; purchase or write options or invest in futures
contracts; or purchase securities on margin or make short sales of
securities, except for the use of short-term credit necessary for the
clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
(6) Issue senior securities except as appropriate to evidence indebtedness
that the Fund may be permitted to incur, and provided that the Fund may
issue shares of series or classes that the Board of Trustees (the "Board")
may establish.
(7) Enter into repurchase agreements, lend securities or otherwise make loans;
except through the purchase of debt securities that may be purchased by
the Fund.
(8) The Cutler Equity Income Fund cannot invest in the securities of foreign
issuers or purchase securities through a foreign market. The Cutler Value
Fund can invest in the securities of foreign issuers.
Each Fund has adopted the following nonfundamental investment limitations that
may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. Each Fund may not:
(a) Invest in securities (other than fully-collateralized debt obligations)
issued by companies that have conducted continuous operations for less
than three years, including the operations of predecessors (unless
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guaranteed as to principal and interest by an issuer in whose securities
the Fund could invest) if, as a result, more than 5% of the value of the
Fund's total assets would be so invested.
(b) Invest in or hold securities of any issuer other than the Fund if, to the
Fund's knowledge, those Trustees and officers of the Trust or the Fund's
investment adviser, individually owning beneficially more than 1/2 of 1%
of the securities of the issuer, in the aggregate own more than 5% of the
issuer's securities.
(c) Invest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development programs,
or leases, or in real estate limited partnerships; provided that the Fund
may invest in securities issued by companies engaged in such activities.
(d) Acquire securities that are not readily marketable ("illiquid") or are
subject to restrictions on the sale of such securities to the public
without registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
Except as required by the 1940 Act, if a percentage restriction on investment or
utilization of assets is adhered to at the time an investment is made, a later
change in percentage resulting from a change in the market values of the Fund's
assets, the change in status of a security or purchases and redemptions of
shares will not be considered a violation of the limitation.
3. MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
The Trustees and officers of the Trust and their principal occupations during
the past five years are set forth below.
* BROOKE C. ASHLAND, Trustee (age 47)
Ms. Ashland is currently Chief Executive Officer and Manager of Cutler
& Company, LLC. Prior thereto she was President, Trustee Investment
Services, Inc. (financial services marketing firm) 1990-1994. Ms.
Ashland has been associated with Cutler & Company since 1977 in
various capacities such as Assistant to the Chairman, CFO and
Secretary. Her address is 503 Airport Road, Medford, Oregon 97504.
* KENNETH R. CUTLER, Trustee, Chairman of the Board and Vice President (age 78)
Principal Portfolio Manager of the Funds and Investment Committee
Member, Cutler & Company, LLC (registered investment adviser). His
address is 503 Airport Road, Medford, Oregon 97504.
* JOHN Y. KEFFER, Trustee and President (age 56)
John Y. Keffer is the sole shareholder (directly and indirectly) and
director of Forum Financial Group, LLC, which owns (directly or
indirectly) Forum Financial Services, Inc. (registered broker-dealer),
Forum Shareholder Services, LLC (registered transfer agent), Forum
Accounting Services, LLC (registered fund accountant), and Forum
Investment Advisors, LLCSM (registered investment adviser). Mr. Keffer
is also a director and/or officer of various registered investment
companies for which Forum Administrative Services, LLC serves as
manager or administrator. His address is Two Portland Square,
Portland, Maine 04101.
DR. HATTEN S. YODER, JR., Trustee (age 77)
Director Emeritus, Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of
Washington and consultant to the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Dr.
Yoder has been a director of the Geophysical Laboratory and consultant
to the Los Alamos National Laboratory since 1971. His address is 6709
Melody Lane, Bethesda, Maryland 20817.
ROBERT B. WATTS, JR., Trustee (age 67)
Counsel, Northhaven Associates (private legal practice) since 1990.
His address is 2230 Brownsboro Highway Eagle Point, Oregon 97524.
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CAROL FISCHER, Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer (age
42)
Chief Operating Officer of Cutler & Company, LLC (registered
investment adviser). Prior thereto, Ms. Fischer was associated with
Cutler & Company in various capacities. Her address is 503 Airport
Road, Medford, Oregon 97504.
STEPHEN J. BARRETT, Vice President (age 31)
Manager of Client Services, Forum Financial Services, Inc., with which
he has been associated since September 1996. Prior to joining Forum,
Mr. Barrett spent two and a half years at Fidelity Investments where
he served as a Senior Product Manager. Prior to that, he was a
Securities Analyst for two and a half years with Bingham, Dana & Gould
in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Barrett also is an officer of various
registered investment companies for which Forum Administrative
Services, LLC or Forum Financial Services, Inc. serves as manager,
administrator and/or distributor. His address is Two Portland Square,
Portland, Maine 04101.
D. BLAINE RIGGLE, Secretary (age 31)
Assistant Counsel, Forum Financial Services, Inc., with which he has
been associated since 1998. Prior thereto, Mr. Riggle was Associate
Counsel for Wright Express Corporation from 1997 to 1998 and for three
years thereto was an associate with the law firm of Friedman, Babcock
& Gaythwaite in Portland, Maine. Mr. Riggle also is an officer of
various registered investment companies for which Forum Administrative
Services, LLC or Forum Financial Services, Inc. serves as manager,
administrator and/or distributor. His address is Two Portland Square,
Portland, Maine 04101.
SARA M. MORRIS, Treasurer (age 35)
Managing Director, Forum Financial Services, Inc., with which she has
been associated since 1994. Prior thereto, from 1991 to 1994, Ms.
Morris was Controller of Wright Express Corporation and for six years
prior thereto was employed at Deloitte & Touche LLP as an accountant.
Ms. Morris is also an officer of various registered investment
companies for which Forum Administrative Services, LLC or Forum
Financial Services, Inc. serves as manager, administrator and/or
distributor. Her address is Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine
04101.
DAWN TAYLOR, Assistant Treasurer (age 34)
Tax Manager, Forum Financial Services, Inc., with which she has been
associated since 1994. Prior thereto, from 1986-1994, Ms. Taylor was a
Tax Consultant for The New England Mutual Life Insurance Company,
Boston, Massachusetts. Ms. Taylor is also an officer of various
registered investment companies for which Forum Administrative
Services, LLC or Forum Financial Services, Inc. serves as manager,
administrator and/or distributor. Her address is Two Portland Square,
Portland, Maine 04101.
MARCELLA A. COTE, Assistant Secretary (age 51)
Fund Administrator, Forum Financial Services, Inc., with which she has
been associated since 1998. Prior thereto, from 1997 to 1998, Ms. Cote
was a budget analyst for the Maine Automated Child Welfare Information
System, a federally funded project of the Maine Department of Human
Services. From 1991 to 1997, Ms. Cote acted as staff to the Maine
Inter-departmental Committee on Transition. Ms. Cote is also an
officer of various registered investment companies for which Forum
Administrative Services, LLC or Forum Financial Services, Inc. serves
as manager, administrator and/or distributor. Her address is Two
Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
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* John Y. Keffer, Brooke C. Ashland and Kenneth R. Cutler are interested persons
of the Trust as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. Kenneth R. Cutler is
Brooke C. Ashland's father.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, the aggregate compensation paid to the
Trustees of the Trust by the Funds is as follows: Dr. Hatten S. Yoder, Jr., $10,
684.18; Mr. Robert B. Watts, Jr., $12,897.51. Messrs. Cutler, Keffer and Ms.
Ashland received no compensation for their services as a Trustee for the past
year and no officer of the Trust is compensated by the Trust. Non-interested
Trustees are reimbursed for travel and related expenses incurred in attending
meetings of the Board.
CUTLER & COMPANY
Under an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Trust (the "Agreement"), Cutler
& Company furnishes at its own expense all services, facilities and personnel
necessary in connection with managing each Fund's investments and effecting
portfolio transactions for each Fund.
The Agreement provides for an initial term of twelve months from its effective
date with respect to a Fund and for its continuance in effect for successive
twelve-month periods thereafter, provided the Agreement is specifically approved
at least annually by the Board or by vote of the shareholders, and in either
case, by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or
interested persons of any such party at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on the Agreement. The Agreement is terminable without penalty by the
Trust with respect to a Fund on 60 days' written notice when authorized either
by vote of the Fund's shareholders or by a vote of a majority of the Board, or
by Cutler & Company on 60 days' written notice, and will automatically terminate
in the event of its assignment. The Agreement also provides that, with respect
to each Fund, Cutler & Company shall not be liable for any error of judgment or
mistake of law or for any act or omission in the performance of its duties to
the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the
performance of its duties or by reason of reckless disregard of its obligations
and duties under the Agreement.
As compensation for the services rendered and related expenses borne by Cutler &
Company under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Trust pays Cutler & Company
a fee, computed daily and payable monthly, equal to 0.75% per annum of each
Fund's average daily net assets. The following table shows the dollar amount of
fees payable under the Investment Advisory Agreements between Cutler & Company
and the Trust with respect to each Fund, the amount of fee that was waived by
Cutler & Company, if any, and the actual fee received by Cutler & Company. The
data are for the past three fiscal years.
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Advisory Fee Advisory Fee Advisory Fee
Payable Waived Retained
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CUTLER EQUITY INCOME FUND
Year Ended June 30, 1998 $520,630 $0 $520,630
Year Ended June 30, 1997 385,655 0 385,655
Year Ended June 30, 1996 244,542 0 244,542
CUTLER VALUE FUND
Year Ended June 30, 1998 $279,760 $0 $279,760
Year Ended June 30, 1997 230,877 0 230,877
Year Ended June 30, 1996 147,509 4,351 143,158
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ADMINISTRATOR AND DISTRIBUTOR
Forum Administrative Services, LLC ("FAdS") supervises the overall management of
the Trust (which includes, among other responsibilities, monitoring of
performance and billing of the transfer agent and custodian and arranging for
maintenance of books and records of the Trust), and provides the Trust with
general office facilities pursuant to a Management Agreement with the Trust. The
Management Agreement provides for an initial term of twelve months from its
effective date with respect to a Fund and for its automatic renewal each year
thereafter for an additional term of one year.
The Management Agreement terminates automatically if it is assigned and may be
terminated without penalty with respect to any Fund by vote of that Fund's
shareholders or by either party on not more than 60 days' written notice. The
Management Agreement also provides that FAdS shall not be liable for any error
of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or omission in the administration
or management of the Trust, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of FAdS' duties or by reason of reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties under the Management Agreement.
At the request of the Board, FAdS provides persons satisfactory to the Board to
serve as officers of the Trust. Those officers, as well as certain other
employees and Trustees of the Trust, may be directors, officers or employees of
FAdS, Cutler & Company or their affiliates.
For its services under the Management Agreement, FAdS receives with respect to
each Fund an annual fee, computed daily and payable monthly, equal to 0.10% of
the average daily net assets of each Fund. The following table shows the dollar
amount of fees payable under the Management Agreements between FAdS and the
Trust with respect to each Fund.
Management Fee
Payable
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CUTLER EQUITY INCOME FUND
Year Ended June 30, 1998 $69,417
Year Ended June 30, 1997 51,421
Year Ended June 30, 1996 45,027
CUTLER VALUE FUND
Year Ended June 30, 1998 $37,301
Year Ended June 30, 1997 30,783
Year Ended June 30, 1996 26,997
Forum Financial Services, Inc. ("FFSI") is the Trust's distributor and acts as
the agent of the Trust in connection with the offering of shares of the Funds
pursuant to a separate Distribution Agreement. The Distribution Agreement
provides for an initial term of twelve months from its effective date and for
its continuance in effect for successive twelve-month periods thereafter,
provided the agreement is specifically approved at least annually by the Board
or by vote of the shareholders, and in either case, by a majority of the
Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or interested persons
of any such party at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the
Distribution Agreement. All subscriptions for Shares obtained by Forum are
directed to the Trust for acceptance and are not binding on the Trust until
accepted by it. FFSI receives no compensation or reimbursement of expenses for
the distribution services provided pursuant to the Distribution Agreement.
The Distribution Agreement provides that FFSI shall not be liable for any error
of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or omission in the administration
or management of the Trust, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence in the performance of FFSI's duties or by reason of reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement. The
Distribution Agreement also provides for certain indemnification of FFSI.
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The Distribution Agreement is terminable with respect to a Fund without penalty
by the Trust on 60 days' written notice when authorized either by vote of the
Fund's shareholders or by a vote of a majority of the Board, or by FFSI on 60
days' written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment.
TRANSFER AGENT
Effective September 28, 1998, Forum Shareholder Services, LLC ("FSS") acts as
transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Trust pursuant to a
Transfer Agency and Services Agreement. The Transfer Agency Agreement provides
for an initial term of twelve months from its effective date with respect to a
Fund and for its automatic renewal for successive twelve month periods
thereafter. Cutler & Company may act as a sub-transfer agent or processing
agent. For its services, FSS is paid a fee at an annual rate of $12,000 per year
plus certain account charges and is reimbursed for certain expenses incurred on
behalf of the Funds. Prior to September 28, 1998, Forum Financial Corp. ("FFC")
acted as transfer agent for the Trust pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Services
Agreement with the Trust.
The following table shows the dollar amount of fees payable under the Transfer
Agency and Services Agreement between FFC and the Trust with respect to each
Fund.
Transfer Agent Fee
Payable
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CUTLER EQUITY INCOME FUND
Year Ended June 30, 1998 $16,912
Year Ended June 30, 1997 15,479
Year Ended June 30, 1996 17,422
CUTLER VALUE FUND
Year Ended June 30, 1998 $14,938
Year Ended June 30, 1997 14,317
Year Ended June 30, 1996 15,471
FUND ACCOUNTANT
Effective September 10, 1997, Forum Accounting Services, LLC ("FAcS") serves as
the fund accountant for the Trust pursuant to a Fund Accounting Agreement. FAcS
is paid a fee for its portfolio accounting services of $36,000 per year for each
Fund, subject to adjustments for the number and type of portfolio transactions.
Prior to September 10, 1997, FFC acted as fund accountant for the Trust pursuant
to a Fund Accounting Agreement with the Trust.
The following table shows the dollar amount of fees payable under the Fund
Accounting Agreements between FAcS, FFC and the Trust with respect to each Fund,
the amount of fee that was waived by FAcS and FCC, if any, and the actual fee
received by FAcS and FFC. The data are for the past three fiscal years.
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Accounting Fee Accounting Fee Accounting Fee
Payable Waived Retained
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CUTLER EQUITY INCOME FUND
Year Ended June 30, 1998 $39,000 $0 $39,000
Year Ended June 30, 1997 37,000 0 37,000
Year Ended June 30, 1996 37,000 0 37,000
CUTLER VALUE FUND
Year Ended June 30, 1998 $39,000 $0 $39,000
Year Ended June 30, 1997 44,000 0 44,000
Year Ended June 30, 1996 48,000 12,000 36,000
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CUSTODIAN AND AUDITOR
Pursuant to a Custodian Agreement with the Trust, Investors Bank & Trust
Company, 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, acts as the
custodian of the Trust's assets. The custodian's responsibilities include
safeguarding and controlling the Funds' cash and securities, determining income
and collecting interest on the Funds' investments. Prior to October 1, 1998,
BankBoston, 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02106 acted as custodian
of the Trust's assets.
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 125 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110,
independent auditors, has been chosen by the Board to act as auditor for the
Trust.
EXPENSES
Each Fund's expenses comprise Trust expenses attributable to the Fund that are
allocated to the Fund, and those not attributable to a particular Fund that are
allocated among the Funds in proportion to their average net assets. Cutler &
Company voluntarily agreed to waive its fees or reimburse each Fund to the
extent a Fund's total expenses exceed the amounts indicated in the Prospectus
until June 30, 1999. This voluntary limit may be discontinued at any time after
that date. Any waivers or reimbursements have the effect of increasing the
Funds' yield and may not be recouped at a later date.
Subject to any fee waiver or expense reimbursement arrangements, the Trust pays
all of its expenses, including: interest charges, taxes, brokerage fees and
commissions; expenses of issue, repurchase and redemption of shares; premiums of
insurance for the Trust, its Trustees and officers and fidelity bond premiums;
applicable fees, interest charges and expenses of third parties, including
Cutler & Company, Forum, FFC, FSS, the Trust's custodian and shareholder
servicing agents; fees of pricing, interest, dividend, credit and other
reporting services; costs of membership in trade associations;
telecommunications expenses; funds transmission expenses; auditing, legal and
compliance expenses; costs of forming the Trust and maintaining its existence;
costs of preparing and printing the Trust's prospectuses, statements of
additional information and shareholder reports and delivering them to existing
shareholders; expenses of meetings of shareholders and proxy solicitations
therefor; costs of maintaining books and accounts and preparing tax returns;
costs of reproduction, stationery and supplies; fees and expenses of the Trust's
Trustees; compensation of the Trust's officers and employees who are not
officers of Cutler & Company, Forum or their respective affiliates; costs of
other personnel who may be employees of Cutler & Company, Forum or their
respective affiliates performing services for the Trust; costs of Trustee
meetings; Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees and related
expenses; and state or foreign securities laws registration fees and related
expenses.
4. DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The Trust does not determine net asset value on the following holidays: New
Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial
Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and
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Christmas. Purchases and redemptions are effected as of the next determined net
asset value following the receipt of any purchase or redemption order.
In determining the approximate market value of portfolio investments, the Funds
may employ outside organizations, which may use a matrix or formula method that
takes into consideration market indices, matrices, yield curves and other
specific adjustments. This may result in the securities being valued at a price
different from the price that would have been determined had the matrix or
formula method not been used. All cash, receivables and current payables are
carried at their face value.
5. PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The Funds will effect purchases and sales through brokers who charge
commissions. Allocations of transactions to brokers and the frequency of
transactions are determined by Cutler & Company in its best judgment and in a
manner deemed to be in the best interest of shareholders of the Funds rather
than by any formula. The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders in
an effective manner and at the most favorable price available to the Funds. No
portfolio transactions are executed with Cutler & Company or any of its
affiliates.
Any Fund may not always pay the lowest commission or spread available. Rather,
in determining the amount of commission, including certain dealer spreads, paid
in connection with Fund transactions, Cutler & Company takes into account such
factors as size of the order, difficulty of execution, efficiency of the
executing broker's facilities (including the services described below) and any
risk assumed by the executing broker. Cutler & Company may also take into
account payments made by brokers effecting transactions for the Fund (1) to the
Fund or (2) to other persons on behalf of the Fund for services provided to it
for which it would be obligated to pay.
Consistent with section 28(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
exercise of Cutler & Company's fiduciary duties under its Investment Advisory
agreement with the Trust, and any other applicable law, Cutler & Company may
allocate brokerage on behalf of the Trust to brokers who provide research
services and may cause the Fund to pay these brokers a higher amount of
commission than may be charged by other brokers. Such research and analysis may
be used by Cutler & Company in connection with services to clients other than
the Fund, and Cutler & Company's fee is not reduced by reason of Cutler &
Company's receipt of the research services.
Investment decisions for each Fund will be made independently from those for any
other account (including another Fund) that is or may in the future become
managed by Cutler & Company or its affiliates. When a Fund and other accounts
managed by Cutler & Company are contemporaneously engaged in the purchase or
sale of the same security, however, the transactions may be averaged as to price
and allocated equitably to each account. In some cases, this policy might
adversely affect the price paid or received by a Fund or the size of the
position obtainable for the Fund. In addition, when purchases or sales of the
same security for a Fund and for other accounts managed by Cutler & Company
occur contemporaneously, the purchase or sale orders may be aggregated in order
to obtain any price advantages available to large denomination purchases or
sales.
The following table shows the aggregate brokerage commissions with respect to
each Fund. The data are for the past three fiscal years.
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Aggregate
Commissions Paid
----------------
CUTLER EQUITY INCOME FUND
Year Ended June 30, 1998 $124,242
Year Ended June 30, 1997 25,417
Year Ended June 30, 1996 47,307
CUTLER VALUE FUND
Year Ended June 30, 1998 $38,272
Year Ended June 30, 1997 9,110
Year Ended June 30, 1996 7,501
The increase in the aggregate brokerage commissions paid during the fiscal year
ended June 30, 1998 was based upon the increase in the portfolio turnover rate
for both Funds. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, the Cutler Value
Fund and Cutler Equity Income Fund acquired securities of its regular brokers or
dealers (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the 1940 Act) or their parents; the
value of the aggregate holdings were as follows: $774,900 and $2,767,500,
respectively, in Merrill Lynch & Company, Inc.
6. ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
Shares of each Fund are sold on a continuous basis by the distributor at net
asset value without any sales charge. Shareholders may effect purchases or
redemptions or request any shareholder privilege in person at FSS's offices
located at Two Portland Square, Portland, Maine 04101.
EXCHANGES BETWEEN FUNDS
Shareholders of a Fund may exchange their shares for shares of the other Fund or
for shares of the Daily Assets Government Fund, a money market fund managed by
FAdS and a separate series of Forum Funds(R), or the Investors Bond Fund, also a
separate series of Forum Funds managed by FAdS. Exchange transactions will be
made on the basis of relative net asset value per share at the time of the
exchange transaction. For Federal tax purposes, exchange transactions are
treated as sales on which a purchaser will realize a capital gain or loss
depending on whether the value of the shares redeemed is more or less than his
basis in such shares at the time of the transaction.
Proceeds of an exchange transaction may be invested only in another Fund account
for which the share registration is the same as the account from which the
exchange is made. The terms of the exchange privilege are subject to change, and
the privilege may be terminated by any Fund or the Trust. However, the privilege
will not be terminated, and no material change that restricts the availability
of the privilege to shareholders will be implemented, without 60 days' notice to
shareholders, to the extent required by applicable regulation.
ADDITIONAL REDEMPTION MATTERS
Proceeds of redemptions normally are paid in cash. However, payments may be made
wholly or partly in portfolio securities if the Board of Trustees determines
economic conditions exist which would make payment in cash detrimental to the
best interests of the Fund. If payment for shares redeemed is made wholly or
partly in portfolio securities, brokerage costs may be incurred by the
shareholder in converting the securities to cash. The Trust has filed an
election with the Securities and Exchange Commission
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pursuant to which each Fund may only effect a redemption in portfolio securities
if the particular shareholder is redeeming more than $250,000 or 1% of the
Fund's total net assets, whichever is less, during any 90-day period.
In addition to the situations described in the Prospectus under "Purchases and
Redemptions of Shares," the Trust may redeem shares involuntarily to reimburse
each Fund for any loss sustained by reason of the failure of a shareholder to
make full payment for shares purchased by the shareholder or to collect any
charge relating to transactions effected for the benefit of a shareholder which
is applicable to the Fund's shares as provided in the Prospectus from time to
time.
Shareholders' rights of redemption may not be suspended, except (1) for any
period during which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is closed (other than
customary weekend and holiday closings) or during which the Securities and
Exchange Commission determines that trading thereon is restricted, (2) for any
period during which an emergency (as determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission) exists as a result of which disposal by a Fund of its securities is
not reasonably practicable or as a result of which it is not reasonably
practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets, or (3)
for such other period as the Securities and Exchange Commission may by order
permit for the protection of the shareholders of the Fund.
Fund shares are normally issued for cash only. In Cutler & Company's discretion,
however, each Fund may accept portfolio securities that meet the investment
objective and policies of the Fund as payment for Fund shares. The Fund will
only accept securities that (1) are not restricted as to transfer either by law
or liquidity of market and (2) have a value which is readily ascertainable (and
not established only by valuation procedures).
7. TAXATION
Qualification as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 does not involve governmental supervision of management or investment
practices or policies. Investors should consult their own counsel for a complete
understanding of the requirements the Funds must meet to qualify for such
treatment. The information set forth in the Prospectus and the following
discussion relate solely to Federal income taxes on dividends and distributions
by the Funds. Investors should consult their own counsel for further details and
for the application of state and local tax laws to the investor's particular
situation.
In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company under the
Internal Revenue Code, each Fund must distribute to its shareholders for each
taxable year at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (which
includes dividends, interest and the excess of net short-term capital gain over
net long-term capital losses) and must meet several additional requirements.
Among these requirements are the following: (1) each Fund must derive at least
90% of its gross income each taxable year from dividends, interest, gains from
the sale or other disposition of securities and certain other income; (2) at the
close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of the value of
its total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government
Securities, securities of other regulated investment companies and other
securities, with these other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer,
to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets or
10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and (3) at the close of
each quarter of the Fund's taxable year, not more than 25% of the value of its
total assets may be invested in securities (other than U.S. Government
Securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one
issuer.
8. THE TRUST AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS
The Trust is a business trust organized under Delaware law. Delaware law
provides that shareholders shall be entitled to the same limitations of personal
liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit. The
courts of some states, however, may decline to apply Delaware law on this point.
The Trust Instrument contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for
the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses of the
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Trust and requires that a disclaimer be given in each contract entered into or
executed by the Trust or the Trustees. The Trust Instrument provides for
indemnification out of each series' property of any shareholder or former
shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the series. The Trust
Instrument also provides that each series shall, upon request, assume the
defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of
the series and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder
incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to
circumstances in which Delaware law does not apply, no contractual limitation of
liability was in effect, and the portfolio is unable to meet its obligations.
The Trust believes that, in view of the above, the risk of personal liability to
shareholders is remote.
The Trust Instrument further provides that the Trustees shall not be liable to
any person other than the Trust or its shareholders; moreover, the Trustees
shall not be liable for any conduct whatsoever, provided that a Trustee is not
protected against any liability to which he would otherwise be subject by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties involved in the conduct of his office.
Each series' capital consists of shares of beneficial interest. Shares are fully
paid and nonassessable, except as set forth above with respect to Trustee and
shareholder liability. Shareholders representing 10% or more of the Trust or a
series may, as set forth in the Trust Instrument, call meetings of the Trust or
series for any purpose related to the Trust or series, as the case may be,
including, in the case of a meeting of the entire Trust, the purpose of voting
on removal of one or more Trustees. The Trust or any series may be terminated
upon the sale of its assets to, or merger with, another open-end management
investment company or series thereof, or upon liquidation and distribution of
its assets. Generally such terminations must be approved by the vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust or the series;
however, the Trustees may, without prior shareholder approval, change the form
of organization of the Trust by merger, consolidation or incorporation. If not
so terminated or reorganized, the Trust and its series will continue
indefinitely. Under the Trust, the Trustees may, without shareholder vote, cause
the Trust to merge or consolidate into one or more trusts, partnerships or
corporations or cause the Trust to be incorporated under Delaware law, so long
as the surviving entity is an open-end management investment company that will
succeed to or assume the Trust's registration statement.
Although each Fund is offering only its own shares, it is possible that a Fund
might become liable for any misstatement in the Prospectus of another Fund. The
Board has considered this factor in approving the use of a single combined
Prospectus.
As of October 1, 1998, the officers and trustees of the Trust owned as a group
less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each Fund. Also as of that date, the
following persons owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each
Fund:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
CUTLER EQUITY INCOME FUND
- -------------------------
ENTERPRISE TRUST & INVESTMENT CO. TTEE THE KARL KIRCHGESSNER FOUNDATION
FBO BIG CREEK LUMBER PROFIT SHARING 1278 Glenneyre, Suite 311
3654 Highway 1 Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Davenport, CA 95014 6.46%
9.45%
CUTLER VALUE FUND
- -----------------
THE KARL KIRCHGESSNER FOUNDATION LORRAINE Y. PERRIN TESTAMENTARY TRUST
1278 Glenneyre, Suite 311 500 Eastgate Lane
Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Santa Barbara, CA 93108
6.53% 6.39%
</TABLE>
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9. PERFORMANCE DATA
Each Fund may quote performance in various ways. All performance information
supplied by a Fund in advertising is historical and is not intended to indicate
future returns. A Fund's net asset value, yield and total return fluctuate in
response to market conditions and other factors, and the value of Fund shares
when redeemed may be more or less than their original cost.
In performance advertising a Fund may compare any of its performance information
with data published by independent evaluators such as Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc., CDA/Wiesenberger or other companies that track the investment
performance of investment companies ("Fund Tracking Companies"). A Fund may also
compare any of its performance information with the performance of recognized
stock, bond and other indexes, including but not limited to the Standard &
Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, U.S.
Treasury bonds, bills or notes, the Salomon Brothers Bond Index, the Shearson
Lehman Bond Index, and changes in the Consumer Price Index as published by the
U.S. Department of Commerce. A Fund may refer to general market performances
over past time periods such as those published by Ibbotson Associates. A Fund
may also refer in such materials to mutual fund performance rankings and other
data published by Fund Tracking Companies. Performance advertising may also
refer to discussions of a Fund and comparative mutual fund data and ratings
reported in independent periodicals, such as newspapers and financial magazines.
For the one year period ended June 30, 1998, the average annual total returns of
the Cutler Equity Income Fund and Cutler Value Fund were 21.60% and 24.90%,
respectively. Since commencement of operations on December 30, 1992, the average
annual total returns of the Cutler Equity Income Fund and Cutler Value Fund were
17.40% and 17.94%, respectively.
YIELD CALCULATIONS
Yields for a Fund used in advertising are computed by dividing the Fund's
interest income for a given 30 days or one-month period, net of expenses, if
any, by the average number of shares entitled to receive distributions during
the period, dividing this figure by the Fund's net asset value per share at the
end of the period and annualizing the result (assuming compounding of income) in
order to arrive at an annual percentage rate. Capital gain and loss generally
are excluded from these calculations.
Income calculated for the purpose of determining a Fund's yield differs from
income as determined for other accounting purposes. Because of the different
accounting methods used, and because of the compounding assumed in yield
calculations, the yield quoted for a Fund may differ from the rate of
distribution the Fund paid over the same period or the rate of income reported
in the Fund's financial statements.
Although published yield information is useful to investors in reviewing a
Fund's performance, investors should be aware that a Fund's yield for any given
period is not an indication or representation by the Fund of future yields or
rates of return on the Fund's shares. The yields of the Funds are not fixed or
guaranteed, and an investment in the Funds is not insured or guaranteed.
Accordingly, yield information may not necessarily be used to compare shares of
the Funds with investment alternatives which, like money market instruments or
bank accounts, may provide a fixed rate of interest. Also, it may not be
appropriate to compare a Fund's yield information directly to similar
information regarding investment alternatives that are insured or guaranteed.
TOTAL RETURN CALCULATIONS
Each Fund may advertise its total return. Total returns quoted in advertising
reflect all aspects of a Fund's return, including the effect of reinvesting
dividends and capital gain distributions, and any change in the Fund's net asset
value per share over the period. Average annual returns are calculated by
determining the growth or decline in value of a hypothetical historical
investment in a Fund over a stated period, and then calculating the annually
compounded percentage rate that would have produced the same result if the rate
of growth or decline in value had been constant over the period. Whereas average
annual returns are a
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convenient means of comparing investment alternatives, investors should realize
that the performance is not constant over time but changes from year to year,
and that average annual returns represent averaged figures as opposed to the
actual year-to-year performance of a Fund.
Average annual total return is calculated by finding the average annual
compounded rates of return of a hypothetical investment over a given period
according to the following formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV, where:
P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000;
T = average annual total return;
n = number of years; and
ERV = ending redeemable value (ERV is the value, at the end of the
applicable period, of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the
beginning of the applicable period).
In addition to average annual returns, the Funds may quote unaveraged or
cumulative total returns reflecting the simple change in value of an investment
over a stated period. Total returns may be broken down into their components of
income and capital (including capital gain and changes in share price) in order
to illustrate the relationship of these factors and their contributions to total
return.
Period total return is calculated according to the following formula:
PT = (ERV/P-1), where:
PT = period total return.
The other definitions are the same as in average annual total return above.
10. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements of the Trust for its fiscal year ended June 30, 1998
(which include statements of assets and liabilities, statements of operations,
statements of changes in net assets, notes to financial statements, financial
highlights, statements of investments and the auditors' report thereon) are
included in the Annual Report to Shareholders of the Trust delivered along with
this Statement of Additional Information, and are incorporated herein by
reference.
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